Rarely if I don't set the hook. I'm very quick with it. If it's a fish I don't want. I won't set the hook and let them spit it out. Speaking of that. I had one destroy my fly and another bite through the line. This is a pond I fished on private property. Guy was telling me all sorts of fish that are in the pond. I didn't believe him when he told me about the Chain Pickerel swimming around. Now I believe him lol
We do too! I manage to cast around them and not snag on anything. Just have to watch where you cast. During the summer. I'll be in the river wet wading. My bait casters and spinning reals are used for ponds. I'll occasionally use my fly rod at ponds as well. I'll out fish my buddy on the fly while he's using soft plastics when we do fish together. During the winter. I catfish well into the middle of the night.
I only dip the tail in. That's it. That shit stinks. As for my friend. He doesn't use any. He's been fishing his whole life. I tried it on the fly. Should've seen the swirls in the water lol. I do top water all hours of the day. I'll cast out just along the shade and they'll come after it.