I always hear people saying to fish any cover or anything different that will hold fish. The ponds I fish have literally no visible cover/structure/changes in them and basically seem like giant puddles. So is there a way to effectively catch fish in ponds like this? I usually throw a rattle trap or spinner and just hope for a bite...

One of the ponds I fish is like that, I use a weightless slamander fished slowly, jerking it across the bottom of the deepest points.
Usually do pretty good, during the spawn time they are up next to the bank and hard to catch because they can see you coming(very small pond)

I was fishing a smaller clear pond last weekend and counted about 10 two, three, and four pound bass on the bank. I tried slowly working a small worm but they were too spooky. At least I now know there is a good population of bass in there

Best fishing for no cover over-fished urban ponds is an hour or two before sunup or after sunset. And fish very slow very slow.

I agree. Try night fishing out there this summer! Best fishing i've ever done at 40- acre ponds have been at night.
Try using a bobber and get a worm or night crawler. Not the first thing that comes to mind for bass fishing but maybe a more natural approach will land you one:)

Or use live shad...i bet that'll get em! or bluegill..

I like to throw big bite yo mama craws on ponds like this. Just toss it out weightless, let it hit bottom, and just do a slow retrieve. Works pretty good for me.

You could do the same with a senko if you aren't patient.

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like I'll definitely be using a lot more soft plastics.