Hi all,
My local club purchased a very little use pond a few years ago. It had been predominantly a trout fishery with a few carp and some roach. I tried the pond a couple of times when the club first bought it but only had a couple of trout and a small roach. Over the last 2 or 3 years the path around the pond was neglected and got quite overgrown although the club did stock it with roach and tench last year. The path round the pond has now been cleared to a large extent but still needs some low branches removing. Access is via a right of way through a farmers field which is used by a very small number of sheep and Alpaca's. It is a quite steep downhill slope of around 100 metres to get to the pond which is ok when dry but very difficult and boggy when wet. For me carrying all my pole tackle is out of the question. The younger members might manage it. Basically it's really a waggler/feeder venue.
I have tried fishing the pond several times over the last couple of years but have only caught the occasional trout. This week I have baited with maggots, corn, casters, worm and bread and not had a bite, either on waggler at different depths or feeder. Groundbait also made no difference.
The pond is stream fed and surrounded by overhanging trees. It is a lovely peaceful place to sit. I'm not sure how deep it is but it does slope away from the bank reasonably steeply and is at least 12' deep maybe a lot more. I haven't plumbed the middle depth. There is also a very slight tow towards the outlet. The bottom of the pond is very smelly silt (when disturbed) to around 12" to 18" thick close to the bank. Whether this continues to the middle I don't know. The water bubbles quite a bit. I thought at first that it was caused by fish grubbing around but now I think it's gases from the mud being released.
My thoughts and those of others, are that the fish aren't used to seeing all the normal baits and are accustomed to feeding on natural foods. I was wondering if anybody has any suggestions as to what to bait with or how they can be encouraged to take "normal" baits.
Thanks for reading.
My local club purchased a very little use pond a few years ago. It had been predominantly a trout fishery with a few carp and some roach. I tried the pond a couple of times when the club first bought it but only had a couple of trout and a small roach. Over the last 2 or 3 years the path around the pond was neglected and got quite overgrown although the club did stock it with roach and tench last year. The path round the pond has now been cleared to a large extent but still needs some low branches removing. Access is via a right of way through a farmers field which is used by a very small number of sheep and Alpaca's. It is a quite steep downhill slope of around 100 metres to get to the pond which is ok when dry but very difficult and boggy when wet. For me carrying all my pole tackle is out of the question. The younger members might manage it. Basically it's really a waggler/feeder venue.
I have tried fishing the pond several times over the last couple of years but have only caught the occasional trout. This week I have baited with maggots, corn, casters, worm and bread and not had a bite, either on waggler at different depths or feeder. Groundbait also made no difference.
The pond is stream fed and surrounded by overhanging trees. It is a lovely peaceful place to sit. I'm not sure how deep it is but it does slope away from the bank reasonably steeply and is at least 12' deep maybe a lot more. I haven't plumbed the middle depth. There is also a very slight tow towards the outlet. The bottom of the pond is very smelly silt (when disturbed) to around 12" to 18" thick close to the bank. Whether this continues to the middle I don't know. The water bubbles quite a bit. I thought at first that it was caused by fish grubbing around but now I think it's gases from the mud being released.
My thoughts and those of others, are that the fish aren't used to seeing all the normal baits and are accustomed to feeding on natural foods. I was wondering if anybody has any suggestions as to what to bait with or how they can be encouraged to take "normal" baits.
Thanks for reading.