Absolutely smashed em in South Carolina at a family friend's pond. Pulled in over 20 in about 2 hours, with a 3lb kicker. First time this year I had caught more than 2 in one outing. I have to admit, the pond we were fishing is like cheating--I've never had a bad day there.

Please, post more like this. I love this post. Awesome on many levels.

I mainly fish from shore. Knowing the bottom structure and layout does tell us how and where to fish it. Using a cast out hummingbird fish finder with a wrist watch reader is a big help in the smaller places were I fish with no tool maps. Once I know we're the flats, the deeper holes, the channels and points are I'm good to pick out my lure selection to fish it.

Fishing from shore is only fishing it backwards from a boat. We just need to figure when the fish are closer to the shoreline. Understanding there movements and low light conditions is the key to success, well two of them anyway. I prefer to stand in one spot and fan cast the whole area. I do not cast my casts close to each other when fan casting. I skip around with my casts not to disturb too much water in one area so I don't spook the fish. I try to make soft casts too I don't let my lure crash the water.

When walking up to the shoreline walking softly is the key. Do not step on any rocks. It sends vibrations into the water alarming the fish. Be very stealthy, handle your tackle very quietly. Put your tackle box down very softly. Do not make any noise at all.

If your fishing in the dark make sure you organize your tackle box. Use a small lite.

I like to use locking snap swivels to change lures out very quickly too. In the dark I use five rods with five lures on them. I usually don't switch lures if the sky is starting to light up to twilite as it approaches.

I'm so stealthy and quiet it's like I'm not even there. My PB of 10#lbs. Was caught two feet from shore at a drop off when I casted parallel to the shoreline. She hit my lure as it ripped out from the weeds into the open channel. She was there the whole time I was fishing there. I didn't spook her. In the dark I'm extra quiet and stealthy.

I fish at one spot that has a low bridge on top of a man made dam on both sides of it. I have rocky points, a channel with slow moving water. Flats, submerged weeds.surface weeds at one spot, Lilly pads if I cast far enough. All on one side of the low bridge. The other side were limited to a short channel that's surrounded by thick weeds at the end if it. Making short casts to the weeds edge does catch bass. But the other side has different ways to approach fishing it. The channel is 10' deep in front of me. I have a thick weedline parallel to the channel on my right with submerged weeds going into the flats. On the left side of the channel there is surface weeds but the area is deeper. The 10' deep channel goes out as far as I can cast. It stays at the 10' depth it averages. My point is the portable fish finder maps the area.

It tells me I can throw my 10' depth lures parallel to the weedline on my right.

Every body of water in this area where I fish at has a man made dam on it.

My point is I have everything you would find fishing from a boat when fishing from shore. Knowing the exact bottom structure tells us how to fish it. Bb

From what I can tell, those portable depth readers have been discontinued -- which worries me, because it seems the replacement batteries aren't available either. Please someone tell me I'm wrong...

I bank fish, and if you pay attention to details just walking along you can learn a lot as well as catch quite a few fish.  Also, look into a float tube if the waters you fish allow this, it can give you the access to waters and structure/cover you couldn't fish from shore.  Most lakes in S. Cal don't allow this for me, but the few that do and the few times I've gotten to do it you can get right up on areas and if the water is deep enough the fish don't spook.  The rush of catching a 5-6lb bass from a tube is a rush as you get spun around and pulled. This might give you a way to get off the shore and try something new.

what kind of tacklebag do yo guys use? I'm looking for a back this year that can fit a good amount of stuff into. like 4 planos, plastics, scales,pliers etc. Im really debating this

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-RRCYAMA.html?from=basres

I bank fish with these:

 

http://www.simmsfishing.com/shop/vests-packs/dry-creek-day-pack.html

 

http://www.simmsfishing.com/shop/accessories/headwaters-tackle-wallet.html - For plastics, spinner/buzz baits, and terminal tackle

 

http://www.basspro.com/Plano-Double-Side-StowAway-Utility-Boxes/product/74077/ - For my few hard lures and frogs.

 

I have plenty of room, but I tend to carry as little as possible without limiting myself. If I wanted I could get 3 (maybe just 2) 3700 Planos in the bag, but they'd be vertical and I'm worried the plastics would get messed up. With the wallet everything lays horizontal.

 

 

On 3/26/2014 at 5:46 AM, Grizzn N Bassin said:

what kind of tacklebag do yo guys use? I'm looking for a back this year that can fit a good amount of stuff into. like 4 planos, plastics, scales,pliers etc. Im really debating this

 

 http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Wild_River_TT_Nomad_Lighted_Backpack_With_Boxes_/descpage-WRN.html

I bank fish with these:

http://www.simmsfishing.com/shop/vests-packs/dry-creek-day-pack.html

http://www.simmsfishing.com/shop/accessories/headwaters-tackle-wallet.html - For plastics, spinner/buzz baits, and terminal tackle

http://www.basspro.com/Plano-Double-Side-StowAway-Utility-Boxes/product/74077/ - For my few hard lures and frogs.

I have plenty of room, but I tend to carry as little as possible without limiting myself. If I wanted I could get 3 (maybe just 2) 3700 Planos in the bag, but they'd be vertical and I'm worried the plastics would get messed up. With the wallet everything lays horizontal.

Yeah i like but its 130 . And that bag i can get for 140 and it hold like 4 planos and 3 on top. With a bunch. How much room do,you have for scales , pliers etc?

On 3/26/2014 at 5:46 AM, Grizzn N Bassin said:

what kind of tacklebag do yo guys use? I'm looking for a back this year that can fit a good amount of stuff into. like 4 planos, plastics, scales,pliers etc. Im really debating this

 

 http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Wild_River_TT_Nomad_Lighted_Backpack_With_Boxes_/descpage-WRN.html

 

This is probably a lot smaller than what you're looking for, but it's what I use (I like to travel really light). It has one big pocket that can hold plastics and a few (small) Plano cases, and one small pocket that fits my clippers / scissors / pliers. http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/atom-sling-pack?p=48259-0

 

Again, not something you want to use if you like to carry a lot of stuff around, but I like it because it's light and I don't have to take it off to access what's inside.

This is probably a lot smaller than what you're looking for, but it's what I use (I like to travel really light). It has one big pocket that can hold plastics and a few (small) Plano cases, and one small pocket that fits my clippers / scissors / pliers. http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/atom-sling-pack?p=48259-0

 

Again, not something you want to use if you like to carry a lot of stuff around, but I like it because it's light and I don't have to take it off to access what's inside.

I like that. My buddy has one like that he can fit two trays and few bags of plastics.

Yeah im looking for a bigger one. I do have a small,bag i carry im im going night fishing. In looking for something bigger just because my kvd bag is a hassel to carry

1-3700 plano spinnerbait box

 

3-3600 plano boxs

 

1- six pack soft sided cooler(contains 23 bags of plastic

 

1- hook remover

 

1- fish gripper with scale

 

All of that is in the first compartment of my backpack. Works just fine for me. Oh and as a bonus I picked it up at the Goodwill, $2.99

On 3/26/2014 at 5:46 AM, Grizzn N Bassin said:

what kind of tacklebag do yo guys use? I'm looking for a back this year that can fit a good amount of stuff into. like 4 planos, plastics, scales,pliers etc. Im really debating this

 

 http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Wild_River_TT_Nomad_Lighted_Backpack_With_Boxes_/descpage-WRN.html

Dang!  That's pretty high for a bag!  If you aren't worried about looks, BPS has one for 30 bucks.  Boxes aren't included.

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Extreme-Qualifier-360-Backpack-or-System/product/10204414/?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT

 

I purchased this one for 60 without boxes.  I fish as a co-angler and it will double for my bank fishing.

http://www.basspro.com/XPSStalker-Tackle-Bag-or-System/product/10221672/?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT

 

Although some of the reviews aren't good, I haven't had any problems yet.

It is a little pricey, but it is bullet proof. Simms is originally a fly fishing company, but has moved strongly into the world of bass fishing.

 

I keep my scale and scent in the little side pockets that are meant as rod holders. I'll also stick a couple rods on there if I'm walking far and not around trees. I wear my pliers, scissors, and knife on my belt.

 

http://www.basspro.com/Rapala-Pliers-and-Super-Line-Scissors-Combo-Pack/product/10203349/ - They come with a belt clip.

 

In the back pocket I keep my head lamp and extra line. There are also 4 internal pockets - 2 long ones that can hold 2 tall boys each and 2 square ones that can hold whatever you don't need fast access to. Gloves, first aid, etc.

 

Yeah i like but its 130 . And that bag i can get for 140 and it hold like 4 planos and 3 on top. With a bunch. How much room do,you have for scales , pliers etc?

While we're on the subject of bags, have any of you guys found something good to carry extra rods in? I've seen rod holders built into the bigger fishing backpacks, but I don't want to carry anything that big around. 

William Joseph's Mag series is great.  No zippers quick in and out, one handed.  Cheaper than many elitist fly manufacturers and you can buy direct from their web site.  Fly fishing bags are excellent for shore based fishing, thats what they're designed for.

+1

I don't own one but these look good.

https://vedavoo.com

always have a map chart of water depths gives me an idea of what to throw

I just bought this one:

 

http://store.lowepro.com/sling-bags/slingshot-202-aw

 

I know it´s not a fishing bag but it does the job, it´s similar to the snowbee slingbag, but cheaper.

I can access the inside without taking it of me.

While we're on the subject of bags, have any of you guys found something good to carry extra rods in? I've seen rod holders built into the bigger fishing backpacks, but I don't want to carry anything that big around. 

 

this one?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SAVAGE-GEAR-ROAD-RUNNER-GEAR-BAG-LUGGAGE-LURE-FISHING-/310910459094?pt=UK_SportingGoods_FishingAcces_RL&hash=item4863b51cd6

 

Or maybe just this:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281090541652?_trksid=p2055120.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Found this rod tote video for the DIY guys

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4d_jrjRPZc

Dang!  That's pretty high for a bag!  If you aren't worried about looks, BPS has one for 30 bucks.  Boxes aren't included.

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Extreme-Qualifier-360-Backpack-or-System/product/10204414/?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT

 

I purchased this one for 60 without boxes.  I fish as a co-angler and it will double for my bank fishing.

http://www.basspro.com/XPSStalker-Tackle-Bag-or-System/product/10221672/?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT

 

Although some of the reviews aren't good, I haven't had any problems yet.

Ive seen that bag before i might end of doing that instead. I just liked,the idea of a built in flash light, and sunglasses holder. But then i got thinking i have 4 head lamps. And 3 mag lites so i guess i dont need one on my bag.

I use a H2O express backpack that my wife got me for Christmas. it comes with four boxes, zip off cooler (xtra storage if desired) and several other pockets. Also has dedicated places for tools such as pliers. And a pouch on waist belt for sunglasses. I think it runs around $50-$60

Went out today on a small local lake...probably 15 to 20 people and three boats in water. All trout fishing.

Best bass spots taken. People looked at me funny when I said I was bass fishing. Probably won't go back until May when trout stocking insanity dies down.

I use the H2O Express Magnum worm bag since I fish mostly plastics. There is room on the side for 2 small Plano boxes for terminal tackle and small crankbaits. Academy Sports sells it and you can order over the Web.

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-magnum-worm-binder/pid-516652?color=Blue&N=272574547

Nice variety of bags. Ill be making my choice soon. I wish i could straps on the corner of my kvd plano box, i would,use that thing as a backpack haha

Dont know if you bought one yet but have you looked at the bps stalker bag?? The red backpack. Just got it a couple months ago. Used to use a shoulder strap bag. So its taking time to get use to the backback idea. Has alot of storage for me. I like it. Have to get better organizing skills. Haha