Basic Lake and Pond Fishing Setups

If you have recently taken an interest in fishing, then you are probably wondering what some of the basic fishing setups look like.

As a beginner, it is important to start, well, at the beginning. Going straight into the deep end and trying to learn more complicated fishing set-ups and techniques can be really difficult without even just the basic knowledge.

This is why we recommend that anyone at the entry-level starts with some of the more basic fishing set-ups.

In this article, we are going to be specifically focussing on the best basic lake and pond fishing setups, so you can find out everything that you need to know to help you start fishing at these locations.

Lakes and ponds are some of the best places to learn the ropes and gain more experience in the fishing world, and eventually, you will become more confident and knowledgeable, which will help you to move on to bigger, better, and more complicated things.

What You Need To Know

The first thing that you should know is that any of these methods that we are about to show you can be modified.

You can switch up some of the steps between the two if you feel confident enough to do so, and you don’t have to follow them to the tee.

Sometimes, you might not have one thing available to you, but you can do something similar.

Nothing is set in stone, but we are going to show you some of the best ways in which you can create your own fishing setup. 

What Do I Need for a Basic Lake and Pond Fishing Setup?

If you wish to recreate any of these setups that we are going to show you in this article, there is some equipment that you are going to need to do so.

We will leave our handy start-up equipment list down below so you can find out what you are going to need before you get started.

Fishing Rod

The first thing that you will need to start your fishing experience is a fishing rod.

There are many different types of fishing rods that you can get, but if you are a beginner, then you might be better off checking out some of the entry-level rods that are available on the market. 

Fishing Lures

You are also going to need to get your hands on some fishing lures, as these will ultimately be what is attracting the fish to your line.

There are so many different types of fishing lures that you can choose from, but we will leave our top two here for you to read about.

You don’t have to choose from these, but they are some of the best for the basics that will get you started on your fishing journey.

The fishing lures that we are going to mention here are also some of the best for fishing in lakes and ponds.

The first option that we are going to mention is the spoon lure. For those who don’t know, a spoon lure is a lure that is typically oblong in shape, and it is typically made from either metal or shell materials.

It gets its name from being shaped like the end of a spoon, and it is mostly used to attract fish through the method of light reflections and random movements.

While it is usually made from metal or shell, it typically has a shiny finish that works to better reflect the light while you are fishing, and it will have either a single or treble hook on the end.

They were originally used for the simple purpose of casting and retrieving, but they are now much more popular for a wider variety of fishing methods. 

The next lure that we want to mention is the spinner lure. A spinnerbait is any of the family of fishing lures that has one or more metal blades that are shaped in a way that allows them to spin like a propeller when the lure is in motion in the water.

This works to create a vibration that will mimic small fish and other prey that will attract bigger predatory predators.

The two most common types of spinnerbaits are the in-line spinner and the safety pin.

There are other types that work great for different things, but the idea of these lures is to try and catch fish like perch, pike, and bass. 

Buoyancy Float

Buoyancy floats for fishing come in so many different shapes and sizes that it can be difficult to know which one that you will need.

For the purpose of this article, if a buoyancy float is required, we will let you know which one is best suited for the desired outcome.

These floats can also be made up of different materials, like foam, cork, plastic, and even wood, and they are ultimately used to allow the angler to cast their bait out away from the boat to a desired level in the water. 

Usually, the type of current that you are working with will determine which type of float that you will need.

This can also be affected by external factors such as the wind, the depth at which you want to reach, and the size of the fishing lure that you are using.

Some people choose not to use floats, and instead, they use different weights, which work similarly. However, there will be certain circumstances where each will have its own advantages and disadvantages. 

The float is usually a dull color so that it goes unnoticed by the fish in the water. Each style of buoyancy float will be specifically designed for different purposes, and there is no one type that will work perfectly for everything.

This is why many people choose to have a few different types available to them so that they are prepared for any situation.

Weights

The purpose of using weights while fishing is to assist you in better presenting your chosen bait.

You don’t always have to use weights when you are fishing, but they can come in handy, especially if you find that you are not able to reach the ideal depth in which the fish are at.

If your bait or lure is not at the required depth to attract the fish, then you can use a weight so that you can reach a deeper level.

They come in a variety of different shapes, weights, and sizes, so you will be able to find the right one for your desired purpose.

It is recommended to have a variety of different weights available to you for when you might need them.

Casting and Retrieving Method

The first type of fishing setup that we are going to walk you through is the cast and retrieve method.

This type of setup is designed so that the angler will keep casting and retrieving their fishing lure as a way to attract any fish that are in the top and middle sections of the water that you are fishing in.

This method is great for use in pond and lake setups, and it is really simple and straightforward to follow. 

Neutral Buoyant Float

The first thing that you are going to need for this method is a neutral buoyant float.

There are so many different types of this float that you can get your hands on, but these are the best for this purpose because you can actually choose to add water into the float.

The purpose of adding the water is to weigh down the float to different depths in the lake or pond that you are visiting.

This will provide you with more opportunities to catch fish, as you can keep adding or removing water to reach different levels.

This is especially useful if you aren’t getting any luck because you can switch things up to try and get some better results.

If you were to fill the float halfway full of water, the buoyancy would be relatively neutral, but when you add more water, it will sink even further into the water.

This also helps to give you more control over what level in the water you are fishing at.

The float will also double up as a weight when you are fishing, which will allow you to cast the line even further than you could without it.

You could opt to choose to use weight if you prefer to, but this method will work just as well, sometimes even better under the right conditions. 

Swivel

The swivel is a small piece of metal that will connect the mainline to the leader line.

They eliminate any line twists due to the fact that they twist themselves when they are in use.

They can also be used to connect other equipment, like braids and leaders, which can have their own benefits.

The swivel will also work to prevent the float from sliding down the line to your lure and getting in your way.

Fishing Lures

Both of the lures that we mentioned above in our equipment list will be perfect for this purpose.

They work to mimic the smaller fish that predators in lakes and ponds will typically prey on.

This will increase your chance of catching these predatory fish. You can fish at different levels in the water to increase your chances further. 

Deep Water Fishing

This type of setup for pond and lake fishing is designed so that the angler can fish nearer to the bottom of the water.

This will help you to target any fish that reside nearer to the bottom of the water, which is particularly useful in colder weather when the fish retreat to the bottom.

This might not always be due to the colder weather, but it can be a big reason why.

If you get to your desired fishing location and you notice that there are no fish in the top or middle sections of the water, then this could mean that they are lurking near the bottom.

This is one of the best times to use this method, as it will increase your chances of catching fish. 

Three-Way Swivel

This is very similar to the two-way swivel that we have mentioned above, and it connects the mainline to the leader line in the same way.

However, the third eye actually means that you can add either a weight or an additional line.

There are three-way swivels that work slightly differently from this, but this is the version that we recommend for this purpose.

They are particularly helpful if you want to use a weight, which you will likely need to in order to reach the bottom of the water. 

Weight

The next thing that you are going to need for this setup is a weight.

It doesn’t matter too much which type of weight that you use, as long as it succeeds in helping you reach the lower sections of the water. 

It will need a way to clip on to the swivel, though, which is something to be mindful of.

You don’t need a particularly heavy weight, but you will need one that is heavy enough to pull the lure downwards. 

As we have previously mentioned, it can be useful to have a variety of weights on hand when you go fishing, so you can try a few different ones.

Different weights will also help you to reach different depths, and some are better for navigating through weeds and vegetation, which is also likely to be waiting for you at the bottom.

The perfect balance can be difficult to achieve, but trying a few different weights will help you in doing so. 

Leader Line

You might already know this, but the leader line will run from the swivel to the hook.

For the best results, the leader line should not be as strong as the mainline, but it is not essential for this method to work. 

Hook

The type of hook that you use for this setup doesn’t matter, but you should check the local regulations to ensure that it complies. 

Fishing Lure or Bait

You can choose to use either a fishing lure or live bait for this purpose, and the one that you choose is entirely up to you.