Bank fishing?

[Jartbek]

Have been having a tough time catching bass lately and learning more and more each day I use the fan like technique and everything but still having hard time choosing the right color of lure so I been using the lure cast it twice in one direction then fan it then change to something different and it gets frustrating that I have just taken a break and just been worm bobber fishing. Any advice on choosing right lure be great.

[pondbassin101]

What are the weather conditions? What's the water clarity/temperature? Are the bass actively feeding, if they are then on what?

 

These  are some questions you should ask youreself when bass fishing. Once you have those answered the right lure should be picked accordingy with color based on natural forage and water clarity. The right lure can make all the difference in the world, you most likely won't catch a bass on a spook in the afternoon on a sunny, clear day and that goes for everything.

 

My 0.001 cents

 

 

[LxVE Bassin]

I don't know where you are located but you want to have different presentations on hand if you have you have multiple rods. I primarily fish from the bank and a wacky rigged stick bait seems to get bites when things get tough. What type lure are you fan casting? A lot of bass spawning in my area so fan casting while fish are up shallow on beds wouldn't yield any results. Give us some more details and we will be able to give insight. As far as colors, that debate can go on forever.

[pondbassin101]

4 minutes ago, LxVE Bassin said:

I don't know where you are located but you want to have different presentations on hand if you have you have multiple rods. I primarily fish from the bank and a wacky rigged stick bait seems to get bites when things get tough. What type lure are you fan casting? A lot of bass spawning in my area so fan casting while fish are up shallow on beds wouldn't yield any results. Give us some more details and we will be able to give insight. As far as colors, that debate can go on forever.

 

When going gets tough, go finnesse

[ThePolkFolk]

The hardest part about fishing...is finding the fish. Especially for bank fishing. Do you know any background info on the waters you are fishing?

 

Before any trip to a new lake, I will try to bust out some topo maps for the water. Looking for any structure that may hold some fish, I'll mark them on a paper map, then I use Google Earth to see if there is any cover in the same area. I find it even more important in bank fishing since shoreline access can be pretty limited.

 

Even for lakes I frequent, if I land fish in a new area, then I will mark it and review it later to see if there was any structure/cover that the fish were holding on.

 

Once you find out where the fish are hanging out the rest will come easy.

[scaleface]

How to catch fish is a riddle that everyone has to try and solve each outing . Makes no difference if your a novice or KVD . Its usually a matter of elimination and when something is not working then eliminate it .

[Jartbek]

1 hour ago, LxVE Bassin said:

I don't know where you are located but you want to have different presentations on hand if you have you have multiple rods. I primarily fish from the bank and a wacky rigged stick bait seems to get bites when things get tough. What type lure are you fan casting? A lot of bass spawning in my area so fan casting while fish are up shallow on beds wouldn't yield any results. Give us some more details and we will be able to give insight. As far as colors, that debate can go on forever.

What I carry is Culprit worms, zoom u tails, black and silver fluke, green black flake creature bait, tappeared stick worm that changes from watermelon green to blood red depending on water temp, and small red/black spinner

[LxVE Bassin]

Try wacky rigging those stick baits weightless. I recommend using 2 o-rings because they will make the bait last longer but that's optional. Let it sink to the bottom and then twitch it on the retrieve. Play with the retrieve in different ways to entice bites. Try paralleling your cast to the bank and any vertical structure if there is any. Bass should be up in shallow around this time of year. Once u find them u will will tear them up every time. Go finesss and let me know how that works out for you.

[roadwarrior]

"Just Getting Started"
Guaranteed To Catch Bass
I just cant catch bass
Learning to fish on your own
 

 

 

[Crestliner2008]

What has been said here is correct. And do not forget the golden rule (Buck Perry's that is). Focus on depth and speed control above all other controls at your disposal. Color usually comes in last in most situations. It can be a factor, but a minor one at best. Target "structure" - points, quick drop offs and river channels coming close to the shoreline. On those structures, target "breaks" on those structures - stumps, small pad beds, rocks, brush piles, etc..

 

Fishing is all about "Location.....location.....location". Everything else come after that. Once you have a location that holds fish, it becomes a matter of depth and speed control of your presentation. Roadwarriors suggestions are something you need to read as well as the many other helpful articles contained here on this fantastic forum. Good Luck!

[NYWayfarer]

1 hour ago, LxVE Bassin said:

Try wacky rigging those stick baits weightless. I recommend using 2 o-rings because they will make the bait last longer but that's optional. Let it sink to the bottom and then twitch it on the retrieve. Play with the retrieve in different ways to entice bites. Try paralleling your cast to the bank and any vertical structure if there is any. Bass should be up in shallow around this time of year. Once u find them u will will tear them up every time. Go finesss and let me know how that works out for you.

 

I agree with all of this. I would add that if you are getting strikes but no commitments downsize the bait. I will start with a 5" stick bait then go down to 4" and eventually 3" using a small wacky or mosquito hook. Big bass will hit a smaller bait.

 

Yum Dingers are great bait in shallow waters as their fall rate is so slow. Keep a semi slack line and be prepared for the hit on the drop. Green pumpkin color works great in clear water.

[Jartbek]

6 hours ago, Finesse Wayfarer said:

 

I agree with all of this. I would add that if you are getting strikes but no commitments downsize the bait. I will start with a 5" stick bait then go down to 4" and eventually 3" using a small wacky or mosquito hook. Big bass will hit a smaller bait.

 

Yum Dingers are great bait in shallow waters as their fall rate is so slow. Keep a semi slack line and be prepared for the hit on the drop. Green pumpkin color works great in clear water.

 

7 hours ago, Crestliner2008 said:

What has been said here is correct. And do not forget the golden rule (Buck Perry's that is). Focus on depth and speed control above all other controls at your disposal. Color usually comes in last in most situations. It can be a factor, but a minor one at best. Target "structure" - points, quick drop offs and river channels coming close to the shoreline. On those structures, target "breaks" on those structures - stumps, small pad beds, rocks, brush piles, etc..

 

Fishing is all about "Location.....location.....location". Everything else come after that. Once you have a location that holds fish, it becomes a matter of depth and speed control of your presentation. Roadwarriors suggestions are something you need to read as well as the many other helpful articles contained here on this fantastic forum. Good Luck!

 

8 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

"Just Getting Started"
Guaranteed To Catch Bass
I just cant catch bass
Learning to fish on your own
 

 

 

 

8 hours ago, LxVE Bassin said:

Try wacky rigging those stick baits weightless. I recommend using 2 o-rings because they will make the bait last longer but that's optional. Let it sink to the bottom and then twitch it on the retrieve. Play with the retrieve in different ways to entice bites. Try paralleling your cast to the bank and any vertical structure if there is any. Bass should be up in shallow around this time of year. Once u find them u will will tear them up every time. Go finesss and let me know how that works out for you.

Thanks all will keep this in mind when I go out tomorrow with my updated rods

[geo g]

Its hard to tell when you don't give us enough information, like where you live, and the condition of the waters you fish.  In general when things get tough, SLOW DOWN.  Key in on a likely target area and then just let it sit.  If that doesn't work I would then jerk and sit.  Change up the time in between jerks.  If that doesn't work I would go weightless and swim the worm through the area, looking for a predatory response, or reaction bite.

 

Color is an overrated variable, but a general rule in our area is: In clear water use a natural color like watermelon, or green pumpkin.  In dirty water use a dark color like Junebug, black, or black and blue.

 

To me a change in technique, or targeting different structure, is more important then a change of color.

 

 

[oakeybassin]

17 hours ago, geo g said:

To me a change in technique, or targeting different structure, is more important then a change of color.

 

 

 

Changing technique can be huge.  I have fished days where some guys are catching and other guys aren't and they are all fishing the same exact lure.  The only difference is the way the guys are fishing that lure.  When fan casting, instead of switching lures right away, try switching your cadence, retrieve, etc.  A lot of times presentation can be key on turning the bite back on.  I fly fish as well and some will tell you that the hatch must be matched perfectly, and you can have the perfect imitation but if the presentation isn't right you'll end up walking away empty handed.