My lures of choice have been 2 in paddle tails, 1 inch powerbait minnows, small flies, etc. Nothing has been super effective except when I used minnows at dusk, so live bait might be the ticket. As far as "fluffy" cover, that is a current issue with the pond. As I illuded to earlier the pond is basically weed choked, although I have a solution that is going in within a week barring hang-ups. I am not aware to what degree "too much" cover would restrict LMB feeding causing increased sunfish numbers/ decreased body condition, but I imagine it is possible. Could removing a large portion of this cover decrease sunfish numbers from increased predation? Not sure, but as it stands the pond is 95% covered in thick chara, only the aerators and a few random spots are open.
