Bank Fishing Forum

[BuffaloBass716]

With me being a young bank fisherman, I know there are significant differences when deciding on what to throw and using different tackle then what you would do from a boat. 

 

I wish there was a "Bank Fishing" forum on here to try and limit and breakdown specific question when posted on the forum whether its from a bank fisherman or not.  This could help us that strictly fish from shore and do not have a boat, or if you are just headed out on shore for a change.

 

This is just my thinking and just a suggestion. Anyone else think it would help for us bank fisherman?

[CayMar]

Yea, I think that would be cool. I was thinking a forum for quick fire short answer questions would be cool too.

[AK-Jax86]

First I'm a bank fishermen too...

It would be cool but not really necessary. Basically any question you have can be answered here either by the search bar or simply posting.

I don't think they need to implement a bank fishing section on this site though.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

Maybe a pinned thread?

[Long Mike]

Buffalo, your point has merit, but if we created a forum for everyone who has a special interest, there would be hundreds of them.  e.g. separate forums for crankbaits, plastics, top-waters, trolling motors, etc.  By the time a member could scroll through all the forums looking for his/her particular interest, it would have been much easier to simply use the Search Function, located at the top, right of each page.

[BuffaloBass716]

Buffalo, your point has merit, but if we created a forum for everyone who has a special interest, there would be hundreds of them.  e.g. separate forums for crankbaits, plastics, top-waters, trolling motors, etc.  By the time a member could scroll through all the forums looking for his/her particular interest, it would have been much easier to simply use the Search Function , located at the top, right of each page.

True. It was just a thought. It's not a big issue, mostly just seeing if anyone else sees it the same way as "boat vs. bank". I'm guessing the majority of bassresourse users have a boat, I think a bank fishing forum would appeal to people just picking up bass fishing as well.

[coryn h. fishowl]

With me being a young bank fisherman, I know there are significant differences when deciding on what to throw and using different tackle then what you would do from a boat. 

 

I wish there was a "Bank Fishing" forum on here to try and limit and breakdown specific question when posted on the forum whether its from a bank fisherman or not.  This could help us that strictly fish from shore and do not have a boat, or if you are just headed out on shore for a change.

 

This is just my thinking and just a suggestion. Anyone else think it would help for us bank fisherman?

It is long overdue my friend.  I'm in the same boat as you.  With the exception that my parents still dictate my fishing times for the next year haha.  How's it feel to now be able to fish at will

[DocBar]

I've been boatless the last few years, but there's not a lot of difference between bank fishing and boat fishing except, casting angles, access to structure that's beyond casting distance from shore and electronics. I really miss knowing what the bottom looks like. I'm not an accomplished enough fisherman to really tell the depth or bottom composition that a lot of guys on here talk about. 

 

I grew up fishing both around 50-50, so I'm comfortable with either one. I'll use a Texas or Carolina rig, spinnerbait or crankbait ( I prefer a rattletrap chrome and blue...go figure) to search for fish, then when I find something they like, I'll try other baits/techniques to see what the big girls like.

 

The hardest part about bank fishing is not knowing what the underwater structures look like and where they are. Other than that, I use the same visual cues that guys in boats use.

 

I started rambling...sorry. I guess my main point is you should worry more about technique and choosing the right bait than whether or not you're in a boat or onshore. 2 of my top 5 personal bests have been caught bank fishing in ponds. One on private land that weighed in at 8.23 and one on a golf course (it's called Redstone now and they play the Shell Houston Open there) that weighed 7.66. Oddly enough, both were caught with a Zebco 303 and black/yellow worms and both were Texas rigged, weightless and caught before 1980.

 

I continued rambleng. Still sorry.

[BuffaloBass716]

It is long overdue my friend.  I'm in the same boat as you.  With the exception that my parents still dictate my fishing times for the next year haha.  How's it feel to now be able to fish at will

I try and get out any time a can, weather and school permitting of course.

[BuffaloBass716]

I've been boatless the last few years, but there's not a lot of difference between bank fishing and boat fishing except, casting angles, access to structure that's beyond casting distance from shore and electronics. I really miss knowing what the bottom looks like. I'm not an accomplished enough fisherman to really tell the depth or bottom composition that a lot of guys on here talk about. 

 

I grew up fishing both around 50-50, so I'm comfortable with either one. I'll use a Texas or Carolina rig, spinnerbait or crankbait ( I prefer a rattletrap chrome and blue...go figure) to search for fish, then when I find something they like, I'll try other baits/techniques to see what the big girls like.

 

The hardest part about bank fishing is not knowing what the underwater structures look like and where they are. Other than that, I use the same visual cues that guys in boats use.

 

I started rambling...sorry. I guess my main point is you should worry more about technique and choosing the right bait than whether or not you're in a boat or onshore. 2 of my top 5 personal bests have been caught bank fishing in ponds. One on private land that weighed in at 8.23 and one on a golf course (it's called Redstone now and they play the Shell Houston Open there) that weighed 7.66. Oddly enough, both were caught with a Zebco 303 and black/yellow worms and both were Texas rigged, weightless and caught before 1980.

 

I continued rambleng. Still sorry.

Agreed. Most people I see bank fishing seem to just cast anywhere they choose, with no real purpose. I try to find logs and pockets in the weeds at least in shallow areas but casting into the Niagara River from shore is basically like flying blind, not knowing the depth and topography of the bottom can be frustrating and some days yield no results.

[coryn h. fishowl]

Agreed. Most people I see bank fishing seem to just cast anywhere they choose, with no real purpose. I try to find logs and pockets in the weeds at least in shallow areas but casting into the Niagara River from shore is basically like flying blind, not knowing the depth and topography of the bottom can be frustrating and some days yield no results.

I go fishing in every pond first and find some kind of lake map.  It really does help.  I'm enlisting in the army, so hopefully this time next year I'll be fishing from a jonboat.  Hey, at least I know who to give a shout out to if I manage to make my way up there to buffalo

[DocBar]

I go fishing in every pond first and find some kind of lake map.  It really does help.  I'm enlisting in the army, so hopefully this time next year I'll be fishing from a jonboat.  Hey, at least I know who to give a shout out to if I manage to make my way up there to buffalo

I think I'm going to buy a Sea Eagle inflatable. I can add a small gas/trolling motor and a fish finder. The best part is I can haul it in my 5th wheel ( my home) and not drag it behind me. If I work in a part of the country with good fishing lakes, I'll use a resource like.....bassresource.com to find fellow fishermen to fish with.

 

I love catching fish, but I'd fish a ditch if it menat getting a hook wet. Besides, I caught a 34 lb. alligator snapper in a ditch, so it can be productive. Especially around Sheldon Resivioir outside of Houston, Tx. Might even get a small gator.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Agreed. Most people I see bank fishing seem to just cast anywhere they choose, with no real purpose. I try to find logs and pockets in the weeds at least in shallow areas but casting into the Niagara River from shore is basically like flying blind, not knowing the depth and topography of the bottom can be frustrating and some days yield no results.

 

Im sure that the case but yet could be deceiving. If you saw me at my local lake in certain spots it looks like Im just swinging for the other shoreline when actually I found areas far out on bottom that hold fish routinely. One area off a point out 100-110 feet on bottom Ill throw and hit weeds drag a few turns toward me and the weeds stop for a 15' or so then weeds again. In this opening is where bite occur. Its been this way for years I know the spot and others like it. A good sensitive rod helps as well to tell you what out there your radar in your hands.

[DocBar]

Im sure that the case but yet could be deceiving. If you saw me at my local lake in certain spots it looks like Im just swinging for the other shoreline when actually I found areas far out on bottom that hold fish routinely. One area off a point out 100-110 feet on bottom Ill throw and hit weeds drag a few turns toward me and the weeds stop for a 15' or so then weeds again. In this opening is where bite occur. Its been this way for years I know the spot and others like it. A good sensitive rod helps as well to tell you what out there your radar in your hands.

Is this with the benefit of fishing the area from a boat or due to your experience in telling what's what's by experience and/or feel? I ask because I just can't tell much what depth something is and what it's made of unless I get some of it on my hook. I do not pretend to be good at fishing though, either.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Is this with the benefit of fishing the area from a boat or due to your experience in telling what's what's by experience and/or feel? I ask because I just can't tell much what depth something is and what it's made of unless I get some of it on my hook. I do not pretend to be good at fishing though, either.

 

The lake is shore fishing only so going by experience feel feedback from rod with braid.

Once I figured this spot was producing over & over & over I took the time to try to figure why whats out there in area best I could.

[alexandboi]

Im sure that the case but yet could be deceiving. If you saw me at my local lake in certain spots it looks like Im just swinging for the other shoreline when actually I found areas far out on bottom that hold fish routinely. One area off a point out 100-110 feet on bottom Ill throw and hit weeds drag a few turns toward me and the weeds stop for a 15' or so then weeds again. In this opening is where bite occur. Its been this way for years I know the spot and others like it. A good sensitive rod helps as well to tell you what out there your radar in your hands.

 

+1

 

One of the reservoirs I fish has very little cover, so most of the time I am casting into open water. However, one of the things that help me find a spot to fish, is to look along the shorelines and my surroundings. Most of the time the shorelines and your surroundings are similar to what is in the water. For example, when I walk along the shore and see gravel along the shore I will make a cast and try to determine what else is under the water. If its something I think will hold fish I slow down and work the area thoroughly. When it comes to depth, I won't be accurate or maybe not even close, but depending on how long it takes my lure to hit the bottom, I get an estimate of how deep the water may be.

[EvanT123]

Fish opposite the way guys in boats do.

[bigbill]

I mainly fish from shore. Knowing the bottom structure and layout does tell us how and where to fish it. Using a cast out hummingbird fish finder with a wrist watch reader is a big help in the smaller places were I fish with no tool maps. Once I know we're the flats, the deeper holes, the channels and points are I'm good to pick out my lure selection to fish it.

Fishing from shore is only fishing it backwards from a boat. We just need to figure when the fish are closer to the shoreline. Understanding there movements and low light conditions is the key to success, well two of them anyway. I prefer to stand in one spot and fan cast the whole area. I do not cast my casts close to each other when fan casting. I skip around with my casts not to disturb too much water in one area so I don't spook the fish. I try to make soft casts too I don't let my lure crash the water.

When walking up to the shoreline walking softly is the key. Do not step on any rocks. It sends vibrations into the water alarming the fish. Be very stealthy, handle your tackle very quietly. Put your tackle box down very softly. Do not make any noise at all.

If your fishing in the dark make sure you organize your tackle box. Use a small lite.

I like to use locking snap swivels to change lures out very quickly too. In the dark I use five rods with five lures on them. I usually don't switch lures if the sky is starting to light up to twilite as it approaches.

I'm so stealthy and quiet it's like I'm not even there. My PB of 10#lbs. Was caught two feet from shore at a drop off when I casted parallel to the shoreline. She hit my lure as it ripped out from the weeds into the open channel. She was there the whole time I was fishing there. I didn't spook her. In the dark I'm extra quiet and stealthy.

I fish at one spot that has a low bridge on top of a man made dam on both sides of it. I have rocky points, a channel with slow moving water. Flats, submerged weeds.surface weeds at one spot, Lilly pads if I cast far enough. All on one side of the low bridge. The other side were limited to a short channel that's surrounded by thick weeds at the end if it. Making short casts to the weeds edge does catch bass. But the other side has different ways to approach fishing it. The channel is 10' deep in front of me. I have a thick weedline parallel to the channel on my right with submerged weeds going into the flats. On the left side of the channel there is surface weeds but the area is deeper. The 10' deep channel goes out as far as I can cast. It stays at the 10' depth it averages. My point is the portable fish finder maps the area.

It tells me I can throw my 10' depth lures parallel to the weedline on my right.

Every body of water in this area where I fish at has a man made dam on it.

My point is I have everything you would find fishing from a boat when fishing from shore. Knowing the exact bottom structure tells us how to fish it. Bb

[Loop_Dad]

I think it is safe to say that they are not going to make Bank Fishing Forum based on Long Mike's comment, but just in case...

 

I oppose to have a separate forum, as there are many things common between boat fishermen and bank fishermen. I fish both from boat and from bank and I do not want extra forum to search when I am looking for information.

[ClackerBuzz]

With me being a young bank fisherman, I know there are significant differences when deciding on what to throw and using different tackle then what you would do from a boat. 

 

I wish there was a "Bank Fishing" forum on here to try and limit and breakdown specific question when posted on the forum whether its from a bank fisherman or not.  This could help us that strictly fish from shore and do not have a boat, or if you are just headed out on shore for a change.

 

This is just my thinking and just a suggestion. Anyone else think it would help for us bank fisherman?

I think it's the best suggestion I've read in a long time BuffaloBass.

Bank vs boat is 2 different universes.  But I don't think a "Boat fishing" forum is need.

It's the exact reason we have a dedicated "Tournament" forum.  Fishing Tourny's is a whole different ball game. New anglers fishing small ponds from shore don't need to get swept into advanced post, youtube videos or fight off the bait monkey buying lures that realistically need to be cast on an underwater point, from a boat, using a sonar unit, in 20 FOW.

 

Bank fishing is a genre of it's own that many new anglers find themselves in.  We can help save them tons of time and money by offering them a place to start. And there are tons of veteran fisherman who spend their whole lives on the banks that have tons of information to share.  And there are anglers who have made the transition from shore to boat and have that perspective to offer new guys. I think comparing it to specific techniques like top-water, crankbaits etc is comparing apples to oranges.

 

Side note: The "Search" function on this site is confusing and ineffective depending on the page ur search from. The are really 2 search bars on this site.

#1 Article Search bar on the homepage which searches past written articles.  

#2 Forum Search bar which searches posts.

There should only be one search bar that yields all results.

From an IT perspective BR is current and a pleasure to navigate.  But the split personality search bars remind me of back in the 1990's when you'd search Best Buy for "CD player" and they used Google to power the search so articles on CD players would come up instead of their product for sale.

Edited October 28, 2013 by ClackerBuzz

[boostr]

I mainly fish from shore. Knowing the bottom structure and layout does tell us how and where to fish it. Using a cast out hummingbird fish finder with a wrist watch reader is a big help in the smaller places were I fish with no tool maps. Once I know we're the flats, the deeper holes, the channels and points are I'm good to pick out my lure selection to fish it.

Fishing from shore is only fishing it backwards from a boat. We just need to figure when the fish are closer to the shoreline. Understanding there movements and low light conditions is the key to success, well two of them anyway. I prefer to stand in one spot and fan cast the whole area. I do not cast my casts close to each other when fan casting. I skip around with my casts not to disturb too much water in one area so I don't spook the fish. I try to make soft casts too I don't let my lure crash the water.

When walking up to the shoreline walking softly is the key. Do not step on any rocks. It sends vibrations into the water alarming the fish. Be very stealthy, handle your tackle very quietly. Put your tackle box down very softly. Do not make any noise at all.

If your fishing in the dark make sure you organize your tackle box. Use a small lite.

I like to use locking snap swivels to change lures out very quickly too. In the dark I use five rods with five lures on them. I usually don't switch lures if the sky is starting to light up to twilite as it approaches.

I'm so stealthy and quiet it's like I'm not even there. My PB of 10#lbs. Was caught two feet from shore at a drop off when I casted parallel to the shoreline. She hit my lure as it ripped out from the weeds into the open channel. She was there the whole time I was fishing there. I didn't spook her. In the dark I'm extra quiet and stealthy.

How that outrank fish finder

I fish at one spot that has a low bridge on top of a man made dam on both sides of it. I have rocky points, a channel with slow moving water. Flats, submerged weeds.surface weeds at one spot, Lilly pads if I cast far enough. All on one side of the low bridge. The other side were limited to a short channel that's surrounded by thick weeds at the end if it. Making short casts to the weeds edge does catch bass. But the other side has different ways to approach fishing it. The channel is 10' deep in front of me. I have a thick weedline parallel to the channel on my right with submerged weeds going into the flats. On the left side of the channel there is surface weeds but the area is deeper. The 10' deep channel goes out as far as I can cast. It stays at the 10' depth it averages. My point is the portable fish finder maps the area.

It tells me I can throw my 10' depth lures parallel to the weedline on my right.

Every body of water in this area where I fish at has a man made dam on it.

My point is I have everything you would find fishing from a boat when fishing from shore. Knowing the exact bottom structure tells us how to fish it. Bb

Thinking about getting one of these portable fish finders, is it pretty accurate? How does it work?

[PABASS]

I think a Bank Fishing sub forum would be a welcome addition.  Around here ponds have been slowly going away due golf course going out of business and farmers selling the land, its hard to find a fishing hole anymore especially one to take my kids to.  We have lakes, streams and rivers but without a boat your area is limited and heavily fished.  A group of ponds that I fish is just impossible to fish until summer or winter the vegetation is so bad you cant fish it with anything that doesn't float.

[Felix77]

I fish from the bank as well as compete in tournaments regularly as a co-angler.  While there are some differences I don't think there are enough to warrant a separate forum.  

[SPEEDBEAD.]

To address the inability to know what is in front of you while fishing from the bank, try this:

 

Tie on a heavy carolina rig with a tungsten weight. Fan cast the areas you have access to. This will give you the ability to "feel" what is in front of you while possibly hooking a fish or two. Drag slowly and see if there are drops, transitions in bottom contour/composition or some type of structure.

 

Also, pay attention to your surroundings on the bank. Many times, they will give away (to some extent) what lies beneath the water. If you are fishing a quarry lake, generally the sides will slope down and step off as you get to the bottom. If you are fishing a farm pond in flat land, you're fishing a bowl for the most part.

[Hyrule Bass]

most of my fishing is from the bank. i look for anything underwater that doesnt look normal. like a dark patch in the water could mean an underwater rock or stump or piece of wood. pay attention to whats around the shore and in the shallowest water on the bank. is it rocky, muddy, leafy, grassy. if you start pulling in grass, youve found an underwater grass bed, now try finding the edges of it or possible pockets in it, fish the transition points.

 

i do a lot of fishing off my uncles dock at Smith Mtn Lake. last year i went in october and the water was much lower than i had seen it since ive been fishing off this dock. i took pictures of the land thats usually underwater. now i know that much more about the structure and cover of the area around the dock. located a couple stumps and large rocks i didnt know existed. fish could hold to these things. with bank fishing you dont have to learn the whole lake, just the area youre fishing. if its a smaller pond, then try to learn as much as you can about it...