Bank fishing dos and donts. 2024
Wizzlebiz reply :
So I began fishing this year and fell in love. I do not have a boat ( will next year). So all of the bass fishing I do is from shore. I sadly still have yet to catch anything but weeds. Lol.
Thats ok I have strong resolve. however I have been finding I am beginning to get more bites. Mostly on a frog. The blowup happens but they dont pull it under. Neway I was hoping for some good advise regardless if it is keep doing this or dont do that type of stuff.
Any help will be a big help in the adventure of catching my 1st fish.
Pickle_Power reply :
Welcome to the forum! You'll get a ton of good advice here. Frog related: Check out the myriad soft plastic "buzz toad" baits and try a couple. The Stanley Ribbit works great for me. I've found that the hooking and landing percentage goes way up fishing these in lieu of a hollow bodied frog bait. I just rig them with a 4/0 EWG offset worm hook and it works fine for me.
EGbassing reply :
I wouldn't start with a frog. It's a more advanced technique, and after two+ years I've still never even caught one on one of those. If you can buy some Z-man ned rigs those are about the most effective lures you can use. (make sure to use light tackle though) Good luck! You'll get some great advice here.
Wizzlebiz reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 4:46 AM, Pickle_Power said:Welcome to the forum! You'll get a ton of good advice here. Frog related: Check out the myriad soft plastic "buzz toad" baits and try a couple. The Stanley Ribbit works great for me. I've found that the hooking and landing percentage goes way up fishing these in lieu of a hollow bodied frog bait. I just rig them with a 4/0 EWG offset worm hook and it works fine for me.
Thank you. I recently came across these in my research and will for sure try.
On 8/13/2019 at 4:48 AM, EGbassing said:I wouldn't start with a frog. It's a more advanced technique, and after two+ years I've still never even caught one on one of those. If you can buy some Z-man ned rigs those are about the most effective lures you can use. (make sure to use light tackle though) Good luck! You'll get some great advice here.
Everything my research says, says you are correct lol. So I went to my local tackle shop and they didnt know anything about ned rigs. Unfortunately they had nothing made out of elaztec ( dont know if I spelled that right) so I have to take a trip to Walmart.
On the Frogging is hard thing. I just figured if I can tackle the hard techniques then working back from there becomes a breeze. Im probably wrong though lmao
Big Rick reply :
If you're fishing fairly open water swap to a popper like a Rebel Pop-R. With two trebles your hook up ratio will be much better. It's very easy to fish. Cast out and twitch your rod to create a pop or spit. Pop, pop, pause. Reel up your slack as you pop, pop, pop pause. Most of your strikes will be on the pause. Remember to fish monofilament line because fluorocarbon sinks and kills the action of your bait. Braid will work in a tight. It tends to get tangled in the trebles on a stop and go retrieve, though.
Good luck!
scaleface reply :
Describe your rod n reel combo .
EGbassing reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 4:48 AM, Wizzlebiz said:Thank you. I recently came across these in my research and will for sure try.
Everything my research says, says you are correct lol. So I went to my local tackle shop and they didnt know anything about ned rigs. Unfortunately they had nothing made out of elaztec ( dont know if I spelled that right) so I have to take a trip to Walmart.
On the Frogging is hard thing. I just figured if I can tackle the hard techniques then working back from there becomes a breeze. Im probably wrong though lmao
If you get some T.R.D.s, 1/15th oz. ned heads, and use the swim-shake-glide retrieve you're almost guaranteed to catch bass pretty fast imo. I went about two months without catching a thing on every other lure I own this summer and decided to switch to a ned rig; since then I've caught about a dozen fish in a month. I would recommend starting out with easy techniques (it's up to you, of course, though) because if you're getting frustrated and not catching anything you won't be enjoying it and probably quit after a while, but if you start out catching bass and just having fun you'll probably be addicted for the rest of your life like me lol.
On 8/13/2019 at 5:27 AM, Big Rick said:If you're fishing fairly open water swap to a popper like a Rebel Pop-R. With two trebles your hook up ratio will be much better. It's very easy to fish. Cast out and twitch your rod to create a pop or spit. Pop, pop, pause. Reel up your slack as you pop, pop, pop pause. Most of your strikes will be on the pause. Remember to fish monofilament line because fluorocarbon sinks and kills the action of your bait. Braid will work in a tight. It tends to get tangled in the trebles on a stop and go retrieve, though.
Good luck!
I actually second this if you do decide to go with topwater. It's a fun little thing to fish and works pretty well, especially at low light.
Mobasser reply :
Pick up some 6" plastic worms, bullet weights and worm hooks. Learn to fish a Texas rig worm. Comes through weeds very well. You can fish it everywhere.
TriStateBassin106 reply :
Don't cast far into the middle of the pond/lake or where ever you're fishing. The fish are going to be near the bank most of the time. Cast left and right into shoreline almost and you'll get bites. Also look for giveaways like bluegill activity and blowups near bushes and trees hanging over the water. If the bite gets tough get a pack of ZOOM trick worms and shakeyhead jigs.
You're gonna have off days, we call it the "skunk" or getting skunked. Try to fish at mornings or evenings.
Wizzlebiz reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 5:38 AM, scaleface said:Describe your rod n reel combo .
Med heavy rod 7 foot 3 inch spinner reel 6.1.1 50 lb braid.
Sec setup med light 6 foot 10 baitcaster low profile 7.1.1 ratio. 12 lb flouro.
On 8/13/2019 at 6:39 AM, pondhopperNJ said:Don't cast far into the middle of the pond/lake or where ever you're fishing. The fish are going to be near the bank most of the time. Cast left and right into shoreline almost and you'll get bites. Also look for giveaways like bluegill activity and blowups near bushes and trees hanging over the water. If the bite gets tough get a pack of ZOOM trick worms and shakeyhead jigs.
You're gonna have off days, we call it the "skunk" or getting skunked. Try to fish at mornings or evenings.
Understood. I began casting right to the middle lol. After doing about 50 hrs of research on where the bass actually are I realized I was going about it all wrong.
Last 2 times out I have targeted the correct spots and gotten bites but no hook ups. Im sure that is due to inexperience.
On 8/13/2019 at 6:09 AM, EGbassing said:If you get some T.R.D.s, 1/15th oz. ned heads, and use the swim-shake-glide retrieve you're almost guaranteed to catch bass pretty fast imo. I went about two months without catching a thing on every other lure I own this summer and decided to switch to a ned rig; since then I've caught about a dozen fish in a month. I would recommend starting out with easy techniques (it's up to you, of course, though) because if you're getting frustrated and not catching anything you won't be enjoying it and probably quit after a while, but if you start out catching bass and just having fun you'll probably be addicted for the rest of your life like me lol.
I actually second this if you do decide to go with topwater. It's a fun little thing to fish and works pretty well, especially at low light.
Will be going to Walmart tomorrow to get set up for ned rigs. My local shop doesnt wven know what they are. Lol.
As for giving up. Thats just not how im wired. Sadly I have gone out about 20 times with zero catches.
Now its a vendetta between me and the fish.
EGbassing reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 6:56 AM, Wizzlebiz said:Will be going to Walmart tomorrow to get set up for ned rigs. My local shop doesnt wven know what they are. Lol.
As for giving up. Thats just not how im wired. Sadly I have gone out about 20 times with zero catches.
Now its a vendetta between me and the fish.
Awesome, you'll start catching them soon. Are you using a casting reel on your Medium Light rod?
Wizzlebiz reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 7:23 AM, EGbassing said:Awesome, you'll start catching them soon. Are you using a casting reel on your Medium Light rod?
Yes. Abu garcia low profile 7.1.1 it was about $50. All I could afford for a second rod.
EGbassing reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 7:24 AM, Wizzlebiz said:Yes. Abu garcia low profile 7.1.1 it was about $50. All I could afford for a second rod.
Ok, that'll work fine. 12 lb. line will work but you may want some #8 if you get into the ned because it's a pretty light presentation. If you get the brakes and spool tension just right you can actually make some decently long casts despite the size of the rig.
Wizzlebiz reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 7:40 AM, EGbassing said:Ok, that'll work fine. 12 lb. line will work but you may want some #8 if you get into the ned because it's a pretty light presentation. If you get the brakes and spool tension just right you can actually make some decently long casts despite the size of the rig.
I am always so concerned if I set the hook hard I might snap the line lower that 10lb lol. Im a big guy.
SeaCrow reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 6:29 AM, Mobasser said:Pick up some 6" plastic worms, bullet weights and worm hooks. Learn to fish a Texas rig worm. Comes through weeds very well. You can fish it everywhere.
Good advice from Mobasser. I'm an avid worm user. Try black/blue tail, tomato colored, and especially luck-e-strike ringworm..Always had good luck on ringworm. Welcome to fishing!! You'll be an addict like the rest of us soon...lol
Wizzlebiz reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 4:46 AM, Pickle_Power said:Welcome to the forum! You'll get a ton of good advice here. Frog related: Check out the myriad soft plastic "buzz toad" baits and try a couple. The Stanley Ribbit works great for me. I've found that the hooking and landing percentage goes way up fishing these in lieu of a hollow bodied frog bait. I just rig them with a 4/0 EWG offset worm hook and it works fine for me.
Any issue with my taking the skirt off my current buzz bait and adding a toad trailer?
VinnyR reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 8:08 AM, Wizzlebiz said:I am always so concerned if I set the hook hard I might snap the line lower that 10lb lol
Make sure your drag is set right and that won't be a problem. For 8# or 6# line you can still swing and set the hook hard if your drag is set around 2-3 lbs (better if you actually measure it but most people don't, myself included. With light line you want it loose enough that you can pull some out without trying real hard, but not so loose that the grass/weeds/whatever pull drag on your retrieve)
Further, whether swinging hard or not, you don't want the drag set too tight because you might hook into your first nice bass and have it break you off (that would suck!)
Wizzlebiz reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 8:25 AM, VinnyR said:Make sure your drag is set right and that won't be a problem. For 8# or 6# line you can still swing and set the hook hard if your drag is set around 2-3 lbs (better if you actually measure it but most people don't, myself included. With light line you want it loose enough that you can pull some out without trying real hard, but not so loose that the grass/weeds/whatever pull drag on your retrieve)
Further, whether swinging hard or not, you don't want the drag set too tight because you might hook into your first nice bass and have it break you off (that would suck!)
I just assume I swing hard. I dont actually know as I have yet to hook a fish. But I will be letting you guys know when I do!
Sam reply :
1. Be like a ghost. No noise.
2. Walk 50-feet from bank when changing positions.
3. Wear dark clothes.
4. If you can see them they can see you.
5. Don't fall in.
6. Use a "fan" pattern from right to left and then back left to right for every place you stop and with every bait you try.
7. Get a pool thermometer with a long string to find the water temperature to tell you what the bass are doing.
8. Always look where you are stepping to avoid snakes.
9. Wear bug spray.
10. Wear zinc oxide sunscreen on face and back of hands.
11. Wear sun resistant clothes with long sleeve shirts nad long pants to avoid bugs and plants. Always wear a hat or cap and polarized sunglasses.
12. Always look to right, left, and then above before casting to avoid getting bait stuck in the overhanging trees or big bushes.
13. Always take a cell phone.
14. Let someone at home know where you will be at all times, with directions if necessary.
15. Scale down baits. You can only carry so much so consider a small amount of a lot of baits.
16. Use rods that can perform a number of bait presentations, such as one cranking rod for your treble hook baits, spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits, jigs, swim jigs, etc.
17. Make a map of the pond. Walk around the pond and map it. When you get snagged put that there is some sort of structure on the bottom in that area.
18. Keep a fishing log. Note a suggested one you can download from the above "Tools" link and keep it up to date and put each page in a three-ring binder. You will start to see the patterns develop depending on the time of day, time of year, weather conditions, water temperature, etc.
19. Throw some white bread on the water to note if any bluegills or sunfish show up. If so, you know what the forage is. If not, consider minnows and crawfish as their food source.
20. Set up baitcaster to avoid backlashes. If possible, use spinning rigs that do not backlash but they do have serious line twist issues. Know how to "balance" your rod, reel and bait to avoid backlashes and the Scotch Tape trick.
21. Bring one each extra baitcaster and spinning reel with you just in case you get a serious backlash or line twist.
22. Read, read and read. Watch YouTube videos. Read the Forum posts. "Like" the Forum on Facebook and watch every video Glen and others put out.
23. Visit Woo Daves Internet site and read his articles.
24. If you do take a canoe or kayak to the pond please wear your PFD and have a friend with you for safety purposes.
25. Make sure your friend can swim.
26. Have fun!!!!
P.S. Forget the frog. Very hard to be successful with a frog. Go with a popper or spinnerbait or Chatterbait or Whopper Plopper or unweighted Senko rigged wacky or a Texas rigged trick worm that you can pull through the water like a snake. But forget the frog until you can master it.
greentrout reply :
sometimes you do want to cast to the middle or fan the entire area in front of you ... sometimes there is structure down there ... i fish some waters when the bass are popping and chasing shad ... that 7ft. rod and high speed reel with a rattletrap or super spook jr. comes in handy ...
not all water is alike ...
good fishing ...
Pickle_Power reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 8:24 AM, Wizzlebiz said:Any issue with my taking the skirt off my current buzz bait and adding a toad trailer?
No, that certainly will work. But you'll probably find that the toad alone will garner more bites, as it is a more subtle/natural approach. You also can run the weedless rigged buzz toad across the top of the thickest of weed mats, which you certainly cannot do with a buzz bait.
Wizzlebiz reply :
On 8/14/2019 at 4:55 AM, Pickle_Power said:No, that certainly will work. But you'll probably find that the toad alone will garner more bites, as it is a more subtle/natural approach. You also can run the weedless rigged buzz toad across the top of the thickest of weed mats, which you certainly cannot do with a buzz bait.
Understood.
So lat night I went doen a top water rabbit hole on youtube.
Today I went and grabbed this spook popper.
And subsequently caught this fish.
Between the info given here and the research done last night I caught my 1st fish! Small mouth. Im happier that you could believe!
Thank you.
Wizzlebiz reply :
On 8/13/2019 at 5:27 AM, Big Rick said:If you're fishing fairly open water swap to a popper like a Rebel Pop-R. With two trebles your hook up ratio will be much better. It's very easy to fish. Cast out and twitch your rod to create a pop or spit. Pop, pop, pause. Reel up your slack as you pop, pop, pop pause. Most of your strikes will be on the pause. Remember to fish monofilament line because fluorocarbon sinks and kills the action of your bait. Braid will work in a tight. It tends to get tangled in the trebles on a stop and go retrieve, though.
Good luck!
I listened to your advise. After doing hours of research last night I bought a popper. Wasnt the exact one you reccomended ( walmart didnt have it).
I bought this and caught this fish because of it. You are directly responsible for the 1st fish I have ever caught. Thank you.
NHBull reply :
One of the best pieces of advice I received when falling back in love with the sport was to go to a pond that you knew you could get 50 bites. It didn't matter the fish. Rig it up wacky and get to know what different bites felt like. It really help ????
Wizzlebiz reply :
On 8/14/2019 at 7:16 AM, NHBull said:One of the best pieces of advice I received when falling back in love with the sport was to go to a pond that you knew you could get 50 bites. It didn't matter the fish. Rig it up wacky and get to know what different bites felt like. It really help ????
The moment I find a place near me like that I will be there lol
NHBull reply :
On 8/14/2019 at 7:26 AM, Wizzlebiz said:The moment I find a place near me like that I will be there lol
A call to your local fish and game could head you in the right direction
Wizzlebiz reply :
On 8/14/2019 at 7:32 AM, NHBull said:A call to your local fish and game could head you in the right direction
Thats valuable.... I didnt even think to think of it.
I will call tomorrow morning thank you.
Hammer 4 reply :
Hey Wizz, ya might want to check out the guys from tacticalbassin, great guys and they live in your area. Lot to be learned from them. Here is a link to their youtube site. https://www.youtube.com/user/tacticalbassin/videos
Wizzlebiz reply :
On 8/14/2019 at 8:19 AM, Hammer 4 said:Hey Wizz, ya might want to check out the guys from tacticalbassin, great guys and they live in your area. Lot to be learned from them. Here is a link to their youtube site. https://www.youtube.com/user/tacticalbassin/videos
Ive been watching those guys videos for about 6 weeks. Im already subscribed. They make the info easy to understand.
Sphynx reply :
On 8/14/2019 at 7:26 AM, Wizzlebiz said:The moment I find a place near me like that I will be there lol
It might be helpful if you grab some bait holder hooks and a pack of nightcrawlers and hit the bluegill, they are about the easiest thing ever to catch, will help you learn what a bite feels like, and there's usually no shortage of them in a given body of water they are present in, it may not be a bass, but for some parts of this sport fishing is fishing, regardless of the target species...crappie are another good one to target if your local waters are tough to find bass in. Lots of good advice here, as to the whole not casting to the middle of the pond thing I usually agree, but if you are in a slow period and want a bit of an educational break from trying to locate fish rig up something weedless, like a Texas rig, and slowly work it back, see if you can begin to tell the difference in the bottom composition between you and your lure, definitely helpful to be able to use that knowledge when beating a bank to figure out what/when/where to throw a lure.
CrankFate reply :
I don’t have any advice that is better than what was already said. The only thing I’ll say is if they are blowing up your frogs, keep throwing the frogs!!!
JediAmoeba reply :
After years and years of bank fishing the tidbits I have gleaned:
1. You need to be hella accurate with your casts. I think it's more important than when you are in a boat honestly and at times a lot harder because of the added obstructions. Practice casting at home. Practice casting sidearmed,underhand, 3/4 hand, 1/2 casts, pitches, etc. Get a bucket and try and land a spinnerbait into it. Don't practice with a casting weight because that will not give you much in the way of realistic conditions. You really need to be accurate from all angles and approaches.
2. Make that first cast really count to any location on small bodies of water. On small heavily pressured ponds these fish are used to seeing lures go by...if your first cast lands in a bunch of gunk and you reel it in to clean it off, those fish are now spooked and wary.
3. Make that cast that may only provide 5 or 6 feet of a possible strike. If it looks like it would hold a fish, cast to it. You would be surprised.
4. If the bank is too overgrown, wade into the water. Odds on, most people don't hit that spot and there could be a few fish there.
5. Don't be afraid to cast to a location where you may lose a lure or snag on something - fish like cover.
6. Sometimes a short rod is just what the doctor ordered to make accurate casts with overgrowth. Sometimes a longer rod helps you reach out and cast parallel to the bank.
7. Look at what others are throwing. If they are throwing a buzz bait and not catching anything- try something else. A lot of times it is best to be different when it comes to lures...things the fish haven't seen.
8. Learn to drop your lure into the water quietly on the cast. This is something that takes a lot of practice but it can indeed help you hook into some bigger fish.
9. As others said - be quiet and blend into the background.
10. Wear polarized sunglasses so you can see the fish and structure.
Wizzlebiz reply :
On 8/15/2019 at 4:06 AM, CrankFate said:I don’t have any advice that is better than what was already said. The only thing I’ll say is if they are blowing up your frogs, keep throwing the frogs!!!
Thats kinda how I felt about it. But I went with a popper and caught my 1st fish.
Im not giving up on the frog. It seems like a fun way to fish. And yea if they are blowing up on it im doing something right! Right? Lol
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
Seem like you got strike only on top water so far. I don’t want to add another frog but this might be easier frog for you, Boo yah toad runner. Remember frog fishing is a little bit different due to big/strut hook, you will need to set hook hard and stop the fish running under weed. Big line good drag is very important, and also good quality gears.
Now if keep using topwater lure, would you learn anything, maybe not since topwater is visual strike but hey at least you catch fish.
also seem like your lake/pond is full of weed another reason topwater work well for you. But you can learn how to fish thru weed with other lures to be even more productive.
1 wacky senko no weight is good for working the weed, need pack of 3-4” senko and weedlass wacky hook #1 or 1/0.
link to our own Glenn bass resource video.
2 Fluke, is also perfect with weed, you can work top water, right on top of the weed or let it sink down and work thru the weed, need zoom super salt Fluke 5” and 4/0 EWG hook.
3 weightless worm, this is another type lure that work pretty good on weed type structures, might be a little bit hard to cast with bait caster, work slow on top of the weed, if you see any pocket hole, let it sink all the way then pop it up thru weed. Bass will find your lures from vibration when weed move from your lure, work it slow and soft. need zoom trick worm, roboworm rebarb hook 1/0 or regular worm hook 2/0.
Im not sure if anyone say it “ work slow”
special way to rig trick worm video
I was gonna also add dropshot rig but this required you to find a pocket holes between weed or weed line. It is a little bit more work but very productive. Might not be for you yet but worth to look it up.
Mobasser reply :
Look for anything that's slightly different from the rest of the bank. A small change in the edge of the bank, a single blowdown, or even a different type of weed growth. Cast parallel to these areas and bring your baits slowly into the cover. This is why I recommend Texas/ weedless worms and soft plastics. You can cast them past these areas and work into them, with little if any hang ups
bazzelite19 reply :
heres some good basic tips:
Most beginners want to cast out to the middle, or to open water, but i would start by parallelling or quarter casting the bank.
-especially do this if the water is stained or muddy. Clear water could be the exception.
- if the bank is steep (45° or more) fish right next to or close to the bank, if its flat then rolls off out deeper, fish cover on that breakline.
- the golden rule in bassin is GRASS=BASS (lily pads,hydrilla, pondered, milfoil). Another cardinal rule is that ROCKS=BASS. You can have a large lake 75% full of silt and smelly muck, like one i grew up by and you will catch every single bass over any place that has some kind of gravel, sand, fossil rocks, lava rocks, chunky limestones, etc. Not to say you won't catch some bass with mud on thier bellies, but in general the stinky muck that smells if you walk on it wont hold much.
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