Thanks Corkman hope it helps. If used both the tools above can be an effective way to start to understand what's in your water. Specially if you buy a pond that is already teaming with fish.... These same tools are used when they electro fish a lake, or a pond thing is they can get a lot quicker results then with a rod and reel. Except as a avid fisherman I kinda like the rod and reel option myself.
The thing is having your stuff ready and available when it's time. I have a large zip lock bag I keep a digital scale in and a measuring tape and a note pad in. That way it's all together ready to go if I want to use it for the day. The more you do this the more you will start to get pretty good at eye balling fish and going hmmmm this one don't look quite right or WOW that's a nice fat fish.... It just takes a little time.
RC
