any ideas on how to catch picky bass in a pond?? we have a pond and it is stocked with lots of largemouth but they just wont bite!!

There's a couple of factors that you need to take in to consideration. First, water clarity. If the water is crystal clear, they are able to see better therefore may not be willing to bite as aggressively. Second is the time of day your are fishing. Most bass fishing is at it's best as the sun comes up, and when it goes down.
You may have to use live bait or try lures that are as realistic as possible.

+1, fish early, start fishing shallow parallel with the bank, shallow then work out to deeper water, spinners and or tx rig. stay back a little from the water, if you can see them they can see you, and try not to make noise or stomp you way in. Good luck

free line a live bluegill.

We have them too. Was tossing out around some cattails with a 4# hanging out in 1 fow and dangled a brush hog in front of his mouth for about 25 mins. He finally took it and I set the hook for hard after all that waiting I pulled the knot right out, and then packed my [censored] and left.

I throw a weightless 3" white grub for my go to lure.

thank im gonna have to try all this tommorow!

Tie an 18" leader on the rear eye of a Heddon Torpedo or other floating plug and tie on a Clouser minnow or Lefty's Deceiver fly. Cast the Torpedo and bring it back slowly a couple feet at a time, give the fly a few seconds to sink each time. You'll get bit on the fly.

edited to add: You could just use a bobber in front of the fly. The plug is only there so you can cast it and to keep it off the bottom.

edited again to add: These are both large flies and as easy to tie on as a catfish hook. I use 20-pound test for the leader and improved clinch knots at both ends.

I've come to realize that fish can become lure shy if they are exposed to very much fishing pressure. Have you tried live bait? A friend of mine has a pond that's long (over quarter of mile) and serpentine in shape, with the fishiest looking water that I've ever seen. It's clear with greenish tint, lots of structure, drop offs, dead trees, etc. You would think that the bass would be fighting to get on your line, but that is not the case. I've only caught a few bass on spinners and plastics, but hits are few and far between. My friend claims the pond is full of bass and has caught some over 7 lbs. I tried live bait today - about 20 bluegill that I netted. Took his little jon boat out and surprisingly caught 8 bass in less that 30 minutes until my bait ran out. Nothing in the 7 lb range, but they were between 14" and 18" in length. The bite was fast and furious and i had great time.

Bill where are you fishing? that sounds a lot like the tank I fish, that my friend and I stocked , just curious

This is absolutely true. You would not believe the number of self called "pond managers" who will dispute this, but they are totally wrong and you are correct.

Its my belief that many bass, especially pure Florida strain, go through their entire life in a pond without ever being caught. Fishing pressure not only conditions the fish you catch, but also conditions the other fish in the pond who observe the activity.

No question about it, if you want to catch the largest, oldest, smartest bass in the pond, go with a live bluegill.

The pond's in NE Texas near near Cooper.

+1

You guys must not have ever fished with giant gizzard shad.

+1

Somebody out there....knows what they're talkin' 'bout.....

I've yet to find a better bass bait than live gizzard shad.