This [Fishing in pressured ponds] is basically all I do, so I've had to adjust if I want to catch fish.
1. Quiet presentation
Everybody talks about this, but I can't stress it enough. This is huge. You can have the right setup, the right bait, but if you walk up and spook some fish in the shallows you've ruined everything. Stay back, use something that doesn't make a huge splash when you toss it out, and catch the fish right up by the bank.
2. Find the concentration of baitfish
Most pond fisherman don't think about this, but I've actually started keying in on it a lot more recently. In my ponds, there's tons of bluegill, but I'm always looking for the bigger pods of both fry and bigger fish. Bass are usually on the lookout for a little school like this, and you'll almost sure to catch something around them.
3. Look for the spots that nobody else is hitting
In my favorite pond, everybody fishes from the dock or down the bank a ways at the shallower end of the pond. Both are great places to catch fish, but there's a deep area right by the dock that no one fishes thoroughly. I've started fishing it regularly and pulling out some nice fish.
4. Wear polarized sunglasses
If you aren't make, sure to put on your sunglasses. Huge help in spotting potential catches.
4. Finesse
If all else fails, pick up a dropshot, wacky rigged trick worm, and especially a Ned Rig and get to work.
Good luck.
