Wade Bourne: Many anglers who fish ponds and small lakes make one common mistake. They cast straight out from the bank and as far as they can. The problem with this is that most fish live in the shallow zone just out from the pond/lake bank. By casting way out, anglers fish beyond this prime area and intersect it only at one point when they retrieve their lure back in.



A much more efficient cast would be parallel to the bank, perhaps skirting the line of vegetation/moss/grass that grows around many pond banks. And the best way to facilitate this is to don a pair of waders, wade out a few yards, then turn and cast parallel to shore. Now, instead of intersecting the prime strike zone at only one point, the angler keeps his lure in the strike zone through the entire cast. This greatly increases his odds of getting bites.

Wade out and start following the shore, easing along, being stealthy, and trying different depths (distances out from shore) to see where the fish are concentrated. This method of fishing will vastly increase an angler's success in fishing a small body of water.

One caution: when you wade, use a wading staff to feel ahead of where you're walking for depth changes, holes, obstructions, etc. This is one endeavor where you don't want to be surprised by an unexpected step off into deep water!

 

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