Bank Fishing Forum

[gripnrip]

The smaller one was her first fish. For the most part I casted out and work the bait until I hooked the fish.  Then I'd let her reel it in.  After some of those she says "I want to catch a fish all by myself."  She picked the bait. I casted out the she'd just reel it back in.  The 2nd cast I handed her the pole.  I pulled out my phone and thought that I'd video her "actually" fishing all by herself.  Then boom the fish hit and I thought she was hung up at first.  I was dumbfounded because there isn't anything in that pond to get hung up on.  I took the pole and knew she had a NICE fish.  

 

I posted the video here.    http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/134263-princess-pole-success/

[The Fisher]

I use the H2O Express Magnum worm bag since I fish mostly plastics. There is room on the side for 2 small Plano boxes for terminal tackle and small crankbaits. Academy Sports sells it and you can order over the Web.

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-magnum-worm-binder/pid-516652?color=Blue&N=272574547

[Grizzn N Bassin]

Nice variety of bags. Ill be making my choice soon. I wish i could straps on the corner of my kvd plano box, i would,use that thing as a backpack haha

[Bruce424]

what kind of tacklebag do yo guys use? I'm looking for a back this year that can fit a good amount of stuff into. like 4 planos, plastics, scales,pliers etc. Im really debating this

http://www.***.com/Wild_River_TT_Nomad_Lighted_Backpack_With_Boxes_/descpage-WRN.html

[Bruce424]

Dont know if you bought one yet but have you looked at the bps stalker bag?? The red backpack. Just got it a couple months ago. Used to use a shoulder strap bag. So its taking time to get use to the backback idea. Has alot of storage for me. I like it. Have to get better organizing skills. Haha

[bigbill]

Get up at 3:30am and hit the water by 4/4:30am in the dark.

Before the wacky boaters are water up and tearing up the water.

Be very, very quiet, very, very stealthy. So quiet like you in a tree stand looking at a 20or buck. Walk very softly as you walk to your spot. Don't step on rocks or tree roots sticking out of the ground. They send vibration noises into the ground. They set off the alarm your there. The bigger bass know this well. My PB of 10# was caught while casting two feet parallel to the shoreline. Remember I'm fishing a man made dam and roadway. It's the dams drop off I'm at.

I been using the rebel BIG CLAW D74 or D76 crawfish crankbait in chartruese that dives 10'. I cast it out as far as I can and do a sweep back with the rod to make it dive quickly. Then I slow reel it. This is one very effective bass catching lure. I start off with this one in my ritual of baits I throw.

Here's exactly what I do. I use my topwater bps topnocker soaked with a bass scent casted out as far as I can throw it. Then;

1. Topnocker soaked with bass scent(baitmate)

2. Rebel BIG CLAW crawfish crank soaked with a yum craw scent

3. Bomber crankbait redapplecraw size 05 fat A or model A(craw scent again) shallow running.

4. Mepps inline Anglia #3 spinner silver/Gray tail

5. 1/4oz Mann's classic spinnerbaits Colorado gold blade in white with a 4" mister twister split double tail grub trailer with a trailer hook. Any smaller white spinnerbaits will do too

6. Bomber crankbait baby bass with the Orange bottom.

7. Mann's crankbait baby 1 minus in browncraw.

8. Mann's 1/4oz spinnerbaits in chartruese with a mister twister split double tail chartreuse grub trailer with a trailer hook.

9 mepps Anglia #3 inline spinner gold blade Brown tail.

10. 1/8 oz carolina rig with a brass weight and a brass bead knockers. With a senko, a brushog.

11. Rapala size f7 in blue

12. Bomber fat A or model A size o5 in citrus

I throw these in any order from shore till I get action. My color choice and lure may vary too this is an example. Don't be afraid to use brighter colors in low light conditions.

The basses eyes change to the different lighting conditions first before the baitfish eyes change. This first light is the basses ambush feeding time. There near the shoreline feeding.

This feeding time happens early in the morning, at noon and In the evening. I find the bass are bigger in the mornings. In the evenings the numbers of bass caught are higher but nothing over 4/5#. They range from many dinks to 3#. Maybe one bigger.

You need to find the fish. Find the drop off or channels, Rocky points, submerged weeds. A hummingbird portable cast out fish finder will tell you the bottom structure too. I use a setup with braided line for it.

Beaware of float tubes with snapping turtles and snakes too. I have some mean turtles were I fish there like 30" to 48" round.

To raise the bar on your PB we must raise your skills first. It's not luck that catches bass it's your skill.

I try to raise my number of bass caught on each outing.

[bigbill]

Now your going to have good days and slow times too. I use the slow times to practice different presentations with every lure raising the bar on my skills. Try different speeds with your lures. Pay attention on how you turn the crank on your reel. You need to make a perfect even circle on your crank handle. You need an even lure speed not a fast and slow speed. Why do you ask? If your lure has a rattle the noise won't be even and steady. I try to make the lure speed perfect on every turn of the reel handle just stay focused till it comes natural on every cast.

Remember to lube your reel too. So it's quiet. If your reel is worn out and noisy get a new one for using lures and use the noisy one for live bait or Carolina rigs. The noisy reel can send funky noises/ vibrations down your fishing line into the water. I learned this one day as a sunfish was listening to my line exactly we're it entered the water using a worn out reel.

Again it's a part of being stealthy. A shot of line lube on your rod eyes and on your spool doesn't hurt too. Like reel magic.

Every thing we learn it's another tooth on a gear it all works together when we put it together.

When I go fishing I want to be the best I can be on the top of my game and skills. You can be too if you stay focused and motivated. Read and watch all the videos here these guys are the best here listen to them.

[bigbill]

Don't day dream it, learn it and live it, go fishing. Nothing beats the time on the water fishing or practicing the skills you have learned here. Fish and fish hard. Stay positive.

If your going to be negative stay home. Get out there and become one with nature.

[CDobber]

Oh, its been a LONG winter and opening day is coming on Saturday!

 

I've been scouting out the local quarry with bluegill and carp setups, and finally got to cast out the stradic I bought off the flea market here last fall.  Can't wait to try this bassy looking side of the quarry with the new stuff!

 

As for the recent bag question, this is similar to what I have:  http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Gander-Mtn-Soft-Tackle-Bag-400ST-Blue&i=709208

Mine fits 4 plano style boxes vertically and have had no issues with plastics or odd shifting.  I only have 3 in use currently as I want more room for soft plastics, but I may purchase a small soft sided lunch box to clip onto the handle of the tackle box to increase the volume.

 

And for portable rod carrying:  http://www.lakeside.com/Toys-%2B-Sports/Sports%2B%252B%2BOutdoor/Fishing-Rod-Case/prod320425.jmp.  Mine has only 4 compartments but everything else is the same.  I didn't see any available right now but you get the concept of something that can be carried easily, tangle free and compact (if I roll the poles into each other, its quite small).

[Ern]

I know this gets said a lot. But I am going to let some in on a little secret that my just help your bank fishing.

I have been wading trout and smallmouth fishing for the last many years and off and on bank fishing for what ever. Stealth has become an important part of any of it. Especially since I am a LARGE guy. At 6'3 and 330lbs  I have learned to be a little sneaker than the next guy. Especially since my partner for most of my fishing was half my size.  slow and stealth can be our friend.

So what is the big secret?  What is the one thing that I see everyone making a mistake?  I am blessed with small stream with plenty of smallmouth and a pond with a lot of hungry largemouth within walking distance of my house. Even a world class brown trout fishery within 3 miles. I get to see kids and their parent out enjoying all. This simplest thing could change their hookup count.

Before you go plowing to the water edge, Stop.  I mean stop walking and approaching the water edge. Even crouch down if need be. I usually stay back a minimum of about 15' to start. Make your first cast from here. This approach keeps your foot step vibration and any shadow or the view of you from the fish or to a reduced level. This first cast can be the best of the day.  I usually work an entire trip like this,  especially if bass or trout are the target.  They both tend to hand around the shore line structure and are very shy.

I know everyone is looking for a magic lure.  But try this approach and make your first cast before get to the water. Hope this helps someone.

 

Ern   

[WVbassin87]

Great tip. Thanks

[Kevin Beachy]

my trouble is i dont think about that when i fish

[mcgreggor57]

+1  I've gotten more first cast hook ups when casting from well off the waters edge.

[kfelton0002]

True. I can't count the times I've seen fish high tail it out of the area when they spot me. Wearing neutral and natural colors helps a lot too. Nothing loud colored or bright.

[FrogTosser88]

Hold in those farts too

[Paul Roberts]

Excellent tip.

 

When introducing friends to pond fishing I used to take them to a pond and challenge them to sneak up to water's edge without spooking a fish -without causing a single ripple from the near shore fish. It's virtually impossible to do, esp over damp soil causing pressure wakes. Stealth is an advantage few anglers are hip to, and makes a bigger difference than even the stealthy ones often realize.

[Jolly Green]

Truth. My son and I had a head-slapper moment two years ago when we went to fish off of a local pier. The walk is stationary but the pier floats, and as soon as we stepped onto it, it moved under our weight and there was a virtual explosion of V-shaped wakes blasting off away from us in every direction.  We both kind of looked at each other and said, "Ohhhhhhh...." Since that day, we always cast our way to the water's edge.

[Mike L]

You're exactly right.

When taking the grandkids to a local pond they get so excited they run down the bank to the water and start yelling..Hey Papa hurry up!!

I told them the story of the 2 bulls standing on the hill top looking down at the cows in the valley....

But change it up....

"When grandma comes home from food shopping and you see the package of cookies sitting there, don't run up and try to take 1 right away....

Walk up, duck behind a chair, crawl to the counter and grap the whole box!!

Now they understand

Mike

[BuffaloBass716]

There's been a lot of talk of bank fishing on the forums lately.  Maybe its time to revive this topic?  

[Fish_Whisperer]

To the guys interested in backpacks for tackle carry....

 

Just because a backpack isn't labeled a "fishing" backpack, doesn't mean it wouldn't be suitable for tackle.  I use a backpack (forget the name), it holds 4 medium utility boxes, a gallon bag slam full with worm bags, and various pouches for the other essentials.  

 

Come to terms with yourself on whether you need to carry everything you have to the water, or if you are comfortable with selecting certain items that will work well for the conditions.  

[BassKing226]

I think it would be a great idea! They're no chance of me getting on a boat anytime soon:/  So bank fishing has become my way of getting my fix! But, with bank fishing it become really tough sometimes to figure out what lure, rag and bait I should use at times. Especially for people like me just starting off. A forum like this could really be a perfect way for bank fisherman to get better.

[nascar2428]

To the guys interested in backpacks for tackle carry....

 

Just because a backpack isn't labeled a "fishing" backpack, doesn't mean it wouldn't be suitable for tackle.  I use a backpack (forget the name), it holds 4 medium utility boxes, a gallon bag slam full with worm bags, and various pouches for the other essentials.  

 

Come to terms with yourself on whether you need to carry everything you have to the water, or if you are comfortable with selecting certain items that will work well for the conditions.  

 

Couldn't agree more. When it comes to bank fishing, less is more. Do you guys really think that boaters use every piece of tackle they have on their boats to catch fish every time they go out? Once I started following the pros and realized a lot of them come to the weigh in with less than  a five fish limit, I quit worrying about what I didn't bring and started concentrating on what I did bring to use for the conditions.

I think it would be a great idea! They're no chance of me getting on a boat anytime soon:/  So bank fishing has become my way of getting my fix! But, with bank fishing it become really tough sometimes to figure out what lure, rag and bait I should use at times. Especially for people like me just starting off. A forum like this could really be a perfect way for bank fisherman to get better.

Plenty of articles on this website to help you with what to use in various conditions. To get the most out of bank fishing you need a positive attitude and develop a few confidence baits and styles that can carry you through out the day. This all comes with time spent on the bank. Welcome to the forum.

[Fish_Whisperer]

Couldn't agree more. When it comes to bank fishing, less is more. Do you guys really think that boaters use every piece of tackle they have on their boats to catch fish every time they go out? Once I started following the pros and realized a lot of them come to the weigh in with less than  a five fish limit, I quit worrying about what I didn't bring and started concentrating on what I did bring to use for the conditions.

Plenty of articles on this website to help you with what to use in various conditions. To get the most out of bank fishing you need a positive attitude and develop a few confidence baits and styles that can carry you through out the day. This all comes with time spent on the bank. Welcome to the forum.

There you go folks.... The biggest step you can take to go from fishing to catching is doing your homework, at the water AND away from it.

[Fish_Whisperer]

Sorry for the double post, but since backpack discussion is still fresh in the mind, I figured I would share my setup...

 

This is the backpack, with its contents inside.... the brand is Fieldline Tactical...nicely padded straps for comfortability. Probably 30 bucks at walmart. (EDIT:  little more description of the pack... has one large space for the boxes, the front has two zippered openings, I use one for the plastics and the other for a scale. Both of the front openings have zippered pockets within them for added storage.  The top (near the handle) has a soft microfiber like zippered space I put my shades and headlamp in.  On the side there is a stretchy space for a fluid bottle, and all throughout the outside are velcro strips that are sewed in a way that you could tie on things to them AKA space adding attachments.)

 

A picture with a long ulility box to show scale...

 

The current contents minus a headlamp,scale,  some sunglasses, and some knickknacks that I didn't take out of the small pouches.

 

As you can see, I use a gallon size ziploc bag to hold my bags of plastics, just so if the zipper opens on the pack, the contents wont pour out.

 

My boxes are messes inside, and if I took the time to reorganize everything again, I could get away with not bringing the larger utility box.  

The contents of the boxes change periodically depending on the locations I plan on fishing.  

 

The plastics bag contains some jig plastics(chunks, creatures), various worms and flukes, soft swimbait bodies, and some finesse worms and berkley minnows for drop shot rigging.  

 

The Plano waterproof box (my newest addition which I LOVE)  contains my terminal tackle.  I like the waterproof box for the times when I may have to wade through water to get to a location and the chance arises that my backpack may get wet.  Nothing worse than opening a box and finding rusty hooks.

 

Forgot to mention that I use braid with a fluoro leader, and I keep a spool of fluoro in case I have to tie a new leader on.

 

Cannot stress enough the importance of a headlamp for the folks who night fish or who hit the banks early in the morning!

 

That's all folks.  By no means is this all my tackle, but I'm rarely at the bank thinking that I didn't bring enough, or forgot something.   

[jtharris3]

LMAO!!! You're really trying to sell me on this. I'll consider rigging ONE reel with it and see how it does. I'll be sending you a bill when I lose my 1st lure and/or fish due to the knot coming undone.

 

The Palomar and Double Palomar knots are your friends!