Bank Fishing for Bass

[SOBass]

Ok, so let's be specific here. Since fishing from a boat or floatation device gives you a definite advantage in most scenarios, what type of lure/ technique do you find most productive from the bank?

[codeman]

over on oxbow reservoir, and below hells canyon dam on the snake river, our 1 1/2 inch deep diving craw dad crankbaits definately out fish eveything else we throw. On 4# line they will dive down to about 10 ft, and bounce off of the large boulders in the river. when you catch a small mouth, they will almost always puke out several real craw dads of the same color and size. I think it makes up the bulk of thier diet. When the sun is really out, the fish go super deep. We have better luck then on tiny 2 inch curly tails or tube jigs on 1/8 oz (or even smaller sometimes, when they prefer the bait to drop slowly) jigs fished slowly on bottom.

[MXRacer105]

Before I had a boat, I would fish small rivers with a split shot rigged Senko a lot. Light enough weight that you actually drift fish the majority of the time. You can also try spinnerbaits, lipless cranks, and/or speed traps for the reaction bites. The type of lures you can cast out and bring back to the bank without hanging up.

[SOBass]

I suppose I should tell too since I started the thread. I have found cranks and a slow retrieve of a live nightcrawler most effective. My best cranks from the bank are:
gold/black rapal minnow
baby bass bomber model A
rebel craw

[bad habit]

For bank fishing, having a lure that you can through a country mile gives you alot more water to cover...which could up your chances. Try a texas rigged senco. If you want something that will sink a little slower, just remove the weight, that senco will still get out there. Basically, anything texas rigged is a winner. Just my opinoin.

[IslandBass]

As someone who is practically shorebound, I'll fill you in on a little secret....

Any technique that works on a boat will work from the shore....


Therefore, they're all (techniques) effective from the shore. Drop Shot, Jig, Crankbait, Jerkbait, T-rig, C-rig, Topwater, inline spinner, spoon, or whatever.

All of the techniques listed have been effective for me and I know I've left out a few.

Just as in fishing from a boat, not every technique is going to be effective all of the time, which is why, like a boat angler, we have to experiment until you find what works for that instant.

[uhmw]

I catch alot of nice bass from the bank in the willy. I use a fly rod and flip out a live night crawler with no weight let it settle and then inch it in. simple but efective.

[Jrr]

I thought that was the bankers secret weapon, but now you gave it away

[USCGauxHinkle]

Originally Posted by SOBass

Ok, so let's be specific here. Since fishing from a boat or floatation device gives you a definite advantage in most scenarios, what type of lure/ technique do you find most productive from the bank?

i like carolina rigged roboworms. i've had a lot of luck on a small local river from the bank with that setup.

[Tred73]

Depending on the type of water lake versus stream versus pond versus creek etc. Seems like my go to set up is some sort of Texas rigged rubber creature like worm brush hog etc. You can fish it so many ways fast, slow, heavy or light. A little scent sometimes is the ticket too.

[SOBass]

Originally Posted by IslandBass

As someone who is practically shorebound, I'll fill you in on a little secret....

Any technique that works on a boat will work from the shore....


Therefore, they're all (techniques) effective from the shore. Drop Shot, Jig, Crankbait, Jerkbait, T-rig, C-rig, Topwater, inline spinner, spoon, or whatever.

All of the techniques listed have been effective for me and I know I've left out a few.

Just as in fishing from a boat, not every technique is going to be effective all of the time, which is why, like a boat angler, we have to experiment until you find what works for that instant.

I know any technique will work and it always depends on where you are fishing, but quite often fishing from the bank doesn't allow you to fish towards the spots where the fish are laying. Quite often they are closer to bank which makes catching them a little more challenging since by the time you catch their attention you are just about at the end of your cast. I have found jigs and spinnerbaits much less productive from the shore personally.

[c_hawks]

senko 3-4inch NO weight! let the water work the plastic! once on bottom reel slow! if the water is moving 2 fast throw weight but that 4 inch is pretty heavy compared 2 the 3inch! my buddy gets ****** cause i throw a senko sometime like a nightcrawler an i'll leave it on the bottom give it bout 5-8mins then start pulln it!

[BassBware]

i've had some good success using 4"senkos from shore. mainly around grass cover. i've had some success using spinnerbaits from shore also. with the spinnerbaits i like to cast parallel to the bank if theres space or cast it past a stump the retrieve it right by it.

[catfishman89]

Fishing from the shore on the deep rocks on the willamette dont reguire long casts. I use a superfluke weightless and cast it out like 10 feet and hold on. This only really works in may and june though. For distance cast a spinnerbait or crankbait.

[boblag]

The only thing I would be less likely to use is a lipped crank, since sometimes they're hard to unsnag without being directly over them. Even lipless cranks work fine if you have heavy enough gear (plus they're cheaper to lose). I've noticed no difference with spinnerbaits, inline spinner, plastics, etc. The main thing is what type of structure you're fishing, regardless of whether it's from the bank or a boat.

[hawgcatcher]

Growing up near Oregon City, I fished the Rock Island sloughs from shore. Myself and the rest of the river rats used Rapala, Jitterbug, River Runt and marabou jigs. We always had nightcrawlers (didn't have "plastic worms") and that was our go to rig. We would use a small #6 hook and light line (4 or 6) and just hook the tip of the worm. We caught lots that way.

Those days were fun and we didn't have a ton of equipment to lug around. We would fish the log rafts that were stored there and we found lots of Bass lying in the ends of the logs. Spinners were good too.

Fishing from the bank was enjoyable and there were always fish in the area.