Local Bass Fishing

If you are like me, you love to fish at the drop of a hat. While I do plan fishing trips, I also like to go on a whim.

Sometimes the urge strikes out of nowhere and I get up and go right now. Or, maybe I want to stop on the way home from work (or go instead of work like any bass fisherman worth his salt would do).

But then again, living in the city, there are not many places I can get to quickly enough to accommodate this habit. Most of the lakes in my area are over an hour's drive away, which is reasonable unless you are in a hurry.

After being frustrated by this, I decided to start a campaign to help scratch the itch a little bit. Talking to people didn't help much because very few of them were privy to any local fishing holes. So I turned to the Internet.

Bingo. I discovered a bunch of local parks that had ponds in them stocked with largemouth bass and catfish. So with that information and the help of Yahoo maps, I set out to learn every fishing hole in every local park that I could find. I'm still working on it.

While this was a sacrifice from actually heading out to the lake, this did help scratch the itch somewhat. Some of the ponds I found in the local parks ranged from 3 to 7 acres and were absolutely beautiful. One of the best kept secrets in my city.

In fact, I actually met people IN those parks who either did not know the ponds were stocked, and some didn't even know the ponds were there because they were back off the beaten path.

Admittedly, the fishing can be slow, but it is fishing and I do catch fish from time to time. Just the other day I went to one beautiful little pond hidden in the back of a local park and landed myself a little 2 pound bass (I don't think the bass appreciated my hugs and kisses). Trust me, that was enough to keep the interest up for a few more trips!

Another thing I discovered was some of the local creeks. There are all kinds of fish in them, including bass, catfish, bream and carp (don't tell me about the carp - if you never caught a big one, you are really missing something).

A good addition to your local fishing is privately owned ponds. Sometimes, if you get to know the owners, they will let you fish in there ponds, as long as you respect their property. There are probably more of these privately owned ponds than you realize. Some are open to the public and charge admission and/or require you to be a member of a club to get in. Check into it - it could be well worth it.

So, don't let the fishing blues get you down. If you don't have time to make the trip out to your favorite lake, try one of the local ponds. Especially if you have kids. These parks are a great place to break in a young angler.

Michael Russell
MgrCentral.com
Established 2001
Home Business Training and Information Guides

---

Swordfish and Swordfishing

Generally an oceanic species, the swordfish is primarily a midwater fish at depths of 650-1970 feet (200-600 m) and water temperatures of 64 to 71°F (18-22°C). Although... Read More

A Big Fish Story

Ketchikan, located in southeast Alaska, is a good place to fish for halibut. Sally and John Balch live in Ketchikan and have a favorite spot nearby to... Read More

Understanding the Effects Moonlight on Swordfishing

In order to better understand why swordfish concentrate their feeding habits in certain depths on any given night or why the bite is better during different times... Read More

A Guide to Non-Typical Catfish Fishing Techniques

IntroductionMany of the people about to take one of my guided trips don't believe that Catfish feed as aggressively as other game fish. People are used to... Read More

Trout Species ? Brook Trout

Brook Trout: Frequently gullible, yet extremely tasty, Brook Trout are wonderful trout to fish for - especially since they frequently inhabit the most beautiful stream settings in... Read More

Making The Most of Your Time - Fishing Safety Rules Everyone Should Know

When you are going fishing, whether nearby your home or on a long distance trip, there are many fishing safety rules that you need to keep in... Read More

Teaching a Kid to Fish

Teaching a kid to fish does not have to be difficult, if you follow the right steps. There is an old Chinese proverb that states:"Give a man... Read More

Photographing Your Trophy Fish

When it comes to catch and release lakes, it is important for you to be ready to catch your fish, take a prize-winning shot and release your... Read More

Planning Your Fly Fishing Trip

When planning for your fly fishing trip in Wyoming, there are several factors that should be considered. A little time spent planning will make your fly fishing... Read More

Fishing Fall Bass - Early Fall Fishing for Bass in the Northwest as the Seasons Change

You have just rolled out of bed, poured you coffee and there it is. You knew it was coming, but it is real, it is here. What... Read More

Find and Catch More Fish, Quickly and Easily, with the FISHIN BUDDY 2255

"Wherever you like to fish-lakes, reservoirs, rivers or streams, you'll never have a fishing buddy who can spot fish as easy and as fast as a Bottom... Read More

Rock Fishing Techniques

Many shore anglers avoid fishing rock marks because they are scared of losing tackle. However, very few marks are totally unfishable, and often the most effective rigs... Read More

The Fishing Industry and Sponsorship

Should you approach the fishing industry for sponsorship?First let's look at it from the lure manufacturer's standpoint. Just think of your favorite lure manufacturer for a minute.... Read More

Monster Hunt: Ledge Lunker Blues Part I

Originally published in Procats Online MagazineSummertime angling for trophy-sized blue cats on huge reservoirs can be tough. Peer across an expansive lake and the sheer vastness will... Read More

Dry Fly Techniques

Dry fly angling is at the top of any fly fisherman's list of fun fishing. The visual dry fly catch continues to excite many anglers as the... Read More

Social Robotic Fish in Fish Farms

We have a problem in our fish farms, especially Salmon. You see for 500 plus million years the Salmon spawn up river and then swim down to... Read More

Fishing The Henrys Fork - Box Canyon

It is easy to get intimidated by world class rivers.I guess the Henry's Fork was a little intimidating to me.With the old rule of thumb being that... Read More

Fly Fishing for Saltwater Salmon with Surface Flies

One of the greatest thrills in Pacific Northwest fly fishing is bringing large anadramous fish to a surface fly. While surface fishing in the saltwater is not... Read More

Finding and Catching Fish has Never Been Easier With the Garmin 250 Fish Finder

The Garmin Fishfinder 250 is Garmin's latest addition to their family of marine chartplotters, handheld GPS, fish finders and GPS sounders and its already gaining a great... Read More

Cutthroat Trout and Cutthroat Trout Fishing

Experienced fishermen know all about the cutthroat trout. That is because it is a huge gaming fish and it is difficult to catch. Why, then do so... Read More

Introduction to Lake Fly Fishing Techniques

Often lake fish will gather in schools and cruise around looking for food, but often it is the small fish that rise to take surface insects while... Read More

Do You Make Your Kids Fishing Experience Enjoyable?

If you take your children fishing with you, they can enjoy something for the rest of their lives, as long as you make it pleasant for them.If... Read More

Tastes Like Chicken!

For the most part, I am an advocate for catch and release fishing.Sustaining the fish and habitat in the sport you love only makes sense.However, sometimes a... Read More

Just What Is the Stream Trout?

The term stream trout is actually a term used to encompass any of the stream trout. Brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout are all called stream... Read More

Fishing Alaska: The Alaskan Sampler Plate...Part I

I just recently returned from my first fishing trip to Alaska.If you have ever dreamed of heading to the last frontier, but have continuously put it off... Read More

Saltwater Fly Fishing in Washington State

When most people think of saltwater fly fishing their minds drift to tropical climates and fish species such as tarpon and bonefish. While the Pacific Northwest lacks... Read More