Pond fishing is a type of fishing that is in a league of its own. If you’ve never fished in a pond before, you should give it a try. You won’t be disappointed. There are some differences in pond fishing techniques for fly fishing and regular fishing. Some of the differences are the variance in equipment used, the technique being used, and the types of fish one might target.
When regular fishing an individual will need a standard pole, reel, line, lures and bait at the minimum. There are varying reels to use when regular fishing. Closed faced, open faced, and bait casters are the three main types of reels most people use when regular fishing. I prefer using an open face reel when pond fishing because it makes casting smooth and it’s easy to work with.
There are also three main types of line for fishing: monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braided. Monofilament line has a stretch to it and seems to be the most popular type of line to be used among beginner fishermen. Fluorocarbon line is clear and can be used for catching even the most finicky fish. Braided line is the strongest type of line and is good for catching whoppers with sharp teeth. The chances of the braided line snapping is much less risky than using monofilament line.
When regular fishing multitudes of lures can be used. The color, size, shape, and movement of the lures you can use are endless. Bait can be used in addition to lures. Some of the most popular live baits are leeches, minnows, and worms.
When fly fishing an individual will need a fly rod, flies, line, and a fly reel at the minimum. Fly rods are generally based on weight. The lightest weight rods are used for catching sunfish and small trout where as the heavy weight rods are used to catch salmon and big game fish.
For beginner fly fishermen I would suggest a medium action fly rod. The types of flies you use will depend of what species of fish you are looking to hook into. The reels for fly fishing are based on the arbor size. A big arbor will reel in much more line per crank than a smaller arbor. If you are fishing with a light weight rod, you will want to pair it with a small arbor reel.
Pond fishing technique varies greatly between regular fishing and fly fishing. In regular fishing a cast is made successful because of the weight of the lure or sinker tied to the end of the line. When casting, the forward momentum of the cast in addition to the weight of the lure or sinker pulls the line into the water. In fly fishing the line heaviness plays a critical role in casting the fly. The fly is so lightweight that the heavy coating on the line along with the force of the cast is what carries the fly into the open water.
Although many types of fish can be caught while regular fishing and fly fishing, certain species of fish are more commonly targeted using a fly rod and reel over your standard fishing pole. When regular fishing more common species caught are walleye, Catfish, Northern, and pan fish. When fly fishing people generally tend to target trout, Salmon, and grayling. However, it is not uncommon for fly fishermen to catch bass, pan fish, and a variety of saltwater fish. The fish species you catch will definitely not be limited because you are fly fishing instead of regular fishing.
Regular fishing and fly fishing do have their differences; however, I think the most important thing about both types of fishing is what they have in common. The common factor is pond fishing is a sport all ages across the world can enjoy. I’ve been fishing since I was two, and it is my family’s favorite hobby. It is a great way to bond with others, relieve stress, and decompress from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I think many bonds are made, respect is built, and lessons are passed on from generation to generation while casting a pole and waiting for the catch of a lifetime.
