How To Fish A Big Lake By Shore

[Missouribassman95]

I haven't really fished many large lakes considering I don't have a boat, but I want to start this spring. Could you guys give me some tips? I'll need any advice I can get.

Thanks,

[Long Mike]

Well, are you going to be fishing from a boat or aren't you? Regardless, all fishermen turn a big lake into a series of small lakes. The advantage of having a boat is that one can move from a small lake to another small lake much faster. If you are constrained to fishing from the bank, then your big lake becomes nothing more than a small pond. The size of your lake is the distance of your cast, as it is with all fishermen when they first cast their lures. The trick is to find the right lure at the right place at the right time. There are tons of articles on this site that can lead you in the right direction. Please read them.

[Pondboy46]

Try using spinners or something that will get the bass' attention. Try frog top waters. They work pretty good.

[Nitrofreak]

Well, are you going to be fishing from a boat or aren't you? Regardless, all fishermen turn a big lake into a series of small lakes. The advantage of having a boat is that one can move from a small lake to another small lake much faster. If you are constrained to fishing from the bank, then your big lake becomes nothing more than a small pond. The size of your lake is the distance of your cast, as it is with all fishermen when they first cast their lures. The trick is to find the right lure at the right place at the right time. There are tons of articles on this site that can lead you in the right direction. Please read them.

Two good quotes to use, there is an even better one followed by these two which ask's that you read some of the articals, they are very good and can help you a lot.

Before I purchaced my first boat I fished from shore a lot myself, as Long Mike states the size of your lake is the distance of your cast, that means you must make the most of the area that you choose, I would look for an area that has a couple of lay downs with some type of grass or lilly pads.

Coves, if you can get to them, often hold places such as this and offer some pretty good fishing from the bank.

Other places to think about are public landings, docks, peirs etc...in some cases you may be granted permission from property owners that will allow you access to fish from their boat docks and banks, most are not too friendly to this kind of thing, but it never hurts to ask.

If it is a public lake, chances are there is a map of it somewhere local, Google maps also offer good detail with pictures that will show you what coves offer the best cover.

As always, safety is the most important thing to keep in mind when locating a spot to fish so be careful.

[Catt]

Structure Fishing 101, points point to bass!

Find em fish em

[BassAssassin726]

I only fish from the bank since i do not own a boat. Well just got a jonboat but it needs work before its ready. Anyways there's tons of great info on this site for bank fishing. Ive learned so much from here. I like to GoogleMaps the spot Im going to fish and look for access points that most people wouldnt use. Try and get to areas that boats cant go. When you get to the spot, BE QUIET! Sneak in and stay a few feet from the bank. You would be surprised how easily fish will spook. Wear colors that blend in with the woods, no bright colors. I usually like to start with something flashy or loud to get their attention and depending what they do ill change to a jig or Senko. Let them tell you what they want. And honestly, i know its kind of frowned upon but chum the water up. Yea i said chum. lol. Sometimes even spraying a few squirts of the scent you may be using can draw them in and they key in on that scent so if your lure has it on it, well you get it. You have the advantage sometimes over boater because you can go where they cant. One of my super secret spots involves scaling down a 50 foot hill thats extremely steep. We tied a rope to the tree at the top and kind of rappel down. lol. Coves, creek arms and channels, docks, look for any trees that may be in the water on the bank. Anything for fish to hide under. Also look for trash, yes trash. Theres a great article on this site about it. Look for trash and such thats piled up in coves and fish it. I have a spot that has old palets and barrels pushed up against the bank in the cove and theres always fish there. Explore, youll be surprised what you fish. HAWGS!

[BassAssassin726]

I meant to say youll be surprised what you find.

[Michael DiNardo]

Don't be afraid to get wet. You did say large lake right. There may be old roads that cross the lake that are wadeable and will open a whole section of the lake to you. Remember spring and fall fish the creek arms and bays on the lake, summer and winter fish the main lake.

Mike

[Missouribassman95]

Thank you guys for the great information!