Bankfishing Tips?

[jacob2000]

Most of the time as of now I bank fish when I can, so any tips about bank fishing?

[Joedodge]

Walk softly, fan cast, truly try an learn the waters you fish. When a bait is really working or the fiah are biting take note of the weather, baits and technique used. Remember it! And avoid letting your shadow hit the water the fish see you waaayyyyy before you see them

[Senko lover]

Crouch down and present a bait quietly. Biggest thing I've learned over the last year. Fish that hold close to the bank are spooked very easily.

[bigbill]

Walk softly, don't step on tree roots above the ground, don't step on rocks, be very, very, stealthy like your not there.

Handle your tackle very quietly. Wear dark colored clothes not bright ones. If you can see the fish they can see you.

Don't let the bail on your spinning reel snap shut.

Close it by hand quietly. I don't use bait casters because of the click after you cast. Be freaking quiet. It works, try it.

Don't fan cast in order, next to your last cast. Jump around. I start at the the left side. Next cast in the middle, next cast to the far right. Next cast along side your first left cast. I call it skip casting. Keep on jumping over casts. This keeps the spooking the fish down.

I figured out so many things I was doing wrong. Well let's say things I could do better.

[DocNsanE]

Start with a finesse presentation, I like wacky but whichever you prefer. Cast to the bank before you get there and work your way out. Make multiple presentations to any structure you see. Once you have exhausted that bite, try a second finesse presentation. Then you can start thinking about a crankbait or a swimbait or something that covers more water. Finally you can go with something loud like a buzzbait or bladed jig.

 

 

Why?

 

Well if you start by bombing that buzzbait 50 yards and catch one at the end of the cast, who knows how many fish you may have spooked as you battle that one in. Going quietly from an inside-out fan cast will spook less fish and keep more potential catches in the area longer.

[ABW]

Pack lightly. Bring what you have confidence in and fish those baits. If you want to build confidence in a bait, only bring that bait when fishing and force yourself to use it.

[lectricbassman]

I try to match my clothing to the environment and i sneak around like a ninja.

[BassinLou]

Here is an older thread for Bank fishing that received numerous posts and good tips. Enjoy the read. 

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/126667-bank-fishing-forum/?hl=%2Bbank+%2Bfishing

[RanndomUndead]

i tend to fish as far back as i can, As much as 10 ft depending on what im using.

Also, its nice to just sit down and fish on the banks, not as visible and nowhere near as many vibrations.

The other big thing ive learned come into play is color of clothes, stick to neutrals for the environment that wont make you stick out

[RanndomUndead]

Pack lightly. Bring what you have confidence in and fish those baits. If you want to build confidence in a bait, only bring that bait when fishing and force yourself to use it.

Id only do this with 30+ lb braid on, because if that bait gets snagged in a tree...ill be pulling the tree down before i cut my line with only one bait

[EmersonFish]

Most people spend too much time bank fishing at areas that are easy to get to. These areas get hammered by fishermen, and often are not that good in the first place. Put in the effort to get to areas that don't get fished often.

If you don't mind walking, getting dirty, getting a spider on you once in a while, and are not real terribly allergic to poison ivy, you can get to areas that boats, and 99% of bank fishermen never get to on a lot of bodies of water. You'll be surprised how shallow fish will be throughout most of the year if you go to those gnarly areas.

Learn to make all kinds of casts, because you'll constantly be flipping, pitching, and roll casting under, over, around and between all kids of things. If you have one relatively short rod, with a nice tip, but plenty of backbone, that helps. I use a 6'4" Falcon Lowrider rod that is made for spinnerbait fishing, but is great for sneaking through the bushes. Other times you might need the heavy artillery like a flippin' stick for pads and weeds, depending on what you find out there.

I never remember to use it, but some kind of spray to keep the ticks off od you is probably a good idea. Put everything you need in a fanny pack or small back pack. Travel light. Take note of anything you wish you had brought, so you are better prepared next time, but resist the temptation to bring the farm with you.

[lectricbassman]

Another thing ive found is once ive found a place to start fan casting i try to remain as still as possible. I dont even move my feet if i can help it until im ready to move on to the next spot. Ive found that sometimes a spooked fish will come back to the area.

[Brayberry]

I like too use shorter rods for bank fishing, mostly 5'6" rods.  It's much easier to cast around trees bushes and such with less rod

[Ozark_Basser]

Get good at casting. Accuracy is of course important, but get good at your backhand and skipping. It really helps you get to places other bank anglers don't.

[Heron]

I like to match the hatch, so I try to stick to wearing clothing that has neutral colors with baitfish printed on them.

[Ozark_Basser]

Also learn to fish a dropshot.

[Mccallister25]

With all due respect, some of this sounds crazy to me! I bank fish exclusively, and don't take a great deal of "precaution" when hunting these fish.

I assume your not fishing for money, etc. when bank fishing. Just for personal enjoyment.. Just fish! I catch plenty when walking normally, talking to buddies, standing with my shadow in the water, stopping to throw a dip in..

Seems to me the fun is lost when I have to start worrying about my reel clicking, or having a certain piece of clothing I'm obligated to wear.

Just go out, leave the world behind for a bit, and fish.

[Heron]

With all due respect, some of this sounds crazy to me! I bank fish exclusively, and don't take a great deal of "precaution" when hunting these fish.

I assume your not fishing for money, etc. when bank fishing. Just for personal enjoyment.. Just fish! I catch plenty when walking normally, talking to buddies, standing with my shadow in the water, stopping to throw a dip in..

Seems to me the fun is lost when I have to start worrying about my reel clicking, or having a certain piece of clothing I'm obligated to wear.

Just go out, leave the world behind for a bit, and fish.

Im going to have to kinda agree with you on that.

 

Every situation is different, but Ive found no evidence so far in my areas, that suggests using a great deal of precaution will allow you to land more fish.   Sure you can minimize it, but fish get spooked...thats just how it is, its in their nature, and at times, it is unavoidable.

 

Just fish and be merry. 

[Heron]

If you do fish at the bank, be very very careful, not to foul-hook one of the bank tellers.  she will not be happy a'tall. 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

With all due respect, some of this sounds crazy to me! I bank fish exclusively, and don't take a great deal of "precaution" when hunting these fish.

I assume your not fishing for money, etc. when bank fishing. Just for personal enjoyment.. Just fish! I catch plenty when walking normally, talking to buddies, standing with my shadow in the water, stopping to throw a dip in..

Seems to me the fun is lost when I have to start worrying about my reel clicking, or having a certain piece of clothing I'm obligated to wear.

Just go out, leave the world behind for a bit, and fish.

 

X3 on this My bright yellow shirts seem to be an attractant clear water sunny days 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[deep]

Pick a reservoir where your casts can reach structure that fish might be using depending on the season.

[cbadra2]

Go weedless! It'll make your time and effort worth while (not to mention saving money on baits). Texas rigged soft plastic, senkos, weedless swimbaits and flukes are awesome. My favorite is a split shot rig with a small 4 inch Texas rigged finesse worm. It's tricky to throw in some areas (it's a long finesse Carolina rig), but is killer from shore! I use a 10 pound braid main line with a 12-18'' 6-8 pound test floro leader, I pinch on a bullet shaped 1/8 to 1/4 ounce split shot above braid to leader knot and use a no.1 strait shank light wire offset worm hook. You can cast it a mile and cover tons of water. Just drag it slowly back to shore and hold on! I fish some golf course ponds in FL and all of the above are productive. Here's a video where I use Texas rigged plastic, and a weedless swimbait from shore... Go get "em!!! 

 

[Drew03cmc]

I have taken to using a weedless Ned Rig from shore lately with 15/4PP and a Seaguar 8lb leader. The results have been five bass in an hour or so fishing the last few days.

[Dogmatic]

Pack out more than you packed in...nothing ruins the reputation of ALL fisherman more than the garbage(Styrofoam containers, cans,plastic wrappers, line ect.)left behind by a few inconsiderate bank fisherman.

[Matthew2000]

Well fish the cover well make Parellel casts to the bank some people often forget to do that. Don't get stuck using one retrieve.