Small waters – pool, tarn and pond

Many put-and-take waters are small: pools, tarns and built ponds where the fish are rarely far away. That makes them generous, especially for beginners and children, but also a little trickier than you think. On a small, clear water the fish are close and you are close to the fish, and then you need to fish with a little more finesse.

Why small waters are generous

The advantages are many. Distances are short, there is often parking and a jetty close by, and the chance of a catch is high because the fish are gathered on a small surface. That makes pools and ponds a perfect first water, and a good choice when you have children with you. Bait fishing with PowerBait is easiest for the youngest, and a small spinner goes a long way. Many of these waters are also child-friendly in the proper sense of the word.

The finesse: keep back

The downside of the small format is that the fish are easily scared and quickly grow cautious under hard fishing pressure. If you see fish but get no takes, that is almost always the problem. A few simple tricks make a large difference:

• Stay a bit back from the edge and avoid throwing shadows over the water.
• Cast farther, so the bait lands beyond the shy fish.
• Go down to a finer leader and smaller baits in clear water.
• Move quietly and tread carefully, because the fish feel vibration.

Weather and season hit harder

A small water reacts faster to weather and season than a large lake. It warms up and goes sluggish quickly in summer heat, and cools just as fast in autumn. Use that: fish early and late when it is warm, and take the cool, active spells. A small, shallow pond can be dead in the middle of a sunny summer day and seethe with life at dusk.

Getting started

Small waters are the easiest way into put and take, but they also teach you finesse that helps you everywhere. If you are new, start in the beginner’s guide. If you want to compare, see how you approach a larger lake or running water, and the whole overview under water types.