People always ask me if I still like to fish from the banks or shorelines since I have a boat and compete in tournaments. My answer is always YES. In fact, my favorite part of shoreline fishing is that you don't need a lot of time to go. Here's a nice bass I caught during a lunch break from work.
I've been bass fishing since I was a kid and fishing from the shoreline was my only option for quite some time. I will admit that having a boat has advantages, the ability to cover far more water in less time. But even as a boat owner, I haven't forgotten my roots.
You don't always need a boat to catch a big bass. As matter of fact, one of my personal bests to date was caught bank fishing. Never underestimate fishing from shorelines of a lake or pond. Every body of water has at least one dominant bass.
There are a few tips I follow that have helped me be more successful when fishing from the bank.
Here are some bank fishing tips:
- Fishing equipment or gear
Less is more. Better to pack lite so you can move around more freely and cover more water. The more spots you hit the better chance you have landing a big bass.
- How to approach the shoreline
Bass spook easily, especially lunkers, so make sure that you are quiet when you approach the shoreline.
- What to look for to find bass
Big bass like heavy cover on the bank. When you think of cover think of weeds, branches in the water, shade, basically anything a bass can use to “cover” itself. Make sure you have polarized glasses, they really help to find underwater structure and cover.
- Different Casting techniques
Shoreline access is usually limited and surrounded by obstacles. Being proficient in as many casting techniques as possible, will increase your ability to place a lure into key areas.
Check out my article on bank fishing tips. There, I explain in more details how to apply each of these tactics and techniques.
Whether you have a boat or not, never underestimate fishing the banks of a lake or pond, they can produce some really nice bass.
