What would be a basic pond setup? What test line? Spinning rod?

Ponds up here are panfish fodder unless they're 20'+ deep.  I've also caught some of the biggest fish of my life in ponds too.  

 

Doesnt really matter though- the basic bass rig would probably be a medium fast rod in the 6'10"-7' range with a spinning reel and ~15# braid or mono if that's your thing.  There's a lot you can do with it!  From Texas rigs to jigs to cranks and jerks...  The world is your oyster.  Just get one and start learning stuff!

6'6" -7' m power rod. 8-10 lb mono. 15 lb braid if you like, with leader. Texas rigs, shakey heads, small jerkbaits, dropshot, topwater poppers... the list goes on. I'd even bring a mh baitcaster setup along with at least 30 lb braid I'm case ya got heavy weeds in your pond. 

Depends on the pond don't you think ? 

Some of the ponds I fish can be fished with UL gear while others need some really heavy gear.

3 hours ago, Raul said:

Depends on the pond don't you think ? 

Some of the ponds I fish can be fished with UL gear while others need some really heavy gear.

You could even say it can vary depending where In the pond. I approach ponds same as lakes only it's not as far from one potential habitat to the next. 

19 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

You could even say it can vary depending where In the pond. I approach ponds same as lakes only it's not as far from one potential habitat to the next. 

I agree I have some ponds that are heavy cover for 30ft out almost the entire way around. Others have no cover at all just open water with a few pads on one end maybe. 

If you're targeting bass, 6'6" to 7' Medium Fast Spinning rod and a quality spinning reel.  6lb Yo Zuri Hybrid line.  Bass are bass.  I catch 2-3lb large mouth bass in 4 foot deep retention ponds.

I got my son a Cabela's Tournament ZX spinning rod when they were on sale and a Pflueger President reel also on sale. He uses it to hit all the neighborhood retention pods in the summer.  It's also 100% adequate for when he and I attempt 'serious' fishing on larger bodies of water in Maine, Ohio, Michigan, and New York.  When I go bank beating with my son, I'm grabbing the same "go to" combos as if I'm heading out on the water.  Bass are Bass.  I use the same gear and tackle to catch fish on a golf course ponds that I do on big bodies of water.

Sometimes the Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops have some good value combos too.  I know Cabela's often has Pflueger and Mitchell combos for less than $100 that feature solid reels and capable rods.

44 minutes ago, S. Sass said:

I agree I have some ponds that are heavy cover for 30ft out almost the entire way around. Others have no cover at all just open water with a few pads on one end maybe. 

One local pond is a 3acre oval. One end is shallow weed choked flat. Opposite end steep bank with some current from the over flow. One side has a sloping bank and a fishing platform. Opposite side Lilly pads and steeper drop. One corner had a rock pile. Deep grass throughout. I've fished there with UL, fly, spinning and casting rigs and caught on each.