Pond fishing offers back-to-basics thrills

Last week I wrote an article on local fishing locations. Some of the destinations for fishing that were mentioned were retention ponds and park district lakes. They are found all over in Lincoln-Way and you should have no problem finding one. Fishing the ponds is good and you shouldn't pass them by for larger lakes.

It was interesting to see that the article seemed to spark a few questions by some readers. What they wanted to know is how I would approach these ponds in order to catch some fish. Well, that is one department where I'm always willing to help.

In order to be successful at pond fishing, the approach should be nothing more than going back to the basics of fishing. Start out by making a decision of what you want to fish for, then arm yourself appropriately. That's a good start to get you on your way to catching fish.

Most ponds will have bluegill, catfish and largemouth bass. Of course, some others will go a step further and have crappies and other panfish. Where it is not known what species are stocked in the lake, it's best to stay simple. Start out with fishing for bluegills and other panfish. It is pretty much a guarantee that the pond will have some gills in it. From there you can get lucky and catch something else, like a cat or bass. Start simple and go up from there.

Bring out the light fishing gear. A 5- to 6-foot fishing rod that has light to ultra-light action is a good way to go. As for the line to be used, 4-pound test is fine, but don't go larger than 6.

Now, one of the biggest mistakes that anglers make when fishing for bluegills is using hooks that are just too large. Big hooks are OK for bass. They're OK for big catfish, too. But for gills, use small hooks.

TruTurn Hooks, for example, makes panfish hooks. The hook has a long shank so that if the fish takes it a bite too deep, you still have something to grab on to in order to easily remove it without damage to the fish. These hooks are also made of hard wire, so they come off snags easily and they are thin enough so when baiting up a grub, worm or even a small minnow, the bait will not be ripped apart.

Another mistake is a bobber that is too big. Use one that is no bigger around than your thumbnail. A slip bobber is probably the best way to go. At times the fish will be deep, and using a snap-on bobber will not allow you to set the bait at a good depth. A slip bobber will let you cast out with ease.

Now look at the pond. Are there trees that hang over the surface of the water? How about bushes? Is there a fallen tree in the water? These are a few things that will act as cover for the fish.

Bugs will fall from trees and bushes into the water. It happens often enough that gills become accustomed to the easy meal. These are good starting points.

Look for concrete tubes that flow rainwater into the pond. The flow of water will cause a washout in the bottom of the pond. This means a difference in bottom structure and fish will relate to that. This is another good place to try. It's basic and yet a successful approach to pond fishing.

Weeds are also fish magnets. Fish the outside edges of the weeds and you should find some gills.

If you want to take a chance at fishing for bass, I suggest that you use a bait that won't hang up weeds or under water structure. A spinnerbait will work well. The universal starting point in the spinnerbait box is where you find the white ones. White just seems to be an all-around good color. A white Roadrunner will also do well. Put a white grub on the tail or hook on a minnow.

If the weeds are starting to come up on your pond, try a buzzbait. To me, color doesn't seem to be that critical for a buzzbait. The reasoning is because fish must look up toward the bright sky to see the buzzbait. The lure will be backlit by the sky or sun, and therefore all the fish will see is a dark silhouette.

For catfish, prepared baits, cut baits, cheese, liver and worms will all work. Often, ponds will have a lot of silt on the bottom, so you will need to get that bait suspended. Using a bobber will work. Some prepared baits will float. If you like to use a slip-sinker type of rig, use floating baits or a floating jig. One more bait example is hot dog slices. Check them out first. Some float, while some sink. Go with the floaters for fishing off the bottom and sinkers when using a bobber.

Keep your approach to fishing the ponds simple. Live bait will always work well for you. Minnows on floating jigs or below a bobber will catch bigger fish for you. Worms and grubs will get panfish. Don't be afraid to move around because it will be better for you if you do. Travel light and fish light. Getting back to the basics of fishing on our local ponds will quickly show you that great fishing is not that far away.

Thanks for reading my articles every week.

If you want to share some comments, reports or photos, please send them to iloutdoors@comcast.net or mail them to Illinois Outdoors, P.O. Box 713, New Lenox, IL. 60451. Don't forget to visit my Web sites, www.IllinoisOutdoors.com and www.FishingLineRadio.com.