Tips For Shore Fishing?

[ksfisher]

could i get some tips? I don't have access to a boat so i need some advice on lures and what not.

[Crestliner2008]

There are some excellent articles at the top of this site that delve into how & when to fish for which species you are targeting. Once you learn what basic structures to target, you will want to learn some of the habits of the species you are after. Your fishing will improve based on the time and study you put into your particular body of water.

In general, most folks put themselves behind the 8 ball from the git-go, when bank fishing. Their approach is - well, let's just say it's less than stealthy. I bank fish a lot and believe a cautious approach puts the odds greatly in your favor. Walk softly (and yep.....carry a big stick!) and approach slowly. Wear camo clothing, or at the very least muted colors of brown, green and/or gray. Stay low. Sometimes I crawl up to a spot. Don't go walking right up to a spot with a white t-shirt and hat. Bass have eyes and great feel through their lateral line.

When you start fishing, work in fan casting style. Leave no spot un-fished. I prefer to start off probing known productive spots with soft plastics, vs. hard baits. Only because it gives you the best chance of presenting a bait to a bass, undetected by that bass. When you gain confidence, then you can start using hard baits. Good Luck!

[Scorcher214]

I second the stealthy approach. At my favorite spot. The land slopes to the water pretty steeply. So before I get down right on the water, i toss my lure down into the water right in front of where I would be standing. Many times I just hopped down and saw the wakes of bass swimming off.

[TommLew10]

I personally prefer to fish off the shore as opposed to in a boat, but I'm almost strictly a pond fisher unless I'm on the coast. I've caught my biggest fish with soft plastics and live bait, usually Catalpa Worms, NightCrawlers, and Minnows. I usually fish straight off the bottom unless using Minnows of course. Then I go with a float and usually leave the area in which I have spotted a big bass, I never set my hook if I'm going to leave my pole, I lost several that way, until I learned that I didn't need to set the hook. After a while I see my bobber being pulled out to deeper water and I tighten my line slowly and reel him in.

I most times fish with three rods, unless I'm having a day in which it's not possible, I have definitely had those days, where I can only fish with one rod. I usually go with a Catalpa or Crawler on the bottom, with one pole, this gives me the option of catching the bigger bream that usually bite better on the bottom as well as Cats and Bass. My 2nd pole I usually go with a bobber and minnow and it gives me the option of catching basically every species possible. The majority of those end up being black crappies or 5lb to 7lb cats, although some days during the pre-spawn period Bass will continuously hit all of my poles. My 3rd pole I usually use an artificial lure, starting with soft plastics initially as that's what I seem to have the most luck with out of the ponds I fish. If I'm not having much luck I will change to numerous lures.

This is my method because I like to leave no stone unturned and I love to reel them in regardless of what species it may be, I enjoy the fight and basically all Crappies hit the stringer or the bucket. When fishing off the shoreline I feel as though it gives me more flexibility to try various setups without the hastle of pulling the boat out. Some ponds I go to it's not many places available on the shoreline, then I take the boat, and when I do make it out to the Lake usually once a summer I take the boat out. The key is always going to be learning the water and the forage for the particular lake, river, or pond in which you're fishing. For example one pond I fish the bass love frogs like I've never seen before, I usually catch frogs from around the pond and replace the Catalpas or Crawlers with a frog. All of these fish are usually pretty decent in size with this bait, never caught one under 3lbs so since I like to fish with multiple poles I usually do it alot like the minnow on the bobber, although sometimes I choose no bobber at all and I don't set the hook, but you have to pay attention or else the frog will be back on the shore and out of the water in no time.

These are just some tips from my experiences, I'm almost strictly a shoreline fishermen, I hope some of these tips and strategies help you have some luck.

[Marty]

In my years of shore fishing I've used every type of lure. No lure need be ruled out if it's suitable for the conditions you're facing. I think it's important to move around and cover a lot of water until and if you learn where the good spots are. My personal best came from shore fishing a small pond.

[BassBoy10]

Take it day by day. Learn the area and try everything, crankbaits, wacky rigged senkos, craw fish, jigs, etc. Look for hints in the water like rocky bottom or old cypress tree in the water. I fish my local lake every weekend and always try new spots and learn more. Just keep trying. BB

[wisconsin heat]

If you are fishing ponds or boat landings that don't have a lot of places accessible to fish, then stray away from power baits like buzzbaits or cranks. when you only have a limited area(s) to fish, a plastic or jig will catch more fish IMO.

[David Razo]

All i have is 3 little ponds near me. No lakes foe a 60 mile radius. I do well on spinnerbaits along the bank or jigs.

[Bassn Blvd]

Look out for ant nests.

[ynnhoj86]

My best advice is a good rod and reel to launch the bait. The longer the cast the more ground you Can cover.

[tomustang]

Whenever I shore fish a new area I throw on a cheap 1/8 to 1/2oz jig with a grub and cast around to get the feel of the bottom, it's gives a better detail so I know what I can throw and not lose anything

[jjjbluray]

Why do we think bank fishing is so bad? Most of the boats I see on the water are throwing to the bank. lol Yet, we sit on a bank and throw out as far as possible. For me I just fish as much of the bank as possible. I also start with plastic worms or lizards. When nothing is biting at the bank, throw out farther and give the bait time to sink. Crankbaits and rattle traps work better for me farther out in the water, but I have noticed they get hit as soon as they hit the water just as often as they do pulling them across the middle or bottom of the water. Bottom line, practice as often as you can and start paying attention to what the fish do and like. Anything that can get around and down into fallen trees, etc, is going to get bit.

[Glenn]

These will help:

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/bank_fishing.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/shoreline_fishing.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/bank_fishing_shore.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/urban-bass-fishing.html

Enjoy!

[LgMouthGambler]

I mostly use 1 rig I have specifically for that. Its a Revo SX, on a 7' Vendetta with 20# YoZuri. Usually its a texas rigged softbait on a 3/0 wide gap and a 1/8 oz bullet weight. I usually use a 6" lizard or a vibra worm. Its a good all around setup to use just about any soft plastic on. Also carry an assortment of cranks, spinners, jigs and plugs in my Spiderwire tackle backpack. Also in there is a folding net, scale, KVD L&L, pliers, many bags of different soft plastics, a reel cleaning kit, camera, scissors, hand wipes sunblock, hooks, weights, etc. Its a great bag.