pond fishing advice
 

i have a pond behind my house that holds some large mouths and catfish, everytime i go out there i usually catch a couple a release them. the question is hpow often can i fish without putting too much pressure on the bass. any ideas?

you dont say much about the pond, how deep, what is the source of water, how large in size (hectars) acres. What forage bait is there?
You will reach a point in the pond when you notice stunted growth due to reaching capacity max where the fish have not got enough food, due to over growth of weed beds etc.
If you have a decent size pond it is actually beneficial to harvest fish.

I good time to harvest them is when your hungry!




Sorry I don't know the answer. Billy Mac :beer:

I know here in SC, the Dept of Agriculture and Department of Natural Resources are big about helping property owners get the most of their ponds...check w/those agencies in LA...if not, Google pond maintenance.

Good luck w/it...some of the biggest lunker bass around come outta ponds like yours and I would think the climate in south LA would be GREAT for 'em...long growing season...:beer:

sorry about the lack of info. but the pond is under an acre and kidney shaped. it has about 15-25 old cypress tree stumps in the pond with more under the water that you cant see. lots of vegetation along the banks but not alot away from the banks. the fish have structure in the pond to hold. also the dept is gradual from the side then it drops off a little then they should be some hold and ledges. i really dont know how deep it is towards the middle when i get a chance i will get in my pirougue with a depth finder and takes measurements and map it. there are small minnows small catfish etc and turtles. any gator that is seen is quickly removed that day. the water source is from rain and it holds water well. also there are too large fountains for aeration. i'll try to snap a photo and post it. im sure someone has stocked the pond because i landed a 3-4 pounder yesterday and a bigger one spit the hook last week.

first off drain the pond take a count of the fish then refill lol that way you know how many to keep a week till gone lol:beer:

haha, thats funny
im sure they have a descent amount because the pont has been there for 2 years or so and everytime i go i catch. and if i can catch bass anyone can. the only others i have seen try to fish are a couple of my neighbors but they use the cork method and seem to always scratch.

I fish several small ponds and bigger ones too...small lake actually. There is one here where I work that is tiny...about like yours. You would be SHOCKED as to how many 5-7#ers Ive pulled outta there. I let anything over 2.5-3 go back but keep ALL the dinks I can...anything from 8-10 on up to 16" goes in the grease. Bass are VERY prolific and breed like rabbits. If you are catching a pile of dinks when you fish then start pulling em out or you wont have any 3+pounders in a few years. They will get way overpopulated way fast.

Are there any bream in there? Im sure there is...if so a nice 3-4" bream should be deadly. If not...the small feeder goldfish about 2-3" long at a pet store is like bass crack.

thats what i heard about the goldfish. i never tried for any of the smaller fish in the pond though im sure they have them. how often you think i should fish it though? every other day every third day?

I would think a few times a week would be ok.

One thing I have learned about these little ponds though is if the bass get shy or a little skittish then downsize your baits. Go with some small spinners like 1/8oz beatle spins, little top waters at dark and small crank baits, stick baits, etc....


Also be mindfull of how you approach and fish the pond...try not to stomp all around it every time you go and fish where you can cover the whole pond at strategic locations only moving a time or two each trip.