Smith Pond in Turner County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Smith Pond lies within the bounds of Turner County, Georgia. The setting is open low country on every side. About 5 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is a small entry by Turner County standards. Some 7 miles away sits Ashburn, the nearest settlement. The nearest city of size is Tallahassee, 94 miles away. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Smith Pond

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Records collected within a few miles name bluegill, dollar sunfish, largemouth bass, redfin pickerel and bluespotted sunfish. Records come from public data, not from a stocking programme. On Smith Pond the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 81°F; the cold one sits at 48°F. The water stays warm and open throughout. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. The season on Smith Pond rarely departs from it. The hour either side of first light is rarely wasted.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Wells Lake at 1.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm access to Smith Pond locally before you travel.