Bank fishing at Diamond lake can be tough. Your best shot will be on the north end of the lake, by the lodge. If you walk on the paved biked bath to the west from the lodge you will eventually run into a bench where there is a little rock outcropping into the water- this is the best bet. There will probably be boats in the "cheese hole" there. Cast as close to them as you can.

Boat wise is much easier to catch fish. It really depends on the time of the year as to where you fish. Typically fishing in the afformentioned cheese hole or the South end "weed beds" are the best options. In either place, find the city of boats and anchor in nearby. Powerbait and/or worms is simple enough. 3-5ft of leader (the fish can get leader shy so use light line-id say 4lb test).

 

I hate to say it, because I hate to use it, but powerbait is the only thing I've caught fish with there.

4lb leader 4 feet long.

 

You're camping at the right end of the lake for the pontoon, but the only viable bank fishing I'm aware of is a small part of cheese hole on the North end. You can scramble down to part of shore from the bike path just west of the lodge. It's not ideal, but it's an option. You'll be able to tell it's cheese hole, because there are always a bunch of boats anchored up there.

You can also rent boats from the lodge for a day or half day. The guys in shop might have some other spots to send you to for bank fishing.

For the toon, launch at South Shore boat ramp. From there, you can fish around the Pizza place (Short Creek enters near there) and where Silent Creek enters in the SW part of the lake. Fly fishermen often have success trolling flies on intermediate line really slow.

 

South end: pontoon; intermediate line, 12-15' leader to 3-4x Tippet and #8 black, purple, and or maroon seal buggers. Med to long slow strip with pause. Floating line and 16' leader to 4x fluorocarbon with strike indicator set to 12-14' or 1-2' off bottom (whichever comes first) with #10-12 black and red micro leach dropper and 18" to #14 black or olive chironomid. Game on.

North end: cheese hole or shrimp beds areas, type 2 or 3 line to 12' 2-3x fluoro and #8 seal bugger or zonker minnow. Spirited retrieve. Careful. Big fish can break 3x tippet on the grab.

 

I'm going to write this down...knowing Aaron a little... this looks like a recipe for success. I've had some success with olive colored bugger type stuff too...just kicking along with the float tube and... whack! Lot's of fun on the fly rod.

 

I've seen a lot of fish caught by anglers fishing from the end of the north boat ramp breakwater.

 

Thanks everyone for all the help! Got a pm from DC also. Really appreciate all the help. Hopefully, I'll post some pics end of July!
Josh

 

best tip is to bring mosquito repellent and a head net.

 

Two weeks ago we finally got some consistent action in the cheese hole but suspended 1/2 way up in water column. 30 ft. deep.