How do you guys walk to your ponds? 2024

Shak Muscles reply :

Sometimes the ponds near me aren't well maintained as in there is a bunch of vegetation and such all around the bank so its tough to go and stand there. These ponds also get the least pressure because no one is hardcore enough to go all Man vs Wild to catch a few bass!

I was wondering if you guys have any special technique for navigating such ponds. What do you wear, how do you avoid bugs etc.

Personally, I go fishing in shorts and these prickly shrubs always make a mess out of my legs. Not to mention the ant hill you might step over. And just countless bugs. The grass is also practically as tall as I am, and there could be snakes in there. I live in Northern Illinois though so I'm not sure if any of them are dangerous. Also I mostly fish alone so if I break my ankle I'm screwed.

Oregon Native reply :

When I used to do a lot of bank angling I would try and walk softly as to not spook fish and cast along the bank vs always casting out. As far as bugs....I'm a bug magnet!!!! Long pants and shirt and I would use good repellent around ankles, neck, etc. Right now I'm using a product with picaridin....deet destroys fishing stuff and this doesn't. I've already had two tic bites this year looking for golf balls on cold days sooooo...it could be an interesting year. And I'm pulling out the repellent.

Catt reply :

Magellan Outdoors long sleeve shirts & pants, ankle high boots, & a quality hat.

The only bugs I'm concerned with are deer flies & the only way to deal with them is to smack em!

I'm any thing but quite cause I'd rather spook bass than these bad boys!

Troy85 reply :

I always walk the path that looks the least snakey. Which can really hamper bank fishing.

Scott F reply :

On 2/19/2018 at 2:53 PM, Shak Muscles said:

Sometimes the ponds near me aren't well maintained as in there is a bunch of vegetation and such all around the bank so its tough to go and stand there. These ponds also get the least pressure because no one is hardcore enough to go all Man vs Wild to catch a few bass!

I was wondering if you guys have any special technique for navigating such ponds. What do you wear, how do you avoid bugs etc.

Personally, I go fishing in shorts and these prickly shrubs always make a mess out of my legs. Not to mention the ant hill you might step over. And just countless bugs. The grass is also practically as tall as I am, and there could be snakes in there. I live in Northern Illinois though so I'm not sure if any of them are dangerous. Also I mostly fish alone so if I break my ankle I'm screwed.

Snakes you shouldn't have to worry about. No dangerous snakes. Ticks, those you should worry about. Tall grass and shorts will be the perfect combination to get you covered with ticks. And, they will crawl up your shorts pant legs to get to places you don't want to have them. Those, plus poison ivy are your two biggest threats. Wear long pants and tuck your pant legs into your socks. Cover yourself with insect repellant with DEET. Wear long sleeve shirts also. If you are worried about twisting an ankle, hiking boots that go over your ankles will provide support.

If you live in Naperville, you should be wading in the DuPage and Fox Rivers for smallmouth. Get yourself some waders which will protect you from the bugs, poison ivy and bacteria in the rivers. Lots of access to the rivers.

OkobojiEagle reply :

On 2/19/2018 at 10:13 PM, Scott F said:

Get yourself some waders

^^^

Let responsible people know where you will be fishing and keep a cell phone with you and turned on... (a wading staff isn't a bad idea either)

Koz reply :

On 2/19/2018 at 9:00 PM, Catt said:

The alligators are a huge concern in my areas as well, especially this time of year when the initial warming occurs and they are hungry after being idle most of the winter. The other day I saw half of a Blue Heron in one of the lagoons I drove past.

We also have a number of lagoons with grassy and woody vegetation surrounding the banks. Sometime I bring a machete and do some pruning to clear a spot, especially in areas where I need to clear not just around the bank but also a path for quick egress in case a gator gets too aggressive. My buddy usually brings a handgun when he joins us fishing in these types of lagoons. Most alligators will leave people alone or sometimes annoy the heck out of you by chasing your bait. But I've had enough close calls in the past year that I am overly cautious.

As I get older I'm less and less inclined to fish these overgrown areas. It gets to be too much work, especially during the heat of the summer. Luckily we have hundreds and hundreds of lagoons in my area and even the ones with clear banks are usually fairly low pressure.

Later today I'm off to Sgt. Jasper Park for a few hours and heading to some of the lagoons deeper in the woods. I'm hoping to find enough clear areas to fish. We'll be taking our bikes so we can cover a lot of ground.

Catt reply :

@Koz you can relate to the fact that with gators ya don't wanna be quite & walk up surprising one!

Swbass15 reply :

Look into a woodsman pro, it’s a small machete like device, can easily help you open something up. We use them clearing trail and in the Everglades. They sure make beating the brush much easier, and you can maintain your path overtime. Also they are pretty light weight and fit in a backpack.

Bankbeater reply :

I try and look for a path that someone else has made. Sometimes I have to make my own.

If I am going through waist high grass then I make a couple of pit stops to check for ticks along the way. I do try and stay out of the tall grass when there are a lot of trees overhead. Ticks can drop down from the trees also.

Koz reply :

On 2/20/2018 at 1:34 AM, Catt said:

@Koz you can relate to the fact that with gators ya don't wanna be quite & walk up surprising one!

I was inspecting a stormwater retention pond last month and this pond was located in the woods with only a narrow dirt path down one side. I forgot to clear the path first. I was so intent on looking at the deficiencies I was seeing within and along the pond that I did not notice the alligator hiding in the brush along the bank. Luckily, he heard me first. I was only 7 or 8 feet away when he went crashing into the water. He was only a 7 footer, but that's still big enough to grab your ankle and drag you into the water.

I finished inspecting that facility, went home and changed my undies, then hit the next stop

Fishing_FF reply :

On 2/19/2018 at 2:53 PM, Shak Muscles said:

Sometimes the ponds near me aren't well maintained as in there is a bunch of vegetation and such all around the bank so its tough to go and stand there. These ponds also get the least pressure because no one is hardcore enough to go all Man vs Wild to catch a few bass!

I was wondering if you guys have any special technique for navigating such ponds. What do you wear, how do you avoid bugs etc.

Personally, I go fishing in shorts and these prickly shrubs always make a mess out of my legs. Not to mention the ant hill you might step over. And just countless bugs. The grass is also practically as tall as I am, and there could be snakes in there. I live in Northern Illinois though so I'm not sure if any of them are dangerous. Also I mostly fish alone so if I break my ankle I'm screwed.

There has been some great advice already on clothing and animals already, so I won't go back over them again.

Check out a pair of gaiters. I have a pair that can seal the gap between pants, shoes, and socks. I tuck in my shirt when hiking too to seal that gap. Then, if a tick gets on my clothes, I can find and get rid of him before he's had a chance to bite. You got to stop periodically because they will keep crawling until they've reached your head or neck. Never made this error, but seen it occur.

I am a snake fanatic. As a firefighter/paramedic, I was the one who willing drafted a fire and EMS plan for the local serpentarium. I also have trained with the Miami Dade Fire Rescue Venom 1 unit, so when it comes to snakes, I've got a little experience.

As long as you aren't creeping, which others have recommended against for gators, the same applies for snakes. Snakes don't hear, not in the traditional sense. Instead, they feel the vibrations on the ground that is converted into sound. Walk quiet, the snake won't know you are there and are more likely to have a surprise encounter. Should you encounter a snake, backing out the same way you came is best, and never try to corner a snake as they will have no choice but to become defensive at this point. When I am attempting to catch or trap a snake, I purposely cut off its exit because they will flee majority of the time given the chance. The snakes native to your area are the Cottonmouth, the Copperhead, the Timber (Canebrake) Rattlesnake, and the Massasauga Rattlesnake. Identification of a rattlesnake is easy because of the rattle on the tail, but a lot of Copperheads are confused with rat/corn snakes and Cottonmouths with various banded/nonbanded water snakes. I can provide resources for proper identification. However, avoidance is always an better option, just like with alligators. For what it is worth, even though I have the training to handle venomous snakes, since I don't take my snake boots, gloves, and hook with me when I go fishing, I don't handle or move a snake I encounter while hiking or fishing.

soflabasser reply :

I fish often fish ponds, canals, and other small bodies of water and I tend to do well by being as quiet as possible. I walk slowly along the shoreline and try to make as little sound as possible. As for clothes, I tend to wear drab colored clothes and avoid clothes that have bright colors so the fish have a harder time seeing me on the shore.

On 2/19/2018 at 9:44 PM, Troy1985s said:

I always walk the path that looks the least snakey.

Sometimes the path less taken ( possibly has snakes, alligators, etc) is the most productive path since less fishermen take it. I tend to take these paths and do well and I am always watching where I step and whats around me.

WDE reply :

On 2/19/2018 at 9:44 PM, Troy1985s said:

I always walk the path that looks the least snakey. Which can really hamper bank fishing.

I don’t even go into the woods in the Spring/Summer because of this. Last Summer I found a lot of ticks, so that’ll keep me out of the woods too. It’s too hot to wear boots, long sleeves, and long pants in Memphis during the Summer.

FishDewd reply :

If I'm anywhere that bad, I'm probably carrying a machete with me lol.

junyer357 reply :

I thankfully dont have to do this much anymore, most of mine i drive up to them. When i do go to one that is bushier, i reduce my tackle greatly and fill my pockets, no tackle box or bag. No more than 2 rods in my left hand, machete in my right, and my pistol ready in an owb holster. I normally have on my rubber snake boots, long pants n sleeves, neck gaiter and wide hat.

One trick that works well for me is to spray my clothes with bug spray before i put them on. Better coverage, no missed spots, or tasting while it spraying my neck/face.

boostr reply :

On 2/19/2018 at 10:13 PM, Scott F said:

Snakes you shouldn't have to worry about. No dangerous snakes. Ticks, those you should worry about. Tall grass and shorts will be the perfect combination to get you covered with ticks. And, they will crawl up your shorts pant legs to get to places you don't want to have them. Those, plus poison ivy are your two biggest threats. Wear long pants and tuck your pant legs into your socks. Cover yourself with insect repellant with DEET. Wear long sleeve shirts also. If you are worried about twisting an ankle, hiking boots that go over your ankles will provide support.

If you live in Naperville, you should be wading in the DuPage and Fox Rivers for smallmouth. Get yourself some waders which will protect you from the bugs, poison ivy and bacteria in the rivers. Lots of access to the rivers.

Learned my lesson with Poison Ivy, now when I'm walking the bank in wooded areas I only wear long pants. Denim in the colder months and World Wide Sportsman II convertible fishing pants from BPS during the warmer months.

NYWayfarer reply :

When bank fishing I wear jeans and boots, even in the dead heat of summer. One case of poison oak is all it took to ditch the shorts and sneakers when fishing. Carry a walking stick and sweep it ahead of you to uncover any slithering critters. Always make noise while stomping through the brush to warn animals you are coming.

Plenty of sunscreen and insect repellent. I use the Bullfrog brand which contains both in one convenient spray.

Florida Cracker2 reply :

Looks like everyone has covered the hazards. So I will mention a fishing tactic I use for canal and pond fishing, approach with the sun to your back...but don't cast a shadow across the water. Move slooooowly. You spook the birds, you spook the fish.

fishwizzard reply :

In the summer I wear short shorts, I mean like 70's basketball player short, hiking boots, wool socks pulled up to my calves, and a hooded sun shirt. I look like a lunatic but with all my clothing treated with permethrin every 3-4 washes, I stay pretty tick-free. I do get hit by a nest of nymph ticks about once per summer, but they don't carry diseases at that point so it is just two weeks of itching.

By the middle of the fall my legs look like hell, more scabs then open skin, but I cannot stand to be hot so I am willing to do what it takes for comfort.

Shak Muscles reply :

Thanks for the advice guys. Looks like the general consensus is to wear long pants/waders and make sure bugs can't crawl into and up your pants!

The only thing that sucks is when the weather gets 85+ and you're in jeans. But it's definitely worth it because some of these ponds are in the middle of nowhere and I don't wanna have bad experiences with poison ivy or bugs.

On 2/20/2018 at 3:52 AM, soflabasser said:

Sometimes the path less taken ( possibly has snakes, alligators, etc) is the most productive path since less fishermen take it. I tend to take these paths and do well and I am always watching where I step and whats around me.

Yeah this was my reasoning. I wanted to fish ponds/spots that are less pressured since no one else would actually bother to go through all the trouble to get there. I usually don't last long because sometimes I see these small gardener snakes and even those freak me out haha I just feel like they're gonna crawl up my shorts and bite areas that I want to preserve. I would definitely feel safer about it if I had my whole lower body on lockdown (and upper body too).

Just another question, how do waders hold up? Are they durable? And are they mainly meant for river use or do people use them to step into ponds also?

Scott F reply :

There are other types of long pants that are cooler than jeans.

As I always say, there are two kinds of waders. Those that leak, and those that are going to leak. Waders do not hold up. The best choice of waders are light weight, breathables. Most comfortable to wear in summer. If you are going to fish in colder weather, you layer clothing underneath. Wading in ponds is not recommended. The bottoms can be muddy where you might sink in, or the bottom could drop into deep water. Get a wading staff to probe where you want to walk to test the depth. BE CAREFUL!!!!

Burke reply :

always wear pants !

I always worn shorts until last year. I got poison ivy all over my legs and other parts that I cant mention on this forum. It was unpleasant experience for me.

soflabasser reply :

On 2/21/2018 at 9:23 AM, Shak Muscles said:

Yeah this was my reasoning. I wanted to fish ponds/spots that are less pressured since no one else would actually bother to go through all the trouble to get there. I usually don't last long because sometimes I see these small gardener snakes and even those freak me out haha I just feel like they're gonna crawl up my shorts and bite areas that I want to preserve. I would definitely feel safer about it if I had my whole lower body on lockdown (and upper body too).

There is no doubt that the bass in less pressured bodies of water are easier to catch than bass from a highly pressured body of water, but the bass might be bigger in a highly pressured place. Those bigger bass become quite good at evading most if not all fishermen since they had a long life to learn fishermen are no good for them. There are a couple public bodies of water I fish down here where I have caught several +8 pounders ( including some over 10 pounds) and most people never catch a single bass over 8 pounds from these places. You have to know how to read the conditions on any particular day and know what to use to get these big bass to bite. Putting the time on the water is what has helped me the most, and its the same for most good bass fishermen I know. Private waters is different, its like shooting fish in a barrel and not much of a challenge to fish those places. Watch your surroundings when you fish, keep safe, and most importantly have fun.

Shak Muscles reply :

On 2/21/2018 at 11:45 AM, Scott F said:

There are other types of long pants that are cooler than jeans.

As I always say, there are two kinds of waders. Those that leak, and those that are going to leak. Waders do not hold up. The best choice of waders are light weight, breathables. Most comfortable to wear in summer. If you are going to fish in colder weather, you layer clothing underneath. Wading in ponds is not recommended. The bottoms can be muddy where you might sink in, or the bottom could drop into deep water. Get a wading staff to probe where you want to walk to test the depth. BE CAREFUL!!!!

I do know how to swim but you're right it could be dangerous wading into ponds since all the vegetation could get wrapped around your legs.

On 2/21/2018 at 1:15 PM, soflabasser said:

There is no doubt that the bass in less pressured bodies of water are easier to catch than bass from a highly pressured body of water, but the bass might be bigger in a highly pressured place. Those bigger bass become quite good at evading most if not all fishermen since they had a long life to learn fishermen are no good for them. There are a couple public bodies of water I fish down here where I have caught several +8 pounders ( including some over 10 pounds) and most people never catch a single bass over 8 pounds from these places. You have to know how to read the conditions on any particular day and know what to use to get these big bass to bite. Putting the time on the water is what has helped me the most, and its the same for most good bass fishermen I know. Private waters is different, its like shooting fish in a barrel and not much of a challenge to fish those places. Watch your surroundings when you fish, keep safe, and most importantly have fun.

I always thought that bass get bigger in ponds which aren't fished often? Because in public ponds there are people that take fish home to eat so they might not max out their potential. But I understand your reasoning as well, since the big bass are usually the smart bass. And most the giants seem to come from public lakes.

Fishing private really is way too easy. I live in a golf course neighborhood and I have permission to fish on a small part of one of the ponds on the course and the fishing is insane! This area of Illinois in general has really good bass fishing, even though the bass don't get trophy size like the ones down south.

soflabasser reply :

On 2/22/2018 at 6:38 AM, Shak Muscles said:

I always thought that bass get bigger in ponds which aren't fished often? Because in public ponds there are people that take fish home to eat so they might not max out their potential. But I understand your reasoning as well, since the big bass are usually the smart bass. And most the giants seem to come from public lakes.

Fishing private really is way too easy. I live in a golf course neighborhood and I have permission to fish on a small part of one of the ponds on the course and the fishing is insane! This area of Illinois in general has really good bass fishing, even though the bass don't get trophy size like the ones down south.

There are many cases that a public body of water has more numbers of big (but hard to catch ) bass than a private body of water and the bass might be bigger in a public body of water. It takes a lot of available food for several bass in a particular body of water to get +8 pounds and some private bodies of waters might not the right conditions for these +8 pounders yet a public body of water might have them. There is a public body of water I fish in South Florida that I caught a 10.3 pound bass from the shore and that place is loaded with big bass which are extremely difficult to catch. Illinois has good fishing, especially in the rivers for smallmouth bass and muskies.

Smalls reply :

This is the only pro to living where the air hurts my face.

We we don’t have anything that thinks we look like a tasty snack.

RPreeb reply :

I have spooked a bear walking to a mountain lake in Montana many years ago. The part of the trail we were on was lined with huckleberry bushes, it was August and they were ripe. The bear was working on its winter fat supply for hibernation. We stopped about 20 feet away, he gave us one look and took off through the woods.

I have yet to see anything more startling than a garter snake or a frog around any of our local ponds. We do have ticks, but so far they haven't been a major issue. At the pond I go to down along the South Platte mosquitoes can be bad in the evening.

je1946 reply :

Can't speak for everyone, but I usually use my legs and feet.

Sam reply :

When I get there, I walk very quietly and start casting about 10 feet from bank.

To move I go about 50-feet back away from the water, or as many feet I can, to walk to new location very quietly.

Remember, if you can see them they can see you.

geo g reply :

I don't walk through tall grass in south florida. We have an abundance of big gators, cotton mouths, pythons up to 15 feet long, and plenty of stinging bugs. From the bank I fish cut banks, where I can look before I step. Just part of living in the Tropics! Even taking precautions, I see snakes a couple of times a week. Have almost stepped on several over the years.

the reel ess reply :

On 2/19/2018 at 2:53 PM, Shak Muscles said:

Sometimes the ponds near me aren't well maintained as in there is a bunch of vegetation and such all around the bank so its tough to go and stand there. These ponds also get the least pressure because no one is hardcore enough to go all Man vs Wild to catch a few bass!

I was wondering if you guys have any special technique for navigating such ponds. What do you wear, how do you avoid bugs etc.

Personally, I go fishing in shorts and these prickly shrubs always make a mess out of my legs. Not to mention the ant hill you might step over. And just countless bugs. The grass is also practically as tall as I am, and there could be snakes in there. I live in Northern Illinois though so I'm not sure if any of them are dangerous. Also I mostly fish alone so if I break my ankle I'm screwed.

I bought a kayak just for this purpose. You can go to a large public body of water and get to every square inch of it. There are bass in there that think they're safe because walkers can't reach them. WRONG, Mr. Bass! I even go to a friend's pond and get to fish he can't reach in his jon boat or sneak boat. He's always amazed at how many I can catch there on an average outing.

I usually fish the areas I can easily walk before I get into the kayak unless I'm at a really big place. Then I just paddle.

I have yet to get a snake in the kayak with me. LOL

the reel ess reply :

On 2/20/2018 at 3:52 AM, soflabasser said:

I fish often fish ponds, canals, and other small bodies of water and I tend to do well by being as quiet as possible. I walk slowly along the shoreline and try to make as little sound as possible. As for clothes, I tend to wear drab colored clothes and avoid clothes that have bright colors so the fish have a harder time seeing me on the shore.

Sometimes the path less taken ( possibly has snakes, alligators, etc) is the most productive path since less fishermen take it. I tend to take these paths and do well and I am always watching where I step and whats around me.

"I took the road less traveled and that has made all the difference." Robert Frost

Shak Muscles reply :

On 2/26/2018 at 2:20 AM, Sam said:

When I get there, I walk very quietly and start casting about 10 feet from bank.

To move I go about 50-feet back away from the water, or as many feet I can, to walk to new location very quietly.

Remember, if you can see them they can see you.

That's a good plan but unfortunately I don't have the patience to do that. I usually just walk along the bank. Probably spooked a bunch of fish, but oh well. Although I usually cast parallel to the bank and to my spot before I walk over there, so if nothing bit then it wouldn't be a big deal if I spooked it anyway.

soflabasser reply :

There is a public body of water in South Florida where I caught 149 bass in 1 day from land. This was in less than 6 hours of fishing and I am confident I would of caught more if I would of been there earlier instead of later in the day. I go to this location when the conditions are right since I know the bass fishing will be amazing when it comes to numbers of bass. This is a place where most people do not fish from land since its a very long walk in a area with lots of alligators around. Most people will not walk for hours while shore fishing to get the results I got that day but sometimes you have to think differently than most fishermen to get different results.

Shak Muscles reply :

On 3/1/2018 at 5:15 AM, soflabasser said:

There is a public body of water in South Florida where I caught 149 bass in 1 day from land. This was in less than 6 hours of fishing and I am confident I would of caught more if I would of been there earlier instead of later in the day. I go to this location when the conditions are right since I know the bass fishing will be amazing when it comes to numbers of bass. This is a place where most people do not fish from land since its a very long walk in a area with lots of alligators around. Most people will not walk for hours while shore fishing to get the results I got that day but sometimes you have to think differently than most fishermen to get different results.

Wow that's really impressive!

The most I've ever caught in a day was 23 or something haha. I normally just fish for about 2-3 hours in small subdivision ponds though. Just starting out!

wisconsin heat reply :

I use one of these bad boys a few times of the year when the veggies get to wild.

Works pretty well. I don't carry it every time I bank fish, but I'll bring it out to thin out a path if I know I'll be fishing there multiple times in the future.

RPreeb reply :

On 3/2/2018 at 3:13 AM, wisconsin heat said:

I use one of these bad boys a few times of the year when the veggies get to wild.

Works pretty well. I don't carry it every time I bank fish, but I'll bring it out to thin out a path if I know I'll be fishing there multiple times in the future.

Now that's what I call a bushwhacker. Nice machete!

Shak Muscles reply :

On 3/2/2018 at 3:13 AM, wisconsin heat said:

I use one of these bad boys a few times of the year when the veggies get to wild.

Works pretty well. I don't carry it every time I bank fish, but I'll bring it out to thin out a path if I know I'll be fishing there multiple times in the future.

I've been thinking about that, chopping down some of the brush in areas where I want to fish. But then I also think I'll be ruining the "natural environment" if I kept chopping down all the vegetation in my way. Also, wouldn't I look like a maniac walking around with a machete and a fishing rod LOL?

On a side note, sometimes I "create a path" for myself by just squishing vegetation down with my legs at an angle. It probably has the same effect as the machete it just takes a bit longer.

fishwizzard reply :

On 3/2/2018 at 3:13 AM, wisconsin heat said:

I use one of these bad boys a few times of the year when the veggies get to wild.

Works pretty well. I don't carry it every time I bank fish, but I'll bring it out to thin out a path if I know I'll be fishing there multiple times in the future.

Ha, my mom bought me one of those for Christmas. Like five years ago when I was in my mid 30s. I have no idea what she was thinking but it lives in the trunk of my car waiting for the day I need it.

wisconsin heat reply :

On 3/2/2018 at 7:25 AM, Shak Muscles said:

I've been thinking about that, chopping down some of the brush in areas where I want to fish. But then I also think I'll be ruining the "natural environment" if I kept chopping down all the vegetation in my way. Also, wouldn't I look like a maniac walking around with a machete and a fishing rod LOL?

On a side note, sometimes I "create a path" for myself by just squishing vegetation down with my legs at an angle. It probably has the same effect as the machete it just takes a bit longer.

On 3/2/2018 at 7:25 AM, Shak Muscles said:

It's less weird than it you'd think it would be. The sheath attaches nice to your belt so its not too unbearable to fish with on. From the sounds of it, the places you're talking about are pretty secluded and ignored by most. I wouldn't worry too much about trimming the vegetation. It will all grow back and then some in a month or two.

On 3/2/2018 at 7:53 AM, fishwizzard said:

Ha, my mom bought me one of those for Christmas. Like five years ago when I was in my mid 30s. I have no idea what she was thinking but it lives in the trunk of my car waiting for the day I need it.

Funny, My fiancee's parents got me mine for Christmas. Guess where it stays? The trunk haha.

soflabasser reply :

On 3/2/2018 at 3:04 AM, Shak Muscles said:

Wow that's really impressive!

The most I've ever caught in a day was 23 or something haha. I normally just fish for about 2-3 hours in small subdivision ponds though. Just starting out!

Thank you. I have been fishing for well over 20 years now and have been very fortunate. We all have to start out somewhere and fishing is a hobby that every fisherman or fisherwoman learns for a lifetime. Make sure to have fun when you fish, be safe, and follow the fishing rules of your state.

Will1248 reply :

Take one rod(spinning) and a small tackle box or bag(like a satchel, all you need is grn pumpkin plastics 99% of the time with pond fishing). Wear blue jeans and a long sleeve columbia shirt that you roll up after brush and just trudge through it backwards so your rod doesnt snag.

bigbill reply :

I’m your pro shore fisherman here lol, kidding. But here’s my tips on being successful.

1. Stealth is the key. Walk up slowly, don’t step on roots or rocks sticking up out of the ground. This sends noises into the water like a alarm system. Put your tackle box and rods down softly. Make no noise. I fish at 4am in the dark and keep my one cell flashlite in the roof of my tackle box. I don’t shine it anywhere. Keep the glow low to the ground.

2. I can’t tie knots in the daylight but at night I use the ball bearing, locking, snap-swivels. I can change baits very quickly plus I get more side to side action out of my hardbaits.

3. Keep your tacklebox very well organized so your not making noise looking for things. Label your little plastic containers. Night fishing in the dark till first light taught me a lot.

4. Wash your hands before you go fishing. I use big orange soap. Do not touch gas or oil when going fishing.

5. I avoid masking noises. I use only spinning reels. I open the bail slowly, cast it out, close it slowly. I don’t use baitcaster because of the click when the spool locks in. Bass can hear any little noise that’s out of there norm.

6. Wear dull colored clothes or camo in the daylight. If you can see the fish, they can see you too. I fish smaller places that are exceptional healthy eco systems. They have big heathy bass. (Fish). Never go out without a hat and polarized glasses. I watch for movement behind my baits like short strikes. I scan the droppoff I fish from for bass swimming by me.

7. Keep the location of your hot fishing spots to yourself. Never, never, ever tell anyone. You tell one person next your spot is crowded with people taking fish to eat. Thank the lord they can’t catch fish like we do.

8. You can catch decent sized bass from shore. Skip fan cast, cast parallel from shore were you can. Cast into the shady areas. The bass can hide in the shade too. I like spinnerbaits and in-line spinners in these shaded areas.

learn everything here from videos to articles, remember it’s skill that catches fish not luck.

EGbassing reply :

Just fly a helicopter in. (just kidding) I would invest in some waders or hunting boots.

DINK WHISPERER reply :

Drive as far as possible. Then jeans, long sleeves, high rubber boots, Off bug spray and a Glock 20 10mm at my side. Too many black bears and panthers here in S central FL.

geo g reply :

I bank fish at least 5 days a week. I am blessed to be surrounded by man made lakes all with a good supply of bass, and places to fish that people will not bother you. Some suggestions for bank fishing that I have developed over the years.

1. All my lakes have deep drop offs where bass often hang regardless of season.

2. I make long casts so I can remain undetected by the bass.

3. I start by fishing the drop offs and let the bait settle before working the bait.

4. Since the bank is full of pads and grasses for about the first 10 to 20 yards, I use almost all Texas rigs, no treble hooks.

5. When things are tough, slow down.

6. I fan cast after working the drop off wherever I’m fishing.

7. Walk slowly along the bank, no sudden movements except setting the hook.

8. Always look for snakes along thebank when walking. I don’t worry about gators, they will show themselves way before you get to them. Snakes will freeze, and let you walk right up to them.

9. Always wear boots when walking the bank, never flip flops or Sandels.

10. After setting the hook always get a bass head up out of the water and surf it over the veggies or you will lose the big ones. They will always dive for root stems after being hooked. Heavy line is a must fishing the bank in south Florida.

Shak Muscles reply :

You guys have it worse than I do haha

I don't have to worry about dangerous animals just pesky bugs.

I definitely have to work on being more stealthy when approaching the bank though. Just recently I spooked a few bass as I approached the bank and I saw them dart off.

chasegal88 reply :

I grew up fishing creeks and large farm ponds. 90% of the time it was in shorts and shoes and carried a couple spinning rods and a backpack with all my tackle. Some ponds were in overgrown fields so i'd wear jeans and boots to protect from briars. During the summer i'd kick off the shoes and wade the shallows to fish deeper.

For bugs if wearing pants use sawyers spray to keep ticks and chiggers off! Don't spray on your skin!

Ratherbfishing reply :

Like this but with a fishing pole in my hands:

Hez reply :

Left...right...left...right....left....right....

frosty reply :

On 2/19/2018 at 10:13 PM, Scott F said:

Snakes you shouldn't have to worry about. No dangerous snakes.

They can all make you soil a perfectly good pair of underwear given the correct circumstances!

soflabasser reply :

At least the people from northern states don't have to worry about burmese pythons like we have down here in South Florida. I encountered a 10 foot Burmese python recently and made sure to humanely euthanize it so it won't eat any more native wildlife or peoples pet dogs or cats. Several have been caught in excess of 17 feet and that's more than big enough to hurt someone.

MN Fisher reply :

Depends on the state and where in it you are.

SE Minnesota has Timber Rattlers, so you gotta be careful going through woods to that hidden pond.

I lived in Omaha, NE (my Air Force time) and one time on the way to a back-water pond we came across a Copperhead.

I think I'd rather face a 10'-14' Python than either of those two.

BassWhole! reply :

https://www.youtube.com/embed/OORsz2d1H7s

ps: that young Mrs Claus was a hottie...

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