Best Fly-Fishing Tactics on Florida's Smallest Great Waters

In the fishing capital of the world, I am heartened when I see folks tossing lures into ponds. Also, I want to hand them a fly rod to let them know ponds are practically designed for fly rodding. Here is my chance.

To define pond, I use the measurement of a kayak. A body of water that doesn’t demand at least a paddle craft to cover its entirety is a pond. Throughout Florida there are many types eager to host you. Neighborhoods, farms and ranches, public green spaces, retention areas, golf courses, highway intersections, and all manner of parks may feature these miniature fresh and brackish water ecosystems.

Florida shows off its diversity of fauna in these gems. Invariably, the first species you will encounter is the newly rechristened Florida bass. But the list of what might take your fly is long as the grocery list in a family with 14 kids. Panfish, bottom eaters, tropical species and saltwater species are just groups that your potential trophy falls into.

Fly Fishing on Small Ponds

Keep your fishing simple by starting with classic topwater flies. Any cupped face popper will get strikes. The first improvement to my fly box that I like is the Sneaky Pete. Bass hit this slider like it stole something from them! If you come to learn that your pond has no obstacles on the bottom, sinking flies are in order. I tie a variation of the Royal Coachman on long shank dry fly hooks. After a couple of smooth strips it sinks and provides a baitfish imitation. Tim Elms, of St. Petersburg, ties a guide-style spun deer hair fly that provides the same dual-purpose attractant.

Now gear up to cast those flies. In order to manage your back cast among the steep banks that are inevitably a part of the architecture of ponds, I suggest a 9-foot rod. And this is my only consistent suggestion. Elms uses rods as heavy as 8-weight to fight snook and tarpon. Craig Crumbliss of Lake Wales uses his own bamboo rods. And Anna Dienes, a Floridian now guiding with Pisgah Outdoors, uses a 2-weight. A fly line with an aggressive weight forward taper is helpful for shoreline pond casting. But gear is not at all a limiting factor for these active fishing spots. Whatever fly rod you have will work. Go fishing!

Good tactics are your friend. Begin fishing before you reach the pond by making your first cast to the bank as you approach the pond. Then, move your fly around the water to present it in each square of an imaginary chess board in front of you. Of course, be ready to cast over splashes and rings, and cast to pipes moving water, vegetation, and the shade of trees. Sight casting is possible; watch for hints like light areas moving through the water. One of my favorite catches came when I spotted a white shadow undulating toward me at an angle to the bank. I back cast away from his line of travel, laid my Sneaky Pete down in his path and held my breath. The shadow morphed into a whole bass that sucked down the fly and gave me a nice fight.

You might take the opportunity while you are at a calm, open pond, to work on your casting. Begin some casts from a saltwater ready position. Or extend the arc of your cast to work on distance casting. Maybe try some roll casts, or even aerial mending.

Like a high-limit poker room, Florida offers serious action. But, like solitaire for a champion on the World Poker Tour, bass pond angling can provide the perfect distraction.

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• This article was featured in the April 2025 issue of Florida Sportsman magazine. Click to subscribe

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