Pond Disruption

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

My parents have a nice 3 acre neighborhood pond I fish in with my kayak. Been fishing it about a year or so now. Recently, some kids (maybe 6 or so) actually jump in the pond doing cannonballs and playing war games in it. They through rocks in it to be like bombs and other disruption at the beds, bank areas. etc. I'm going ask my parents if the HOA allows them to do that. I mean there are snapping turtles and snakes in the water too. They have a right to play there but I'm not sure if they can actually in the water. Granted they probably have more of a right to be there than me arguably, but not sure what the fishing has suffered. Whether they can or not, do you all think the last two weeks of this pretty much killed the fishing chances? Or if they continue will it be a negative impact? They usually go out there about 3-4 days a week and a guy I know in the area said they will be there sometimes for hours.

[deaknh03]

I would let the kids have their fun and find somewhere else to fish if it bothers you. It doesnt sound like theyre being destructive but just doing what we all did at some point.

[deaknh03]

And to answer whether it has a negative impact on your fishing, probably only at the time theyre doing it.

[fishva]

Let em have their fun. Won't hurt anything, except maybe themselves, and that's just part of growing up.

I used to jump off a dock, mess around in the water, and catch fish in the same spot 5 minutes later.

[tntitans21399]

If it's a public pond they have as much right as you, but it does suck if you find a good spot and someone else takes up that area or foing something else but fishing in that spot. You get skiers in lakes, people that want to relax next to a river, etc... All you can do is try and fish when they aren't there.

[J Francho]

I'd be very careful about whom you complain to. From another's perspective, the potential for a hook in a swimmer's foot may be more of a nuisance. Fish when you can, leave no trace behind. If they are making a commotion, fish another shore. Three acres should be plenty of room for both activities.

[everythingthatswims]

If the kids swim on a regular basis, the fish should get used to it. In a local swimming hole, I have swam out in the river (crystal clear water) with 4-5 others to a sunken tree that is 1/2 out of the water, stood on it, and hand-lined smallmouth, big crappies, catfish, and largemouth up to 3lbs from right at my feet while kids were doing cannonballs. The fish get used to it.

[PondHopper96]

I'd say the fish would come back soon after! Wouldn't be too ate up about it

[RAMBLER]

If there is a home owner's association involved, I would be really careful about what I complain about.  They may make the pond off limits to everybody and every activity.  You might be cutting off your nose to spite your face.

 

As others have said, that doesn't really scare the fish much.  Just fish when they're not there.  Is this going on just during summer break?

[DogBone_384]

Let' m be kids. Your best memories are likely from when you were a kid.

Besides, They're in for a heck of a shock when they grow up and have to pay for the last three Presidents....

[flyfisher]

I can't argue with what everyone else said....i will also add that i was fishing a small river/creek today that is maybe 50-75 feet across and caught a nice smallie right underneath a rope swing that is heavily used.

 

I wouldn't complain either for one, I cannot stand HOA's and for two, they aren't hurting anything for the most part other than the fishing right at the spot they are messing around.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Maybe my OP wasn't clear????

My question is pertaining to if the disruption is having a negative impact on the fish. In other words are the fish all scared now and go deep.

I never said I was complaining, nor do I give a crap if they get bit, hurt, etc. I just asked about what the bass are probably doing to react to this.

[buzzed bait]

if anything, it may push them out from where they're swimming which should reduce the size of the water you need to hunt them down....  we had 2 ponds at my house as a kid.  the bigger one was about an acre or so in size.  my brother and i would be swimming, jumping, everything under the sun while my great uncle and his friend would be on the other bank catching fish like any other day. 

as said, easy with involving the HOA "authorities", let kids be kids and just go fishing when and while you can.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Fish dont care

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Thanks buzzed bait and Maximus!