Out in the lake or off the bank

[BassSteve]

So we have our preferences as anglers, whether it's fishing from a boat down a river or on a lake, or on foot from docks and the bank. Or switching it up between the two. Some people swear fishing by boat is the best way to catch fish and increases the odds. Others say bank fishing and casting by structures or foliage on foot is the best way they have caught fish.

 

Where do you stand on this topic? Have you caught your best and/or most fish walking the banks or by using a boat when you can? Do you prefer bank fishing or trolling around in a boat? Interested in your viewpoints/responses 

[Born 2 fish]

I caught my biggest bass from shore. I’ve caught the most out of a boat.

[BassSteve]

1 minute ago, Born 2 fish said:

I caught my biggest bass from shore. I’ve caught the most out of a boat.

So do you always use a boat whenever possible or do you choose to fish from the bank in certain situations even if you can still use the boat? 

[GreenPig]

A majority of my biggest were caught while standing on turf along side a pond. When it comes to catching numbers the boat is my choice. I enjoy both because both are fishing. 

[Born 2 fish]

4 minutes ago, BassSteve said:

So do you always use a boat whenever possible or do you choose to fish from the bank in certain situations even if you can still use the boat? 

I don’t always use my boat  but if I only have a hour or two  to fish I’ll go beat the bank. But I prefer to be in my boat when I have the time.

[BassSteve]

7 minutes ago, GreenPig said:

I enjoy both because both are fishing

Well said, although I'm sure at times the boat can be a pain to get ready and not always cooperate lol 

[Choporoz]

If I have less than an hour, I'll fish from the dock.  Any longer and I will be in a kayak or boat.  I enjoyed some bank fishing when I didn't have them.  But even then, if I could go someplace to rent a jon boat, I much preferred to be on the water.  I was fortunate to have a number of different places within an hour where I could rent a boat.  

[Born 2 fish]

2 minutes ago, BassSteve said:

Well said, although I'm sure at times the boat can be a pain to get ready and not always cooperate lol 

I keep everything in my boat in the garage so all I have to do is hook it up and go.

[GreenPig]

Just now, BassSteve said:

Well said, although I'm sure at times the boat can be a pain to get ready and not always cooperate lol 

That's why I have a small(12 x 32), medium(14 x 36), and little bigger(14 x 48) jon boats.

Seriously, if I can fish a pond from the bank, that's what I'd do for the ability to be stealthy. Our public lakes have very limited bank access so a boat is necessary. 

[BassSteve]

34 minutes ago, GreenPig said:

That's why I have a small(12 x 32), medium(14 x 36), and little bigger(14 x 48) jon boats.

Seriously, if I can fish a pond from the bank, that's what I'd do for the ability to be stealthy. Our public lakes have very limited bank access so a boat is necessary. 

I agree completely, where I live the fishing is really good but a lot of areas have no trespassing or no fishing signs. Some really promising looking areas always get the X lol 😑

[Pat Brown]

I love both so much for different reasons and I've caught half my giant bass from a boat and half from the bank.  I love being out on the lake and finding where they're at and dialing them in.  I love creeping around in the dark at a pressured small pond and putting my jig into just the right spot ever so quietly and nailing a 9 lber.  

 

Can I just pick both?!

[BassSteve]

2 minutes ago, Pat Brown said:

I love both so much for different reasons and I've caught half my giant bass from a boat and half from the bank.  I love being out on the lake and finding where they're at and dialing them in.  I love creeping around in the dark at a pressured small pond and putting my jig into just the right spot ever so quietly and nailing a 9 lber.  

 

Can I just pick both?!

Yes you can absolutely 😎

[FishTax]

I prefer a boat just because I find being on the water to be therapeutic. I caught my biggest from the bank, and do love bank fishing ponds as well. I love running up a skinny creek in a kayak just to observe nature when taking a break from fishing. All of it is much better than a day in the office 😎

[MIbassyaker]

Kayak  if I have time to pack, load, launch, reload, unpack. 

if I don't have time, then on foot, from bank if shore access is good, or wading if water is not too deep or hazardous.

[DaubsNU1]

I always try to be in the boat, feeling I can cover much more water than from bank. 

 

I do bank fish occasionally, when I cannot get the boat in the water, or the body of water is too small (pond). 

[Will Ketchum]

I found I did more boating than fishing when I had the boat.

[Mike L]

For quick getaways it’s obvious that walking a bank is the most convenient,
which is the only advantage. 
During certain times of the year, depending on where you live a pb can be had but opportunities are limited. 
 

In a boat you’d be able to hit the same spot, targeting the same fish with the opportunity to fish 360 deg. 
 

Even with the overall limiting opportunities between the 2, connivence and necessity will at times win out. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[Pat Brown]

Been thinking more on this one and I will say that when difficult conditions present themselves for a few days, I much prefer bank fishing at a small pond because there's only so many places for them to hide.  I also feel like small ponds and bank fishing keep me sharp.  In some ways lake bass and the boat makes me a little lazy and off my game sometimes.  Small pond big fish are way less forgiving of little errors and don't bite if you're not on your game 😎😉

[Jmilburn76]

Kayak for me, can’t afford nor want a boat. I rarely fish from the bank these days unless the wife wants to go.

[TnRiver46]

Both 

[Skunkmaster-k]

I am a card carrying member of the bucket brigade. Sometimes the dock is the hottest spot on the lake for crappie or walleye. When that’s the case I leave the boat at home. If I’m after bass, then I’m dragging Piece of Crap ( my boat’s name ) every time. There’s not access to most of the lake on foot. 

[Blue Raider Bob]

All the above!

The thrill is the same however you fish. I love wading as long as the bottom will allow. Actually thats my favorite way because I am super focused.

[OmegaDPW]

Years ago, the wife and kids wanted kayaks. I was on the fence and bought a cheap one used. I basically hate it- but it's not because it was cheap and used- I also hate the much nicer fishing kayak that my wife got. She loves it. 

 

So, when we all go as a family, we bring three kayaks and I either fish from the bank or go look for nature trails to walk. Everybody is happy that way.  

[gim]

100% boat for this guy.  Very little bank fishing opportunities near me, even though its the land of 10,000 lakes.  No ice fishing for this guy anymore either.

 

I like going TO the fish.  Not being stuck somewhere waiting for one.  If I was to bank fish, I would try to pick a river, not a lake.  A productive spot near a dam like what @throttleplate does.

 

If I don't have at least a few hours to fish, I just don't go that day.  Not worth hooking up the boat, driving to the lake, unloading the boat, and only fishing for an hour.  Part of the enjoyment for me is just using my boat.  I like throttling down and feeling the wind in my face.

[GaryH]

Boat probably 95% of the time but wading in the Juniata river for SM is one of the most relaxing time.