Bank Fishing

[TMDKENNELS]

Since I don't own a boat (nor can I swim) I fish from the bank and look for timber and any type of foliage. When approaching a lake/pond from the bank what are some of the places/structures/foliage that you look for to fish?

[Crestliner2008]

Downed trees, inside bends of channels, drop offs....just about anything that is "different" from the normal shoreline. Another good one is change in bottom content. Such as, pea gravel turning into large rock. Again.....different is the key.

[Marty]

I'd certainly probe anything that looks good; points, islands, vegetation, rocks, overhanging trees and the like. However, don't hesitate to cover a lot of water and fish areas that look like nothing because you might find a productive spot and may not learn why it's productive. A number waters where I've bank fished appear featureless so I've had no choice but to cover water. My biggest bass came from the bank and the fish hit in the middle of nowhere.

Good luck.

[NCbassmaster4Life]

Any type of structure manily in spring when spawn and post spawn is prime....before the bass move onto points.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Wind blown mats like the one in the lower left of this pic the little bass came out of here no othe cover close by but this and just hopped a senko over top.

[gr8outdoorz]

If I dont see visible cover I drag a texas rigged worm or jig across the area. Its slow to do but it will tell you everything on the bottom. once you know where the cover is you can focus on targeting it. Good luck!

[BirdNestBen]

well a little tip... I usually stomp around -so eager to make a cast, I scare off any fish close to shore... If you see a spot you like ..don't walk along the shore... take a 90 degree angle and come in slowly... the bass are so skitish and will swim off...points are good to fish... anywhere there is a little something different- like 1 little stickup, out in the open .... sudden dropoffs, etc. I'm the first one to get disgusted easily, but truth is a smaller water should be easier to catch fish there....

It's just a puzzle... once you find it... lookout... 2 times I can recall I nearly left... and had 2 of my best trips.... one was luck... I had tried most everything and saw a rapala I didn't know I had and end up catching 22 bass... another time.... I thought it out... water muddy... haven't had a bite... but weather was nice... these fish are going to be shallow to eat because thats where the most visiibility is..... need some flash.... tied on a big double willowleaf with a lot of flash... and filled my basket up all day on 2 to 6 lb. bass.....

Hope this helps and good luck.

[guitarkid]

Tie on a spinnerbait or crankbait and find the weelines in about 3-5 feet of water, there is almost always bass there

-gk

[tomustang]

If I dont see visible cover I drag a texas rigged worm or jig across the area. Its slow to do but it will tell you everything on the bottom. once you know where the cover is you can focus on targeting it. Good luck!

I agree and do the same, also scout the higher ground to see into the water better, a good polarized lens goes a long way

[cajun_flipper]

Another tip is to resist the urge to stand close to the water's edge. On your initial approach to the lake/pond, stay back a good 20 feet and make your first casts to probe the shallows immediately adjacent to the bank. Then move up to about 10 feet to get a bit further out. From there, fan-cast an area before walking to a new spot. Think of it like you are using a trolling motor and fishing an area before your boat gets there.

Save up a little change and pick up a used canoe, kayak, or plastic pontoon boat. It's not incredibly difficult to find one for a really good price...like 100 or less. Pick up a life jacket to combat the no swimming thing and you're set. I do about 75% of my fishing from a canoe even though I have a bass boat.

Until you get something that floats (if you even want to) then be stealthy on the banks. Wear darker colors and walk quietly. Keep the talking to a minimum. Seems extreme, but its hard to catch a fish that is running for its life from you. I used to do A LOT of bank fishing and it can be really tough, but is a blast. Topwaters are your friend in the summer time here. Pop-R's and shallow crankbaits are go-to's along with swimming grubs and burning small spinner baits.

[LgMouthGambler]

I do a lot of bank.fishing. and usually try to fish different canals every time I go out. I basically start in a spot and fish the whole 180 of where im standing. Then move down past where I cast and repeat. Cover as much water as possible.

[roadwarrior]

I'd certainly probe anything that looks good; points, islands, vegetation, rocks, overhanging trees and the like. However, don't hesitate to cover a lot of water and fish areas that look like nothing because you might find a productive spot and may not learn why it's productive. A number waters where I've bank fished appear featureless so I've had no choice but to cover water. My biggest bass came from the bank and the fish hit in the middle of nowhere. Good luck.

This is especially true on the ponds I fish. Until you have have fished a lot and ruled out a few areas,

every square inch is an opportunity!