Bank Fishing At Park Lakes

[clh121787]

Live bait minnows and crawfish. Keep all legal fish eat them.

[Heron]

Live bait minnows and crawfish. Keep all legal fish eat them.

Tried that too.   Got skunked each time.   Surprisingly, but that's got to work eventually.   Maybe after 12-15 hours of fishing time.

[Heron]

Have you explored the fact that maybe it's just a little stunted lake without good numbers?

I have considered that as well actually.  Its hard to say for sure.  On one hand, the DNR says this lake is stocked and managed as a trophy lake.  On the other hand, they say its also stocked regularly with Tiger Muskie.  

 

Honestly Im thinking the primary reasons for the lack of action from shore, is the combination of over fishing, and plenty of off-shore cover that is available outside of casting range.

[Heron]

I have considered that as well actually.  Its hard to say for sure.  On one hand, the DNR says this lake is stocked and managed as a trophy lake.  On the other hand, they say its also stocked regularly with Tiger Muskie.  Im not entirely sure just how accurate either of those statements are.

 

Honestly Im thinking the primary reasons for the lack of action from shore, is the combination of over fishing, and plenty of off-shore cover that is available outside of casting range.

[FishTank]

 

I have considered that as well actually.  Its hard to say for sure.  On one hand, the DNR says this lake is stocked and managed as a trophy lake.  On the other hand, they say its also stocked regularly with Tiger Muskie.  Im not entirely sure just how accurate either of those statements are.

 

Honestly Im thinking the primary reasons for the lack of action from shore, is the combination of over fishing, and plenty of off-shore cover that is available outside of casting range.

 

 

 

 

Where are you at and what lake?  

 

I fish a lot of small town lakes and state park lakes.  I went today and caught 12-15 fish in about 7-8 hours.  The lake I was at gets fished heavily and we had a heavy rain yesterday so I am surprised at how well I did.  I don't think I have ever gone 12-15 hours and only caught one fish on my favorite lakes.   For me when the bite slows down, I fish slower, mainly weightless soft plastic (senkos and fat ikas)  Not sure why this works, but it has been my general rule of thumb for years.

 

It sounds like the fish have moved away from the bank and are gathering around one area at the time you are out there.  For me, when this happens, I get there early, 6 am'ish and fish till noon.  They seem to be chasing bait fish at about this time during summer at most of my honey holes.  I also fish off the bottom and again slowly.  It may take me 5 minutes per cast. 

[deep]

Is your catch rate better in other lakes?

[kcdinkerz]

Have you've talked to any local boaters and see how they do? Only a few would tell you the truth but doesn't hurt to ask

[Heron]

Is your catch rate better in other lakes?

Yes, but there are only one or two other smaller residential lakes that are not on public parks.  Then there are a couple of ponds that have been more productive.

 

In those areas I can pull 4-6 fish per hour, average size of 11-15in.

[Heron]

Have you've talked to any local boaters and see how they do? Only a few would tell you the truth but doesn't hurt to ask

I have, generally boaters do better, and this is due in part to the fair abundance of off-shore cover, such as subsurface standing timber.

[fishballer06]

Town lakes are seriously overfished. The fish there are "educated." Try moving to a more secluded lake. 

 

I agree. I live in Pittsburgh, so any water that is public and easily accessible from shore gets pounded hard. The chances of catching fish from those lakes is tough. The catch percentages that the OP posted about are about the same here. 

 

To add to the "educated" fish part.. The one thing that I think makes catching fish in these ponds even tougher is the fact that they're basically fed daily with nightcrawlers and minnows from all the shoreline bobber fishermen. 

[Logan S]

Many anglers over-emphasize fishing pressure.  It definitely has an effect, but it doesn't turn fish into geniuses that ignore everything...They can still be caught without resorting to extreme measures.  Don't worry so much about it, there is not much you can do about it anyway.  Also, heavily pressured spots are usually heavily pressured for a reason, they hold fish .  While being way out in a remote spot is usually a good thing, sometimes there is a reason no one else is out there!

 

The lake you described sounds similar to one here, don't know what your location is...But there is a popular lake here in MD that is in a park, stocked with Tiger Muskies, and managed as a 'trophy' lake by DNR.  If it actually is the same lake, I can tell you that there is no shortage of bass living there.  I can see that it would be difficult to bank fish as the access spots are somewhat limited...But you should be able to adjust and improve your catch rate.  Next time you go, try fishing with a light shakeyhead (1/16 or 1/8) and a 5" straight tail worm (GP, black, or any watermelon variation).  If you need more distance, use a bigger worm instead of a bigger head.  The slow/gliding fall triggers many strikes.  Try to fish areas that you think are deeper than 8' and have some grass.  Fish it slowly and don't be surprised to have a fish eat it on the initial fall.  You've probably tried some variation of this, but keep it tied on focus more on where you are fishing instead of changing baits.  Feel free to shoot me a PM if you think we are talking about the same lake.  

 

If it's not the lake or even same area, well then disregard...

[Heron]

 

Many anglers over-emphasize fishing pressure.  It definitely has an effect, but it doesn't turn fish into geniuses that ignore everything...They can still be caught without resorting to extreme measures.  Don't worry so much about it, there is not much you can do about it anyway.  Also, heavily pressured spots are usually heavily pressured for a reason, they hold fish .  While being way out in a remote spot is usually a good thing, sometimes there is a reason no one else is out there!

 

The lake you described sounds similar to one here, don't know what your location is...But there is a popular lake here in MD that is in a park, stocked with Tiger Muskies, and managed as a 'trophy' lake by DNR.  If it actually is the same lake, I can tell you that there is no shortage of bass living there.  I can see that it would be difficult to bank fish as the access spots are somewhat limited...But you should be able to adjust and improve your catch rate.  Next time you go, try fishing with a light shakeyhead (1/16 or 1/8) and a 5" straight tail worm (GP, black, or any watermelon variation).  If you need more distance, use a bigger worm instead of a bigger head.  The slow/gliding fall triggers many strikes.  Try to fish areas that you think are deeper than 8' and have some grass.  Fish it slowly and don't be surprised to have a fish eat it on the initial fall.  You've probably tried some variation of this, but keep it tied on focus more on where you are fishing instead of changing baits.  Feel free to shoot me a PM if you think we are talking about the same lake.  

 

If it's not the lake or even same area, well then disregard...

 

Well, never said anything about there being a shortage of bass in these waters.   The fish are definitely there. 

[Flippin4Biggins]

Try throwing some finesse stuff. Senkos, Roboworms on shakey heads, ect may get you some extra bites

 

Just be different. A lot of fish on pressured body's of water see the same things over and over every day.

Keeper...... I second this.... I can bet a lot of these guys aren't throwing a drop shot, or a soft jerk bait of some sort. Also if the water is big, the channels which the fish travel along all day at be to far out to reach for post spawn which is what I'm in rigjt now and some on the tail end of spawning. But nonetheless be different. And if your only getting that one bite a day..... What size are you throwing? Maybe your baits bigger then the forage. I have a town lake that's not pressured at all and no matter what spinner or crank I toss I won't get bit unless I drop down to 1/4oz spinner or an inline. And even then I can still stick a 3lber. Maybe you could also try a big swimbait. I know nobody throws big swimbait in my lakes. Maybe it will bring out a bigger fish. Or like said before.....find a different lake.

[Heron]

 

Many anglers over-emphasize fishing pressure...I only partialy agree.   In the cases when the lake shores are part of a public park that gets visits from hundreds of people and scores of anglers, possibly everyday, then Id say their concern is on point, and so far, is consistent with my findings.   It definitely has an effect, but it doesn't turn fish into geniuses that ignore everything...They can still be caught without resorting to extreme measures.  >>Don't worry so much about it, there is not much you can do about it anyway.<<...Well this is kind of my point, Im getting the impression that this is about as good as its ever gonna get from shore.   Also, heavily pressured spots are usually heavily pressured for a reason, they hold fish ....Not really.  In this case they are highly pressured because it is a park, in a populated area, which also happens to have a lake..that is all.       While being way out in a remote spot is usually a good thing, sometimes there is a reason no one else is out there!...Sometimes, means the exception, not the norm.   Catching fish from shore here, has become the exception, not the norm. 

 

The lake you described sounds similar to one here, don't know what your location is...But there is a popular lake here in MD that is in a park, stocked with Tiger Muskies, and managed as a 'trophy' lake by DNR.  If it actually is the same lake, I can tell you that there is no shortage of bass living there.  I can see that it would be difficult to bank fish as the access spots are somewhat limited...But you should be able to adjust and improve your catch rate.  Next time you go, try fishing with a light shakeyhead (1/16 or 1/8) and a 5" straight tail worm...Ive done 1/8oz t-rig on a roboworm before, but not 1/16oz.   (GP, black, or any watermelon variation).  If you need more distance, use a bigger worm instead of a bigger head...Done this many times, this did not produce anything.   The slow/gliding fall triggers many strikes...Agreed, I favor the Senko for that, but the 5" Senko fails miserably.  No surprise though, more than likely these fish have seen a thousand Senkos by now.   Only the 3" Senko so far has produced anything on a slow fall.  Try to fish areas that you think are deeper than 8'...I fish areas that range from 8-10ft to 30ft.  and have some grass...I do, however, the fish I have caught, have not been consistent with vegetation.   Instead theyve been more consistent with large cover or deep water access.  Fish it slowly and don't be surprised to have a fish eat it on the initial fall.  You've probably tried some variation of this, but keep it tied on focus more on where you are fishing instead of changing baits.  Feel free to shoot me a PM if you think we are talking about the same lake.  

 

If it's not the lake or even same area, well then disregard...

 

 

 

Thanks.

[Logan S]

Thanks.

Plenty of fish are caught from shore and by boat on these heavily fished lakes.  

 

Shakeyhead has a different fall than both the Texas Rig and the weightless Senko.  It's a different presentation.  With smaller/finesse baits, the fall is as important as anything else.  It sounds like you "know" too much about what will work and what won't...But by your own admission everything you "know" is only producing 1 fish every 12-15 hours....Keep an open mind, there is always something to be learned.   

 

My PM offer still stands, as I still have a feeling we're talking about the same place...Up to you .  

[Heron]

Let me give a brief run-down on what I use, what has been productive, and when.

 

> Most fish have been caught on swimming baits that create vibration and/or flash.   So, Spinnerbaits, Buzzbaits, Chatterbaits, and Swimjigs.  

 

> 1 fish has been caught on a jig.

 

>  The fish seem to have a preference for skirts.  So no fish has been caught so far, on any soft plastic bait that was without a skirt.  Whether it be a t-rig, shakeyhead, drop shot, or other.   Except for a curly tail grub.   That happened twice.

 

>  I go to the lake 2-3 times a week, for about 3 hours each visit.  My last fish was a 2lber caught on June 12.  Before that was a 5lber and a 3lber caught on May 25th.   Before that was a 2lber caught on May 19th.  Then a 4lber on May 8th....etc, etc.,etc.    This is kinda how it has been going for about the past three years.  

 

> Didnt catch much in June, because in June I started to change things up and investigate this issue.   My most productive rig, anytime, anywhere, for fish of any size....has been the 3inch Senko.   As mentioned before, it has proven to be a solid fish catcher in other waters (that were not park waters).   5-6 fish that were 11-15" in only one hour, is not uncommon.   Take little Senko to this park lake, if I cast it to the right places, I should have the expectation, on average, to catch at least the same as in other lakes, or a minimum of 2 Bass (of any size)per 3-hour visit.   So far I am barely making that minimum.    

 

The primary difference between the productive waters, and the non productive waters -> public park locations. 

[Heron]

Plenty of fish are caught from shore and by boat on these heavily fished lakes.....Ok, sounds good....define "plenty."   Ive caught plenty of fish.   But the amount of fish most people elsewhere, catch in one season, or if I dare say, in one month, I have caught in 3 years. 

 

Shakeyhead has a different fall than both the Texas Rig and the weightless Senko.  It's a different presentation...Thanks, I'll try it. 

[Heron]

To be honest, Id be thrilled if this was a case of me doing things wrong.....because that part is easy to fix. 

[kcdinkerz]

If that's how the lake is then I would just key in on bigger fish. I have a few where I go to catch dinks, and one or two that I know holds big fish. Catching is fun but I don't mind just fishing lol.

[HoosierHawgs]

This is an important thing to think about. Lots of people say imitating the forage isn't important for bass, but it is. I don't catch fish on a football jig in lakes or at times when bass are keying on shad. Why? Because a brown football jig dragged on the bottom doesn't look like shad! I've caught too many fish to count, one just a few weeks ago, where the bass spit out whatever was in its gullet, and it looked EXACTLY like my bait. To the T.

[Heron]

This is an important thing to think about. Lots of people say imitating the forage isn't important for bass, but it is. I don't catch fish on a football jig in lakes or at times when bass are keying on shad. Why? Because a brown football jig dragged on the bottom doesn't look like shad! I've caught too many fish to count, one just a few weeks ago, where the bass spit out whatever was in its gullet, and it looked EXACTLY like my bait. To the T.

I agree.....however, I suppose the fish at this particular lake are not keying on 3" senkos yet, like the fish are in most other lakes/ponds. 

 

Consider this......This has been an experiment, and the 3" senko is being considered as my "control group," so to speak.  Why? Well because it gets fish consistently, anywhere, everywhere, at nearly any time.  So with that, it serves the purpose of cancelling out the need for behavioral considerations like, matching the hatch.  It has been consistent elsewhere, that regardless what the fish may be keying on at the time, there is always some fish, at some point in time, that is going to whack the 3" senko.   So then, for the purpose of trying to understand what is going on at this park lake, the little senko has become sort of a, standard of measurement.   

This standard gives me a better grasp on what the predominate factors might be that are affecting this lake.  And so far, its looking mostly like a people problem....among other things. 

 

Over the weekend, I went to another lake that is part of a public park, and encountered the same problem - 3.5 hrs, no fish.    After that, I visited a neighborhood lake that is not part of a recreational park.....got 4 fish in about an hour.  Actually mightve been less than an hour.  I was crunched for time at that point, so I was kind of in a rush.

[bassr95]

Try using google maps to find new ponds to fish. It doesn't sound like that spot is worth your time.

[Heron]

Try using google maps to find new ponds to fish. It doesn't sound like that spot is worth your time.

Already have been.  Im in full scout mode.

[hatrix]

It could just be that the lake blows. There is a few park lakes I go to that get hardly any pressure and it is 90% live bait when it is and they suck. Its rare I ever see someone fishing while I am there. It's mostly people hiking or walking their dogs. Then there are some places I almost alwas see people and they actually use a variety of lure and not just bait. They are way better then the aformentioned places. It does seem though the super though places were bites are few and far between seem to land me big bites. I catch some nice fish out of them but it's a grind.

[Heron]

It could just be that the lake blows. There is a few park lakes I go to that get hardly any pressure and it is 90% live bait when it is and they suck. Its rare I ever see someone fishing while I am there. It's mostly people hiking or walking their dogs. Then there are some places I almost alwas see people and they actually use a variety of lure and not just bait. They are way better then the aformentioned places. It does seem though the super though places were bites are few and far between seem to land me big bites. I catch some nice fish out of them but it's a grind.

Yeah, Im certainly satisfied with the quality of most the fish Ive been getting from this park lake.  And while fishing from the bank with normal sized baits, does bring with it, some inherent handicaps,  I definitely dont expect to be catching loads of fish each time.    But man, this 3 fish per month stuff, is getting pretty old.   Id be thrilled to find a happy medium somehow.