Bank Or Boat

[Tuckahoe Joe]

Fish Chris, those bass are ridiculous!  It looks like the guy in the background of the 3rd pic agrees with me...

[B@ssCrzy]

I think you can catch just as big of fish from shore as you can from a boat, and agree with the other comments made as well.  However, I love fishing from my boat because I just like being out ON the water.  There is just something about being out on the water that is relaxing and enjoyable.

[BassinLou]

FishChris, I am sorry your fishing grounds have deteriorated so much. Fortunately, you fished it during its hayday and have a record to show for it.

[derekxec]

@fish chris....excellent fish!

[Reptile360]

Definitely boat.

I've never caught anything decent from the bank.

I need a boat!

[Bankbeater]

I fish from the bank probably 85% of the time.  Many times, especially if the water is low, a person fishing from the bank can get to a place that a boat can't.  I have seen a lot of bass boats that will not fish certain areas because of the shallow cover and the threat of getting stuck or hitting something just under the surface.

[thehooligan]

I fish the banks 75% of the time. I love wading rivers and small ponds. I do have a kayak though which is nice when i want to get out and hit the deeper water and spots you just cant get to from the shore.

 

I plan on getting an 8ft jon boat and trolling motor soon though.

[Bass Slayer 72]

I think we’ve all been where you are, I’ve read many of the comments left on this thread and I have to agree with many of them. Having a boat will definitely help your fishing but if you don’t have the savings or the gumption to save for a small boat you’re stuck doing what you’re doing. That being said you can improve your fishing buy trying different tactics like wading or throwing heavier spinners to get some distance from the shore, try using a search pattern and remember if you can’t move to them you’ll have to focus on the basics and adapt to your surroundings. I have had good luck with my kids catching blue gills and perch taking a small medallion size one, spinning it and throwing it back in on a bobber rig, also try dead sticking a bass stopper 3 open hooked worms. I bought my son his first boat 3 yrs ago he was 6 yrs old for $300 a 12 ft aluminum V bottom and 3.5 Evinrude with trailer. Just keep socking money away and keep your eyes open for a good deal, chances are excellent you’ll find one if you’re not pressured into just buying one right now.. Good luck this season.

[SudburyBasser]

Can't afford a boat at the moment -- well, because of a Jeep which requires some heavy repairs to the rear end and I'm trying to save for a house -- so I'm bank beating mostly these days. The only time I'm in a boat is when my brother-in-law goes out and that's only been once in the last month. God willing I'll have the money next year

[SirSnookalot]

It's one thing to bank fish Florida community ponds and canals, lots of shoreline access.  Fishing a natural inland lake there are just so many "clearings" that you can fish from shore, many are pressurized from other bank fisherman.  With a small boat or kayak, not only can more shoreline area be fished, but deeper water and other species too.

[pbizzle]

Definitely boat.

I've never caught anything decent from the bank.

I need a boat!

How about that fish your holding in your avatars?

[Reptile360]

Had to come in to get the pic.

 

I was fishing at my boss's house.

His jon boat is just outside the pic.

[aquaholic]

Im sick of bank fishing. Today i had a ton of birds nests because the spots i was fishing had trees directly behind them which caused me to screw up my casting. Two large dogs (seperate times) ran full bore at me, and a fight broke out in the middle of the park. Id love to find a place no one fishes or get  a bass boat to get away from all these crazies.