It’s almost time for anglers to get down to business

I figure maybe two weeks at the most before local anglers get to flex their muscles. Of course, I have been known to be wrong about these things.

The fly in the ointment so far is Mother Nature’s steadfast refusal to give us a break temperature-wise and allow for some actual fishing.

I liken the urges of fishermen at this time of the year to west coast salmon starting their migration runs to meet the females of their genetically-driven dreams. Of course, it’s not quite so dire for us humans. After all, we’ll get to fish again, while those salmon expend their lives.

And yet, many of us anglers have been walking around in a coma-like state lately, salivating at every outdoor television show they can watch.

My dreams find me situated bankside at an area pond with my ultralight rod watching the tiny float disappear beneath the surface. So, with that stated, let’s get down to brass tacks.

Many of you already know I have a love affair with residential and industrial park ponds. I have been fortunate to have stumbled upon some real gems, all because they were devoid of the dreaded “No Trespassing” and “No Fishing” signs. The only handicap at these various locations is the goose and dog droppings. I wind up snaking my way through these landmines to get to the promised land.

Experience has shown me that once water temperatures get in to the high 40s and low 50s, bluegills and crappies start actively feeding in earnest on various critters and minnows.

I prefer going on the “hunt” in the afternoon, long after the sun has started warming the ponds. With the sun still hugging the southern horizon, I’ll focus my efforts on the north side of the pond. The good news is that since these ponds are usually on the small side, they warm quicker and therefore produce earlier than larger lakes.

Keep an eye out for discharge pipes or outlets. These are express chutes during and right after a heavy rainfall. I’ve seen lots of bait food washing through these culverts and pipes and observed all sorts of fish waiting at the opening for quick and easy meals.

Any light rod and reel will suffice, but make sure you tie on some fluorocarbon leaders on the business end of your line. This gives you a slight edge of invisibility and less of a chance of spooking wary fish without sacrificing strength.

Here’s my standard bait and lure lineup:

I usually have two rods rigged, with different setups. One could have a 1/32-ounce Mini-Mite jig tipped with a wax worm or maggot. The other could be the crappie rig, which comprises a tiny, silver-colored, 1/16th-ounce jig tipped with a very small minnow. If I don’t get any hits from fish near the bottom, I’ll affix a small float about 6 feet or so up from the jig and work any suspended fish in the neighborhood.

If bass are the species du jour, I’ll rig a Little Action Mac, pre-rigged plastic worm on 6-pound mono, with a split shot up about a foot or 18 inches from a ball-bearing snap swivel. I know some of you are non-believers when it comes to pre-rigged worms. I made the eyes open up on legendary angler and tackle innovator-publisher Ron Linder when I caught more and bigger bass during a “gentleman’s contest” on one of his lakes about 15 years back.

I’ve had numerous e-mails from readers asking me to divulge the locations of these ponds. I’ve told every one of them that anyone can find good ponds that will offer exciting panfish and bass action. All one has to do is investigate the various park districts and industrial park complexes. Good luck.

Ÿ Contact Mike Jackson at angler88@att.net, and catch his radio show 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM.