Old Pond in Leon County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Old Pond lies in Leon County, in Florida. The surroundings are scrub and brush. Small at around 2 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. On size it sits at the modest end of our Leon County list. The closest town, Monticello, is 10 miles distant. The big place round here is Tallahassee, 19 miles distant. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Old Pond

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Public wildlife records from this area list chain pickerel, Florida gar, black crappie, bluegill and brown bullhead. It is a record of sightings and surveys, so use it as a guide. On Old Pond the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 50°F and July at about 81°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Every month fishes, though midsummer narrows the useful hours. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Time your trip to Old Pond by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Lake Lonnie, 0.2 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the position on Old Pond before loading the car.