Bank Fishing Forum

[Bruce424]

I see a lot of snags happening just because of usually the shallowness of the waters. But then again if you find a steep enough drop. Probably would work then.

[greentrout]

 

You might be surprised the bass fishing that is done in big urban areas...good fishing...

[boostr]

  On 7/20/2014 at 1:49 AM, greentrout said:

 

You might be surprised the bass fishing that is done in big urban areas...good fishing...

They are almost in every sustainable body of fresh water.  I do cringe whenever I see those fish on the ground. I know some of us do it to take pictures for size comparison, and thats fine. These guys ar just doing it way to much for no reason.

[greentrout]

  On 7/21/2014 at 1:21 AM, boostr said:

They are almost in every sustainable body of fresh water.  I do cringe whenever I see those fish on the ground. I know some of us do it to take pictures for size comparison, and thats fine. These guys ar just doing it way to much for no reason.

This clip is from downtown Houston in the Galleria area which is an upscale well to do area with intense urban business activity. Makes a point. I don't like the craze of taking pictures at all. I don't do it and they go back in the water as quick as I can get them there regardless of size. 

 

Good fishin...

[hawgenvy]

Question for greentrout: Is the term "green trout"  (for LMB) common in east Texas? I thought that was strictly a south Louisiana peculiarity.

[mikekurinka]

I only fish from bank right now as well, and I study every night and advanced techniques do not apply to bank Fisherman. I agree that some advanced techniques would be nice. I feel fish are Less likely to go after presentation that runs to the bank more than once. I still have good days but good post, this is my first reply

[einscodek]

What do you consider an advanced technique?  All techniques are fairly simple and have a time and place.. from the bank you can do alot but you may need to adjust some technique a bit.. others you may not be able to do.

I bank fish but have a boat and wont break it out until the weeds have choked the shorelines.. but until then much of the techniques are available to me even from the bank.

[greentrout]

  On 7/21/2014 at 2:23 PM, hawgenvy said:

Question for greentrout: Is the term "green trout"  (for LMB) common in east Texas? I thought that was strictly a south Louisiana peculiarity.

Lived in New Orleans, La for 10 years and traveled to towns like Lafayette, La and heard the term Green Trout used 

for the magnificent LMB many a time. In my time in Texas, never heard the term used.

 

Good fishin...

[hawgenvy]

  On 7/22/2014 at 1:16 AM, greentrout said:

Lived in New Orleans, La for 10 years and traveled to towns like Lafayette, La and heard the term Green Trout used 

for the magnificent LMB many a time. In my time in Texas, never heard the term used.

 

Good fishin...

Thanks for the info. I, too, lived in NOLA (8 years) and fished for green trout as well as numerous other species, several of which have unique Louisiana names (crappie are  sac-a-lait, for another example). Calling largemouth bass "green trout" is as legitimate as calling them "bass." Though of course not a trout, the LMB is likewise not a true bass; it is in the sunfish family. Enjoyed your posts. Happy catching!

[Wpcat6611]

Tried out the Baby Brush hog today let it fall then went with the stop an go method rigged it on a texas rig. 

[fishballer06]

  On 7/21/2014 at 2:23 PM, hawgenvy said:

Question for greentrout: Is the term "green trout"  (for LMB) common in east Texas? I thought that was strictly a south Louisiana peculiarity.

 

They use that term here in Pennsylvania too

[cabrela]

  On 7/23/2014 at 6:21 AM, Wpcat6611 said:

Tried out the Baby Brush hog today let it fall then went with the stop an go method rigged it on a texas rig. 

 

Love the baby brush hog!

[Violinguy]

Hitting the banks tomorrow morning with two setups; light spinning with plastics and casting with a new crank I just bought.  Looking forward to trying the crank - square billed Academy in house model.  Will let you all know what happens.

[hawgenvy]

  On 7/23/2014 at 3:53 PM, fishballer06 said:

They use that term here in Pennsylvania too

So LMB can be called "green trout" in Louisiana and Pennsylvania! Anywhere else, I wonder?

[hawgenvy]

From: THE AMUSEMENTS OF NEW ORLEANS. By B. E. Forman Jr. [From: Standard History of New Orleans, Louisiana] Edited by Henry Rightor, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900:

 

"The sportsmen's stores in New Orleans keep in stock all sorts of rods and tackle and flies, where fishermen's outfits and paraphernalia can be had, and the trade is very considerable, as many men in New Orleans are enthusiastic fishermen, and some of them very expert. Green trout are usually caught with live bait, shrimp being used, though some believe in a bit of red flannel to attract the trout. There is always doubt about the red flannel, but it is supposed to appeal to the picturesque taste of the fish. There is no doubt about the shrimp. They will bite at shrimp, and the Radian fishermen, who are always experts in all sorts of fishing, always employ shrimp."

 

This is, to me anyway, an interesting bit of fishing and New Orleans history. Live shrimp is an unusual bait for green trout (LM bass), but perhaps not in southern Louisiana, where bass are quite tolerant of mild salinity. I personally have cought largemouth bass in the Gulf of Mexico at the Mississippi river delta, where one cast lands a bass, the next might catch a flounder or a red drum. The bit of red flannel is analogous to the red plastic beads sometimes used today. Apparently, it appeals to their "picturesque taste!"   So, anyway, who are the "Radian fishermen?" Would love to know!  Cajun? Perhaps one of you guys can figure it out. (Google turned up nothing so far on Radians.)

 

PS: "Radian" is a misspelling of "Cadian," which is a once common misspelling of "Acadian," which then became "Cadjian" and is now the misspelled and mispronounced (but currently accepted) "Cajun."

[Wpcat6611]

  On 7/23/2014 at 11:57 PM, cabrela said:

Love the baby brush hog!

Ya I will be getting more a sams is opening in my town tomorrow hopefully they sell them in bulk!

[cabrela]

  On 7/23/2014 at 11:57 PM, cabrela said:

Love the baby brush hog!

 

  On 7/24/2014 at 4:30 AM, Wpcat6611 said:

Ya I will be getting more a sams is opening in my town tomorrow hopefully they sell them in bulk!

 

Just wish they were more durable....

[boostr]

  On 7/24/2014 at 2:20 AM, hawgenvy said:

So LMB can be called "green trout" in Louisiana and Pennsylvania! Anywhere else, I wonder?

Here in Jersey they use the term "Trouser Trout" ;-)

[Violinguy]

  On 7/24/2014 at 1:50 AM, Violinguy said:

Hitting the banks tomorrow morning with two setups; light spinning with plastics and casting with a new crank I just bought.  Looking forward to trying the crank - square billed Academy in house model.  Will let you all know what happens.

 

So I never did get out the other day, but did get out this afternoon for a few hours.  The fishing was not great, but the new crank caught a fish on the first cast, then about an hour later it caught the largest bass I've caught at that lake, about 2 pounds.  I also tried out Big Bite Baits trick stick and it caught (and lost) two fish.  Got a couple more small ones on senkos also. 

 

I followed some advice I read a long time ago which was to fish the shadow lines, and that seemed to work.  The larger fish hit that crank about 3 feet from shore just inside the shadow line.

[TingTingEightSix]

I do not have access to a boat, so my options are significantly limited than if I did have boat access.

Ive always been primarily a brim hook qnd live bait (Canadian night crawlers 90% of the time, live minnows the other 10%), basically content to catch a few decent bluegill, but hopeful to run into a bass or two in the process, much like I just recently did.

I want to become a little more specific for largemouth/smallmouth/spotted bass. I want to learn different lure set ups for bass fishing off the bank. What would be a good lure for me to get started with, keep in mind tjat I am limited to the bank?

It's been said fishing with live bait is great, but one needs to become adept at artificial baits to have more success(bass in particular) and to be a better angler overall.

We have a public lake that has produced aome small nass for me on le bait, a couple 12 inches here ans there on buzzbaits, and numerous brim and shellcracker. Unfortunately, this place is being shut down for renovation and wont reopen till 26016, and thats a shame aince it is only 3 miles from me.

That leaves me with fishing the riverbank of the Tennessee river, and a couple places in a creek that runs within 10 miles of me. In one place that creek is located near a reservoir woth a axillary that helps supply water to the creek, and it has a bit of a current towards the first spot, and slower, calmer water down the line a few yards. The other location is under and around a bridge, can see a log sticking up on the left side of the bridge and the water gets deeper the closer to the Bridget it gets and stays that way for a few yards. The water in the creek ia typically greenish to slightly murky.

In regards to the r iverbanks I fish? Water clarity can be more variable, depending on rain or lack of rain. Normally its semi clear, but not just crystal clear.

I always look for brush, fell tree, rocks, and other structures in the water bass may be attracted too. Many of the r iverbanks have a good amount of shade to them, and water depth runs from about 1 foot deep near the bank, to perhaps 10-12 foot deep where my line is cast as far as I can cast it.

People claim watermelon seed swimsuits and worms are some of the most productive baits to use for bass from rhe bank. And by swimsuit, I meant swimbait, dagger auto correct!!!. I certainly sont expect to have immediate success, bit I hope I can become adept enough to catch some good bass on a pretty decent regularity.

Spinning reels are my reels of choice, and my S himano RX2000 paired with a medium action Shakespeare ugly stick have caught its share of bluegill, crappie, catfish, and a few small bass. I hate this is a long post, but I like it here and you guys seem like pretty good folk and are happy to help fellow anglers out.

[Sam]

Suggestions to consider for bank fishing:

1.  Always bring a needle nose pliers.

2.  Trick worms on a 1/16 jig head on 8 pound fluorocarbon line.

3.  Senkos fished wacky.

4.  Crankbaits of your choice and color.

5.  Spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits, Pop-R's, Cavitrons, flukes and creature baits.

6.  Throw Pop-r's on spinning rig.

7.  Walk 50-feet from bank when moving from place to place.

8.  No shadows from your body with the sun at your back onto the water.

9.  Good polarized sunglasses to see into the water.

10. Cap with flap on  back to protect your neck and ears from the sun.

11. Wear sunscreen.

12. Use MegaStrike or JJ's Magic as your scent of choice.

13. Always look around when casting to avoid over hanging trees, bushes and tall grass.

14. Medium Heavy 7-foot fast action tip rod of your choice.  View the rod's specifications to make sure it can handle the baits and line test you are throwing.

15. Flip and Pitch to everywhere you are fishing in a "fan" pattern left to right and then back right to left.

16. Cast out plastics and let them sit for 10 to 15 seconds and then hop back to you slowly.

17. Watch your line when throwing Senkos and plastics.

18. Keep a finger on the line coming off your spinning reel at all times to feel for strikes. You will feel "bumps" and then the line may or may not move.  Any unusual line movement or weight on the line you SET THE HOOK! No charge for setting hooks so go to it.

19. Wear sunscreen and long sleeve shirts to keep sun off of you. Long pants with the cuff area and your socks sprayed with bug spray to keep bugs and ticks off of you. Check yourself closely when you get home for ticks.

20. Always leave a note at home telling folks where you will be and what time you will be home.

21. NEVER FISH IN A THUNDER STORM. If you hear thunder go home immediately. Lightning can strike five miles out from the storm, even if you cannot see the storm clouds, if you hear thunder get out of there fast.

22. Always watch where you are walking. You don't want to bother a snake or get into poison ivy or oak.

23.  Have your cell phone with you in case of an emergency and to take photos of what you catch.

 

You do not have to pack 25 pounds of tackle and bring 20 rods. Think what you want to throw into two categories: Hard Baits and Plastics.  Bring a package of each kind and color of plastic you want to throw, limiting yourself to these colors for a start:

Green Pumpkin - Stained water

Watermelon - Clear water

June Bug - Stained and dirty water

Cherry Seed - All water

Variations of Black - Stained and dirty water

 

Hard baits can be wake baits, Bandit 100 square bill crankbaits, 1/4 Cavitrons, 1/4 spinnerbaits. Anything you can throw on a spinning rig. You will graduate to a baitcaster soon but master the spinning gear first and have some fun.

 

Using your 1/16 jig head with a 3/0 hook rig up some Zoom Trick Worms in the color of your choice and flip and pitch that bait all over the place.  Look for grass lines, drop offs into deep water, any wood in the water, over hanging brush and anything in the water such as a submerged log or tire.

 

Try for soft and quiet water entries if possible. However, in the summer the bass will turn to see what made the splash so don't be too concerned about how your bait enters the water. Just get it in the water and fish it.

 

Check out the articles on this Forum and then expand your horizons with the drop shot and jigs.

 

Good luck. Be careful. Have some fun. And let us know how you do.

[massrob]

This was a really helpful post. Everything I've learned about bass fishing has been learned on this website. Thank you to everyone that posts.I just caught a 6 lbs smallmouth because of tips from here.

[lmbfisherman]

  On 7/30/2014 at 11:02 AM, Sam said:

Suggestions to consider for bank fishing:

1.  Always bring a needle nose pliers.

2.  Trick worms on a 1/16 jig head on 8 pound fluorocarbon line.

3.  Senkos fished wacky.

4.  Crankbaits of your choice and color.

5.  Spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits, Pop-R's, Cavitrons, flukes and creature baits.

6.  Throw Pop-r's on spinning rig.

7.  Walk 50-feet from bank when moving from place to place.

8.  No shadows from your body with the sun at your back onto the water.

9.  Good polarized sunglasses to see into the water.

10. Cap with flap on  back to protect your neck and ears from the sun.

11. Wear sunscreen.

12. Use MegaStrike or JJ's Magic as your scent of choice.

13. Always look around when casting to avoid over hanging trees, bushes and tall grass.

14. Medium Heavy 7-foot fast action tip rod of your choice.  View the rod's specifications to make sure it can handle the baits and line test you are throwing.

15. Flip and Pitch to everywhere you are fishing in a "fan" pattern left to right and then back right to left.

16. Cast out plastics and let them sit for 10 to 15 seconds and then hop back to you slowly.

17. Watch your line when throwing Senkos and plastics.

18. Keep a finger on the line coming off your spinning reel at all times to feel for strikes. You will feel "bumps" and then the line may or may not move.  Any unusual line movement or weight on the line you SET THE HOOK! No charge for setting hooks so go to it.

19. Wear sunscreen and long sleeve shirts to keep sun off of you. Long pants with the cuff area and your socks sprayed with bug spray to keep bugs and ticks off of you. Check yourself closely when you get home for ticks.

20. Always leave a note at home telling folks where you will be and what time you will be home.

21. NEVER FISH IN A THUNDER STORM. If you hear thunder go home immediately. Lightning can strike five miles out from the storm, even if you cannot see the storm clouds, if you hear thunder get out of there fast.

22. Always watch where you are walking. You don't want to bother a snake or get into poison ivy or oak.

23.  Have your cell phone with you in case of an emergency and to take photos of what you catch.

 

You do not have to pack 25 pounds of tackle and bring 20 rods. Think what you want to throw into two categories: Hard Baits and Plastics.  Bring a package of each kind and color of plastic you want to throw, limiting yourself to these colors for a start:

Green Pumpkin - Stained water

Watermelon - Clear water

June Bug - Stained and dirty water

Cherry Seed - All water

Variations of Black - Stained and dirty water

 

Hard baits can be wake baits, Bandit 100 square bill crankbaits, 1/4 Cavitrons, 1/4 spinnerbaits. Anything you can throw on a spinning rig. You will graduate to a baitcaster soon but master the spinning gear first and have some fun.

 

Using your 1/16 jig head with a 3/0 hook rig up some Zoom Trick Worms in the color of your choice and flip and pitch that bait all over the place.  Look for grass lines, drop offs into deep water, any wood in the water, over hanging brush and anything in the water such as a submerged log or tire.

 

Try for soft and quiet water entries if possible. However, in the summer the bass will turn to see what made the splash so don't be too concerned about how your bait enters the water. Just get it in the water and fish it.

 

Check out the articles on this Forum and then expand your horizons with the drop shot and jigs.

 

Good luck. Be careful. Have some fun. And let us know how you do.

To add...wait I can't think of anything.

 

Seriously what I would add, for river fishing inline spinners are awesome, #4 Mepps.  I would also get a white/cht double willow 3/8 oz spinnerbait.

[Wpcat6611]

[TingTingEightSix]

Thanks guys!!! I think out of tbose options the soft baits would be the best for me to start with. I think I could probably learn spinnerbaits fairly decently too. Crankbaits and jigs would probably be a big challenge for me.