POLL: We need a Pond/Bank fishing forum!! 2024
MFBAB reply :
I know this has been discussed in the past on the Bank Walker Thread, but that was really just trying to consolidate everything into one thread, which is really a pretty disorganized way to do it-you'd never be able to find specific topics withing 1 mega-thread.
Do a search for "Pond" or "Bank" fishing and hundreds of threads will come up, there always seem to be several pond threads going at any given time.
I think it would be great if a new forum were started and these threads could be consolidated there. It would be so convenient to have everything in one place, and it truly is one of the most active topics on the boards, and bank/pond fishing is a distinctive topic from "General Bass Fishing", or "Fishing Tackle", at least IMO.
Anyone else?
I'm setting up a poll for this too, so please cast a vote!!
Fishin Ethan reply :
this would be great! Hopefully we can get a pond/bank form
Admins please create this forum
flyfisher reply :
This is brought up all the time and is always shot down. Fishing in a pond really is no different than a larger lake, just on a smaller scale. Bank fishing has other challenges as well but again, the techniques are the same, just where you are fishing from is different.
I made the switch from bank/wade fishing to kayak fishing and i isn't all of the sudden have some new techniques i couldn't do before, just some were more effective being off the bank.
MFBAB reply :
On 2/16/2016 at 3:44 AM, flyfisher said:This is brought up all the time and is always shot down. Fishing in a pond really is no different than a larger lake, just on a smaller scale. Bank fishing has other challenges as well but again, the techniques are the same, just where you are fishing from is different.
I made the switch from bank/wade fishing to kayak fishing and i isn't all of the sudden have some new techniques i couldn't do before, just some were more effective being off the bank.
I respect your opinion, but IMO pond fishing is talking about generally small bodies of water, often boats aren't even allowed on them.
Clearly hundreds of other people are making this distinction as well, due to the huge number of Pond specific threads on the forums.
I'm just not seeing a down side to adding a forum for these topics, I honestly believe it would be a huge help to a lot of our users. And the fact that it is brought up all the time, I mean, a lot of people want this.
We literally have "custom rod building forum", "fishing resume forum", and "bass club forums" here. By your logic, the rod building one should be in tackle making, the resume one should probably not even exist, and the club one should be general bass fishing because it's all just bass fishing when we get down to it, right? 
flyfisher reply :
i get that people ask for a and specific advice but how much of that advice is different than on a large body of water, it really isn't......that is my point.
A-Jay reply :
Nope.
Just start your own "MFBAB's Pond/Bank fishing" thread . . .
Catt started a "So Yall Want To Learn Toledo Bend?" on August 8th 2008 !
Over the past 7 years plus it has generated 202 pages of useful responses and counting . . . . . .
A-Jay
hawgenvy reply :
I think bank fishing guys would like having their own forum, and there are probably enough bank-specific topics to keep it relevant and beneficial. Fishing from shore and finding and navigating those shores has it's unique challenges and opportunities. Agree there would be a lot of overlap. But personally, I'd like to see it.
BassWhole! reply :
A resounding no. Other than getting thorns in your ass there is nothing different from fishing from a boat or fishing from shore. There is already too much arbitrary compartamentation in LMB fishing. I'm surprised fishing from shore isn't a "technique" yet.
Hog Basser reply :
How about a pond and small private lake management forum? There's a great resource page with tons of articles here on Bass Resource about pond management, but there's nowhere to discuss it. I have just gotten into pond management and that's how I found this forum (through the articles here: http://www.bassresource.com/lake-management/) I could see this overlapping with fishing the ponds and small private waters to have enough content for a new forum. I for one would like to have a forum page dedicated to pond management discussion and would be happy to have the discussion of fishing these ponds included in it. Just my 2 cents.
68camaro reply :
I think pond/bank fishing has enough nuances and differences to warrant its own forum. Even though I am looking for canoe I also will still be doing a lot of opportunistic bank fishing as I carry a couples poles/tackle in Jeep.
MFBAB reply :
On 2/16/2016 at 4:09 AM, A-Jay said:Nope.
Just start your own "MFBAB's Pond/Bank fishing" thread . . .
Catt started a "So Yall Want To Learn Toledo Bend?" on August 8th 2008 !
Over the past 7 years plus it has generated 202 pages of useful responses and counting . . . . . .
A-Jay
That's what the thread I linked in the first post is, and it's a completely inefficient way of doing this anyway.....and it's not the same deal as catt's thread. His thread is in a regional fishing forum, where it belongs. You can't have a forum for each specific lake, Pickwick, Guntersville, Falcon, etc...If people want to talk about those lakes, then start a thread in the appropriate region and go nuts.
Bank/Pond Vs. General Bass fishing in a boat on reservoirs is a totally different comparison.
On the bank:
- Totally different angles (ever try to fish an outside grass edge from the bank?)
- Limited to fewer presentation options (1-2 rods, a small box of lures)
- Limited to a much smaller and more specific area (1 pond, not a whole lake)
- Far less options in terms of moving or finding different patterns, you have got to hunker down and fish what's in front of you. You don't get to just move on to another pattern as the day goes on.
- Always fishing Uphill, no way to move off the bank and try various casting angles. You can use some of the same baits, but not in all of the same ways.
- Obviously, a lot of baits w trebles or snaggy baits are off the table because you will lose them
Comparing bank fishing to boat fishing is like comparing walking to driving, IMO.
I know this isn't going to happen, I'm just making the point clear that there's not a good reason why
bigbassin' reply :
I probably make 3 trips on the bank for every 1 I take in a boat, however I feel like this isn't really needed. In my experience the only real differences are that it's harder to free a snagged lure from the bank, deep diving cranks are more or less useless from the bank, and you can't cover as much water on foot. Other than that I fell like the same techniques work and seasonal patterns are the same, just small bodies of water transition faster.
A-Jay reply :
On 2/16/2016 at 7:37 AM, MFBAB said:I know this isn't going to happen, I'm just making the point clear that there's not a good reason why
I'll agree that you're making it a point ~
A-Jay
nascar2428 reply :
On 2/16/2016 at 7:37 AM, MFBAB said:Comparing bank fishing to boat fishing is like comparing walking to driving, IMO.
Most of the guys on here won't admit that. Out of eighty four instructional videos on this website, two are vaguely about bank fishing. Trust me there's a lot more two it than that. Perhaps a thread of some bank fishing tips and tricks might be appropriate.
MFBAB reply :
I just did a search for the word "pond" within thread titles.
197 results going back 2 years (1 topic per 3.5 days), and that's just the word "pond", not bank or anything else. And only in the title.
I would expect that the activity would be much greater if there were a dedicated forum for this, and also, from an organizational standpoint, it would be so much easier to keep up with the threads if they were under one roof.
primetime reply :
I agree with the post above....I think pond management is an important topic that I would love to learn more about and I am always searching out information since I have 5 ponds in the development where I live, and I have tried making 2 of them into really good spots with less bass but much larger fish, and then I put the slots in the other pond, along with stunted bluegills or any random fish I catch that do not belong. I notice the young Kids love fishing the 2 ponds that are void of structure, super clear, and are loaded with Bass in the 10-13" range since I remove most of the bass from 2 of the ponds with the goal of growing a few trophies...
One cool thing to note...Here in Florida and I would imagine in most states, If you want to fish a pond that may be on Private property or on the side of the road etc...You can often call FWC or the DEC and we have a program called "Adopt a Pond" which basically allows you to fix a pond by adding structure, cleaning it, taking samples for Ph and Oxygen, and they work with you on how to fix the pond based on goals...Most developments have a retention pond or stormwater pond and they usually are one small part of a much larger watershed which leads to a large lake. Having permission to fish the "Watershed gives you the ability to fish and fix the ponds connected without tresspassing."
Most owners who question you end up happy when you explain to them you are a "Volunteer" trying to keep the pond or ponds better for fishing. Managing small ponds is very difficult and it is amazing how fast fish will grow if you pay attention to the size of the bluegills and the bass, the shiners and other forage should take care of themselves if the 2 fish mentioned are in ratio....If you have a pond that is full of stunted bass and huge bluegills, then turn it into a trophy panfish pond, and then raise shiners in that pond as well, but it is so important to remove fish from good ponds, if you have a pond full of 4-5lb bass, that is great, but I promise in a few years you will have a few really big fish and lots of skinny bass unless you start a slot etc..
So growing trophy bass and pond management, ratios and what fish to add and how is a thread I would love to have since I know I am not the only one who tries to manage a pond to grow a giant...
roadwarrior reply :
On 2/16/2016 at 7:37 AM, MFBAB said:I know this isn't going to happen, I'm just making the point clear that there's not a good reason why
Hmm...It might.
MFBAB reply :
I'm surprised you're against this RW? BTW, have you checked the forecast later this week? Let's go fishing!
cgolf reply :
I definitely think there should be a bank pond forum. I fish a lot of small rivers and creeks. There is definately a difference there than fishing a lake. Reeding the water, proper bait placement, fish location in current, etc.
actually a River forum would be awesome, it would probably be pretty heavy on bank fisherman participation.
MFBAB reply :
I think these could easily be consolidated, "creeks and small waters forum" or something like that.
I'm surprised at how divided people are on this. I honestly see it as a slam dunk.
Catch 22 reply :
I fish lots of ponds primarily in the winter months that are 50 to 100 acres, all public. I have several tidal rivers to chose from ,but the productivity is just not there, or maybe I just can`t figure them out.
A captive audience, so to speak. Sometimes its easy, sometimes not. The main thing is that it gets me through the winter.
I would enjoy a ponds forum or at least a ponds only thread.
C22
Bruce424 reply :
Someone who says fishing from the bank is no different than a boat never balanced themselves on a fallen tree trunk over water to make a cast. Or slid down a steep bank to get to a spot. Or had to deal with ticks, spiderwebs or angry geese!! Haha.
A-Jay reply :
On 2/16/2016 at 10:53 AM, Bruce424 said:Someone who says fishing from the bank is no different than a boat never balanced themselves on a fallen tree trunk over water to make a cast. Or slid down a steep bank to get to a spot. Or had to deal with ticks, spiderwebs or angry geese!! Haha.
I have ~ and all At Night. 
Well, except for that rabid geese thing - but skunks, bats & diabolical beaver - will get ones attention pretty good too.
We could have a forum just on that . . . .
A-Jay
MFBAB reply :
There's a Beaver in one of the ponds I night fish occasionally. That guy has made me jump a few times, slapping that tail about 10 feet away from you on a dark moonless night, eek
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
I dont ever really view individual forums just have set up to view posts since last visit, all the forums are jumbled together.
The thing is those that dont want one wouldnt have to go to it if they didnt want to, if they view forums separately. But I have a feeling if there was one the ones that voted NO would be in there rambling their 2cents.
Fishes in trees reply :
I used to be a meat fishing bank fisherman - out of necessity. I learned a lot of stuff that transferred to fishing larger waters that I gained access to over the years. And yet, there is a body of knowledge that I don't use very often because I don't pond fish or bank fish at all any more. I think that it is a definite, separate skill set, i.e. getting good at fishing from the bank of ponds, watersheds and so forth. How much trouble can it be to try it and see where it goes? If it goes no where fast, then don't try it any more.
MDBowHunter reply :
Even though I rarely bank fish anymore I voted yes. After checking out the resume forum and realizing that it hardly even gets any posts, most are years old. The custom rod forum isn't used a whole lot either. I'd be willing to bet that if a bank fishing forum was added it would get more traffic then either of the forums mentioned above. Just my .02, besides would could it hurt?
MFBAB reply :
Here are a few more distinctions to Bank/Pond fishing as opposed to Boat/Big Lake fishing (Which I love as well, BTW):
NO SONAR: Even the most basic boat these days has at least 2d sonar, and most will have DI or SI also at this point. I guess bank fishermen could get one of those castable bobber things if they were a true masochist, but we all know it's a stop gap at best
NO NAVIONICS: There's not one small pond I know of, and I've got a long list of them, that has a contour map available. That's another almost basic tool for boat fishermen on a reservoir, and it's a huge game changer if you use that and start learning about structure.
*STRUCTURAL OBSCURITY: This is just saying that most of these little ponds aren't just flooded landscapes, they are often just literally dug out of the ground. What this means is that the bank or the lay of the land tells you nothing about what's under the water. In a reservoir, a ridge on land turns into a point under water, not so in a dug out borrow pit...It can be all deep, all shallow, a mix, it can have a few rock piles in it or not, some will have little levees/roads running across underwater, you name it, but you have to find this stuff all on your own and from the bank, because they almost never allow any boats
*I have patented this term, please send me $1 via Paypal whenever you read or use these 2 words together in this order 
It's obviously not all bad fishing from the bank, I'm just pointing out some glaring differences as opposed to fishing from a boat. I like the simplicity of fewer rods, less equipment, takes less time to go on a fishing trip, far less expense, less pressure on many (not all) ponds, the creativity bank fishing demands to solve some of the problems that are just simple givens for a boat fisherman (just move the boat, just turn on the sonar, etc.) is a welcome challenge as well.
But it IS a different thing, IMO.
BassWhole! reply :
On 2/16/2016 at 10:53 AM, Bruce424 said:Someone who says fishing from the bank is no different than a boat never balanced themselves on a fallen tree trunk over water to make a cast. Or slid down a steep bank to get to a spot. Or had to deal with ticks, spiderwebs or angry geese!! Haha.
Done that and much more. Fallen trees are 101, cardboard box to slide down bluff, layers with taped cuffs, drier sheets, skin so soft, and shower checks for the ticks, cobwebs you leave alone, little league bat for the geese, but none of these things have anything to do with fishing. It's like saying boat fishing is different because your old POS Mercury won't start...
MFBAB reply :
On 2/16/2016 at 5:18 AM, reason said:A resounding no. Other than getting thorns in your ass there is nothing different from fishing from a boat or fishing from shore. There is already too much arbitrary compartamentation in LMB fishing. I'm surprised fishing from shore isn't a "technique" yet.
In a nutshell:
You can replicate bank fishing from a boat - just pull up to the shore, dump out about 80% of your tackle, turn off the electronics, and start fishing....but you can't replicate boat fishing from the bank, no way no how. It's not complicated
Hog Basser reply :
This seems to be a very divisive topic and I can't figure out why. I'm new here, so I may be missing something. I would like to make a specific suggestion akin to what I posted about earlier in this thread.
New Forum Name: Pond Walkers, Bank Stalkers, and Pond Management Forum
Description: Everything pond and bank fishing, including discussion on pond management techniques. Link to articles from pond management experts and discuss what works/what doesn't when managing smaller, private waters.
I would be happy to add plenty of content and pictures on pond management and fishing. I've scoured every article in the fish and lake management section of Bass Resource and it's a big reason I love the site. I would definitely like to have a place to talk about it now that I'm getting into the practice of pond management on my own property.
This is VERY different from fishing public lakes and large waters, lots of the philosophies for big lake fishing go out the window when you're trying to manage your pond for your specific goals. I think bringing these like-minded individuals together in this forum would be very beneficial to the site. There is already an entire section of articles devoted to it here, why not discuss it?
MFBAB reply :
Hog Basser, have you checked out Pond Boss magazine or their forum? Bob Lusk (magazine editor and forum owner) wrote some of the pond articles posted here and I think he is or was a member here at one time. There are some very knowledgeable pond management guys over there!
Felix77 reply :
I have been fishing seriously going on 5 years now. My 1st 2 were strictly on the bank with the exception of the tournaments I fished as a co-angler. The last two I toggled between bank beating and a kayak. IMO from a fishing standpoint there is no difference. You still need to assess the conditions and adjust your presentations accordingly. Since presentations are situation specific that is why I feel like there is no "real" difference.
I highly doubt a forum section dedicated to bank fishing is going to help me with my balance on a fallen tree or with tips on how to slide down a steep bank to get to a spot. For that I watch Survivorman or Bear Grylls.
Hog Basser reply :
On 2/16/2016 at 11:46 PM, MFBAB said:Hog Basser, have you checked out Pond Boss magazine or their forum? Bob Lusk (magazine editor and forum owner) wrote some of the pond articles posted here and I think he is or was a member here at one time. There are some very knowledgeable pond management guys over there!
I enjoy Bob Lusk's articles the most! His stuff is much easier to read than some of the more scientific-minded writers. I think there is some sort of partnership here with Pond Boss Magazine, just not sure how it works. I didn't realize they had their own forum, will have to check it out. Thanks MFBAB!
On 2/16/2016 at 11:50 PM, Hog Basser said:I enjoy Bob Lusk's articles the most! His stuff is much easier to read than some of the more scientific-minded writers. I think there is some sort of partnership here with Pond Boss Magazine, just not sure how it works. I didn't realize they had their own forum, will have to check it out. Thanks MFBAB!
Okay, I checked out their forum and there is a lot of good information, but I can't stand the format of the site. The layout and background makes it difficult for me to work through, I like it here much better. I would still like a pond management forum here for discussion among peers. IMO this site is head & shoulders above the rest and sees a lot more activity than others, so I think it could support this idea easily.
SoFloBassFiend reply :
On 2/16/2016 at 10:53 AM, Bruce424 said:Someone who says fishing from the bank is no different than a boat never balanced themselves on a fallen tree trunk over water to make a cast. Or slid down a steep bank to get to a spot. Or had to deal with ticks, spiderwebs or angry geese!! Haha.
You may be very correct, however HOW you get to the place where your going to make your next cast would be of nobodies interest. Once your bait hits the water, the color, bait itself, and presentation are what most are here to learn. That remains true whether fishing from a platform or the shore. The never ending pics of places inaccessible on foot will be posted asking how others would go about getting to said spot.... It would get old quick.
One major problem with speaking about pond management on a public forum then creates the illusion that just ANYONE can go out and "manage their" waters. Pond management is meant for private waters and should be talked about on private forums. 5 years from now a management forum without the supervision of PROFESSIONALS and some of our waters could be doomed.
Hog Basser reply :
Personally, I prefer to research what the professionals say in the numerous articles also located on this site. And I would consult professionals before taking on any large project. But a private pond manager is ultimately responsible for his waters and the decisions he/she makes. People like to talk about and share their projects and what has worked/not worked for them in the past. It is just another discussion about the love of fishing and raising your own fish. I think the people involved in these forum discussions are smart enough to figure out they can't apply these principles to public water if that's what you're talking about. Plus, there are enough resources on this site to promote the research and opinions of professionals thoroughly and dispel any wrong or hurtful notions. The main difference between public and private waters is catch & release vs. selective culling of fish to maintain a healthy fish population. I think this distinction and discussion around it for private waters is much needed. There are all types of fisherman with many different philosophies, healthy discussion about all these philosophies will only help promote better understanding of the great sport of fishing from every angle.
BassWhole! reply :
On 2/16/2016 at 11:10 PM, MFBAB said:In a nutshell:
You can replicate bank fishing from a boat - just pull up to the shore, dump out about 80% of your tackle, turn off the electronics, and start fishing....but you can't replicate boat fishing from the bank, no way no how. It's not complicated
According to what you just wrote, one is a subset of the other, ergo you are making my point. I fish from shore and boats from 3 acre ponds to the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and everything in between. I know it may not seem like it at times, but fishing is fishing.
Choporoz reply :
On 2/16/2016 at 12:15 PM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:I dont ever really view individual forums just have set up to view posts since last visit, all the forums are jumbled together.
The thing is those that dont want one wouldnt have to go to it if they didnt want to, if they view forums separately. But I have a feeling if there was one the ones that voted NO would be in there rambling their 2cents.
I might have worded it differently, but I think I have the same sentiments. I don't use sub-forums for reading. I don't much bank fish anymore...(but, a little.) So, I probably shouldn't even be allowed to vote...but I voted 'yes'
gardnerjigman reply :
On 2/16/2016 at 4:09 AM, A-Jay said:Nope.
Just start your own "MFBAB's Pond/Bank fishing" thread . . .
Catt started a "So Yall Want To Learn Toledo Bend?" on August 8th 2008 !
Over the past 7 years plus it has generated 202 pages of useful responses and counting . . . . . .
A-Jay
Best answer
MIbassyaker reply :
I don't know if there "should" be a forum specifically for ponds and banks. But I'm another who doesn't understand why it should be a contentious issue. And I'm unimpressed by the argument that bank and boat fishing tactics are the same, therefore no forum of narrow bank/pond interest would be of value -- that only makes sense from the perspective of somebody who has not actually tried searching for practical bank fishing advice, and had to wade through post after post describing tactics that assume on-the-water mobility and positioning, deep water access, electronics, etc.
Edt: And yes, of course, you can search for thread topics, but that's true of every other topic too, including those that already have a forum dedicated to them. A straightforward compromise might be to identify a forum or two that would benefit from a dedicated pond/bank thread, create one and sticky it.
MFBAB reply :
On 2/17/2016 at 1:36 AM, reason said:According to what you just wrote, one is a subset of the other, ergo you are making my point. I fish from shore and boats from 3 acre ponds to the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and everything in between. I know it may not seem like it at times, but fishing is fishing.
I thought when I wrote that post that it was worded a little too simplistically, but if you think I'm making your point I believe you are sadly mistaken. Read back a little and address the some 10+/- distinctions I have made.
As far as being a subset, what do you think I am suggesting here? Obviously I am suggesting a sub-forum for this topic. No one is doubting that Pond/Bank fishing for bass isn't a subset of bass fishing as a whole.
Smallie fishing is a subset of bass fishing w a forum, tourney fishing (and also bass clubs?) is a subset of bass fishing w a forum, etc... ad nauseum.
Forgive me, who is making whose point again?
Here are some other examples of sub-forums:
gardnerjigman,
I already addressed the "super-thread" suggestion.
Catt's thread is about a regional lake and it's in the regional lake section, that makes perfect sense. Catt nor anyone else ever suggested a Toledo Bend sub forum, that would be absurd.
The comparison here is apples to oranges.
And also, a super-thread is everything compressed under one massive heading. There are 197 pond specific (and many more if you broaden the search terms slightly) topics in the last 2 years, I have no idea how many posts there are within those topics, but the point of this is that if there was a sub forum, all of those threads and new ones would be located in one place, under their own headings, in a way that people could actually use the information in a constructive way without having to go searching around.
2.5 to 1 are for it so far, the sub forum that is
Glenn reply :
We create new forums based upon existing, natural demand, meaning if there is ALREADY enough chatter surrounding a specific topic for years that warrants breaking them out to a new category.
For example, we recently created a new forum for rod builders. Why? Because there have been thousands of posts on this topic dating back many years. In addition, those posts were interfering with the tacklemaking threads, making it difficult to sort out and find the tackle making vs. rod building posts. So we created a new rod building forum, and we imported just the last two years of rod building posts into the new forum, which was already over 30,000 posts!
There are nowhere near that amount of bank/pond fishing-specific posts here.
Plus, the "build it and they will come" approach doesn't work. We've tried that before with disasterous results. If the chatter doesn't already exist, then attempting to force it by creating a new forum for it won't change that.
And finally, although I recognize that it's super-important to somebody because they always catch fish on a black & white 3/8 oz copper willowleaf spinnerbait, and it's THE main way they always catch fish, we will not be creating a "Black & White 3/8 oz Copper Willowleaf Spinnerbait" forum, just because a few people feel very strongly about it. Unless, of course, there's an overwhelming volume of posts on the topic spanning multiple years.
So, sorry, no new "bank fishing/pond fishing" forum for now.
That said, if you want an extremely useful thread that's specific to pond/bank fishing, then A-jay said it best:
In fact, if I recall, one such thread was started about this same time last year, but people lost interest eventually, and it faded away. Do a search for it and you might be able to resurrect it.
JRammit reply :
Great idea!
I was shore bound for most of my fishing life.. And every article i ever read or any show i ever watched catered to the boat fisherman
I got a little 12' jon boat 4 years ago, and still most of what i see/read revolves around the use of expensive electronics
It would be great to share ideas, tips and techniques with those on the same playing field!
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