Analysis of a Pond

[HotDogAngler]

Hello all.  In relation to a thread I recently posted, I have a nearby pond that I fish 90% of my fishing days at, because it is close by.  I have a feel for the pattern in the summer, but want to fish more efficiently and thus would like some advice given my observations of the pond structure.  Basically a breakdown of the pond.

 

A Picture of the North side of the Pond on a clear day.

 

 

Map of the Pond (The Gapstow Bridge is the North side of the pond for future reference)

 

Basic Info:

1.  Size: 3-4 Acres

2.  Depth: 1-10 ft

3.  Location:  NYC, Central Park South

4.  Fishing Pressure: High

 

Because much of the Pond is fenced off or just inaccessible, there are only 4 realistic regions to fish from, noted in the map above.

 

Breakdown by Location

Area 1

Basic Info:

1.  Depth within casting distance is around 4-10 feet, probably the deepest area of the pond

2.  Facing the north side, water plants directly to the left around 20 yards away along the shoreline.

3.  A tree overhangs on the right 10 yards away

4.  shoreline is rocks mostly

5.  Have caught bass near the plants with stickbaits, never near the tree

6.  The opposite side is just out of casting distance (by around 15 yards) but has similar water plants

7.  Biggest bass caught in this area: 3 lbs

 

Area 2

Basic Info:  

1.  Depth within casting distance is around 1-6 feet, deepest in the middle

2.  no plants, just shoreline made up of shrubs and rocks

3.  There is a drain that at the very southern tip of the pond in the area, where a lot of matting builds up (have caught some dinks there with weighted stickbaits)

4.  Biggest bass caught in this area: 1.5 lbs

 

Area 3

Basic Info:

1.  Depth within casting distance is around 2-10 feet, deepest where 2 meets 3.

2.  Facing west, plants to the right side, otherwise no visible structure.

3.  A LOT of turtles camping around here.

4.  Some carp cruise around here as well.

5.  Biggest bass caught in this area: 5.4 lbs, where 2 intersects 3 in the deep area (picture is below)

 

Area 4

Basic Info:

1.  Depth within casting distance is around 1 to 3 feet.

2.  Water plants dot the shore, making retrieve a bit tricky.

3.  Many ducks here because shallow.

4.  Carp cruise here as well.

5.  Biggest bass caught in this area:  1 lb

 

I generally found Area 3 to the be the most productive in the summer, but now that Fall and eventually Spring will come around, I need a little help deciphering this pond!

 

Sorry for the wall of text, and appreciate any help as always!

 

My largest bass from this pond pic (Area 3)...

 

[Krux5506]

I'm not any type of pond expert but in my experience I try to fish spots like this with a bait caster to be able to cast as far as possible from shore. But even more important than that, I would say to try and target this area on a cloudy and windy day when the water has chop. I would assume the fishing pressure would be lower on those days but a similar area I fish around home has a night and day difference between calm water conditions and rough conditions. Don't be scared to throw top water when it's choppy either. 

[the reel ess]

Not really sure of the question. Bass will be in all of the pond at some point. I'm assuming it gets a lot of pressure, being in Manhattan. Soft plastics will be a good assumption, year round. Maybe even smaller ones. Try to do things other anglers don't or won't. They have to eat. @Mike D from Lunkerville did a couple episodes from Central Park.

 

I love seeing people fishing in Central Park right across the street for the Ritz Carlton.

 

 

From that video, I'll bet perch patterns work.

20 hours ago, Krux5506 said:

I'm not any type of pond expert but in my experience I try to fish spots like this with a bait caster to be able to cast as far as possible from shore. But even more important than that, I would say to try and target this area on a cloudy and windy day when the water has chop. I would assume the fishing pressure would be lower on those days but a similar area I fish around home has a night and day difference between calm water conditions and rough conditions. Don't be scared to throw top water when it's choppy either. 

Go in the rain, even.

[burrows]

Sounds like you got a decent feel of the pond already.  

 However my suggestion is to throw a ned rig and “perfect “ the ned rig in suburban ponds like this I think you’ll be very successful on a big TRD or regular TRD. Even though many believe the Ned rig to be a do nothing bait it does have its Techniques I think this pond is perfect for it and contrary to popular belief the Ned rig catches donkeys!!!

[ratherbfishin1]

5 hours ago, Burrows said:

Sounds like you got a decent feel of the pond already.  

 However my suggestion is to throw a ned rig and “perfect “ the ned rig in suburban ponds like this I think you’ll be very successful on a big TRD or regular TRD. Even though many believe the Ned rig to be a do nothing bait it does have its Techniques I think this pond is perfect for it and contrary to popular belief the Ned rig catches donkeys!!!

I second this, if you have the patience to learn the ned rig it is a great way of fishing.

[Deleted account]

What are we trying to decipher? It's 3-4 acres, you can fish every inch of it in a day.

[NYWayfarer]

On ‎9‎/‎27‎/‎2018 at 2:00 PM, Krux5506 said:

I'm not any type of pond expert but in my experience I try to fish spots like this with a bait caster to be able to cast as far as possible from shore.

I agree. There might be pockets or drop offs you can reach from shore with a good baitcaster.

[YoTone]

try getting waders to cover more areas. maybe go a block down and see if the gucci or LV stores have them in stock. 

[Smalls]

High pressured pond in one of the populated cities on earth?

 

How many people do you see fishing on cold, rainy days? Probably not many? Bass adapt, and they see 1000 Rapala’s fly by on beautiful days. 

 

Try the opposite 

[HotDogAngler]

The ned rig is something actually I have never tried.  Will try to learn it and see how it goes.