Strategy For Shore/land Fishing.

[jparker98]

How do you guys treat a new fishing spot?...I guess what I mean is if you're fishing a new lake, pond, etc...how do you go about locating fish? For me fishing from land I don't have the luxury of a fish finder so I'm wondering how long do you spend in 1 spot before moving or how many times do you cast a certain bait/lure to a certain area before you try something different? It seems like for me I usually get a strike/bite within my first 10 casts so lately I start to feel like I'm wasting my time casting the same lure to a general area much more than 15 times. Also, I tend to look for shallow areas with a lot of cover and tend to avoid deeper areas, but I've been wondering if I'm missing out on some fish by using this approach.

I've read a lot about spinner and crank baits being good for locating fish, but haven't had any luck on either personally. My "go to" setup has been a weightless worm or swim bait.

Just trying to find out what strategy you guys use when looking for fish in a new spot or maybe even a spot you know, but the fish don't seem to biting.

[CoBass]

I do a lot of shore fishing too. I approach new water from shore the same way I would from a boat. Look for points, drop-offs, weed lines, submerged rocks or timber or any other irregularities that look like they would hold fish. I usually start off working shallow and move towards deeper water until I find the depth that's holding fish. In general, I will stick with the same bait for thirty minutes or so before changing. Fifteen casts to one area before switching or moving seems a little quick to me. If I'm convinced that an area I'm fishing holds fish, I will work it until I hook up. Sometimes persistence pays.

[HeavyDluxe]

Pretty much this:

http://www.bassresou...-to-catch-bass/

Up here, the new ponds I get a chance to fish fit into one of two categories... Either there is limited open bank space to fish from (because the rest of the pond is 'wild' and not accessible) or there is limited open bank space because of houses/private property. Because of that, I tend to find a stretch of bank and work the heck out of it. If I am pressed for time, I take time to look for, and concentrate on, what appear to be points, drop offs, or other structure.

But my default - especially on a body of water I don't know - is to start at one end of the bank and methodically work my way down and back. I can be more targeted when I come back and know the shore and castable area better.

[BassAssassin726]

When you get to a new spot, lay out the lures you have the most confidence in. For me i have 4 rods with a spinnerbait, jig, some kind of soft plastic and a top water. Throw 10-15 casts with each. If you dont catch anything move on to a new spot and repeat. Like i said your favorite lures, 10-15 casts, move on. Oh and make sure you fan cast with those lures so you cover the area throughouly.

[jparker98]

Thanks for the replies...I'm fairly new to fishing my local lake, I've had moderate success there, but I think I get too stuck on staying at spots I've caught fish at before. For example I've been spending over an hour fishing a spot even though I'm not getting any hits just because I've caught fish there before. Sounds like I shouldn't be wasting my time there and move on and try some new spots I haven't tried yet.

[BassAssassin726]

Also dont just walk up to the shoreline and cast, if possible stay back 10 feet or so and make your casts. And dont cast deep first, cast paralell to the shoreline and fan out.

[BassAssassin726]

Thanks for the replies...I'm fairly new to fishing my local lake, I've had moderate success there, but I think I get too stuck on staying at spots I've caught fish at before. For example I've been spending over an hour fishing a spot even though I'm not getting any hits just because I've caught fish there before. Sounds like I shouldn't be wasting my time there and move on and try some new spots I haven't tried yet.

I used to have that same problem. You cant go by where you caught fish before. I mean yea, fish it but if you dont get any hits in a half hour or so then its def time to move on.

[Marty]

I'm not necessarily recommending this method, because I don't know if it's any good, but it fits with my level of patience and overall makeup.

I tend to cover as much water as I can until I learn something about the characteristics of that body of water. Then I do what I think is appropriate. On some waters I will always fish it by moving around because there's no history of a reliable spot and at other places I've stood in the same place for an hour and one-half.

But I'll always fish fast and cover water at a new place.