Super-sneaky pond fishing tips

Fishing for Bass or Bluegill in a “pothole,” is quite a bit different than fishing in a large lake or river. For one thing, fish in large lakes and rivers are used to a lot of other sensory interactions. They hear boats on the water almost constantly. Fish that are located on the shore of a river not only hear constant background noise…they also have a lot more visual interactions as moving water brings floating material past them on a regular basis.

However, pond- locked fish are very limited on where they can travel and they are not used to the same types of sensory interactions. Almost any abrupt disturbance or noise can cause them to shut down from feeding activity. That could be anglers stomping right up to the edge of the water or even walking beside the shoreline.

Any vibrations that are generated can reverberate back into the water and pond-locked Bass will sense that immediately. I once watched a Bass feeding-frenzy shutdown cold, when a small group of joggers ran by the shoreline of a medium sized pond. They had unknowingly completely disrupted what was a very productive “bite!”

STEALTH…is the secret!

I once heard professional angler Hank Parker provide some fishing tips for use around ponds that I have never forgotten. He said that when he approaches a pond to fish, he almost treats it like he is sneaking to a deer blind. He said that when speaking to others, he speaks softly and avoids making any noise on the bank. In fact, he said he very rarely walks directly along the shoreline. Once he decides to move to another spot, he will walk at least 50 feet directly away from the bank then turn and walk parallel with the pond, before turning to sneak quietly toward his next fishing location on the shoreline.

Another pro-fisherman says he never stands directly on the shoreline to cast. The shallower the water is at the edges…the farther back he stands from the water. Shallow water is not only easier to be seen from but fish can much more easily hear you as well. His biggest fear when fishing a pond is spooking the fish accidentally by making noise!

If you are going to fish a pond from a boat, opt for the stealthiest option available to you. That would normally be a canoe or kayak. If that is your plan of attack, launch from the farthest point on the pond from where you plan on fishing. Once you get in the water in your boat, just sit and watch for at least 10 minutes before you start the paddled-approach to your fishing area. Let the sound of the boat-launch die down so the fish are not as stressed once you arrive within casting distance.

Tips to Set the Hook…

Here are a few other “tips,” that many professional Bass Anglers use when fishing pothole-ponds:

• Don’t over fish the pond. If you “hammer,” the fish one day…wait a few days before you fish that pond again.

• Use smaller baits and lures when fishing a pond. Even big fish in a pond will hit a smaller bait/lure.

• Fish windy and rainy days on ponds. The wind helps to camouflage your presence and natural run-off generated by the rain will make the fish more aggressive.

• If the pond has a drainage ditch running in to it…target that area for larger and more aggressive fish.

• Don’t wear bright colored clothing or hats when fishing a pond! Why make it easier to be spotted by edge-holding fish?

Pond fishing can be fun and convenient when located near you. Just remember to approach pond fishing much like hunting a deer blind and watch the fun-factor jump…just like your hookups!