Life hacks- bank fishing edition

[Smalls]

Anything that makes life a little easier is great, right? So since we’re limited on what we can carry on our trips, what little tricks have you come up with to make you more efficient when beating the banks?

 

I carry all my tackle in a spiderwire backpack. It’s got a ton of room, but I’m a tackle junky. So to save room in my plano’s, all my weights and hooks are stored in old prescription bottles. I can put them in the side pockets, their easy to identify and reach. 

 

I’m trying to figure out a way to easily carry my rods, and keep from laying them on the ground. I really like the Rod-runner that Cabela’s carries, but at $60, I’m not sure it’s worth it. 

[Oregon Native]

All my bank fishing is pretty lightweight.  I use a fanny pack and carry a spinning rod.  A few pony heads with flukes, couple grubs, maybe a lure or two depending on season and it's off I go.  

[Deleted account]

16 minutes ago, Oregon Native said:

All my bank fishing is pretty lightweight. 

This^.  One rod, one 3600 box, a couple of bags of plastics, needle nose, and nail clipper in a (neutral colored) small JanSport®. The end. No hacking required. 

[Preytorien]

I typically follow the one-rod rule, but I too also have a Spiderwire backpack, not sure if ours are the same, but mine has a built-in vertical rod holder on each side so if I need more than one I'll stow it that way, otherwise I don't mess with rod carriers, it's just one more thing to carry around and I'm constantly moving unless I find a good spot, so I don't want more things to haul around. 

[scaleface]

One rod and a vest stuffed with lures .

[68camaro]

When I bank fish I usually do it because my time is limited to 1-2 hours, 3 tops.

 

I have an old backpack for bank fishing. In it I have a:

 

scale and cheap small tape measure,

long nose plyers,

bulldog cutter,

scent

cheap sunglasses,

a small bag of several soft plastics

a 3600 plano box with assortment of top water lures to bottom draggers, plus some terminal tackle, everything from finesse setups to power fishing, really not a whole lot though, just couple of each.

plus if cold - a second smaller plano specifically set up with cold water baits/lures.

 

I used to bring several rods now just use one a M, fast action 7'3" with 8.1:1 reel or a finesse 6'10 spinning rod setup, sometimes both depending on how much time I have.

[Pro Logcatcher]

I poked a few holes in my fishing backpack and then threaded some paracord through to hold a spare rod. It doesn't work too well but it keeps my hands free. I always have to be careful going under trees, though.

[Crestliner2008]

I have a couple of "fanny" packs and back packs and find that I always end up carrying them in my hand as oppose to strapping them on. So get something you feel is comfortable to carry by hand along with one rod & reel set-up that you have the most confidence in and you'll do just fine.

[Smalls]

4 hours ago, Preytorien said:

not sure if ours are the same, but mine has a built-in vertical rod holder on each side

Mine has that, but the rods seem to get in my way when they’re in them. Plus my 7”6 rod catches low flying aircraft in there. 

 

Mainly want some sort of rod carrier because along with my 2 rods, I’m also usually stuck carrying 2 more for the kids, and I’d like to be able to set them down without worrying about anything getting in the reels. 

 

I wasn’t really complaining with the amount of stuff I bring, or looking to downsize, just seeing if anyone had oddball little tricks that helps on the bank. 

[Fish the Mitt]

4 hours ago, reason said:

This^.  One rod, one 3600 box, a couple of bags of plastics, needle nose, and nail clipper in a (neutral colored) small JanSport®. The end. No hacking required. 

At first glance, I thought this said 360 XBox. I thought to myself, that's an odd item to bring fishing... 

#LongWinter

[Gundog]

I hot-glued Velcro straps to my vest so I could temporarily put a rod and reel there while I'm tying a lure on my line. Its a good idea if you wade a lot like I do in summer. I never mastered tucking the rod and reel under my arm while tying a new lure on. 

[Smalls]

9 minutes ago, Gundog said:

I hot-glued Velcro straps to my vest so I could temporarily put a rod and reel there while I'm tying a lure on my line. Its a good idea if you wade a lot like I do in summer. I never mastered tucking the rod and reel under my arm while tying a new lure on. 

That’s a pretty clever one. A lot of the shirts sold by Columbia or Under Armour have a Velcro strap above the pocket, too. Already built in! 

[fishwizzard]

I just stick the rod butt in my pocket when trying on new lures. I carry a sling pack with a fold down semi-ridged pouch on the front that makes a little table when I slide it around front.  The sling holds a single 3600 and the front pouch can hold a few loose hardbaits.  I have a small scale/grippers and a basic first aid kit in there as well.  

 

My only "hack" is that I carry a rock climbing chalk bag clipped to my

belt. I can throw lures in there to dry before they go back in the pack.  

[junyer357]

Cargo pants and columbia shirt with lots of pockets full of lures. 2 rods. Pill bottle with hooks n weights. No tackle box or bag. Backpack cooler. 

Drop to 1 rod for wading creeks. 

[Ratherbfishing]

1 hour ago, fishwizzard said:

 

My only "hack" is that I carry a rock climbing chalk bag clipped to my

belt. 

 

My only hack is when I inhale a bug.  :  )

[Backroad Angler]

I throw everything in a old janssport backpack and go to work.

ranging from about 1-2 tackle trays, towels, pocket knife, water, needlenose plyers, and thats about it

[12poundbass]

1 hour ago, Fish the Mitt said:

At first glance, I thought this said 360 XBox. I thought to myself, that's an odd item to bring fishing... 

#LongWinter

Name change?

[Fish the Mitt]

20 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Name change?

Yep!

[boostr]

2 hours ago, Smalls said:

Mine has that, but the rods seem to get in my way when they’re in them. Plus my 7”6 rod catches low flying aircraft in there. 

 

Mainly want some sort of rod carrier because along with my 2 rods, I’m also usually stuck carrying 2 more for the kids, and I’d like to be able to set them down without worrying about anything getting in the reels. 

 

I wasn’t really complaining with the amount of stuff I bring, or looking to downsize, just seeing if anyone had oddball little tricks that helps on the bank. 

I have the same bag. I think those rod holders are made for multi piece rods. I had the same problem putting my one piece rod into it and its way to tall to be walking thru the bush with it.

[Czorn]

A lath bag could hold 4 or 5 rods. They are about 30$ on Amazon.

[scaleface]

My biggest concern is having plenty to drink . I'll take off down a river and be gone for hours . 

[nascar2428]

My homemade version of a rod runner.

[Smalls]

1 hour ago, nascar2428 said:

My homemade version of a rod runner.

Aha! This is perfect. I’ve been looking for something DIY-ish and this looks like a great base to start on

[DomQ]

I found a really good way to go with a bunch of lures but leave with hardly any. Trick is to bring someone who claims they know how to fish, and let them use your gear, that's all there is to it!!! Walk in heavy and walk out light! 

[Deleted account]

5 hours ago, Fish the Mitt said:

At first glance, I thought this said 360 XBox. I thought to myself, that's an odd item to bring fishing... 

#LongWinter

Why would I bring a 360 XBox?  I so much prefer playing Space Invaders on the Atari® 2600 when casting from shore...