Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Help Need some Fishing Tips!

Hey guys first off, can we get a forum topic section for actually fishing a pond? What baits, lures, knots, rods and reels to use for a given situation? Maybe we have that and I don't know. Also (besides Pondboss) where do you guys get information about how to fish for bass in a pond or otherwise? as in magazine, website, etc. (if that is improper to ask please edit, or I can later).

Anyway I need some help, I have been fishing my pond heavy the last few days because we have had some cool days and rain, and the fish have really turned on. Also by trial and error I have found several hotspots on my pond to catch fish. They are all on natural or artificial structure I knew was already there!

I have been catching and culling lots of fish, but also have lost several. Most of the time when I lose a fish (with lure still in his mouth) its on a spinnerbait or spinning lure. What can I do to help this? I think I need bigger line first off. Then what kind of knot do you guys use for a spinnerbait? And do you use a leader? if so what is it made of? I am lazy and usually just tie straight to whatever bait I am throwing.

Finally that make about 6 fish I have lost with (presumably) the lure still somewhere in their mouth. Someone please convince me that they will get the hook out sooner or later and it wont kill them all off! I know fish have been known to pass hooks, but like I said these were mostly spinnerbaits or large beetle spins so I don't think passing it is an option!

THanks for the help!

Good to hear you are catching off natural and artificial structure!

I quite often lose fish on roadrunners and spoons...even though its a treble hook

For spinner baits, you can add a trailing hook


You mention losing lures in the fishes' mouth... this leads me to believe maybe the knot is bad.. what knot are you using? when you pull in the line, is the end curled up into circles/twists? That would mean the knot has pulled loose, and you need to learn a new knot... Palomar is highly recommended
http://www.animatedknots.com/palomar/

If you are fishing for LMB, I prefer fishing with artificial worms, Texas Rig. It takes a ton of practice and patience. It's nice being able to switch a worm or lizard quickly without having to re-tie hooks. I set the hook very hard every time, pretty much sealing the deal... its quite funny to yank a small LBM or GSF over the boat from the hook set. BUT, when there's a 6-pounder on the other end and your hook set doesn't budge it, you'll be glad!

Use new line every season.

Don't forget to re-tie the hook after catching several fish. Inspect for any sign of fraying after each cast and re-tie if necessary.

Sweet link Nathan I like that site.. ADD TO FAVORITES!!

That is a great website. I'm downloading the iPhone app as we speak. Where was this app in cub scouts. Wait. Never mind. The rabbit goes around the tree through the hole back around the tree and I'm glad I now have that app.

Thanks for the help guys, Only maybe once did the knot pull through, most of the time it breaks off. I try to use a Palomar knot but just began doing it.

Bocomo, I am using new line, and try to check line/knot after each fish.

But I need all the help I can get. Only in the last year or so have I really started paying attention to all aspects of my gear and presentation. So I have plenty to learn!

So lets say Im going to use a 3/8 spinnerbait, how big of line do I need if I want to tie directly to it with palomar knot?

jakeb, the animated knot site mentioned is a winner. I use the Palomar, San Diego jam knot, and the Improved Clinch knot. Day in, day out, the Palomar works as well as any.

If you're throwing at cover, then I would probably stick with no less than 12 on a spinning rod, and 14 on a bait casting rod.

Buy good mono, wet the knot as you cinch it down, and check your line frequently. If it's still breaking, then I might tie on a different spinnerbait, and try again. I've had baits that were rough inside the eye, and actually cut the line.

No need for a leader for LMB as long as you're not using braid.

As far as a website for pond fishing, I've never found one that specifically covers that. Spinnerbaits, rattletraps, Roadrunners, poppers, and Flukes are all good baits.

Good luck.

Up here everything we catch but bass have lots of sharp teeth. I run a 6" black wire leader. It works great for a quick swap of bait. I use black because most of the water we fish is tea stained.

The above knot is all I use. It is a super strong knot.

A trick I have learned from the old boys on my lake is just sit on the shore line a bang a foot of light chain on the shore rocks. It is like a dinner bell to base and they will come over structure of not.

Cheers Don.

P.S. the stinger hook is great.

Very cool site Nathan. That's a good reference site. Thanks

Very important.

Nathan, thanks for the site - bookmarked that one
I have always used the clinch knot. One thing that I always do is tie a small knot at the end of my line before tying any knot - cuts down on the possibility of the line slipping.

rmedgar, thanks for the extra knot idea I may try that.

Sounds like I am doing everything you guys mention so far, so I am going to beef up my line before I go back out!

Also, check your drag, you may need to loosen it some... With a big LBM, you want it to strip off some line rather than break the line.

I use Trilene XL Smooth Casting in Green
http://www.basspro.com/Berkley-Trilene-XL-Smooth-Casting-Line-1000-Yards/product/29700/
10 lb line for my spinning reel
17 lbs for my baitcast reel when fishing Texas Rig worms

I sent BGK a way to properly set the drag, maybe he'll post it here. It's how we set the drags on our saltwater rods and it worked pretty well.

Good tip Randy. I too always use the clinch knot, but I'm trying to use the polamar more often.

Jake...
if you do searches on YouTube under stuff like "Pond Fishing" or "Bass Pond"
you can find a lot of interesting videos about fishing in ponds.

See the structure archive pg 2 bottom for a discussion of fishing structure which describes structure for LMB .

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92463#Post92463

Hey everyone just thought I would report back that I upgraded line and used the palomar knot and have not lost a fish in about 30 now. Well at least not due to line breakage/slippage. Thanks for all the help that was offered! I think fishing at different times and days with different baits I have noticed some fish behavior and feel like I am learning new things every time out. It also seem that every time I try a technique for the first time I have a great day. First was swimbaits, then spinnerbait, now tried crankbait and had the best day ever. Still have yet to show these fish any soft plastics, topwater, or live bait!


On a side note I have been fishing around some of the fish structures I have from peepaw (fishhiding). I ordered the misfit do it yourself stuff and made and placed 4 several weeks ago. They have grown algae on them. Baby fry (tilapia I think) congregate in the shade they create. And I have pulled many bass anywhere from right under them to within 15 feet away. There is no doubt that in my pond, which is devoid on almost any kind of structure, they are working. However I did place them in what I thought would be a prime location. Shallow water with quick access to deep. Most bass are caught on the deeper side. However this location did produce bass before; I feel the structures amplified the amount of bass in the area.
I do have other artificial structure in the pond (all ideas from this site) and am unable to confirm or deny that they produce fish at this time. That being said the best fish still orient around the two rock piles I was able to place in the pond before it filled up. Anyway take that info as you wish, I feel it is unbiased. I just felt I would review the product and my personal experience, because I have been reading a lot of posts lately about artificial structure and what it is made out of etc. Once again I think location plays a big role, as well as current state of pond structure.



New pond record of fish caught by hook and line!

Shhhhhhh!

Yellow Magic at dusk and dawn. Pop, pop, sit. Pop, pop, sit.

Don't set the hook til you feel the bite.

Awesome I happen to have one of those!

Also toss a black Jitterbug around the pond at night.