My buddy and I visited Yates on Monday, 14 February after being advised that it was booked March and April.  I knew the water would be cold but had heard too many stories about monster bass there to give up a chance to fish.

Turns out that was a very good decision.

We started out inauspiciously, having to scramble over the fence with our tackle because the battery had just died on the electronic gate.  But not a big deal, since Mr. Yates had a waiting bass boat complete with seats, charged electric battery, and motor.  No need to lug the heavy stuff in, though we’d brought it in the car just in case.

The pond isn’t visible from the road, you have to come up the driveway to see past the trees—a nice touch.  Our first impressions were size—It’s one of the larger club waters, 20 plus acres—and wood.  Stumps, stobs, sunken timber almost everywhere.  Impressive, but a little intimidating for light tackle fans like myself!

Anyway, we started fishing around 10am and it quickly became apparent that the fish wanted it low (fairly deep), slow (most hits came on the drop or when the lure rested on the bottom), and near wood.  Action wasn’t fast, much too cold for that, but we seldom went more than 15 minutes between bites.  Takes were very subtle and we had to be careful not to sink the hooks into a submerged branch, something I did on several occasions. 

Yates pond was formed by the damming of several creeks, so it has rather dramatic changes in depth where the old waterways used to be.  Also, Mr. Yates has pushed a lot of timber into the lake and even built a hump in the middle.  I’d seriously recommend a depth finder, along with heavy tackle. 

All fish bigger than 16 inches must be released, all fish smaller must be kept in the livewell.  Mr. Yates later explained to us that he needs to take out 1,000 bass a year to keep the population in check and ensure there is plenty of food for the lunkers.  In fact, that is one of the reasons he’s opened up his pond to the Club, so please keep those smaller fish!

We fished for several hours, then came to shore to stretch our legs.  We used the facilities in the guest house, which is very nice and relatively new.  Mr. Yates came over and talked about what’s he done to make this lake so special: fertilizing (after liming to get PH right), shad, tilapia, Florida strain bass, grass carp when the weeds got out of hand (not a problem nowadays), coppernose bluegill but neither catfish nor crappie.  He commented, “Some people think a pond is just digging a hole, but it’s much more than that.” 

The lake is about ten years old, he built it after going to an intensive seminar on ponds.  Mr. Yates wanted a big bass fishery and he has made it a reality!

As for the fishing, well, we got mostly keepers—under 16 inches—about 16 or 17 in the 7 or 8 hours we fished.  All were bass, all went into the livewell.

Two were too big to keep.  My friend caught a 16 inch plus beauty in the morning, then I hooked a submarine near sunset.  It made several long unstoppable runs, fortunately for open water, but stayed deep the entire time. Eventually it managed to wrap around a deep weed.  I did the only thing I could, pulling hard straight up, right to the breaking strength of the line (brand new Trilene XL 4 lb test, thank God I had restrung the night before!). 

Very slowly the fish rose, bringing an old reed tangled with it.  My buddy netted both fish & reed, though the fish was too big to fit completely inside the net.

After a brief celebration, we measured a magnificent 25 1/2 inch fish.  My buddy took some photos, which I will send on to the club as soon as I get them.

Weight?  Don’t know exactly, but it was quite hefty to lift.  Guessing 10 pounds, could be a little more or little less.  And yes, we released her quickly.

If you’d like a shot at truly outsize bass, Yates is a wonderful place to fish.  Bring a depthfinder, a big net, and heavier tackle than I did!