Bank Fishing Forum

[boostr]

The funny thing about thIs thread is; the op was asking if there could be a bank fishing forum... now he has one. Once this thing gets more replies it should be stickied.

[boostr]

This will help me out alot also, for I am a bank fisherman as well.

[KyakR]

I went from bank to my yak. I think a pinned thread on bank fishing would be great. Not just for info. As bigbill shows, bank fishing is as much a craft as boat fishing is........might be nice for bank fishermen to have some support, as sometimes they're looked down upon. boostr, I have have this terrific Humminbird portable fishfinder for my yak! Worth every penny! Piranha 165. There's even a better one, also portable. I don't know as much as the guys on the "boats" forum here....they could really steer you right.

[boostr]

I went from bank to my yak. I think a pinned thread on bank fishing would be great. Not just for info. As bigbill shows, bank fishing is as much a craft as boat fishing is........might be nice for bank fishermen to have some

support, as sometimes they're looked down upon. boostr, I have have this terrific Humminbird portable fishfinder for my yak! Worth every penny! Piranha 165. There's even a better one, also portable. I don't know as much as the guys on the "boats" forum here....they could really steer you right.

Actually there is a wireless fish finder or depth finder that you tie to your line and cast out and you have little Monitor that will show you the feed back of the sensor that you have cast out. I think that's what one of op has.

[Catt]

Very simple salutation here guys

Start you a thread about bank fishing here under General Bass Fishing & see who is committed enough to keep it going.

Under Central Bass Fishing I started "So Y'all Want To Learn Toledo Bend" on Aug. 07, 2008. We have 178 pgs, 2,656 replies, & 296,202 views!

Notice I said "we", because it'll more than one person to keep it going.

[ClackerBuzz]

i'm like speedbead i use a lure as my eye's under water, specifically a jig. but i'm very interested in what comes back on ANY hook. i learned it shore fishing and now apply it to boating as well.

I like when vibrant green weeds come back on my hook b/c i know i am in a 'fishy area'.  the healthy weeds mean lots of oxygen and aquatic life for bass to feed on and live in.

i also like dead leaves. it usually means the area has good oxygen and is a deeper pocket. i've caught many nice fish where i find decomposing leaves.

and i like the jig to feel rocks, pebbles, wood etc.

fountains are awesome b/c they provide cover and oxygen but they eat lures so stick I with weedless and weightless senkos. or a very light bullet/texas rig if i need casting distance.

on the opposite end i don't like slimy green algae coming back. i'll toss a frog and quickly more on.

[Fishes in trees]

I don't think that a separate forum for bank fishermen is a bad idea.  Granted, you probably don't want to have a forum for every sub-genre out there, but I think that there are enough bank fishermen on this site that have questions pertaining to bank fishing that probably a separate forum would work..

[BuffaloBass716]

I didn't expect this many people to reply! haha. I realize that sub-categories can get confusing and pointless to some extent,  maybe a pinned thread would work better.  Like other people said, more people are stuck at the back because of the cost of owning a boat or being new to the sport.  With more and more people joining the forum, this could help them get started and keep less relevant replies out. 

[tatertester]

Great idea......A bank fishing section makes total sense.

[bigbill]

Actually there is a wireless fish finder or depth finder that you tie to your line and cast out and you have little Monitor that will show you the feed back of the sensor that you have cast out. I think that's what one of op has.

We have two of the hummingbird wireless portable fish finders you cast out. I have one rod setup with braided line for using it. It works awesome. One has the wristwatch screen and the other has a box reader. They are great for reading the bottom layout. I use it first at every new body of water. Then I know which depth lures I can use. This tool gives us shore fisherman more of an edge. It's just a pod we cast out then it sends the signal/info to the wristwatch screen. The fish also show up on the screen too. But once I learn the bottom layout, the depth and structure I'm ready to fish it.

It takes the guess work out fishing, less lost lures by knowing the depth. We were poking holes when the ice was on to learn the bottom layout before the portable casted out fish finder was offered. My son's would drill thru 22"+ of ice so we could measure the depths and figure out where the holes and the flats were. When we got the portable fish finder we went back and tried it and found out all our info we took by drilling holes in the ice using a 2oz sinker and mason line marked at every foot was true.

[AK-Jax86]

We have two of the hummingbird wireless portable fish finders you cast out. I have one rod setup with braided line for using it. It works awesome. One has the wristwatch screen and the other has a box reader. They are great for reading the bottom layout. I use it first at every new body of water. Then I know which depth lures I can use. This tool gives us shore fisherman more of an edge. It's just a pod we cast out then it sends the signal/info to the wristwatch screen. The fish also show up on the screen too. But once I learn the bottom layout, the depth and structure I'm ready to fish it.

It takes the guess work out fishing, less lost lures by knowing the depth. We were poking holes when the ice was on to learn the bottom layout before the portable casted out fish finder was offered. My son's would drill thru 22"+ of ice so we could measure the depths and figure out where the holes and the flats were. When we got the portable fish finder we went back and tried it and found out all our info we took by drilling holes in the ice using a 2oz sinker and mason line marked at every foot was true.

 

that sounds interesting I am going to look into them. I remember seeing an ad in a magazine a while back but I didn't know how effective it would be. Good to know you have had success with them I may ad this to my Christmas list.

[boostr]

We have two of the hummingbird wireless portable fish finders you cast out. I have one rod setup with braided line for using it. It works awesome. One has the wristwatch screen and the other has a box reader. They are great for reading the bottom layout. I use it first at every new body of water. Then I know which depth lures I can use. This tool gives us shore fisherman more of an edge. It's just a pod we cast out then it sends the signal/info to the wristwatch screen. The fish also show up on the screen too. But once I learn the bottom layout, the depth and structure I'm ready to fish it.

It takes the guess work out fishing, less lost lures by knowing the depth. We were poking holes when the ice was on to learn the bottom layout before the portable casted out fish finder was offered. My son's would drill thru 22"+ of ice so we could measure the depths and figure out where the holes and the flats were. When we got the portable fish finder we went back and tried it and found out all our info we took by drilling holes in the ice using a 2oz sinker and mason line marked at every foot was true.

Which one is better, the wristwatch our the monitor (box), and how much do they go for?

[michang5]

I've been fishing small ponds and a quarry lake since July and I estimate that

• 70% of the fish I've caught have been in relation to some sort of visible cover or structure:
  • the drop-off of the quarry lake
  • next to a wall of cattails or tall grasses
  • shallow areas
  • submerged grass (for frogs)
• 15% have been just chucking the lure out into open water and "hey, I caught one"
• and 15% have been from dragging a Carolina rig and finding a grass bed underwater

 

I'd like to be able to find and catch more relating to underwater structure. Probably the Hummingbird portable fish finder is going to be the best way to accomplish that. But I also want to buy a baitcasting setup... Need more funds!

[BassinLou]

Bank fishing forum is a great idea. It is really needed? I don't think so. Like someone said earlier, pin it and leave it in the General Fishing Section. This topic will help a lot of people. I bank fish 80% of the time and tips and advice are always welcome. Great polarized glasses is great  tool to have while bank fishing. They allow the angler to see many things that are vital in catching fish.  

[Long Mike]

Due to popular request, this thread is now pinned.  Now, we will wait and see how much participation we have.  I hope that it is considerable.

[coryn h. fishowl]

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.

Just one more reason for braid DocBar

[coryn h. fishowl]

I've been fishing small ponds and a quarry lake since July and I estimate that

• 70% of the fish I've caught have been in relation to some sort of visible cover or structure:
  • the drop-off of the quarry lake
  • next to a wall of cattails or tall grasses
  • shallow areas
  • submerged grass (for frogs)
• 15% have been just chucking the lure out into open water and "hey, I caught one"
• and 15% have been from dragging a Carolina rig and finding a grass bed underwater

 

I'd like to be able to find and catch more relating to underwater structure. Probably the Hummingbird portable fish finder is going to be the best way to accomplish that. But I also want to buy a baitcasting setup... Need more funds!

Wood and surface vegetation are my favorite cover to hit from the bank.  The bass seem to tolerate you coming closer.   In fact, I usually flip/pitch to these areas from shore

[Bruce424]

I like this idea a lot!!! And fishing the bank is absolutly different. Great areas you can't get from shore. Sliding down steep hills to get to the water. Worrying about rod height and hitting tree limbs. Taking undefined trails to get to a spot. Not having trails to get to a spot is a big deal. Then having to deal with ticks, snakes etc. And not being able to take everything with you. Two maaaayybbbeee three rods and A tacklebag. Plenty of differences from fishing a boat

[michang5]

I'm really debating whether I should get a baitcasting setup to go with my spinning gear. I only fish from the bank.

I've been throwing 20lb. Power Pro braid with and without 12lb. fluoro leader. My best fish has been 3lbs. I mostly catch 1-2 pounders using a variety of rigs and lures -- Senkos, 1/4oz. weighted Carolina rigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, soft jerkbaits, and frogs. I recently started fishing 1/4-3/8oz. arky and swim jigs. I doubt I will ever throw crankbaits because I loathe treble-hook lures.

From the posts around BR, a baitcasting setup will give me more retrieve power, ability to use heavier weights, and better pitching accuracy. Depending on whom you read, I might also get more casting distance.

Breaking it down:

- I don't current fish heavy cover as there isn't a lot of heavy cover in the ponds I fish. So I'm not trying to horse 10 pounders out of dense grass.

- other than chatterbaits and the 3/8 jigs, I don't currently think my rod is overloaded. Maybe getting a BC will allow me to upsize my C-rigs to 1/2 and 1 oz weights. Or pitch heavier t-rigs to what little heavy cover there is.

- I could always use more accuracy, but I suspect I can get more accurate with my spinning gear if I just practice more.

- and more distance would be great, and maybe that comes with heavier lures that a BC would allow. There have been a few times when I wish I could get another few yards.

Are y'all hitting the banks with multiple rods in hand? Are you using them each time you're out? And the million-dollar question: Are you catching more fish than you did when you only had one rod? Thanks for your thoughts.

[alexandboi]

I'm really debating whether I should get a baitcasting setup to go with my spinning gear. I only fish from the bank.

I've been throwing 20lb. Power Pro braid with and without 12lb. fluoro leader. My best fish has been 3lbs. I mostly catch 1-2 pounders using a variety of rigs and lures -- Senkos, 1/4oz. weighted Carolina rigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, soft jerkbaits, and frogs. I recently started fishing 1/4-3/8oz. arky and swim jigs. I doubt I will ever throw crankbaits because I loathe treble-hook lures.

From the posts around BR, a baitcasting setup will give me more retrieve power, ability to use heavier weights, and better pitching accuracy. Depending on whom you read, I might also get more casting distance.

Breaking it down:

- I don't current fish heavy cover as there isn't a lot of heavy cover in the ponds I fish. So I'm not trying to horse 10 pounders out of dense grass.

- other than chatterbaits and the 3/8 jigs, I don't currently think my rod is overloaded. Maybe getting a BC will allow me to upsize my C-rigs to 1/2 and 1 oz weights. Or pitch heavier t-rigs to what little heavy cover there is.

- I could always use more accuracy, but I suspect I can get more accurate with my spinning gear if I just practice more.

- and more distance would be great, and maybe that comes with heavier lures that a BC would allow. There have been a few times when I wish I could get another few yards.

Are y'all hitting the banks with multiple rods in hand? Are you using them each time you're out? And the million-dollar question: Are you catching more fish than you did when you only had one rod? Thanks for your thoughts.

 

The way I see it is, use whatever you are comfortable with. Although, it doesn't hurt to try a baitcasting combo, who knows you may like it better. As far as accuracy goes I personally am a little more accurate with casting gear, although anyone can get accurate with either one. It just takes a little practice. Overall I think I cast just about the same with both spinning and casting gear, but again I think it has a lot to do with experience, since a lot of people tell me that they cat further with casting gear. 

 

I usually carry 2 rods with me, one casting and one spinning. I can't say if I am catching more fish, but it does make it easier to switch lures, and two rods lets you do more things. For carrying, find a back pack with the rod carrier/holder on the side. It'll keep your hands free and you won't have to worry about people stepping on your gear. 

[DocBar]

Just one more reason for braid DocBar

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.

[DocBar]

I'm really debating whether I should get a baitcasting setup to go with my spinning gear. I only fish from the bank.

I've been throwing 20lb. Power Pro braid with and without 12lb. fluoro leader. My best fish has been 3lbs. I mostly catch 1-2 pounders using a variety of rigs and lures -- Senkos, 1/4oz. weighted Carolina rigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, soft jerkbaits, and frogs. I recently started fishing 1/4-3/8oz. arky and swim jigs. I doubt I will ever throw crankbaits because I loathe treble-hook lures.

From the posts around BR, a baitcasting setup will give me more retrieve power, ability to use heavier weights, and better pitching accuracy. Depending on whom you read, I might also get more casting distance.

Breaking it down:

- I don't current fish heavy cover as there isn't a lot of heavy cover in the ponds I fish. So I'm not trying to horse 10 pounders out of dense grass.

- other than chatterbaits and the 3/8 jigs, I don't currently think my rod is overloaded. Maybe getting a BC will allow me to upsize my C-rigs to 1/2 and 1 oz weights. Or pitch heavier t-rigs to what little heavy cover there is.

- I could always use more accuracy, but I suspect I can get more accurate with my spinning gear if I just practice more.

- and more distance would be great, and maybe that comes with heavier lures that a BC would allow. There have been a few times when I wish I could get another few yards.

Are y'all hitting the banks with multiple rods in hand? Are you using them each time you're out? And the million-dollar question: Are you catching more fish than you did when you only had one rod? Thanks for your thoughts.

I usually only take 2 rods with me when bank fishing: a medium heavy extra fast and a medium fast. I usually use 10 or 12 lb test mono and I'll fish every single lure I own with either set up.

 

I grew up fishing BC's and definitely prefer them but I've been using a spinning rod the last 6 months or so and I'm getting the hang of it. Distance seems much easier with any weight on a spinner but my accuracy has suffered. Good casting with lighter lures makes up for that and I've caught some fish that I wouldn't have with a BC, IMO.

 

My advise would be to buy the best BC set up you can afford and see how you like it. Before you ever try and cast it, watch some videos on how to set up your BC and keep rats nests out of it. Then be patient and really learn how to tune the reel to the bait you're fishing. The magnetic brake systems on different BC's take a little getting used to as well as the spool tensioner(that's what I call it, anyways).

 

Since I've started using a spinning set up, I'll probably take 2 or 3 rods with me. One will definitely be a spinner. The versatility of having both is awesome. I've got a little grasshopper crankbait that just kills fish in certain situations  and I get much better distance with a spinner than  BC. That distance is the difference between getting the lure in the strike zone, ready to fish, and getting it in the strike zone and peeling off line to clear a rats nest.

[AK-Jax86]

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.

 

I have yet to lose a lure from the braid breaking... but getting snagged and having to cut my line now that's a different story lol. I am a frequent lure to tree contributor lol

[JTMONEY606]

i would love it.

[CDobber]

I personally love the idea of a pinned/separate sub-board, as I find myself fishing 85% from shore due to time constraints or the fact that our boat is a pontoon and that usually means towing kids around on a raft and/or them jumping into the water from one end of the boat while I try to fish from the other.  

 

I have looked into some portable fish finders but haven't yet come across one that got me to jump at it.  I haven't developed enough feel to use a lure as my eyes....I can usually tell grass from something more solid...and am quite unsure if I'm correctly reading bites as its been months since I've actually landed a fish...and would love to use diagnostics to rule in or rule out some of the places I've tried from shore that haven't produced for me.  One interesting one I liked the concept of was called ReelSonar (now apparently called iBobber), but it was still in a prototypical type phase and have never seen an update on the product...but it used a GPS/smartphone app, something I'm always carrying anyway.  The wristwatch concept is equally interesting and not something I've seen yet, the closest I've read about was Humminbird Fishin Buddy, but that sounded like the unit stayed with you and you simply threw a line into the water.  Amazon reviews of Hawkeye/Humminbird type portables were lukewarm the last time I looked into them.

 

I have a quarry 5 min from the house that I just know holds bass, and have caught some smaller ones over the last 2 yrs of trying....and I can see a lot of interesting structure above and sometimes below the water surface, but the water clarity is usually pretty dark and thick, even though the max depth is probably 10'.  I was out there on Sunday and had never seen it so clear, really hoping the clarity holds out where I can take some pictures and maybe even take waders out to grab some measurements and see where drop-offs are, how far out I need to cast to reach different areas, etc.  I even had the thought of getting a bunch of holes in ice this winter to do this if need be, as I know it would help my success rate immeasurably, not that ANY catch would jump that rate right about now tenfold.