"presentation" from the bank

[shootermcbob]

When casting from the bank, do you guys try not to make any big splash with your lure when casting parallel to the bank? I guess the question is " would it be better to make shorter casts trying not to make a big splash and move more often? or would it be better to cast much farther down the bank, risk the big splash entrance, and not have to move as much reducing the chances of spooking the fish with my movement???

[Busy]

I fish from the shore all the time.  I usually don't worry about distance that much.  Most of the time while in a boat you cast right at the shore anyways.  I generally fish the grass and weed beds that are in shallow waters.  Find a corner of the lake with some shade and calm water and there should be some fish in there.

When dusk hits and you see the fish popping the surface of the water I'll start casting out to where the fish are or a little past them.  Then I'll slowly, slowly jig all the way back.  Whatever bass you couldn't get out of the weeds are probably going out to feed in deeper water and you'll get them on their way out.

I'm no expert and am open to suggestions also.  I fish from the shore all the time and a lot of times only drop by the lake for the dusk part of the evening.

[roadwarrior]

A big splash attracts bass. I like long casts, parallel to the bank;

both out 15-20 yards from the shore and right along weedlines.

8-)

[farmpond1]

A big splash attracts bass. I like long casts, parallel to the bank;

both out 15-20 yards from the shore and right along weedlines.

8-)

Ditto.  A big splash can often be just what the doctor ordered.  Or, if the bass are wary, I'll cast beyond my target and reel to it.

Long casts are great unless it reduces your line/lure control or allows a big fish to duck into an obstruction and break off.

[Crestliner2008]

Go for the big splash. Bass become aware of your offering a lot quicker that way. It's one of the "attracting" qualities you need, especially when restricted to fishing from shore.

[dmac14]

A big splash attracts bass. I like long casts, parallel to the bank;

both out 15-20 yards from the shore and right along weedlines.

8-)

x3. Today I saw a bass cruising out deeper, casted out 10ft behind it, had a loud splash the thing whipped around and bolted at the tube and whamm.

[Paul Roberts]

Bass can be attracted to the splash. It's the reason the standard advice for certain topwaters is to wait for the ripples to subside after splashdown. You're waiting for the bass to home in on the disturbance.

But there can be more to it. Here's what I see in the shallow clear water ponds I fish:

Shallow and high riding bass in clear water can see a lure in the air. Their reaction to my lure in the air varies with sky conditions. In short, under dark skies, active bass chase the airborne lure; under bright skies, the bass bolt away from the lure.

Under dark sky conditions, esp pre-frontal, I often purposely cast high and may see wakes shoot to intercept the lure. What I'm seeing are those bass that we often have strike at splashdown, and surprise us. We don't see them all. So, if you think you have very active bass under dark skies and your fish are shallow, cast high and be ready.

Under bluebird skies, its exactly the opposite. I've done a lot of sight fishing and the lure in the air scares the heck out of those shallow bass. Here, splashdown also turns the bass inside out, but...usually they are gone before splashdown because the lure in the air does the job! The line landing (mono and fluoro)on the water scares them too, as does the line dragging over the surface as you retrieve. So, what you're left with is the retrieve path of every cast you make devoid of bass. >

It's (almost) comical to watch the sun come up on a popular pond on a bluebird day, and the shoreline is rimmed with anglers catching bass here and there. That is, until the sun breaks over the treetops and then the dejected anglers leave one by one.  > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > By 10AM they're all gone, except a few die-hards or completely green newbs. And they take their beatings. :-/ :-/

I've watched bass hunting in these conditions, so those post-frontal bluebird skies don't always send the bass into hiding, but it sure changes the game when fishing for them.

[shootermcbob]

Thanks to all for the shared knowledge.

[mrlitetackle]

Posted by: roadwarrior      Posted on: Yesterday at 9:57am

A big splash attracts bass. I like long casts, parallel to the bank;

both out 15-20 yards from the shore and right along weedlines.

agreed once again....

i cant tell you how many times i have had a bass crush a lure the absolute second that it touches the water!!

i fish from shore all the time.... i mainly hit the spots that "look" the most appealing first with a few casts, and move along quickly.  After i have had my attempt at this, i normally stick to one general area and try a few lures to see what their interested in. Once i have found something productive, i normally stick with it while walking again....until then bite slows......

then once again, more lure changes, and more walking...

[Hammer 4]

Re; Splashes...my Mattlures hard bg makes a pretty good splash..lol Doesn't deter the bass though..I actually had a fish on earlier this evening at the local high pressure pond..My fault for not landing the fish, as I tried to set the hook to soon, and yanked from the fish..duh.

Also in these ponds which are cement, I fan cast working from parralle to shore and back.

[avid]

When fishing the bank I make my first cast far back from the water edge.

I like to fish the shallow areas first.  Then I will probe more into the middle.  Practically all of my shore bound fishing is done with topwaters.