Bank fishing tackle and rod question

[hawgenvy]

2 hours ago, scaleface said:

Lets say we are fishing a 100 yard long rip rap dam . Do you guys still carry all that stuff ? 

Yes, but if I'm fishing for just an hour, I usually let the caddy off after he loads the golf cart with all my crap, because I like to be totally self sufficient. Of course, there are still those three stupid secret service guys, but at least they follow me in a separate golf cart. One of them sometimes gets too close to the water and scatters the bass, but whenever I fire one of them they replace him or her with someone even worse!

[Brett's_daddy]

I bring everything I have...lol. Seriously, when I bank fish I usually bring about 2 spinning rods, 1 for swimbaits/crankbaits/buzzbaits and 1 for plastics/finesse presentations. I have a Bass Pro Shop Extreme Qualifier backpack and it is LOADED!!! I have 5 full Plano 3600 tackle trays stuffed in the bottom half and another 2 fulls 3600's plus a plano crankbait tray plus a small double-sided Plano tray for terminal tackle.

[An Outdoor Guy]

On ‎8‎/‎14‎/‎2016 at 10:18 AM, Torn Thumb said:

One spinning rod and one baitcaster, a tackle bag with 2-3 3600 boxes (one square bills and lipless cranks and one topwater almost always), and bags of soft plastics on top of the boxes, bottle of water, pliers, small box with hooks and sinkers. In my trunk is a milk crate with my extra 3600 boxes and soft plastics and some random trout stuff. I just switch out the boxes that are in the bag based on weather and where I'm fishing.

I always bring my phone so I can spam my friends with pics of every dink I catch. I highly recommend getting the 3601 boxes with the low profile if you can find them. You can fit twice as many boxes in your tackle bag that way. Lots of wasted space in a 3600 size box.

 

I have thought really hard about these!! I cant find them anywhere to see them in person though. I have lots of multiples so I'm thinking this wouldn't be great for everything I have but it would work out great with my terminal tackle.

 

16 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

I bring everything I have...lol. Seriously, when I bank fish I usually bring about 2 spinning rods, 1 for swimbaits/crankbaits/buzzbaits and 1 for plastics/finesse presentations. I have a Bass Pro Shop Extreme Qualifier backpack and it is LOADED!!! I have 5 full Plano 3600 tackle trays stuffed in the bottom half and another 2 fulls 3600's plus a plano crankbait tray plus a small double-sided Plano tray for terminal tackle and a cardboard Lucky Tackle Box for miscellaneous.

I do that to! but now its getting to the point where I'm getting really tired of carrying a full loaded backpack and 3-4 rods with me everywhere I go. Now I know I want to be prepared for anything the day can throw at me but seriously! carrying 30 pounds of tackle all along the bank can be draining!

I mean after the day is done and I realize I haven't even touched more than half of my tackle I start to think...hmm I should downsize a bit...

[Brett's_daddy]

6 minutes ago, An Outdoor Guy said:

I mean after the day is done and I realize I haven't even touched more than half of my tackle I start to think...hmm I should downsize a bit...

I do that too but then a little voice always whisper's in my ear...what if you leave the 1 lure the fish are biting today home...so I just suck it up and bring the whole backpack...lol. I usually am only going to a specific spot though and won't be moving around a lot but if I were hiking up and down the backside of some pond for an extended period a 30lb. backpack would get tiresome for sure.

[S. Sass]

On 8/14/2016 at 8:16 AM, Catt said:

Every place I bank fish I can drive right up to the bank!

To old & wore out for hiking

Same here that hiking with 100lbs or gear is for the youngins.

But say I was to come to that dam. I'm carrying one med to small tackle bag and 2 baitcasters

[Josh Smith]

In the stuff I fish, it's a good idea to bring a pair and a spare of each productive lure. I fish like "snagless" is a challenge, not a feature.

Josh

[Senko lover]

1 M spinning setup (8 pound line) for finesse stuff, weightless plastics, small poppers, etc.

1 M baitcasting setup (12 pound line) for crankbaits, bigger topwaters, smaller spinnerbaits, etc. 

1 MH baitcasting setup (30 pound braid) for texas rigs, jigs, frogs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, etc.

One school backpack with three plano boxes. One for crankbaits, jerkbaits, and topwaters. One for terminal tackle. One for jigs and chatterbaits.

Three gallon bags. One for craws/creatures, one for worms, and one for flukes/swimbaits.

One CD holder with spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.

Also included are a scale, scissors/pliers, a first aid kit, and a backup scale.

 

I've spent all my fishing history working on a good bank fishing setup. This is about as good as I can find without spending a ton of money.

[blckshirt98]

As a 100% bank guy I'll always bring - 

- Boomerang Snip attached to belt.
- All my sun protection stuff (hat, buff, sunscreen, gloves, sometimes arm sleeves if it's cold)
- Backpack - doesn't have to be a fishing specific backpack just one that's comfortable.  One thing I look for is double water bottle holders with high straps - one for an actual water bottle and one to hold any spare setups I bring.
- Water bottle in backpack
- Snacks in laptop/water bladder compartment.
- Knife clipped onto backpack.
- Long nose pliers
- Boga Grip
- Fishing license in license holder which also includes a ilttle first aid kit (disposable antibiotic pack, insect bite cream, and bandaids).
- Scent of some sort.
- (1) 3570 Plano for terminal tackle and to store any extra used plastics.  I like the latches on this better than the Pro-Latches.
- (1) 3650 Plano for hardbaits/spinnerbaits/topwater - VERY specific about the 3650 because of how you can configure the compartments to hold larger/odd sized baits.
- (1) Ziploc gallon freezer bag with soft plastics, with optional oversized baits (topwater, swimbaits); be sure to use hook bonnets.

For rods I only bring one or two - a spinning setup for finesse, and an optional casting setup for reaction baits.  It'll depend on where I'm going and what I feel like using.  The Phenix M1 7'2" MXF works for finesse and also throws smaller hardbaits comfortably (up to a KVD 1.5) so sometimes it's the only rod I'll bring.  Usually though I'll bring a crankbait rod for heavier reaction baits.

For a completely new body of water I'll bring an extra plano, Stuff some extra plastics in the freezer bag, and maybe bring a third rod.

I try to avoid bringing too much junk on the shore because I like to stay mobile to cover more water and oftentimes it's hard to find places to set down your extra rods.  The hardest part is not falling into the entrapment of bringing too many colors of the same type of softbait/hardbait to fill up your pack.  Pick 1-2 confidence colors and that's it.  Don't bring 10 different types of dropshot baits when after enough trips you realize you only use 2-3 types.  Don't bring backup hardbaits "in case you lose one in a snag".  I've seen shore guys spend too much time taking all their tackle out of their backpack to find what they want and putting it all back in.  You should be able to open your backpack and find what you're looking for in a few seconds.  Stay light and mobile like a Recon Marine, not weighed down like an Army Supply Truck.

[Steveo-1969]

When I bank fish I carry one spinning rod and one baitcasting rod. All my tackle, baits, tools, scents, etc. go into a very small tackle bag (think smaller than a loaf of bread).  If I'm wading then it's only one rod and the same tackle bag.

[Cgolf]

For me a medium to medium heavy slow tipped rod, seems to come of snags better, for soft plastics and cranks and maybe a medium baitcaster for cranks. 

For baits a few shallow and maybe medium depth cranks depending where I am at, a couple of top waters and a lipless bait. Soft plastics would be a small box of prerigged Ned's and some other prerigged plastics in colors to suit the water and cover I am fishing. I carry a small amount of terminal tackle, lip gripper, piers and a scale in a 3500 size bag  

The beauty of bank fishing is generally you are going to be fishing shallower water so that helps to limit the baits needed. I tend to stick with the KISS principle here. Even the last trip to the lake in the boat for 2 hours I didn't take out much more than that either.

[jr231]

On 8/14/2016 at 0:17 AM, jtharris3 said:

Generally I have 4 baitcasting and 2 spinning outfits in the truck with me. I generally take a max of three rods to the bank. The rest stay in the truck. I have one of the green tackle bags from Cabela's which holds 6 - 3600 boxes and a smaller Plano 3600 soft side bag which holds 3 - 3600 boxes in the truck. Depending on what I need for where I am fishing I'll generally carry the Cabela's bag. If I am looking at a substantial walk to my fishing spot I'll gear down and carry the Plano bag. I like to be prepared for whatever situation that I am fishing.

Sounds like you're carrying your whole arsenal with ya. I have a backpack with some planos (3-4) plus 3 small)  A guide series tackle box that holds 4 large planos and top storage. And a small Plano bag that holds 2 medium sized and 2 small ones.  If I'm bank fishing anywhere that someone else has access too. I leave my backpack and big box at home ! I take the small pack and spend more time fishing than changing lures. I like to have a variety so I bring a little of everything. But the main reason I only take a small bag for bank fishing is because I know someone (whom like many brought ALL his stuff with him ) who had their vehicle broken into and took all of his tackle. He was so upset. He was an avid crank bait user and lost over 125 plugs. Mostly rapala and some he had for decades. I learned from his experience and only take what I plan on using before I get there. Less to pack. Less to worry about. Less to dig through.  Less decisions. More fish. 

[cdailey]

On 8/15/2016 at 1:23 AM, hawgenvy said:

12 rods, all my lures, tools, extra line, pain meds, an ice chest with food and drinks, a portable fan, a radio, a golf cart, and a caddy. And a hat.

ha, what are you driving a seatless school bus?

[DogBone_384]

I use a SpiderWire tackle backpack for all my fishing (it has two integrated rod holders).  When I beat the bank I carry a M/F baitcast setup and one ML spinning, both two piece rods.

[An Outdoor Guy]

On ‎8‎/‎15‎/‎2016 at 2:33 PM, Senko lover said:

1 M spinning setup (8 pound line) for finesse stuff, weightless plastics, small poppers, etc.

1 M baitcasting setup (12 pound line) for crankbaits, bigger topwaters, smaller spinnerbaits, etc. 

1 MH baitcasting setup (30 pound braid) for texas rigs, jigs, frogs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, etc.

One school backpack with three plano boxes. One for crankbaits, jerkbaits, and topwaters. One for terminal tackle. One for jigs and chatterbaits.

Three gallon bags. One for craws/creatures, one for worms, and one for flukes/swimbaits.

One CD holder with spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.

Also included are a scale, scissors/pliers, a first aid kit, and a backup scale.

 

I've spent all my fishing history working on a good bank fishing setup. This is about as good as I can find without spending a ton of money.

This is basically my exact setup, only difference is the line and what I keep in my bags/boxes, you don't think all that is a little much?? I've come down to bringing what you have mentioned here and an extra draw string bag that I will put the stuff I'm using for the day in. I'm going to try for 1 Plano box and 1 gallon bag of plastics (probably worms). and 2 rods. I'm trying to get rid of my spinning setup and replace it with a M/F bait cast but I don't think its going to be very good throwing light stuff.

 

On ‎8‎/‎15‎/‎2016 at 2:59 PM, blckshirt98 said:

As a 100% bank guy I'll always bring - 

- Boomerang Snip attached to belt.
- All my sun protection stuff (hat, buff, sunscreen, gloves, sometimes arm sleeves if it's cold)
- Backpack - doesn't have to be a fishing specific backpack just one that's comfortable.  One thing I look for is double water bottle holders with high straps - one for an actual water bottle and one to hold any spare setups I bring.
- Water bottle in backpack
- Snacks in laptop/water bladder compartment.
- Knife clipped onto backpack.
- Long nose pliers
- Boga Grip
- Fishing license in license holder which also includes a ilttle first aid kit (disposable antibiotic pack, insect bite cream, and bandaids).
- Scent of some sort.
- (1) 3570 Plano for terminal tackle and to store any extra used plastics.  I like the latches on this better than the Pro-Latches.
- (1) 3650 Plano for hardbaits/spinnerbaits/topwater - VERY specific about the 3650 because of how you can configure the compartments to hold larger/odd sized baits.
- (1) Ziploc gallon freezer bag with soft plastics, with optional oversized baits (topwater, swimbaits); be sure to use hook bonnets.

For rods I only bring one or two - a spinning setup for finesse, and an optional casting setup for reaction baits.  It'll depend on where I'm going and what I feel like using.  The Phenix M1 7'2" MXF works for finesse and also throws smaller hardbaits comfortably (up to a KVD 1.5) so sometimes it's the only rod I'll bring.  Usually though I'll bring a crankbait rod for heavier reaction baits.

For a completely new body of water I'll bring an extra plano, Stuff some extra plastics in the freezer bag, and maybe bring a third rod.

I try to avoid bringing too much junk on the shore because I like to stay mobile to cover more water and oftentimes it's hard to find places to set down your extra rods.  The hardest part is not falling into the entrapment of bringing too many colors of the same type of softbait/hardbait to fill up your pack.  Pick 1-2 confidence colors and that's it.  Don't bring 10 different types of dropshot baits when after enough trips you realize you only use 2-3 types.  Don't bring backup hardbaits "in case you lose one in a snag".  I've seen shore guys spend too much time taking all their tackle out of their backpack to find what they want and putting it all back in.  You should be able to open your backpack and find what you're looking for in a few seconds.  Stay light and mobile like a Recon Marine, not weighed down like an Army Supply Truck.

This is what I'm shooting for in terms of a load out!! I have way to many senkos just in different colors....same for ribbontails...and everything else I have lmao!

[Senko lover]

1 minute ago, An Outdoor Guy said:

This is basically my exact setup, only difference is the line and what I keep in my bags/boxes, you don't think all that is a little much?? I've come down to bringing what you have mentioned here and an extra draw string bag that I will put the stuff I'm using for the day in. I'm going to try for 1 Plano box and 1 gallon bag of plastics (probably worms). and 2 rods. I'm trying to get rid of my spinning setup and replace it with a M/F bait cast but I don't think its going to be very good throwing light stuff.

 

This is what I'm shooting for in terms of a load out!! I have way to many senkos just in different colors....same for ribbontails...and everything else I have lmao!

Different strokes for different folks. Some people bring a boatload and some people bring very little.

If you're trying to get rid of stuff, go through all your baits, keep one or two key colors, and take something out if you haven't used it in the last month or so.

[soflabasser]

On 8/13/2016 at 6:13 PM, An Outdoor Guy said:

So I'm wondering what kind of tackle and rods do you guys bring bank fishing? I feel like I have WAY to much tackle for a bank fisherman... I have 3 Plano 3700 boxes filled with tackle. and another one filled with terminal tackle. and 2 gallon freezer bags full of plastics.... along with 5 different rods. I have them all in my car at all times but I'm wondering what would you bring for banging the bank?? tackle and rods please. thinking I could get rid of the deep divers..DT6 -DT14, XD series ect. but I don't know...

 

The amount of rods and tackle I bring with me depends on where I am going to fish, what I am going to target, and for how many hours I will be fishing.Most of the time I carry 2 rods,a backpack with 2 Plano boxes filled with lures, couple meal replacement bars,and a couple bottles of water.

[fishwizzard]

How do you guys stand carrying two or more rods?  I tried it once and the amount of time wasted fussing with the second rod just killed me.  I tend to bring a single rod, usually a ML or M spinning rod and a small chest pack of lures.  I usually bring the following general categories, a topwater or sub-surface lure, a "swimming" lure, and a "dragging" lure.  These are usually soft plastics and I try to pick ones that can use the same hooks.  If there is room in my pack I will toss in the odd hard bait but when I am bank fishing I like to travel light and that means plastics.  

I am currently hunting for the "perfect" tackle sling, one with a flyfishing "workbench", exterior points to strap a coat or jacket onto, and will hold a 3600 box, a 3500 box, and 3-4 bags of plastics.  It can't hold more, or I will jam it full and kill my back 

[jtharris3]

On August 16, 2016 at 0:00 AM, Yeajray231 said:

Sounds like you're carrying your whole arsenal with ya. I have a backpack with some planos (3-4) plus 3 small)  A guide series tackle box that holds 4 large planos and top storage. And a small Plano bag that holds 2 medium sized and 2 small ones.  If I'm bank fishing anywhere that someone else has access too. I leave my backpack and big box at home ! I take the small pack and spend more time fishing than changing lures. I like to have a variety so I bring a little of everything. But the main reason I only take a small bag for bank fishing is because I know someone (whom like many brought ALL his stuff with him ) who had their vehicle broken into and took all of his tackle. He was so upset. He was an avid crank bait user and lost over 125 plugs. Mostly rapala and some he had for decades. I learned from his experience and only take what I plan on using before I get there. Less to pack. Less to worry about. Less to dig through.  Less decisions. More fish. 

I'm carrying most of my stuff. But, my fishing spots are generally within sight of my vehicle so no worries. If I'm in for a hike I just gear down and take all of my stuff with me. 

[blckshirt98]

17 hours ago, Bunnielab said:

How do you guys stand carrying two or more rods?  I tried it once and the amount of time wasted fussing with the second rod just killed me.  I tend to bring a single rod, usually a ML or M spinning rod and a small chest pack of lures.  I usually bring the following general categories, a topwater or sub-surface lure, a "swimming" lure, and a "dragging" lure.  These are usually soft plastics and I try to pick ones that can use the same hooks.  If there is room in my pack I will toss in the odd hard bait but when I am bank fishing I like to travel light and that means plastics.  

I am currently hunting for the "perfect" tackle sling, one with a flyfishing "workbench", exterior points to strap a coat or jacket onto, and will hold a 3600 box, a 3500 box, and 3-4 bags of plastics.  It can't hold more, or I will jam it full and kill my back 

I see shore guys bringing 4-5 setups and wonder how they manage as well.  I usually see them just lay their rods on the bare ground, which is something I don't like to do (I baby my gear).  Sometimes just bringing 2 setups annoys me because I'll leave one setup leaning up against a bush, start casting and walking along the shore to cover water, and next thing I know I need to walk back 50 yards to retrieve my other setup.

[An Outdoor Guy]

4 hours ago, blckshirt98 said:

I see shore guys bringing 4-5 setups and wonder how they manage as well.  I usually see them just lay their rods on the bare ground, which is something I don't like to do (I baby my gear).  Sometimes just bringing 2 setups annoys me because I'll leave one setup leaning up against a bush, start casting and walking along the shore to cover water, and next thing I know I need to walk back 50 yards to retrieve my other setup.

BAHAHA!! I do this every freaking time I go fishing!  

 

I just spent a couple hours going through everything and have come up with this solution. I have my "main" backpack with everything I own in it that I will leave in the car and only bring if I'm going in a boat. and I now bring a draw string backpack that I have 1 Plano 3600 box filled with every bait that I use minus soft plastics. and 1 gallon freezer bag of worms and half a freezer bag of ribbon tails and one senko bag of mixed trailers.

seriously this is so much better than carrying my massive backpack full of everything I own  I rarely use my spinning rod anymore now that I have a medium fast baitcast rod that throws basically everything my spinning rod does. even weightless senkos. so now I'm down to 2 rods, a MH/F baitcast and a M/F baitcast.