Fishing / Fisheries General - Pond management, equipment reviews, rigging advice, etc.

[Cactus Nibba]

This thread is for discussing how to use and maintain fisheries. Equipment reviews, fishing pro tips, and rigging advice are all welcome. We know what fish look like - post pictures of your catch somewhere else (unless HIGHLY relevant).

A little justification
Fishing is a relaxing and productive hobby. When managed properly, even modest bodies of water can provide a small family with enough food to survive. We have a tiny fishing thread already, but it’s mostly people offering bait suggestions and posting their catches. I want to create a comprehensive aquatics thread with more detailed advice on catching fish and building/maintaining a local fishery (either public or private). This includes things like lure/bait reviews, advice for constructing a custom rod, stocking guides for new ponds, plans for underwater structures, feeding schedules, culling tips, and any other topics related to managing and harvesting aquatic life.

Posting pics of your gigantic bass is a cool flex, but shits up a thread reel quick.

 

[Cactus Nibba]

I’ll get things started with a list of my favorite knots and what they're used for. If you learn these knots, you'll be golden in 99.999% of fishing situations. All of them are commonly used, so I won't post guides on how to tie them unless asked. Always remember to wet your lines before cinching them down.

Arbor - The classic knot for spooling a reel. Can be used in other situations when tying a line around something circular.

Surgeon's Loop - A strong, fast knot for creating a loop at the end of a line. Tying a small overhand knot on the tag end like in an arbor knot makes it even less likely to slip.

Double Uni - Great for connecting two lines together. TBH I don't know how it compares to other knots in terms of strength when connecting two different types of line since I only tie braided lines together (all my other connections are done through a tippet ring or swivel).

Palomar - My go-to knot for connecting line to anything I can including swivels, snaps, and hooks. It's sturdier than most other knots because stress on the line is split between two sections, and IMO it's significantly easier to tie than others like the improved clinch knot.

Trilene - For when I can't fold a line in half or loop the line around something for a Palomar knot. Like the Palomar knot, it distributes stress across two sections of line. The Trilene is as easy to tie as other common clinch knots, but consistently performs better under lab tests. It was developed by the Berkley bait company to improve on other common knots, which is why it shares a name with one of their products. I like to tie an "improved" version by threading the tag end through the final loop the same as in an improved clinch knot.

 

[Cirrhosis_of_Liver]

I have stock tanks that fluctuate between 0.5 and 1 acres due to weather and not being sealed.

Has anyone used this new Damit polymer stuff to seal a tank? Or tried "sprinkle method" dropping bentonite into water?

Are there any good solar powered aerators? The tanks are nowhere near power.

I also have a big hole around half an acre in size that I've daydreamed about turning into a catfish production pond. Does anyone have aquaculture experience? I'm just wanting to feed half a dozen people, not get into selling fish.

 

[Vx1]

I’ll get things started with a list of my favorite knots and what they're used for. If you learn these knots, you'll be golden in 99.999% of fishing situations. All of them are commonly used, so I won't post guides on how to tie them unless asked. Always remember to wet your lines before cinching them down.

Arbor - The classic knot for spooling a reel. Can be used in other situations when tying a line around something circular.

Surgeon's Loop - A strong, fast knot for creating a loop at the end of a line. Tying a small overhand knot on the tag end like in an arbor knot makes it even less likely to slip.

Double Uni - Great for connecting two lines together. TBH I don't know how it compares to other knots in terms of strength when connecting two different types of line since I only tie braided lines together (all my other connections are done through a tippet ring or swivel).

Palomar - My go-to knot for connecting line to anything I can including swivels, snaps, and hooks. It's sturdier than most other knots because stress on the line is split between two sections, and IMO it's significantly easier to tie than others like the improved clinch knot.

Trilene - For when I can't fold a line in half or loop the line around something for a Palomar knot. Like the Palomar knot, it distributes stress across two sections of line. The Trilene is as easy to tie as other common clinch knots, but consistently performs better under lab tests. It was developed by the Berkley bait company to improve on other common knots, which is why it shares a name with one of their products. I like to tie an "improved" version by threading the tag end through the final loop the same as in an improved clinch knot.

Yas kween. This is my thread. Ill contribute with this. By far my most productive lure for trout fishing has been little cleo spoons. Last year I absolutely crushed with a 1/2-3/4 Oz. However I've found that you'll actually hook up better if you snap off 2 of the trebles hooks. For whatever reason that single hook seems to be the perfect size for their mouths and i never lose them.

Also a question for everyone. Has fishing for you absolutely blown this year? All of my most productive spots from the last couple years have seemed almost barren. Same thing with new spots and even salt water for me this year. Any theories?

 

[Cactus Nibba]

I have stock tanks that fluctuate between 0.5 and 1 acres due to weather and not being sealed.

Has anyone used this new Damit polymer stuff to seal a tank? Or tried "sprinkle method" dropping bentonite into water?

Are there any good solar powered aerators? The tanks are nowhere near power.

I also have a big hole around half an acre in size that I've daydreamed about turning into a catfish production pond. Does anyone have aquaculture experience? I'm just wanting to feed half a dozen people, not get into selling fish.

Do you have anything in the stock tanks? I would go with some kind of polymer over bentonite. It'll be more durable, and you can apply the sealant directly to the leaks instead of just hoping the clay settles in the right place. I don't have a specific recommendation for what sealant to use.

What's your climate like? Solar might not be the best option depending where you live. You might look at three separate components (aerator, battery, and charging unit) rather than an all-in-one device. You can use the components for other things if needed, and easily replace a specific part that breaks instead of needing to replace the whole system.

What you can stock depends on climate. Are you set on catfish? If so, do you have a species of catfish picked out?

 

[Cactus Nibba]

Also a question for everyone. Has fishing for you absolutely blown this year? All of my most productive spots from the last couple years have seemed almost barren. Same thing with new spots and even salt water for me this year. Any theories?

I've noticed a lot of smaller than normal fish. The weather in my area has been very unusual this year, and heat wave after heat wave may have affected local food supplies or something. Are your fishing spots popular? You could try chumming or using groundbait in a couple places to attract fish back to the area.

Yas kween. This is my thread. Ill contribute with this. By far my most productive lure for trout fishing has been little cleo spoons. Last year I absolutely crushed with a 1/2-3/4 Oz. However I've found that you'll actually hook up better if you snap off 2 of the trebles hooks. For whatever reason that single hook seems to be the perfect size for their mouths and i never lose them.

I'm jealous - there aren't any trout in my area. Did you consider replacing the treble hooks with normal hooks? They'd probably be cheaper and easier to replace than a cut-down treble. You could also try swapping the original hooks out for even smaller trebles.

 

[Cirrhosis_of_Liver]

Stock tanks have catfish, bluegill, sunfish, minnows, and bass. I think they're too small for bass. They were there when I got here.

That's actually a good subtle point about thinking of three different components, not "what's a solar aerator." That helps my thinking

I don't think the tanks were ever sealed at all. They drop quite rapidly. I think it's mostly sandstone down there.

I'm not dead set on catfish for the not-yet-a-tank. Very much in the "just toying with notions" stage on it. Right now it's just a big hole somebody dug 20 years ago for some reason.

 

[Vx1]

I've noticed a lot of smaller than normal fish. The weather in my area has been very unusual this year, and heat wave after heat wave may have affected local food supplies or something. Are your fishing spots popular? You could try chumming or using groundbait in a couple places to attract fish back to the area.


I'm jealous - there aren't any trout in my area. Did you consider replacing the treble hooks with normal hooks? They'd probably be cheaper and easier to replace than a cut-down treble. You could also try swapping the original hooks out for even smaller trebles.

Wondering if it's got something to do with El Nino but now we're in a neutral ENSO so I guess we'll see.

 

[CarlosDanger]

Wondering if it's got something to do with El Nino but now we're in a neutral ENSO so I guess we'll see.

I'm noticing the same thing with the bass and trout I catch, the weather here has been odd as well where we have a hot and humid day and the next day will be cool and dry.

 

[AprilRains]

I have a spread of about ten acres. After some thought, I used two acres of it for a pond. It's not very deep, but it's a great use of the land for subsistence.

The fish are handy, but even better, it attracts game. Animals like to drink out of it, turtles have taken up residence, it's even easy to grow stands of grain near the pond to attract deer and elk. Between the pond and a small garden, I am fixed for food.

 

[Vx1]

Saw a record breaking pickerel today guys. Didn't want anything I threw at it of course but it was massive.

 

[The_Red_Man]

I know y'all niggas are watching BamaBass:

https://m.youtube.com/@BamaBass

 

[Abella]

I like crankbaits and swim jigs, but there’s just something to the dropshot and a worm. I’ve never caught crappie or bass on them, but I’ve gotten more than enough cats and panfish.

 

[Cactus Nibba]

I know y'all niggas are watching BamaBass:

https://m.youtube.com/@BamaBass

Good channel. Another good one is Aquatic Control.

 

[Cactus Nibba]

I don't think the tanks were ever sealed at all. They drop quite rapidly. I think it's mostly sandstone down there.

Oh I think I fundamentally misunderstood what you originally meant. To me, stock tanks are the things you use to provide water to livestock and come with a sealed bottom. Can you describe what you’re talking about? My opinion on the bentonite might change lol

 

[Cactus Nibba]

I like crankbaits and swim jigs, but there’s just something to the dropshot and a worm. I’ve never caught crappie or bass on them, but I’ve gotten more than enough cats and panfish.

I started getting into crankbaits and spinners this year, but panfish on a cane pole is my main gig. I prefer Berkley soft bait to worms tho because they’re shelf-stable and easier to work with.

 

[Abella]

Berkley isn’t so bad, but you do have to try to play the color game with some things of theirs. With crappie it’s just trying to use colors they can see wherever they’re at in the water column.

 

[Nigger Caviar]

If you like trout but it isn't trout season, look for fishing spots in the mountains.
Its usually cooler up in the mountains and they will stock trout during the summer. To any kiwis who live in southern california, you will pleased to know that you can drive a few hours up to the San Bernadino mountains and fish for trout even in the middle of summer.

Also, I found an incredibly effective way to fish for trout is to coat your lure in hatchery dust and keep casting into the same spot. The trout will come over expecting food and instead they will end up biting on your rooster tail and having the good fortune to end up on your dinner table.

 

[Cirrhosis_of_Liver]

Oh I think I fundamentally misunderstood what you originally meant. To me, stock tanks are the things you use to provide water to livestock and come with a sealed bottom. Can you describe what you’re talking about? My opinion on the bentonite might change lol

One, someone built a dam across a gully. It's almost an acre when brimming full, and up to 12 feet deep. Most of the time, it's under half an acre and about 3-4 feet deep. It dried up completely in a 2 year drought.

The other, someone dug an ice cream cone shaped hole along a creek bed, and built a dam with the spoil. It's about a third of an acre for the round part, but it often backfills out to over half an acre. It never dried out completely.

That's what we call "stock tanks" around here. Sounds like you're talking about a "trough."

 

[Cactus Nibba]

Berkley isn’t so bad, but you do have to try to play the color game with some things of theirs. With crappie it’s just trying to use colors they can see wherever they’re at in the water column.

Fortunately, they make a million different colors lol

Also, I found an incredibly effective way to fish for trout is to coat your lure in hatchery dust and keep casting into the same spot. The trout will come over expecting food and instead they will end up biting on your rooster tail and having the good fortune to end up on your dinner table.

Some people put hatchery dust in their trout dough recipes for the same reason. Chumming with a few handfuls of pellets can get the trout biting as well.

That's what we call "stock tanks" around here. Sounds like you're talking about a "trough."

If you Google "stock tank" and click images, all the results will be manufactured vessels like I'm talking about. They're used as troughs a lot, but come in other sizes and shapes as well. Anyway, the bentonite plan seems much more reasonable now. I've never tried any of the polymer sealants, and idk how much clay you'd need to help it retain water. How cheap could you get the bentonite?

That's actually a good subtle point about thinking of three different components, not "what's a solar aerator." That helps my thinking

On the subject of breaking things down, do y'all use leaders? I thought about doing a writeup on how and why they should be standard in everybody's tackle.

I'm just wanting to feed half a dozen people, not get into selling fish.

Do you garden yet? You can double dip on land use if you put garden barges on your fish ponds.