Tips on pond and lake fishing for newb wanted

[heclaboy82]

Hi folks, so the last two days I tried fishing at a lake and at a pond. Iyesterday I went to wawayanda lake in Hewitt nj. Unfortunately I didn't catch anything and this morning I went to gofflebrook pond in Hawthorne, had two bites but I guess I didn't hook the fish. Also caught nothing.

So my fishing situations are these; I take my kids with me so they are not early risers.Also no boat, so I shore fish.I have senko baits, a spinner bait, buzzbait, and a frog.

Yesterday we got to the lake by 9:30am by the time I threw the first cast it was about 9:50am. We tried the right side of the lake close to the beach, no luck. Then we took a break and ate , swam the back to fishing like at 2pm.we tried the left side by the boat house and there was a wall. No luck there. Then we went further down the trail by the wall and there was a spot in the lake that there is a rock and two small islands. Also no luck.

Today I got to the pond like at 9 and started fishing under a underpass, didn't get anything. Then I saw some grass kind of growing from the left side of the pond so I tried to fish that. I got two bites but, didn't hook the fish. I know the fish bit the bait cause the line was swimming in the water and I felt it on the rod.

Now my question is this, when you fish what do you do to locate detect, draw out fish. Do I start using one lure for a few cast then switch it up. For example, yesterday I started with a buzz bait to see if the fish would come to the bait. After a half hour I put a senko. I didn't notice any fishes or saw any in the water. Today I just used a Texas rigged weightless senko.

I looked in the water to see I I see a fish but couldn't. The lake had lots of vegetation under the water where I was fishing and the pond had lots of vegetation as well.

So how do I start my fishing expeditions. Is there a bait that I can first use to detect or call fishes over then another to get them to bite. What do you do? How do you start your fishing trip. Also I'm new to fishing so I guess how would you shore fish a new pond or lake or whatever freshwater location.

Many thanks in advance.

[Skunk City]

My advice for you would be:
-This time of year with the heat and water temps, your best chances of catching something is as close to sunrise and sunset as you can get. The rest of the day, these fish are lethargic, especially the big ones. Getting them to commit to chasing after a lure is no easy task. By 10am, the sun is already high in the sky and the fish tend to hunker down under weeds/structure or in the deepest, coolest water they can find.
-Low light, use the frog and buzzbait. The fish will be more willing to strike a surface lure at these times. When the sun is higher in the sky, go with the senko and spinnerbait, as they get down in the water column better.
-Bass usually prefer the Senko over anything else this time of year. Try wacky rigging also (hooked right in the middle) if you haven't already, it's deadly.

[youngdumbandfulloffish]

Originally Posted by Skunk City

-Bass usually prefer the Senko over anything else this time of year. Try wacky rigging also (hooked right in the middle) if you haven't already, it's deadly.

^^^^^ 3in Black or Watermelon Senko

Also you mentioned seeing the line move. A good hookset and sharp hooks will turn that into a caught fish. Most importantly shade, cover, deeper water, and slow it down. I've caught a lot of bass on senkos while lighting a cigarette not moving it at all.

[ScowardNJ]

Sounds like you should start with a garden worm on a hook with a bobber. Can't go wrong with that!

[Eskimo]

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Originally Posted by ScowardNJ

Sounds like you should start with a garden worm on a hook with a bobber. Can't go wrong with that!

Yup. Don't over-think it. They're just fish.

[MudCat08]

I also think you should start fishing with a worm and float/bobber. One thing i notice my friends do (those who do not fish a lot) is start reeling in the fish when they have a bite. You should learn how to properly set the hook on the fish first, before you reel it in. Sometimes the fish will get off the hook before you bring it in, that's common when the hook set wasn't ideal - not your fault, just something you have to get lucky with.

When i first started fishing I found soft plastic baits like senkos hard to use because you actually have to be familiar with the subtle "take" of the fish. It is usually a few light taps on the end of your line, as the bass or some other fish grab the senko worm and then proceed to try and eat it. It is much simpler to use a live worm and float to get started and get a feel for fishing

[jimmythegreek]

I totally agree w the live bait, especially if kids are with me or hosting kids. Nothing worse than fishing all day with nothing to show for it. Grab an extra combo or two like uglystik or something and rig those w a bobber and a worm or shiner and leave the bail open in case of a run off and just let them sit. You would be surprised at how 1 live bait rod will outfish 3 guys tossing aritificials almost anytime of the year. In shallow ponds and lakes work the upper water column. Deeper lakes fish a slip bobber setup, these can all be found in detail on google. Remember to cast to structure or weed edges and the like. Fish arent usually just swimming in the middle of the lake on sand bottom, they are in the shade or a good spot to ambush something, think like a lazy fish looking for an easy meal in the hot summer sun taking a bath lol

[Fish_Harder]

Dig up the worms and throw them on a hook and bobber. let that rod sit while you have the senko wacky rigged to throw at structure. It would help if you could get the kids up a little bit earlier

[slider]

Fishing from shore in the hottest time of year can be pretty tough..real early start may do the trick,also the use of live bait gives you a better chance..But main question I'd ask are your children old enough to go out in a boat..Getting aways out from shore is a plus in summer..Waywayanda rents boats, I believe they still rent by the hour..Shephard lake used to rent boats but not 100% sure they still do..Mite be a plan to take each child out indviually..However if they very young forget boats..Good luck in your quest.

[thomaskgrosvenor]

I did a lot of fishing over the summer as I had a lot of free time.

Polarized sunglasses help to see what is going on underwater near the shore.

I saw a video on you tube that had good tips for shoreline fishing, One thing he said is that there is a lot more lake or pond water that doesn't have fish in it than does.

I think there are often optimal techniques that work best at a specific body of water.

At one pond I was fishing at I was using all the techniques that caught me fish at other locations but was having no success. I saw a grandpa bringing in one fish after another. I finally asked as to the key to success and he was happy to share. He told me that I couldn't fool his fish and had to use live bait. I went into the woods, scraped up some worms from under the leaves, caught some bass then moved on to the next one.

So if you don't have time for exploration and experimentation, information specific to the body of water you are fishing in with regard to types of fish, effective bait/lures and where the fish congregate can be helpful in catching something within a reasonable amount of time, I would say. Although acquiring that information may take some time.