Bank Fishing Forum

[cabrela]

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!

 

Just wish they were more durable....

[boostr]

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]

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]

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.

[geo g]

That is years of experience bank fishing in that post. Great job guys, I enjoyed the read!

[Jordan50]

I personally love to throw Spinnerbaits, Shallow Cranks, and Plastics from the Bank. Awesome tips, Sam. I even learned a few things and all I do is Bank fish.

[Deleted account]

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.

 

Ah, NO! You can catch fish after fish with a minnow or shiner when artificials do nothing. That being said, There are different skills required for each. Since you will be fishing from the bank, and a limited number of places, to boot, the most important thing to do is locate fish. There are places that will not hold fish, places that sometimes will hold fish, and places that will nearly always hold fish. Once you locate these places, the structure, cover and conditions will dictate what lure(s) are best suited. I would thing a spinnerbait, crankbait, and some soft plastics are a good place to start, but again, it depends on the particulars. Fishing from shore isn't much different than fishing from a boat. I do a lot of both, and don't really do many different things.

[Violinguy]

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.

 

 

Number 11/19.  Number 11/19 is probably the most important because a bad sunburn will ruin your day no matter how many fish you catch.  And over time, a bad sunburn will kill you.

[hoosierbass07]

 I would focus on Texas rigged soft plastics because they are mostly weedless.  When fishing from the bank you might get crankbaits hung up and can't get them back.  Texas rigged plastic worms is my favorite way to fish from 

the bank.  Also, if you want to get out on the water, have you checked out low cost sit inside kayaks? 

[OroBass]

Get a float tube guys.

[hawgenvy]

Catching some lately from the banks in S Florida on Zoom Super Flukes, usuallly on watermelon red. Some are three to four pounders. Most are much smaller. The fluke is clearly a more subtle bait than what I usually use (salt-laden toads, big swim baits, grotesque creature baits.) So the 5" fluke is more appealling, it seems, to finicky summer bass. Eventually, I'm successful, and when I grab a bass to twist out the hook, his body is suprisingly hot, and the angry fish smells of pungent steamed algae. I'm dying to look in his stomach to see what he's stuffed himself with but I can't figure out how to do that without killing him. I see here and there in the evenings schooling bass busting frantic schools of what I thought might be shad -- but the few times the bait got chased to shore where I could see them, they looked like little dark green minnows -- a lot like my green fluke bait. Maybe they are green just from the top and are shiny silver gems from the side. Who knows. Last evening at seven I caught a few bass by tossing my fluke into the boiling mix, and though full of energy, the bass, unfortunately, were little quarter pounders. I was able to throw five or ten times a white and yellow spinner bait with golden willows beyond and then through the school. With that I finally caught one little bass, no longer than my nose. I miss those big easy pigs from the post spawn days of early June. Where are those glorious pigs now? Gone, or lazy? Or are their stomachs already full, or are they off in some hidden, secret deep spot? Someone please tell me!

[FrogTosser88]

I fish from shore.. I will list the baits I use and in order of how successful they have been

1. Zoom super fluke.

Has landed me more fish than anything else this year.

Rigged with a 2/0 offset worm hook.. weightless most of the time.. in heavu current I will use a belly weighted hook...

One of the most versatile baits out there I believe.

2. Lunker hunt topwater frog.

Only #2 because it landed me the biggest bass of the year at 6lb.

3. Bass pro shops "sassy sally" paddletail swimbaits.

I use the white one mostly but also the black with silver flake.. bass love these things.

Largemouth, smallmouth and even croppies will eat them.

4. Jig and craw trailer...

Sometimes all they want is a jig..... you gotta learn them.

5. Senko

Motor oil with red flake has been pretty good lately..... wacky rigged seems to work best. I use the

Rubber bands to hold the hook on "O rings" with gamakatsu !wack hooks..

6. Small strike king buzzbait

The small white one right as the sun is going down has been slaying them lately..... Last few nights I have been having a blast with this thing....

Good luck dude..

And good luck findinv that swimsuit..... although I dont know how that will help

[ThatZX14Fella]

I didn't read everything, but I didn't see this mentioned. If you plan to buy new equipment (rods, reels, line, etc), buy higher end. I'm not saying blow $250 on a reel, but get at least a $100 in the rod and $100 in the reel. It is definitely worth it. Trust me, I'm a "budget" fisherman and thought my Black Max was awesome until I got a $100 reel and now I wish I had a $200 reel. I'm fixing to start saving up for a $200 spinning setup to try out.

 

As far as baits, T-rigs, jigs, and spinners. That is the three that I have the most luck on. Try to fish near boat ramps, especially ones with rock piles or debris from storms. We get a lot of tornadoes here so there is always a fair amount of floating logs near the boat ramps here and there's always bass lurking in them. Don't be afraid to cast into open water, I've caught some bass in open water at times that I would never expect.

[FrogTosser88]

One thing i did not mention... get rid of the tackle box for a backpack..

Invest in a descent backpack with a few front zipper pockets..

If you buy one of the kvd speed bags.. it comes with 3 plano boxes.

I remove them and put all my soft plastics in the bag.. I use one box for hooks, weights amd swivels etc.. one for hard baits... one for jigs and misc stuff.

Having a backpack is better than using a hand carrying

A tackle box in my opinion.

You can instead carry 1-2 rods and a beer....

Good luck

[Wpcat6611]

One thing i did not mention... get rid of the tackle box for a backpack..

Invest in a descent backpack with a few front zipper pockets..

If you buy one of the kvd speed bags.. it comes with 3 plano boxes.

I remove them and put all my soft plastics in the bag.. I use one box for hooks, weights amd swivels etc.. one for hard baits... one for jigs and misc stuff.

Having a backpack is better than using a hand carrying

A tackle box in my opinion.

You can instead carry 1-2 rods and a beer....

Good luck

I like the way you think 2 rods an a beer haha!

[Wpcat6611]

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.

#24 get a go pro camera so we can watch you catch fish!

[BassinLou]

Catching some lately from the banks in S Florida on Zoom Super Flukes, usuallly on watermelon red. Some are three to four pounders. Most are much smaller. The fluke is clearly a more subtle bait than what I usually use (salt-laden toads, big swim baits, grotesque creature baits.) So the 5" fluke is more appealling, it seems, to finicky summer bass. Eventually, I'm successful, and when I grab a bass to twist out the hook, his body is suprisingly hot, and the angry fish smells of pungent steamed algae. I'm dying to look in his stomach to see what he's stuffed himself with but I can't figure out how to do that without killing him. I see here and there in the evenings schooling bass busting frantic schools of what I thought might be shad -- but the few times the bait got chased to shore where I could see them, they looked like little dark green minnows -- a lot like my green fluke bait. Maybe they are green just from the top and are shiny silver gems from the side. Who knows. Last evening at seven I caught a few bass by tossing my fluke into the boiling mix, and though full of energy, the bass, unfortunately, were little quarter pounders. I was able to throw five or ten times a white and yellow spinner bait with golden willows beyond and then through the school. With that I finally caught one little bass, no longer than my nose. I miss those big easy pigs from the post spawn days of early June. Where are those glorious pigs now? Gone, or lazy? Or are their stomachs already full, or are they off in some hidden, secret deep spot? Someone please tell me!

 

Hawgenvy this time of year in South Florida is tough especially for bank fishing. I was consistently catching nice fish in the canals until June. July came and lights out. Are the big fish gone? Not really, I see them in the canal deep in the trenches. They are just chilling out and inactive. When they feed is what leaves me scratching my head. 

[hawgenvy]

Hawgenvy this time of year in South Florida is tough especially for bank fishing. I was consistently catching nice fish in the canals until June. July came and lights out. Are the big fish gone? Not really, I see them in the canal deep in the trenches. They are just chilling out and inactive. When they feed is what leaves me scratching my head. 

A  couple of times over the past month I've tossed some plastics at midnight.  I got bit -- by bugs. Maybe one night I'll try 2-3 AM?  I suppose I'll have better luck staying in bed and dreaming about catching bass.

[redneck3233]

Anyone fish Springfield lake up at the boat ramp we been fishing there couple times have caught few smaller catfish anyone know bank areas for bigger catfish

[BassinLou]

A  couple of times over the past month I've tossed some plastics at midnight.  I got bit -- by bugs. Maybe one night I'll try 2-3 AM?  I suppose I'll have better luck staying in bed and dreaming about catching bass.

Yeah.... staying in bed gets my vote too. LOL!!!