DON’T OVERLOOK YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD PONDS FOR BASS

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Before you plan a weekend fishing trip where you’ll spend more time traveling than fishing, consider wetting a line in your HOA or community lake — you may be pleasantly surprised! Such waters can also be a great choice when you only have an hour before dinner to wet a line and don’t have time to fish anywhere farther than your home turf. To put science to this suggestion, the largest bass submitted to the TrophyCatch program to date, a 16 lbs. 12 oz. behemoth caught by angler Dominic Montalto (right), came from a neighborhood pond. Community lakes vary dramatically in quality, with many communities investing in lake plantings and vegetated shorelines that benefit fish and wildlife. Others may opt for elimination of most vegetation, and while FWC recommends 25-30% native plant coverage even these waters can sometimes harbor big bass.

Good lures for these smaller waters include all your normal bass fare: plastic worms, minnow imitations, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits (if deep enough). Many of these lakes are on the shallow side, also making them ideal candidates for topwater fishing (see article above). For bait, shiners remain the perennial favorite but occasionally shad are present in such waters and will also do well attracting a bass’ attention.

Fishing pressure is usually very low on community lakes; often, only the local neighborhood kids provide any fishing competition. Such (usually) manmade waters don’t have the structural diversity of natural waters, but good locations to target include culverts, piers, bridges, and any existing vegetation stands. If there does happen to be any fallen timber, points, or submerged channels those of course are also excellent locations to target.

So, make use of your home field advantage, and give the neighborhood pond a try. A lake doesn’t have to be far, big or well-known to produce a trophy here in Florida, the Bass Fishing Capital of the World!

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One of the 2021 Big Bass Zone Junior Championship anglers Will Hadley while visiting family in FL shows you the power of fishing small ponds.

Bill Siemantel#motorguideco, #MercuryProTeam, #bbzjc, #bigbasstour, #MercuryInnovation, #stcroixrods, #aftco, #wefishasa, #basscatboats, #inthelineoffirefamily, #motorguide, #power_pole, #kbf, #mercurymarine, #bucketmouthbrand, #Linecutterz, #bbzjc #bassboats #bassmaster, #tackledirect, #marucci #bbzjc #bassfishing #sunglasses, #fishingchaos, #bass_nation, #bassmasterhighschool, #blokx design, #anglers Inn International, #lowrance, #bass