Top 5 Pond Fishing Tips

Most of us starting our fishing journey at a pond when we were younger. While pond fishing can seem “beneath us” as seasoned anglers, don’t overlook the fun and excitement that comes with exploring these hidden gems. The arrival of spring brings some fantastic opportunities to catch panfish, trout, and bass in small ponds. Check out these pond fishing tips for beginners and don’t miss out on one of the best times of year to enjoy the outdoors.

FOCUS ON COVER FOR BLUEGILL

One of the key small pond fishing tips for bluegill during the spring months is to fish near cover like logs, stumps, lily pads, and grass mats. Use live baits like red worms, waxworms, grasshoppers, or small pieces of nightcrawlers rigged on a size 6 to 10 long shank hook and suspended under a bobber for the most action. Slip or pinch on bobbers are the best type of bobbers to use when pond fishing for panfish with kids.

FIND THE DROP-OFFS FOR CRAPPIE

One of the top pond fishing tips for beginners who want to target crappie is to concentrate on drop-offs that are adjacent to shallow, weedy flats and points. During the spring, this allows crappie to move shallow or deep as water and weather conditions dictate. On cloudy or windy days when light doesn’t penetrate very far into the water, they can often be within just a few feet of the surface. One of the best pond crappie fishing tips for spring is to use small tube baits and grubs in the 2-inch range.

TRY SPINNERBAITS FOR BASS

You might be wondering about the best pond bass fishing tips and techniques to apply during the spring months. One tip is to use spinnerbaits since you can cover more water and catch more fish in less time than you would while fishing with soft plastic worms or creature baits (such as lizards or crawfish). Try a tandem willow leaf spinnerbait on windy spring days. As far as technique, cast parallel to the bank and use a medium pace retrieve to keep your spinnerbait off the bottom.

FOCUS ON COOLER WATER FOR TROUT

When it comes to pond trout fishing tips for early spring, the best advice is to focus on deeper holes or areas where water temperatures will be cooler. For example, overhanging branches can provide shade from the sun, as well as food sources like worms and insects. In fact, some of the best baits you can use for trout in small ponds are red worms or meal worms. One other important tip is to use light line (4 to 6-pound test) when fishing for trout since they are known for having very good eyesight.

STAY STEALTHY

Since fish in small ponds are particularly vulnerable to predators like birds and turtles, they are very aware of any shadows or movement. When it comes to farm pond fishing tips (or any type of small pond), one of the most basic tips to apply during the spring and throughout the year is to use a stealthy approach by staying 5 to 10 feet back from the edge of the bank. This tip not only applies to panfish, but it’s also one of the best bass fishing tips for small ponds.