Getting Skunked

[Janderson45]

This is becoming a bit of a trend for me lately... the past four times I've gone out fishing I've had nothing to show for it.

Now in fairness I'm fishing from shore, so this is undoubtedly working against me... I'm saving up for a quality kayak to get rid of this problem all together... but in the mean time I'm looking for some advice as to what I can do differently.

I have a few spots in town that I typically fish, and typically do well at. Generally I work soft plastics, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and topwater (frogs mainly).

Anyways, lately I haven't had too much luck at these locations, so I decided to branch out a little bit and try some bigger lakes and ponds that are a little bit further away.

What I've found so far is that these bigger bodies of water are generally a little less forgiving for the shore fisherman.. usually there are only a few location that I can find for public access shore casting, and the areas don't seem to be populated by many fish... areas include small sections of beach, small cutouts in tree lines, and boat ramps... I've been attempting to fish these spots much the same as my typical spots, but haven't even been getting bites...

Should I be fishing these larger bodies of water any differently? Or am I just having trouble finding the fish? Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks.

[Hyrule Bass]

larger bodies of water are typically tougher to shore fish in than say a small pond, there are many more places for the fish to go in larger bodies of water...

[Nitrofreak]

larger bodies of water are typically tougher to shore fish in than say a small pond, there are many more places for the fish to go in larger bodies of water...

X2

But if you can, try your luck on points, they are much more effective to fish than wide open areas.

[Fontana Finesse Man]

Agree with both, but will offer this up. If you can access a dam area with rip rap corners, rip rap around bridges or where fresh water runs into the main lake, small stream or creek. These can all be good areas at different times from the bank.

[CyRaX]

when i read the title i thought it was gonna be something about a skunk. I was fishing the other day in the woods and a skunk came moving up behind me. Luckily he didn't spray lol..

[Janderson45]

Agree with both, but will offer this up. If you can access a dam area with rip rap corners, rip rap around bridges or where fresh water runs into the main lake, small stream or creek. These can all be good areas at different times from the bank.

There is an area near me where a small brook (difference between a brook and a river?) feeds into a larger pond, and there is a bridge overpassing right where it feeds in, i've enjoyed moderate success from shore at this spot, but haven't fished it enough lately I suppose. Maybe I'll keep trying it out!

[swarrin4]

I myself am a bank bum. Crank baits can be a good option to help you cover some water and find active fish. One thing I have learned is fishing from the bank try 1-2 techniques fan casting. If after working these areas for 15-30 minutes I get nothing I find a new spot and repeat the process. Once you find some active fish you can try the slower presentations like t-rig or jigs. I have also recently gotten a pair of polarized sun glasses and they can help you in seeing under water cover where bass might be holding in.

[Bluebasser86]

Big lakes are tough from the shore but fish can be caught. I've found if you don't mind getting wet you'll have much better success. Sometimes that may mean wading out on a point and casting as far as you can to reach a drop off or wading out far enough past the shoreline trees to be able to cast. I like C-rigging points from the shore because I can launch a bait a long ways and cover a lot of water but do it very throughly.