Pond Boss Magazine
https://www.pondboss.com/images/userfiles/image/20130301193901_6_150by50orangewhyshouldsubscribejpeg.jpg
Advertisment
Newest Members
ChrislCrews, Tonyg11780, KyTim, DavidGillham, JPCooper
18,801 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums36
Topics41,442
Posts563,950
Members18,801
Most Online3,612
Jan 10th, 2023
Top Posters
esshup 29,021
ewest 21,664
Cecil Baird1 20,043
Bill Cody 15,429
Who's Online Now
1 members (Buster1956), 2,349 guests, and 55 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#212506 04/12/10 02:11 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 15
0
06will Offline OP
Lunker
OP Offline
Lunker
0
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 15
I would love to learn about peoples opinions on how well natural structure on the pond bottom holds up ie. drop offs, sunken islands. I wont be digging a pond anytime soon but around here a large majority of our ponds are dug out ponds, so it seems to me over time those structures would have a tendancy to seep and flatten or fill in over time. I dont believe that many are clay lined or anything like that. So how well will structure such as sharp drop offs, sunken islands, cuts and ditches, and deep holes keep their shape? I love looking at pond construction pics to see bottom contures, and remember seeing some major drop offs and spawning ledges in pictures here on the forum. I m interested about the stability and if they seep.

There was a forum member from Texas that posted pictures of their pond while under construction. They took a picture looking in at the shore from a hole just maybe 50 yards out from a dock they had built. About 10 to 20 ft out from the dock was about a 5 to 6 ft straight drop. Ever since I saw that pic it was something I ve desired in a future pond. That must be phenominal fishing off that dock.

I also remember someone who talked about having a sunken island. It seems like to me if you had something like that with drop offs evenually it would become just more of a heap. No matter what it would be very cool structure.

Like I said I wont be digging a pond anytime soon nor do I know much about the digging process. I love to sit around my bowl shape pond and day dream about creating a place fish would love to call home.

Last edited by 06will; 04/12/10 02:24 PM.
06will #212507 04/12/10 02:16 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,833
Likes: 20
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,833
Likes: 20
I concur. Seeing a pond bottom before it fills is very cool, as well as underwater pictures and video as well.

Omaha #212546 04/12/10 07:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,279
Likes: 332
D
Moderator
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Lunker
D
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,279
Likes: 332
There is an old saying that 90% of the fish are in 10% of the water. However, I believe that by properly sculpting the bottom you can create fish highways and holding areas. Then you might change the ratio to something like 40/60 or something like that.


It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.

Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.

Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP Grandpa
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 29,021
Likes: 1011
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 29,021
Likes: 1011
I think what the contours are made from has a bearing on how long they last. I think heavy clay will keep it's shape longer than sand or loam.

A lot also depends on whether the water level fluctuates greatly, if there is considerable wave action, and it also might depend on tha amount and type of fish in the pond.


www.hoosierpondpros.com


http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
esshup #212644 04/13/10 10:55 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 15
0
06will Offline OP
Lunker
OP Offline
Lunker
0
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 15
Thats kind of what I figured the answer would be. If you have good clay you can probably do a lot more with contour and sculpting.

What about rock reefs and natural structure like that? How well do they stay in place and is it worth the effort? I imagine without currents they would eventually get silt covered and muck would, over time, bury them. I thought it would be very cool to have a section of 4 to 5 ft deep water maybe 100 by 100 ft with volleyball size rock on the bottom.

I want to see what the thoughts are one structure like this because we often talk about man made structure like PVC trees and stuff like that. I know that stuff has its place but if I get the chance to dig the pond I've always wanted, I want it to be as natural as possible. Having said that there would be no reason to create all this contour and structure to find out 5 years later its another bowl shaped pond with a rock reef under it. I know an aerator could probably help to make sure the reefs and rock bottom stay exposed.

Last edited by 06will; 04/13/10 10:57 AM.
06will #212737 04/13/10 07:05 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 222
V
Fingerling
Offline
Fingerling
V
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 222
Good questions. I'm in the process of planning a pond and thinking some of the same things. Natural contour breaks vs. artificial stuff like pvc or cinder blocks or pallet structures and everything else. What about those of you who have drained your ponds? What does different kinds of structure look like after awhile? What would you have done differnt?

vamaz #212828 04/14/10 12:39 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 100
H
Lunker
Offline
Lunker
H
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 100
It is true that the contours will change over time with water over them. Trenches will become shallower and hard breaks will become softer. Hard clay resists this better than softer soils, but will occur some. With this in mind you should dig deeper and wider depending on your soil. One thing to remember though, a contour is a contour to a fish. If the alternative is a smooth bowl for a pond bottom, a one foot silted in ditch or ridge will attract a lot of fish. I like to work with contours and hard cover in conjunction, not just one or the other.

-HH

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 15
0
06will Offline OP
Lunker
OP Offline
Lunker
0
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 15
HH - Thanks for the good thoughts. It hadnt really crossed my mind to make features more dramatic to compensate to seepage and silt. I wouldnt choose one type of cover and neglect the other. I do want a lot of natural contour but I ll never be able to forget those underwater videos that Nate posted with all the fish around the porcupine fish attractors.

I m more interested in creating a natural habitat overall. That will be my goal. Of course I would like big smallmouths and good eating perch and I understand there are tools that will help achieve those goals such as feeding and aeration. I also want to create some sort of marsh that will act as a breeding/safe haven for minnows, crayfish, and frogs. I know that all that will find its niche without a marsh but hopefully that will help produce more food and natural enviroment.


Link Copied to Clipboard
Today's Birthdays
EG1318, Nina B Lil, wesyoung
Recent Posts
Optimal Fish Food shutdown
by Fishingadventure - 02/08/25 12:58 AM
Dock and Overflow questions.
by jludwig - 02/07/25 12:52 PM
New pond
by canyoncreek - 02/06/25 09:35 PM
Boom Boat Rev2
by Kelly Duffie - 02/06/25 09:11 PM
New Pond Water Want Clear Up
by DavidGillham - 02/06/25 06:27 PM
What did you do at your pond today?
by Dave Davidson1 - 02/06/25 06:25 PM
How do i pivot from LMB lake to RBT
by Tinylake - 02/06/25 12:16 PM
Creating a natural filter bed stream
by Tinylake - 02/06/25 12:12 PM
1st Time stock channel cats in 10 year old pond
by FishinRod - 02/06/25 09:17 AM
Adding bullfrog tadpoles
by Hotbiggun - 02/05/25 07:40 PM
My new pond documentary :)
by BDBeaux - 02/05/25 03:27 PM
Heading North
by Dave Davidson1 - 02/04/25 03:08 PM
Newly Uploaded Images
Koi
Koi
by PAfarmPondPGH69, October 22
2 1/4 pound BGxRES
2 1/4 pound BGxRES
by Theo Gallus, October 12
What you can do with an inch of nightcrawler
What you can do with an inch of nightcrawler
by Theo Gallus, September 21
How to Out Condello Bruce Condello ...
How to Out Condello Bruce Condello ...
by Theo Gallus, August 3
Major change since 2009
Major change since 2009
by SENKOSAM, July 3
Fishing with my Best Buddy
Fishing with my Best Buddy
by Theo Gallus, June 29

� 2014 POND BOSS INC. all rights reserved USA and Worldwide

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5