Kaolin Mines

[bigman15]

I don't know if any of you are familiar with Kaolin mines down south. But they are doug out in the same familiar way a coal pit is dug. Could bass live in this body of water still hold bass>

[Rich]

Trav, if they are like a strip pit coal mine I've caught a number out of some in southeast Kansas, but lizards is the resident expert. I would imagine they would hold bass.

[bassmaster1983]

I remember up here in Western Pa. a long time ago my dad and I fished some of the strips as we called them. We caught a few small bluegills. But I recall a couple of guys who were using plugs and they were catching bass. That was back in the 50's. I wish I could remember where they were because I bet they are still a great place to go.

Bob

We have several places like that where they would remove gravel from an area where the river had been. We call them "the gravel pits". The company has to reclaim the area. By stocking it with fish, that fills the bill. Some mighty large fish come out of those pits and they have been there for some time.

[Worm_King]

Lizards is the resident expert on strip pits here in Indiana but from what I've heard most of them here are good fishing.

[macgyver]

Gravel Pits are usually very clear, and less vegetation than a dirt type pit. Coal pit, is what I actually fish, but have fish all different type(Limestome pits also). Most pits are usually pretty deep so the do hold some bigger fish. The State record for Indiana was claimed from a what I believe to be a small "MINING PIT" which is a general term I use for any type of pit. I've been told that a gentleman caught 3 bass one morning over 8lbs, the owner has caught a 9lb+ bass out of the pit, and while fishing, I talked to a guy who said he had caught a 10lber right off one of the flats that I fish in about 15' of water on a deep diving crank. Point is YES there are some monster Bass in the pits. I've seen some that I estimate 7-8lbs. And creekgeek said in one of the smaller ponds(maybe 5 acres) he saw a 8lber. I haven't landed any of these Hawgs yet, but anything 7lbs or bigger is definately a trophy in Indiana. Mining pits of anykind will hold good fish. I will also say that the longer it's been left, the more cover will be ther. The coal pit I fish has hundreds of laydowns, along the shoreline, that drop off quickly to depths of 25'-35'. Most anyone will tell you the big bass need access to deep water, well they usually have it in the PITS. The one I fish, has been left un-mined for over 50+ years. It's without a doubt the best bass fishing I've found in the State to date. Oh yeah there are some grass carp that are over 20lbs in it, and cats over 25lbs, 18" crappie all pulled from the coal pit also. Luckily the coal pit usually has tons of vegetation in it.

Lizards