Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about booking, listings, payments, safety, and more.
Getting Started
Download the app or visit our website, sign up with your email, and verify your email address. You can also sign up with Google or Apple.
Creating an account and browsing ponds is free. A 15% service fee is added to your booking total at checkout.
Use the Explore tab to browse ponds. You can filter by location, fish species, amenities, price, and more. Enable location services for a map with nearby results.
Some ponds require a valid state fishing license — this will be noted on the listing. It's your responsibility to have the appropriate license for the state you're fishing in.
Booking
Browse ponds on the Explore tab, select one, choose your dates and number of anglers, then proceed to checkout. Your booking is confirmed once payment is processed.
Yes. Select the number of anglers during booking.
You can book any available date the host has open. Some hosts may have availability weeks or months in advance.
Yes. You can book any pond as many times as you'd like, subject to availability.
Yes. You'll receive an in-app notification and an email confirmation with your booking details.
Yes. Use the in-app messaging to ask the host questions about the property, access, fish species, or anything else before committing.
Payments & Pricing
Hosts set an hourly rate. Your total is: (host hourly rate × number of hours) + 15% service fee.
We accept all major credit and debit cards through our secure payment processor.
You're charged at the time of booking. The full amount (pond cost + service fee) is collected upfront.
Yes. All payments are processed through Stripe, a PCI-compliant payment processor. PondShare never stores your card details.
Yes. A receipt is available in your booking details and sent to your email.
Cancellations & Refunds
Cancellations made 24+ hours before the start time receive a refund of the pond reservation cost. The 15% service fee is non-refundable.
No refund is available. The full amount (pond cost + service fee) is non-refundable within 24 hours of the booking start.
You receive a 100% full refund including the service fee. No action needed on your part — the refund is processed automatically.
Refunds are processed immediately. Depending on your bank or card issuer, it may take 5–10 business days to appear on your statement.
Contact support@pondshare.app with documentation. Extenuating circumstances like severe weather, natural disasters, or medical emergencies are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
At the Pond
Your booking confirmation includes the pond address. Some hosts may provide additional directions or gate codes via messaging.
Bring your own fishing gear, bait, valid fishing license (if required), sunscreen, water, and appropriate clothing. Check the listing for specific rules or amenities provided.
Amenities vary by listing. Check the pond listing for available amenities like restrooms, parking, picnic areas, boat access, and more.
Check the listing — some ponds allow boats while others do not. The "boats allowed" indicator will be clearly marked.
Only if the listing is marked as pet-friendly. Always respect the host's pet policy.
Respect the property, follow all posted rules, practice Leave No Trace principles, keep noise to a minimum, and follow any catch-and-release or bait restrictions listed.
Message the host directly through the app. If the issue can't be resolved, contact support@pondshare.app.
Reviews
Yes. After a completed trip, you'll be prompted to leave a review rating the pond and your experience with the host.
Reviews become visible once both you and the host have submitted reviews, or after 7 days — whichever comes first.
Reviews cannot be edited or deleted once submitted. Make sure your feedback is accurate before submitting.
If you believe a review violates community guidelines, you can report it for our team to review.
Safety
All hosts must pass identity verification before listing. You can view host ratings, reviews, and verification status before booking.
When booking, you acknowledge that fishing involves inherent risks. The waiver outlines that PondShare and the host are not liable for injuries or accidents during your visit.
Seek medical attention immediately. Contact support@pondshare.app to report the incident.
Account & Favorites
Yes. Tap the heart icon on any listing to save it to your Favorites for easy access later.
Go to Profile → Edit Profile to update your name, photo, bio, and preferences.
You can reset your password from the login screen. To change your email, contact support@pondshare.app.
Go to Settings → Delete Account. Any active bookings must be completed or cancelled first.
Email support@pondshare.app or use the Help Center in the app. We respond within 24 hours on business days. For urgent matters, include "URGENT" in your subject line.
Getting Started
Go to your Profile, tap "Become a Host," complete identity verification, connect your bank account, then create your first listing with photos, description, pricing, and availability.
You must be 18+, own the property or have legal authorization from the owner, pass identity verification, and connect a bank account for payouts.
Listing is free. PondShare charges a 15% service fee on each booking, paid by the angler.
Typically a few minutes. You'll need a valid government-issued ID. In rare cases, manual review may take up to 24 hours.
Listing & Pricing
You set an hourly rate. Consider your location, amenities, fish species, and what comparable properties charge.
Yes. You define the max anglers allowed per day when creating your listing.
Yes. Use the blackout dates feature to block holidays, maintenance days, or personal use dates.
Yes. You can toggle availability for each day of the week independently.
Include photos of the pond from multiple angles, access points, parking, any amenities (dock, boat ramp, restrooms), and surrounding scenery. Listings with 5+ photos get significantly more bookings.
Yes. You can update photos, pricing, description, availability, and amenities at any time from "My Listings."
Bookings & Guests
When an angler books your pond, you'll receive a notification. Bookings are confirmed once payment is processed.
Yes. Use the in-app messaging system to coordinate arrival times, share directions, or answer questions.
You still receive your payout for no-shows. The angler's cancellation policy applies.
This is controlled by the max anglers setting on your listing. Multiple bookings can overlap up to your capacity.
Payments & Payouts
Payouts are processed after the guest checks in. Funds typically arrive in your bank account within 2–3 business days via Stripe.
You earn the full hourly rate you set. The 15% service fee is charged separately to the angler on top of your rate.
Yes. Your Host Dashboard shows all past and pending payouts with detailed breakdowns.
Payouts go to the bank account you connected during Stripe onboarding. You can update your banking info through your Stripe dashboard.
Cancellations
If you cancel a confirmed booking, the angler receives a 100% full refund (including the service fee). You are responsible for paying the 15% service fee as a cancellation fee.
No. Host cancellations are not permitted within 24 hours of the booking start time.
Contact support at support@pondshare.app. Extenuating circumstances like severe weather or natural disasters are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Rules & Policies
Yes. You can add custom rules (e.g., no wading, barbless hooks only, quiet hours) that anglers must acknowledge before booking.
Yes. Toggle the catch-and-release policy in your listing settings.
Yes. You can specify whether boats are allowed and if you provide boat access.
Yes. Toggle the pet-friendly option in your amenities.
You can indicate whether a fishing license is required. It's the angler's responsibility to have one, but marking it helps set expectations.
Safety & Liability
As part of listing your pond, you agree to the liability waiver. Anglers also acknowledge a liability waiver when booking. We strongly recommend carrying property liability insurance.
Yes. We strongly recommend a general liability policy that covers recreational use of your property. Some homeowner's policies may already cover this—check with your insurer.
Document the damage with photos and contact the angler to resolve it.
All anglers must create an account with a verified email. Their booking and review history is visible to hosts.
Reviews & Reputation
After a completed trip, both you and the angler can leave reviews. Reviews become visible once both parties submit theirs, or after 7 days.
Currently, reviews cannot be responded to publicly. If you believe a review is unfair or violates guidelines, you can report it.
Yes. You can rate and review anglers after their visit, helping other hosts make informed decisions.
Account & Support
Email support@pondshare.app. For urgent matters, include "URGENT" in the subject line. We respond within 24 hours on business days.
Yes. You can create as many listings as you have properties to offer.
Yes. You can deactivate a listing at any time without deleting it. Reactivate whenever you're ready.
Go to Settings and select "Delete Account." Active bookings must be completed or cancelled first.
Still have questions?
Our support team is here to help. Reach out anytime and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.
Contact Support