My experiences pond fishing in Upstate NY

[1134]

I have spent the majority of this summer seeking out local ponds near me in upstate NY. Here is a general overview of the things I have learned or refined throughout my experiences this summer.  Having grown up mostly fishing on boats, pond fishing was a somewhat foreign experience to me. One of the most important things I have learned is to be prepared. It always sucks to get all the way out somewhere and realize you forgot something important. Here is a list of the gear I usually carry.

Waders I find these extremely important, a lot of the ponds up here have water access, but no room to cast unless you can get a few feet into the water and past the trees or cattails, I find these essential most of the time.

Backpack I use a camel-bak backpack so I always have water built right into my pack and I can carry a small tackle box and other accessories without using up my hands. I even have a way to attach my pole to my bag so I do not have to carry that either.

Bug Spray and Toilet Paper Must haves

Polarized sunglasses, hat, hatlight For the days you do end up staying till after dusk, you will be glad you have a hatlight when walking through the woods at night, or just for tying on lures and such if you stay past dark

    The first thing I do when I get to a pond is scope out areas I want to fish at first, I usually look for points, submerged trees, inlets or little areas of structure I think bass may be hanging out at. Then I make my way over and when I get close, I creep up on the area trying to be as quiet as possible. As I approach the water I try to cast from as far away as possible. I purposely overcast as not to break the water in front of me and scare any potential fish away. After I do a few casts to sweep the immediate area, if there is not any bites then I will slowly slink into the water and start casting wider and farther along the bank or edge of the shore. I will usually choose one side or the other to start working on and move left or right along the shore and start sweeping the area looking for bass. If I have no luck on that side, I will turn back and hit the opposite side. I keep doing this pattern to each spot along the pond that I have previously targeted. I will usually choose a group of 3 or 4 spots and do the same thing, switching lures after I reach the last spot and going back to the first area.

    During the middle of the day I will often use T-rigged plastics and try to get them into heavy cover and cattails, I have had a lot of success pulling 4 and 5 pounders out of cattails and near the shoreline in thick weeds so I consider these my hotspots that I aim for first. Once again I must stress it is important to overcast the area you are aiming at, so as not to startle the fish you are trying to target. As of the last month, the best fishing time for me has been later in the evening with calm water. I use a jointed floating minnow and I am usually able to clean up with it. Cast it out, give it a couple little jerks, wait 20 seconds, reel it 1 or 2 feet, wait 10 seconds, repeat. I have a bigger version of that lure I use when I am trying to entice bigger bass.  

    Overall the most important things I've picked up this summer is using waders, and being more patient with my retrieves. Also game planning where you are going to fish the pond rather than just throwing a line in the first open spot should help a ton. Go out and pick up a pair of cheap hip waders, you will be glad you did when you are able to really open up your fishing from the shore. The only issue with pond fishing is it is best to go pond fishing early in the spring before all the weeds start to build up. Some of the ponds I fished at the beginning of the year are now unfishable due to extremely thick weeds covering floor to surface.

Anyone else got anything to do or tips to recommend?

[Shawn OConnor]

What part of Rochester?   I'm from Geneseo.  You need to get down to the Finger Lakes.  Some of the best Bass fishing around.

[Grey Wolf]

Wheres your snake bite kit ?

Rain gear ?

Change of clothes ?

Food ?

Cell phone in case you get in trouble ? Where I fish it's 15000 acres.

First aid kit ?

[Fat-G]

Definitely need some first aid and rain gear, and a must have is a cellular device Also, food is a major must for me. Oh yeah, don't say beer around here!!!

[Muad Dib]

did someone say beer? and btw. i do tonsssssss of walk wading ponds and tea bag the water all the time. i def always bring a scale and a camera. holla

[1134]

Wheres your snake bite kit ?

Rain gear ?

Change of clothes ?

Food ?

Cell phone in case you get in trouble ? Where I fish it's 15000 acres.

First aid kit ?

I keep a change of clothes in the trunk of my car and my rain gear in there unless it is forecasted to rain. Always have a cellphone on me (has the built in camera). I should get a first aid kit, not really worried about snake bites, nothing really poisonous around here.

[1134]

What part of Rochester? I'm from Geneseo. You need to get down to the Finger Lakes. Some of the best Bass fishing around.

I live around the Fairport/Victor area. Havn't been down to the finger lakes much because I don't have a boat and wasn't sure how the shore fishing was there or where to go really. I'll have to take the canoe down there some time now that I have one and check it out.