Bank Fishing In Western Washington

[DavePNW]

So, I've been beating the banks around my area in Washington with very little to no success as of late. 6 trips out for at least 2 hours have produced 3 fish all caught on spinners near fallen trees. But that doesn't seem to consistently work so I'm stumped. I try slowing it down and throwing some soft plastics and even jigs at em. I've tried top water early in the mornings and I've tried d**n near everything. I do realize that the lakes I've been fishing may not be the best but I feel I should be catching at least a few more. Any information about how the bass react to these heavy rains/weather around here would be very helpful and just any tips in general would be really appreciated!

[Quillback]

I lived in Western WA for close to 20 years. I fished for salmon, steelhead and trout. The LM fishing is tough, especially from the bank, and as you mention, the lakes your fishing may not be good for bass even under the best conditions. Lake Sammamish has some great smallmouth fishing, but you need a boat for that lake. A buddy of mine caught a 6.5 LM out of Chambers lake near Olympia, but again you need a boat for that lake. I'm tring to think of lakes in your area with decent LM fishing and bank access, but I'm drawing a blank.

[Glenn]

What lakes/areas are you fishing?

[DavePNW]

Recently I've been fishing Lake Waughop and American Lake for the most part. American Lake is HUGE and shore access is minimal but I found a few nice coves on base and thought that they might produce a few fish. The other lake, Waughop I've been fishing since toward the end of summer and have caught a few good bass including my pb, I've just been having trouble finding them lately. I would go out to the Lacey area and try lakes like Long, St Claire, and Hicks but again, shore access is minimal.

[ClackerBuzz]

patients, soft plastics and fresh water. trying to get a bite this time of year can almost be painful but can still yield great results so stick with it. try dead sticking a 5" weightless senko...wait 20-30 seconds...twitch/shake or drag once or twice (wacky rig is more for fall/dead stick; t-rig drags easier). fan cast to a few good spots and if nothing relocate up shore to fresh water. you can fish soft plastic 'slow' by keeping them on the bottom and at the same time 'fast' by covering water/hiking. that combo gets me the best results.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/13845-guaranteed-to-catch-bass/page__hl__%20ika

[DavePNW]

Thanks a lot for the link and advice. I'll have to get back out on the water once the weather allows

[Glenn]

Couple other lakes to try, but you'll find the same access trouble:

Pattison, Black lake, Offutt, and Deep Lake. Deep lake has the best shore fishing of them all, because it's in a State park and has a trail around most of it.

[DavePNW]

I'll have to plan a trip down there here soon. And invest in a small boat... ha. Thanks for the help Glenn, its nice to hear from an angler around here

[ZooB]

Me and my dad tried waughop a couple weekends ago, good 2 hours walked all the way around once, threw everything and we didnt even get nibbled once.... not to mention on of my new knockout jigs was stolen by a tree >.< Was a frustrating trip. I got the fat girl in my picture at st. Claire, great place but theres no shore access. Me and my dad fish spanaway alot with a boat, but again theres not much in the way of shore access. I really wish there were more places to shore fish around here. Where at waughop have you had the best luck? we tried every spot we could get to, and i tried one that i could barely get to but thats where i lost my jig and just left that spot frustrated. I thought for sure there was gonna be fish in one spot and nothing... We might bring the pontoons out next time we go there, would be nice on that tiny lake.

P.S. you can try to fish the little cove at spanaway... im sure it holds fish that dont see much in the way of pressure. just park in the small parkinglot right when you go in the main gate and walk down the hill. small area though

[DavePNW]

Yeah I've tried from the shore of St. Claire, its a great lake just the shore access is all of 50 yds. Almost got a trout on an x rap when I was there though

But at Waughop if you park inside fort steilacoom park and you follow the path to the right just keep looking at the water and when you see a little beach looking area with a well beaten path walk down there. I've got a couple of bass there if you cast straight out off the point. I was using a Strike King Spinnerbait in chartreuse with a small colorado leaf and a large willow leaf. The other spots that I've caught fish in past months are on the left path. You can see the stump of a laydown and there are a lot of thorns around it. I climb up there and toss a drop shot. Then if you walk down a little farther you can walk out on these logs, you'll know em when you see em and just fan cast every where there.