| If you are like me you spend most of your time | | | | of the pond. But the same rules that apply to |
| traveling the highway with one eye on the road | | | | larger bodies of water don't always apply to |
| and the other eye looking out for anywhere you | | | | smaller ones. Fish will have access to the full range |
| could possibly fish. It could be a small farm pond, | | | | of water depths during the course of a single day |
| or a golf course pond, or a small river or stream. | | | | without moving very far and most farms ponds |
| Each has an appeal to us as die hard fishermen | | | | will not contain water depths greater than 8-10 |
| we simply can't resist. These small waters tease | | | | feet. So therefore it is important to fish the entire |
| us and have us wondering what they might hold | | | | range of structure, as well as water depths. |
| just below the surface - largemouth bass, catfish, | | | | Typically water clarity is an issue as well. Without |
| sunfish as big as dinner plates - the possibilities | | | | a continual flow of water you may find that |
| seem endless. So even though you may be many | | | | clarity is limited and you will need to adjust your |
| miles from home and there is no possibility of | | | | techniques and colors with this in mind. |
| returning, and even though don't have a fishing | | | | I always begin my day with baits that allow me |
| rod in your vehicle you still strain your neck to | | | | to cover a lot of water quickly to help identify |
| see that glimmer of water and imagine yourself | | | | any patterns that may exist. A spinnerbait is |
| casting a bait from shore. | | | | perfectly matched for this requirement. I also |
| Every once in a while you come across a small | | | | tend to size my baits down - instead of a larger |
| pond close to home that is prime for fishing. | | | | spinnerbait I usually start with a smaller beetle spin |
| Usually it requires some form of permission from | | | | style bait. |
| the landowner to gain access. The last thing you | | | | After the spinnerbait, I tend to move up the |
| want to do is discover a sure thing hot-spot only | | | | water column and go to the surface with |
| to upset the landowner and never be able to fish | | | | topwater baits and then move down the water |
| it again, or even worse find yourself with a visit | | | | column with a small crankbait. Then, eventually |
| from local law enforcement with a charge of | | | | finish the rotation with a plastic worm. I try to |
| trespassing. More times than not a simple request | | | | bring several rods and keep them all baited with |
| with a promise of respect for their property and | | | | lures that will allow me to cover each part of the |
| an assurance that you will follow their rules will | | | | water column so I can establish a pattern quickly. |
| result in access granted instead of access denied. | | | | Since water clarity is an issue, I will swap out |
| Just make sure you follow through on those | | | | colors frequently within each family of bait styles. |
| commitments and you may have discovered a | | | | If the pond has been fished before you will see |
| place you can fish for a long time to come. | | | | telltale signs of locations to fish from if you are |
| Now that you have access to this fishing | | | | confined to the bank for your fishing. Begin your |
| wonderland your first step should be to study the | | | | casts parallel to the shore and move in a fan like |
| pond and look for productive areas to fish. Most | | | | pattern from 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock. This will allow |
| man-made impoundments, particularly farm ponds, | | | | you to cover the most water quickly. Be certain |
| were put there with a specific purpose in mind - | | | | to look for any sign of sunken cover that may be |
| to manage water and make it available as | | | | holding fish. |
| required for watering purposes, whether for | | | | And keep in mind these small farm ponds will |
| livestock or crops. | | | | almost always hold small bream and sunfish that |
| The land adjacent to a farm pond will give you a | | | | can make for a great day of fishing with small |
| pretty good idea of the bottom contours of the | | | | children. Just float a nightcrawler, cricket, |
| pond. Most man-made farm ponds will be | | | | grasshopper, or waxworm on a small hook under |
| somewhat oval in shape consisting of a deeper | | | | a bobber and watch those kids eyes light up |
| end where water damming occurs and a | | | | when they catch the big one! |
| shallower end where the pond is fed. Usually the | | | | Just remember to seek permission, respect the |
| pond will be fed by some type of feeder stream, | | | | landowners wishes, and study the contour of the |
| but in some instances they may be spring fed. | | | | land around the pond and you are guaranteed to |
| But in either case the same basic bottom contour | | | | have a good time. Oh, and while you are driving |
| will be found. | | | | down the highway imagining yourself fishing at |
| Dependent upon the time of year, as well as time | | | | that little pond you just passed please remember |
| of day, you will find fish staging in different areas | | | | to keep at least one eye on the road. |