Advice About Recent Trip

[joshuaray83]

I went out last Saturday to a local ~12 acre pond near my house that I bank fish often. It was a windy, partly cloudy day with clear water at a lower level than normal due to lack of rain. I threw on a pearlescent Husky Jerk 10 and cast out into the middle since the water level was low and immediately pulled in a decent (for that pond) largemouth. I spent the next 30-45 minutes casting with no luck. Tried a crankbait with no luck as well. I walked to the dammed portion and began bottom fishing a T-rigged craw and picked up another 4 or 5 small, small ones in the next hour. I then proceeded to a tree-shaded portion in which lots of trees overhang the bank. Being quiet, I could see a good number of fish in the water between 3-10 feet from the bank. I was only able to get one to commit to my T-rigged craw, however.

 

With trees lining the bank and the bank I walk being 4 or so feet above the water, I'm unable to cast a moving bait parallel to the bank. What suggestions on bait would you all recommend I use to get a few more to commit?

 

I know a lot of them saw my line on the surface of the water. I was using dark green 15 lb. braid. Do you think line shyness could have been a problem?

 

Any other tips?

[Finessegenics]

From what you've already mentioned, it seems like the fish weren't in the mood to chase a bait. However, this can change the next time you're out there depending on the conditions. In your case, I would have continued with something slow like a wacky rigged fluke or stickbait. The fish already showed they were more interested in the t rigged craw which I assume you worked much much slower than the crankbait. If I can see the fish and know they're right there, I'm throwing a wacky rig or a tiny plastic on a light jighead. Think a finesse trd on a 1/16oz jighead or a 3" chigger bug. I don't think the line was a factor, were you using a leader? If not I would try a fluoro leader before switching over to a fluoro mainline. 

[joshuaray83]

No leader. I have 6 or 8 lb mono, but not fluoro lying around. I've never used the stuff. Since I only typically take two rods - one medium spinner with 15 lb. briad and one medium-heavy baitcaster with 30 lb braid - I don't like leaders because I re-tie different lures/baits often.

[Sissyfishing]

Try Sissy fishing!

Light line 4 to 8 lb test on spinning rods 4 inch black worm, 1, 2, & 3 inch white single tail grub, purple or purple white tail scoundrels, 2 & 3 inch rapala’s small spinner baits and inline spinners, tiny torpedos, Sonics, rapala’s, jitterbugs, small pop r, Maribou jigs, 3 & 4 inch ribbon tailed worms, 3 to 5 inch twitch worms, 6 inch white ribbon tail worms weightless on top around grass, black with yellow dots 4 inch lizard, all are non-standard non-heavy line or tackle! 

[PhishLI]

On 10/19/2020 at 12:53 PM, joshuaray83 said:

With trees lining the bank and the bank I walk being 4 or so feet above the water, I'm unable to cast a moving bait parallel to the bank.

Have you considered waders, even a cheap set of hip waders? If your spots are wade-able it's a game changer. So many of my local waters are built as you've described: Tree lined. Once I started wading out just far enough, knee high, to cast baits down the bank the game changed. You'll also be able to put your baits in spots other bank anglers can't. A real plus. Also, you're not relegated to fishing spots that are pounded by other bank fishermen. Having a good set of pruning shears on you will allow you to cut your way through bushes into some prime spots. Shore wading opens up tons of options.

On 10/19/2020 at 12:53 PM, joshuaray83 said:

Any other tips?

If you take this route learn about wading safety first. Don't take it lightly. Consider each new area you try as you would a live mine field. Test your steps first by probing with a wading staff. Don't take risks without knowing where you are if you're alone. I had one close call this year, and left unscathed. Didn't even get wet.  But one of my crew wasn't so lucky. Ironically, he was the most cautious one of us by far. He uncharacteristically took a foolish chance by going way farther out than he should've and paid the ultimate price.

[joshuaray83]

12 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Have you considered waders, even a cheap set of hip waders? If your spots are wade-able it's a game changer. So many of my local waters are built as you've described: Tree lined. Once I started wading out just far enough, knee high, to cast baits down the bank the game changed. You'll also be able to put your baits in spots other bank anglers can't. A real plus. Also, you're not relegated to fishing spots that are pounded by other bank fishermen. Having a good set of pruning shears on you will allow you to cut your way through bushes into some prime spots. Shore wading opens up tons of options.

If you take this route learn about wading safety first. Don't take it lightly. Consider each new area you try as you would a live mine field. Test your steps first by probing with a wading staff. Don't take risks without knowing where you are if you're alone. I had one close call this year, and left unscathed. Didn't even get wet.  But one of my crew wasn't so lucky. Ironically, he was the most cautious one of us by far. He uncharacteristically took a foolish chance by going way farther out than he should've and paid the ultimate price.

I've actually been strongly considering this. My problem is that a lot of my home waters have mucky bottoms with I would assume is less than ideal for wading. Would you recommend starting with non-insulated ones and warmer months just to start with?

[PhishLI]

On 10/21/2020 at 8:43 AM, joshuaray83 said:

I've actually been strongly considering this. My problem is that a lot of my home waters have mucky bottoms with I would assume is less than ideal for wading. Would you recommend starting with non-insulated ones and warmer months just to start with?

All of my lakes have muck bottoms. Carefully survey the spots you want to fish, then mentally log them in. You can even use a broom handle to probe around if you don't want to invest in an official wading staff. Some areas are too soft to step into, but many will be hard directly under a few inches of muck and are safe. I night wade all the time, but know my lakes so I stay in the safe zones. Some extend pretty far out from the shoreline. Probe the areas out beforehand and you'll be good. Don't and you'll be inviting trouble for no good reason.

 

I usually wade all year long in breathable stocking foot chest waders like Simms Tributary. Those types require separate wading boots. Wading boots are super tough and comfortable. Yes, you'll still sweat in breathable types, just a little bit less. I also have neoprene boot foot hip waders for quick trips, but affordable types like Frogg Toggs Anura II really need a good athletic gel insole or you'll feel every pebble under foot. With either type you'll need to adjust your layers in the cold and wear the lightest undergarments you can in the heat. With thick wool socks and long johns I can wade for hours in 35 degree water. My hands will quit before my legs or feet will. Upsize the boots for thick socks if you plan to fish in cold weather. If you can, try on the boot/wader combos to make sure you're comfortable in them and that they feel good together. I'm picky about that, but most of my friends simply buy whatever and go with it.