"Bank Beaters"

[BigEbass]

First off let me start by saying that I took my boat out on my own for the first time really - my first time going to Lay Lake without the help of my more experienced neighbor.  I went fishing for 3 hours just around the way from paradise point  - couldnt get a bit for a bit, but then I noticed every 15-20 minutes or so a bass would blow up on some shad - I remained on high alert and ran em down when that happened and nabbed two nice 2 lb spots (god they fight).  I was so relieved - I can catch fish all by myself - I know its silly but it gave me more confidence now to go by myself - on a downer note, I could not catch them in between those blow ups....anyway...

I thought of this form while I was fishing though, specifically the talk from people about "bank beaters".  Well, while I was out there in the middle of this inlet chasing down those blow ups, there were 5-6 boats in that area slowly traveling the banks casting.  I was really worried that they would start to target "my" blow ups - instead these guys had blow ups in their facinity and once right next to their boat....and ignored them, even after seeing my catch those 2 nice ones.  My wife (who was riding with me) was helping me look out for breaks and she would say "over there" - and that would be pretty close to my "neighbor" - and I would not go after it cause I woud be casting close to and right at him.  Those guys didnt catch anything the whole afternoon and ignored those blow ups that were happening along side or behind them, which I am glad they did

[Raul]

Most people are visualy oriented and they like to cast to and fish what they can see.

Not exactly the best approach.

[BigEbass]

Anyway, I thought it was an even more dramatic example of how people can ignore everything except for the bank - which I have been guily of in the past - this just seemed like a dramatic example - happy monday everyone!!

[BigEbass]

Most people are visualy oriented and they like to cast to and fish what they can see.

Not exactly the best approach.

Great point - while I was out in "open water" - it was still 5-7 feet deep in the area so it it wasnt deep.  As a relative beginner, I do find a bit of lacking confidence going out there and trying to find what area makes since to fish - when the blow ups were not occuring, I tried to look at my depth finder (which is REALLY basic) to find something that was unique that may hold fish, but was not really successfull - I could not seem to find the fish in between so that kinda didnt help my confidence really - but it was my first time out and I am gonna learn the structure with time.

[BigEbass]

By the way, here is a photo taken by my lovely wife of one of those feisty beauties!!!

[Bass_Akwards]

When you were in the middle of the inlet, did you take the time to go over to the shallows where those guys were fishing and look at what was going on, both on and near the banks at all? Did you notice if the bass were spawning or not?

[BigEbass]

When you were in the middle of the inlet, did you take the time to go over to the shallows where those guys were fishing and look at what was going on, both on and near the banks at all? Did you notice if the bass were spawning or not?

In fact, that is exactly where I started - I went all the way back to the inner most part of the inlet - the water temp in the center parts of the inlet were about 50 degrees, may 52 in the shallows, but it was 54 way back there were I started - there were no signs of bass bedding from my account in those shallows and I worked the shallows for the first 1.5 hours and started working back deeper with a lipless crank and a spinner bait trying to find them - but when I started to see the blow ups, I finally gave up on the 2 foot stuff and focused out where they were hitting....I kinda wish in retrospect that perhaps a more finess presentation out there in between those blow ups may have done the trick....?  I suppose they were going for shallow spawn/prespawn bass in that area casting the banks, but I really do not think that was where they were at perhaps - plus they didnt catch any for that time I was there

[BigEbass]

Also tried working a craw rigged weightless off the edges of some dead looking weeds as well as a slower presentation - that was about right before I started chasing the few blow ups that got me my 2 fish.

[Hellbenderman]

For years, the only time I got to go fishing was when my brother went trout fishing and took me with him. The first thing I did when I got my drivers license was to go fishing all by myself for the first time. Imagine my surprise when I actually caught a trout that day. Going fishing by yourself is a big step. So much going on, so much to remember to do, being on the water by yourself the first time can be very imposing. The most important thing is that you established a pattern of sorts and put a fish in the boat! All by yourself! Unfortunately, you didn't come to us first. We would have advised you take up bowling or cricket or knitting. You poor guy. Now you have nothing but decades of frustration to look forward to. Congratulations!

[Lund Explorer]

Congrats for your day on the water!

I read your postings before I had logged in, so when I finally did I thought I might see a lure still stuck in the jaw of that bass.  What'd ya git em on?

[BigEbass]

Got him on a sort of brown/orange crawfish patterned ratle trap - I had it tied on when I saw that first break in casting distance and I stuck with it to catch the second one - then there were no more breaks and didnt catch anything in the final hour or so  >

Orange has been a real producer for me in the past 3 weeks - caught my first 5+ pound bass last week and on a bright orange trap, then literally the next cast another 5+ lber (didnt have my scales - photo of it is posted in this forum).

And I will add this too about going out alone.  The "alone" part is not what I have feared.  I have been riding along with my neighbor for over a year gaining my skills and confidence - what I really fear is bringing a new friend or another fishmerman and in the face of this person not catching - even with my wife I felt a bit of pressure sorta - thinking in the back of my head "the only person that knows that I can and have caught bass is my neighbor - will it always be this way?" - turns out I know enough to catch a couple fish in a few hours first time out on my boat "alone" on a lake I have fished with my neighbor probably 3 times ever (and its usually the upper end of the river near 280). 

But still need to be able to catch them in between those breaks.....

My next question is this.....there were certainly some bass holding in that general area?  I zigged and zagged around looking for a ditch or creek bed or anything that looked irregular while crakin my bait surveying the area for more fish - I wonder where those fish were holding up in between attacking the shad?  The area was pretty flat really, some gradual changes in depth (which I tried to focus on).  I wonder if those bass were just roaming those flats around sparse patches of weeds or something?  I guess it just takes time to learn all the bottom features - I am actually going this week to get a side imaging unit to shorten my learning curve.

By the way, I also went to cast once with one of my rods (an H20 express rod) and it just snapped at the back bone - luckily was wearing jeans and hooked only my jeans - has that every happened to you people - I am gonna try to return in!

[Lund Explorer]

While there's fish along those shorelines, you've started to open a whole new world when you turn around.  That you got to put your own knowledge to good use makes it even better.

I'm happy to hear that you sepnt some of that time on the water looking at what structure or the cover on it that held those fish.  Its just another key to the whole answer we all keep searching for regardless of how long we've been at it.  I would think that those bass, and the shad were up in there trying to find warmer water.  Shad feeding on plankton and bass feeding on them.  Early season up here usually includes a lot of bass just cruising and not really locked onto any specific spot.  It will be during post-spawn and summer where you'll find them locked on to structure/cover.  Finding them then will be the hard part, but once you do, you should be able to find other spots that repeat the pattern.

My guess is that you'll be having more of those days in the very near future.

As far as any fears about bringing another fisherman, or woman on the boat, I sure wouldn't worry about it.  There will always be days were you either put on the clinic, or when you are the one to get "schooled".  It just part of the game.  Some day you may get into tournament fishing and you will quickly see how humble you can become.  The point is to always go forward with your head held high, whether you have a good day or bad.

Hey, and before I forget..... Good Luck!