Summer Time Fishing From The Bank

[lokus]

I'm heading out this Sunday to a lake in PA and will be fishing from the shore as I don't own a boat. It's my first bass outing so I'm new to all of this. I've located a few nice locations, if they are accessible. I was going to try using a Carolina rig to help me better understand the lake and to also help me get deep from the shore. I was also considering trying a crank bait to get into deeper waters. I also have a spinner bait and tackle for a Texas rig. Do you think starting off using a Carolina rig may be the best general approach to starting out fishing during this time of year?

[Brian6428]

Personally, if I were going to be fishing from shore this time of year I wouldn't bother with trying fishing deep. Yes, fishing deep is all the rage right now on these forums, but it is very impractical for shore fisherman. Even in a boat with side scan, down scan, sonar and topo maps those deep-water sweet spots are hard to find.

 

That said, here is what I would be doing:

 

Set the alarm. The fish are going to be shallow and most active in the early morning and late evening. I prefer mornings. Try to be on the lake by first light. Try fishing buzz baits, poppers, chuggers, or really any topwater. This is also a good time for T-rigged plastics. Depending on the day, the fish may stay shallow where you can catch them all day, or they may pull off the banks as soon as the sun rises.

 

Good luck!

[Yeti]

I exclusively fish from the bank here in AZ and while it is difficult to get deep, it's not impossible. That being said, even when it's 105 at 8AM here, I have found fish shallow (<10 feet of water). I would echo Brian's thoughts about going in the early morning, trying to get there before sunrise and fishing with the sun behind you. I always seem to spook a lot of fish when coming up on the shoreline, so having the sun behind you makes it harder for them to spot you. 

 

As far as lure selection, if you know where they are, stick with the T-rig. I have more luck fishing Texas Rigged from shore due to being weedless. Without knowing where they are, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and lipless cranks are what I usually use to locate them. Good luck and drink plenty of water.

[ericwont]

All I do is shore fish. Boats are all the rage nowadays but you can still pull in some pretty nice fish from the shore.

 

I've never touched a Carolina rig when bass fishing. Only when catfishing (yuck.)

 

Honestly, using a natural colored senko on a Texas rig is a great place to start. I like to just use this and target some shady spots along the weeds and try to pull them out. Once I have a few on the board for the day I throw on a spinner or a chatter or something of the like to try to pull in a nice sized one. 

 

Good luck!

[CJV]

What lake in PA are you fishing I may be able to help you.

[einscodek]

I concur, stick to the weeds and lily pads shallow.. you cant reach the deep anyhow in most places.

Definitely scout out the lake via topo map and local reports.. dont waste your time.

[lokus]

What lake in PA are you fishing I may be able to help you.

Lake Galena (Peace Valley Park). 

[nascar2428]

When I go to new water I always like to fan cast an area with a moving bait of some sort, followed up with some sort of t-rigged plastic even if I do not get any bites with the the moving bait.

[lokus]

I'm heading out tomorrow. Wish me luck! I'm gonna start with a buzz bait or rebel pop-r. Fingers crossed

[Fishes in trees]

Me, If I were in that situation I'd throw a weightless Tx rigged senko or senko imitator.  I might use a 3/32 lead nail weight stuck into the tail.  If that didn't work, I'd try a different color.  If that didn't work, I'd try another different color.  If you're bank fish in in the summertime, I think the tx rigged senko is the way to go.  I don't know that I'd mess with anything else, maybe something top water - maybe.