How can a bank fisherman read the water temp? sticking your hand in very shallow water isnt very accurate.

Get a swimming pool thermometer, tie a string on it, and throw it in the water.

Take a look at what is out there and check your local Wal-Mart.

 

http://www.swimoutlet.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=371&sitelink=deck2

This is what I use:

 

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AtosC148BXfU4hxkpE3kapZG2vAI;_ylc=X1MDMjE0MjQ3ODk0OARfcgMyBGZyA3VoM19teV93ZWJfZ3MEZnIyA3NhLWdwBGdwcmlkAwRuX2dwcwMzBG9yaWdpbgNteS55YWhvby5jb20EcG9zAzEEcHFzdHIDBHF1ZXJ5A2Zsb2F0aW5nIHN3aW1taW5nIHBvb2wgdGhlcm1vbWV0ZXJzBHNhYwMxBHNhbwMx?p=floating%20swimming%20pool%20thermometers&type=1button&fr=uh3_my_web_gs

I just bought a thermometer for fish tanks and tied it to a line.  I throw it out, let it sink and in a minute or two I have a reading.

I just bought a thermometer for fish tanks and tied it to a line.  I throw it out, let it sink and in a minute or two I have a reading.

So you're not using a floating thermometer? If so, does that mean you always want to get the temperature of the bottom?

So you're not using a floating thermometer? If so, does that mean you always want to get the temperature of the bottom?

Good point, personally i use toes.

In the "old" days, we use to use a "Depth-O-Plug". An ingenious device which measured temp and depth of the area you are fishing. Probably not made anymore though. Pool themometers appear to be your best option these days.

Here's one that works great: http://www.fishpondusa.com/swift-thermometer.cfm

So you're not using a floating thermometer? If so, does that mean you always want to get the temperature of the bottom?

 

Could use a bobber  and adjust depth

So you're not using a floating thermometer? If so, does that mean you always want to get the temperature of the bottom?

 

Fishing from the bank you are pretty limited in where you can fish.  If I am very limited I bypass the thermometer altogether and just go fish.  If I hit a lake with a good amount of water which I can access I test the waters to see which is warmer is spring/fall.  They tend to attract more fish.  It's not a science for me but IMO during those times I do tend to find fish in the warmer waters.

 

As for the bottom vs. surface temp.  IMO I tend to think the surface is much more variable throughout the day and can prove to be deceiving.  Meaning it warms/cools much faster than the water below.  A more consistent water temp can be found in the water below.  When you see a 1 - 2 degree difference below then you know it's a true change over a period in time.