Sunday, November 16, 2025 – The Pond Report
There’s something truly special about those late-season days when the air is crisp, but the sun is shining bright. Yesterday, the calendar said November 16th, but the weather felt like a gift. With the air temperature sitting at a pleasant 57 degrees under those classic bluebird skies, I couldn't resist a quick run down to the neighborhood pond.
The conditions were prime for a successful late-fall hunt. The water level in the pond is noticeably UP, a great sign, with several drains either completely submerged or only half-showing on the banks. The water clarity was decent, sitting at about 2–3 feet of visibility. While I didn't get a water temperature reading, based on the recent mild days, I’d bet money the surface temp was holding well above 50 degrees, keeping those largemouth active and feeding.
The Stealth Game: Bank Fishing Secrets
As always, the focus was on the venerable Largemouth Bass.
A critical part of my strategy when fishing from the bank in clear, neighborhood ponds is stealth. I made sure to stay far back from the water's edge, using the higher banks and available cover to keep a low profile. Trust me, if you think fish can’t see you walking up to the bank, you're mistaken. Those drain-dwelling bass are experts at spotting shadows and movement, and staying way back is a simple but effective "secret" to getting an extra bite or two.
💰 The Winning Setup: Swimbait & Underspin Power
This time of year, as the bass begin to group up and transition to deeper holding areas, their feeding becomes very focused—they want a substantial, easy meal. And once again, two confidence lures absolutely dominated: the Swimbait and the Underspin. It’s truly amazing how effective these two presentations are in the late fall, perfectly mimicking the dying shad and baitfish.
Combo 1: Underspin System (The Flash)
For the flash, I used a precise combination that the bass couldn't resist:
Underspin/Hook: The Owner Flashy Swimmer Single Bass Hook with CPS (3/0 Hook, 3/16 oz), featuring a Black Chrome hook finish and a Silver Willow blade.
Trailer: The Keitech Swing Impact Unrigged Plastic Swim Bait in the Bluegill 04 color.
This underspin setup was deadly! The bass were so aggressive that more than once, I pulled in my lure to find the Keitech swimbait’s tail completely bitten off!
My second deadly combo for a slightly bulkier, but slower, profile was:
Jighead: The Z-Man Trout Eye 3/16 oz Jighead (Red).
Swimbait: The Crush City Mayor 2.5-in Unrigged Plastic Swim Bait in a shad-imitating color.
The Technique
The key for both combos was a super slow retrieve. I was reeling just fast enough to get that tail action and keep the blade flashing, and then BANG! The strikes were incredibly aggressive, often happening right near the bank as the bass followed the lure all the way in before committing. This tells me they were a bit sluggish in the slightly cooler water but couldn't resist an easy, slow-moving meal presented right in front of them.
The One That Got Away... and Broke My Heart (and Line!)
Of course, no fishing trip is truly complete without "the one that got away." I hooked into what felt like a truly phenomenal fish on the Crush City Mayor swimbait. It immediately took some serious drag, making a strong run for deeper water. I slowly worked her closer to the bank, feeling confident, when suddenly—SNAP! My 4 lbs test line gave way right near the knot, leaving me with nothing but that sickening slack. I went back to the truck and found the evidence of the battle in my truck bed:
—a clear indication that a big fish had swallowed that swimbait deep and simply overwhelmed the line at the critical moment. You win some, you lose some, but that one will definitely haunt me until next time!
A Reflection on the Season and Family
While the fall fishing has been stellar, the best part of the day was the backdrop. My son, a junior in high school, was putting in work on the nearby sports field, running drills for his offseason football program. There’s a beautiful contrast there—the quiet, focused effort of the angler versus the high-intensity, grinding effort of the athlete. Every time I landed a respectable fish, I'd hold up my "trophy catch" for him to see while he took a quick water break. Sharing those small moments of success, even when we’re focused on different goals, is truly what makes these days special.
There's a stillness in the air you don't find in the summer heat, a peaceful silence that allows you to focus purely on the cast and the retrieve. It’s a moment to reflect on the season past and the promise of the hard water ahead.
