POLL: We need a Pond/Bank fishing forum!!

[Fishes in trees]

I used to be a meat fishing bank fisherman - out of necessity.   I learned a lot of stuff that transferred to fishing larger waters that I gained access to over the years.  And yet, there is a body of knowledge that I don't use very often because I don't pond fish or bank fish at all any more.   I think that it is a definite, separate skill set, i.e. getting good at fishing from the bank of ponds, watersheds and so forth.   How much trouble can it be to try it and see where it goes?   If it goes no where fast, then don't try it any more.

[MDBowHunter]

Even though I rarely bank fish anymore I voted yes. After checking out the resume forum and realizing that it hardly even gets any posts, most are years old. The custom rod forum isn't used a whole lot either. I'd be willing to bet that if a bank fishing forum was added it would get more traffic then either of the forums mentioned above. Just my .02, besides would could it hurt?

[MFBAB]

Here are a few more distinctions to Bank/Pond fishing as opposed to Boat/Big Lake fishing (Which I love as well, BTW):

NO SONAR: Even the most basic boat these days has at least 2d sonar, and most will have DI or SI also at this point.  I guess bank fishermen could get one of those castable bobber things if they were a true masochist, but we all know it's a stop gap at best  

NO NAVIONICS: There's not one small pond I know of, and I've got a long list of them, that has a contour map available.  That's another almost basic tool for boat fishermen on a reservoir, and it's a huge game changer if you use that and start learning about structure. 

*STRUCTURAL OBSCURITY: This is just saying that most of these little ponds aren't just flooded landscapes, they are often just literally dug out of the ground.  What this means is that the bank or the lay of the land tells you nothing about what's under the water.  In a reservoir, a ridge on land turns into a point under water, not so in a dug out borrow pit...It can be all deep, all shallow, a mix, it can have a few rock piles in it or not, some will have little levees/roads running across underwater, you name it, but you have to find this stuff all on your own and from the bank, because they almost never allow any boats  

*I have patented this term, please send me $1 via Paypal whenever you read or use these 2 words together in this order

 

It's obviously not all bad fishing from the bank, I'm just pointing out some glaring differences as opposed to fishing from a boat.  I like the simplicity of fewer rods, less equipment, takes less time to go on a fishing trip, far less expense, less pressure on many (not all) ponds, the creativity bank fishing demands to solve some of the problems that are just simple givens for a boat fisherman (just move the boat, just turn on the sonar, etc.) is a welcome challenge as well. 

But it IS a different thing, IMO. 

[Deleted account]

12 hours ago, Bruce424 said:

Someone who says fishing from the bank is no different than a boat never balanced themselves on a fallen tree trunk over water to make a cast. Or slid down a steep bank to get to a spot. Or had to deal with ticks, spiderwebs or angry geese!! Haha. 

Done that and much more. Fallen trees are 101, cardboard box to slide down bluff, layers with taped cuffs, drier sheets, skin so soft, and shower checks for the ticks, cobwebs you leave alone, little league bat for the geese, but none of these things have anything to do with fishing. It's like saying boat fishing is different because your old POS Mercury won't start...

[MFBAB]

17 hours ago, reason said:

A resounding no. Other than getting thorns in your ass there is nothing different from fishing from a boat or fishing from shore. There is already too much arbitrary compartamentation in LMB fishing. I'm surprised fishing from shore isn't a "technique" yet.

In a nutshell:

You can replicate bank fishing from a boat - just pull up to the shore, dump out about 80% of your tackle, turn off the electronics, and start fishing....but you can't replicate boat fishing from the bank, no way no how.  It's not complicated  

[Hog Basser]

This seems to be a very divisive topic and I can't figure out why.  I'm new here, so I may be missing something.  I would like to make a specific suggestion akin to what I posted about earlier in this thread.  

New Forum Name: Pond Walkers, Bank Stalkers, and Pond Management Forum

Description:  Everything pond and bank fishing, including discussion on pond management techniques.  Link to articles from pond management experts and discuss what works/what doesn't when managing smaller, private waters.  

I would be happy to add plenty of content and pictures on pond management and fishing.  I've scoured every article in the fish and lake management section of Bass Resource and it's a big reason I love the site.  I would definitely like to have a place to talk about it now that I'm getting into the practice of pond management on my own property.  

This is VERY different from fishing public lakes and large waters, lots of the philosophies for big lake fishing go out the window when you're trying to manage your pond for your specific goals.  I think bringing these like-minded individuals together in this forum would be very beneficial to the site.  There is already an entire section of articles devoted to it here, why not discuss it?

[MFBAB]

Hog Basser, have you checked out Pond Boss magazine or their forum?  Bob Lusk (magazine editor and forum owner) wrote some of the pond articles posted here and I think he is or was a member here at one time.  There are some very knowledgeable  pond management guys over there!

[Felix77]

I have been fishing seriously going on 5 years now.  My 1st 2 were strictly on the bank with the exception of the tournaments I fished as a co-angler.  The last two I toggled between bank beating and a kayak.  IMO from a fishing standpoint there is no difference.  You still need to assess the conditions and adjust your presentations accordingly.   Since presentations are situation specific that is why I feel like there is no "real" difference.

I highly doubt a forum section dedicated to bank fishing is going to help me with my balance on a fallen tree or with tips on how to slide down a steep bank to get to a spot.  For that I watch Survivorman or Bear Grylls.  

[Hog Basser]

1 minute ago, MFBAB said:

Hog Basser, have you checked out Pond Boss magazine or their forum?  Bob Lusk (magazine editor and forum owner) wrote some of the pond articles posted here and I think he is or was a member here at one time.  There are some very knowledgeable  pond management guys over there!

I enjoy Bob Lusk's articles the most!  His stuff is much easier to read than some of the more scientific-minded writers.  I think there is some sort of partnership here with Pond Boss Magazine, just not sure how it works.  I didn't realize they had their own forum, will have to check it out.  Thanks MFBAB! 

5 minutes ago, Hog Basser said:

I enjoy Bob Lusk's articles the most!  His stuff is much easier to read than some of the more scientific-minded writers.  I think there is some sort of partnership here with Pond Boss Magazine, just not sure how it works.  I didn't realize they had their own forum, will have to check it out.  Thanks MFBAB! 

Okay, I checked out their forum and there is a lot of good information, but I can't stand the format of the site.  The layout and background makes it difficult for me to work through, I like it here much better.  I would still like a pond management forum here for discussion among peers.  IMO this site is head & shoulders above the rest and sees a lot more activity than others, so I think it could support this idea easily.  

[SoFloBassFiend]

13 hours ago, Bruce424 said:

Someone who says fishing from the bank is no different than a boat never balanced themselves on a fallen tree trunk over water to make a cast. Or slid down a steep bank to get to a spot. Or had to deal with ticks, spiderwebs or angry geese!! Haha. 

You may be very correct, however HOW you get to the place where your going to make your next cast would be of nobodies interest. Once your bait hits the water, the color, bait itself, and presentation are what most are here to learn. That remains true whether fishing from a platform or the shore. The never ending pics of places inaccessible on foot will be posted asking how others would go about getting to said spot.... It would get old quick. 

One major problem with speaking about pond management on a public forum then creates the illusion that just ANYONE can go out and "manage their" waters. Pond management is meant for private waters and should be talked about on private forums. 5 years from now a management forum without the supervision of PROFESSIONALS and some of our waters could be doomed. 

[Hog Basser]

Personally, I prefer to research what the professionals say in the numerous articles also located on this site.  And I would consult professionals before taking on any large project.  But a private pond manager is ultimately responsible for his waters and the decisions he/she makes.  People like to talk about and share their projects and what has worked/not worked for them in the past.  It is just another discussion about the love of fishing and raising your own fish.  I think the people involved in these forum discussions are smart enough to figure out they can't apply these principles to public water if that's what you're talking about.  Plus, there are enough resources on this site to promote the research and opinions of professionals thoroughly and dispel any wrong or hurtful notions.  The main difference between public and private waters is catch & release vs. selective culling of fish to maintain a healthy fish population.  I think this distinction and discussion around it for private waters is much needed.  There are all types of fisherman with many different philosophies, healthy discussion about all these philosophies will only help promote better understanding of the great sport of fishing from every angle.  

[Deleted account]

2 hours ago, MFBAB said:

In a nutshell:

You can replicate bank fishing from a boat - just pull up to the shore, dump out about 80% of your tackle, turn off the electronics, and start fishing....but you can't replicate boat fishing from the bank, no way no how.  It's not complicated  

According to what you just wrote, one is a subset of the other, ergo you are making my point. I fish from shore and boats from 3 acre ponds to the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and everything in between. I know it may not seem like it at times, but fishing is fishing.

[Choporoz]

13 hours ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

I dont ever really view individual forums just have set up to view posts since last visit, all the forums are jumbled together.

The thing is those that dont want one wouldnt have to go to it if they didnt want to, if they view forums separately. But I have a feeling if there was one the ones that voted NO would be in there rambling their 2cents.

I might have worded it differently, but I think I have the same sentiments.  I don't use sub-forums for reading.  I don't much bank fish anymore...(but, a little.)  So, I probably shouldn't even be allowed to vote...but I voted 'yes'

[gardnerjigman]

21 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Nope.

Just start your own "MFBAB's Pond/Bank fishing" thread . . .

Catt started a "So Yall Want To Learn Toledo Bend?" on August 8th 2008  !

Over the past 7 years plus it has generated 202 pages of useful responses and counting . . . . . .

A-Jay

Best answer 

[MIbassyaker]

I don't know if there "should" be a forum specifically for ponds and banks. But I'm another who doesn't understand why it should be a contentious issue. And I'm unimpressed by the argument that bank and boat fishing tactics are the same, therefore no forum of narrow bank/pond interest would be of value -- that only makes sense from the perspective of somebody who has not actually tried searching for practical bank fishing advice, and had to wade through post after post describing tactics that assume on-the-water mobility and positioning, deep water access, electronics, etc.

Edt: And yes, of course, you can search for thread topics, but that's true of every other topic too, including those that already have a forum dedicated to them. A straightforward compromise might be to identify a forum or two that would benefit from a dedicated pond/bank thread, create one and sticky it.

[MFBAB]

1 hour ago, reason said:

According to what you just wrote, one is a subset of the other, ergo you are making my point. I fish from shore and boats from 3 acre ponds to the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and everything in between. I know it may not seem like it at times, but fishing is fishing.

I thought when I wrote that post that it was worded a little too simplistically, but if you think I'm making your point I believe you are sadly mistaken.  Read back a little and address the some 10+/- distinctions I have made.

As far as being a subset, what do you think I am suggesting here?  Obviously I am suggesting a sub-forum for this topic.  No one is doubting that Pond/Bank fishing for bass isn't a subset of bass fishing as a whole.

Smallie fishing is a subset of bass fishing w a forum, tourney fishing (and also bass clubs?) is a subset of bass fishing w a forum, etc... ad nauseum. 

Forgive me, who is making whose point again? 

Here are some other examples of sub-forums:

 

gardnerjigman,

I already addressed the "super-thread" suggestion.

Catt's thread is about a regional lake and it's in the regional lake section, that makes perfect sense. Catt nor anyone else ever suggested a Toledo Bend sub forum, that would be absurd. 

The comparison here is apples to oranges.

And also, a super-thread is everything compressed under one  massive heading.  There are 197 pond specific (and many more if you broaden the search terms slightly) topics in the last 2 years, I have no idea how many posts there are within those topics, but the point of this is that if there was a sub forum, all of those threads and new ones would be located in one place, under their own headings, in a way that people could actually use the information in a constructive way without having to go searching around. 

2.5 to 1 are for it so far, the sub forum that is  

[Glenn]

We create new forums based upon existing, natural demand, meaning if there is ALREADY enough chatter surrounding a specific topic for years that warrants breaking them out to a new category.

For example, we recently created a new forum for rod builders.  Why? Because there have been thousands of posts on this topic dating back many years.  In addition, those posts were interfering with the tacklemaking threads, making it difficult to sort out and find the tackle making vs. rod building posts.  So we created a new rod building forum, and we imported just the last two years of rod building posts into the new forum, which was already over 30,000 posts!

There are nowhere near that amount of bank/pond fishing-specific posts here.

Plus, the "build it and they will come" approach doesn't work.  We've tried that before with disasterous results.  If the chatter doesn't already exist, then attempting to force it by creating a new forum for it won't change that.

And finally, although I recognize that it's super-important to somebody because they always catch fish on a black & white 3/8 oz copper willowleaf spinnerbait, and it's THE main way they always catch fish, we will not be creating a "Black & White 3/8 oz Copper Willowleaf Spinnerbait" forum, just because a few people feel very strongly about it.  Unless, of course, there's an overwhelming volume of posts on the topic spanning multiple years.

So, sorry, no new "bank fishing/pond fishing" forum for now.

That said, if you want an extremely useful thread that's specific to pond/bank fishing, then A-jay said it best:

In fact, if I recall, one such thread was started about this same time last year, but people lost interest eventually, and it faded away.  Do a search for it and you might be able to resurrect it.

[JRammit]

Great idea!

I was shore bound for most of my fishing life.. And every article i ever read or any show i ever watched catered to the boat fisherman

I got a little 12' jon boat 4 years ago, and still most of what i see/read revolves around the use of expensive electronics

It would be great to share ideas, tips and techniques with those on the same playing field!