I bought a fishing kayak so I didn't have to fish from shore any more.. Best decision I've ever made...

95% boat nowadays. If I'm fishing a pond that I can only fish 50% from the bank, I'll be in one of my little truck bed jons fishing it all.

My 5% bank fishing has produced a few big girls.

I fish both. I like walking the trails and jumping in holes along the way. Also love surf fishing at night in the summer

I fish more frequently from the bank but usually only for a few hours max. I mostly take my kids bank fishing and for good reason.

My last boat outing I took my girls to a friends and family tournament. I got hit in the head twice, hooked in the shirt once, and had numerous honorable mentions. It was an enjoyable and very hectic outing.

It reminded me of the time when my grandfather took me fishing and I smacked him right in the head with a giant plastic bobber. He said, “Okay, you’re done.” …And that was the last time I was able to cast on my own that day. 😆

Boat 99% of the time. I do want to use my kayak a few times this year. 95% boat and 5% kayak would be ideal.

Maybe 10-15% of my trips each year are from the shore or wading. Usually rivers, and usually when I have just a small amount of time to spare. The rest of the time I'm fishing by kayak.

Both. As most have said, if it’s a quick fix, bank. If it’s my day off and I have the day to myself or we go on vacation, boat. It can be tough around here because most water is heavily tree lined or private property. If you can get to most bank spots on public access, they get pressured by everyone and their mother.

98% boat, The only time I fish from the band is when I fish the ponds at the golf course.

I bank fish a lot and love it. I like simplicity in fishing. I try to make it as much me vs fish as I can. I did get a kayak last year and love bassin’ with that too. If you truly enjoy fishing, you’re loving it no matter how you get it.

I laugh when guys think a watercraft means “getting away from other people” like there isn’t millions of other boats and kayaks around lol

A boat 99.5% of the time. I caught dozens of bass casting from my boardwalk in all of 2025, but the majority of my pond has an uncastable shoreline. 75% is wetlands. The other 25% is private land that's steep and rocky. So, I can cast from my boardwalk and that's it. One time I caught six bass in seven casts from my boardwalk, but that was the exception. Usually it's one, two, or three. I do love fishing from a shoreline. It's comfy casting. I wish my pond permitted it. Here's a pic of some of the shoreline:

See the plants? They're growing in soil, right? However, when you step on it, it's like walking on a waterbed.

And here's some of the shoreline that's solid. Not much better, huh?

Yes

8 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Yes

Says the man who fishes everywhere for everything every which way.

On 2/20/2026 at 3:46 PM, STPC said:

It’s too easy to just slide the kayak in and out of the truck bed to not use it

AMEN to that. My kayak stays in my truck most of the year.

Mainly from a boat. Unfortunately there are not a lot of places around me to fish from the bank unless you know the land owner. I have a ton of ponds close to my house and can't fish a single one. To fish the small rivers near me I would need a Kayak or plastic boat. Around me you either get on the water and fish, or don't fish at all. The places that you can fish off the bank are constantly fished and unproductive.

95% bank. i am blessed with terrific bank access to a large flood control reservoir with big bass in it.
truth be told I have pretty similar catch rates regardless of boat vs bank. there are stealth advantages on foot sometimes. Basically unless I'm fishing offshore, flipping docks, or working suspended bass, I would rather be on the bank. I am thinking this year about using a kayak to expand my bank fishing. of all things. lol

I fish from a kayak mostly, but do fish from the bank as well around the local ponds.

Always was jelly of all the ponds in the US, but it never even came to me that they're mostly private. Well, that's sucks.

If someone offers me to ride their boat, I will grab it. Majority of the time, its the bank that I have to settle for.

On 2/25/2026 at 7:54 PM, Swamp Girl said:

seven casts

On 2/25/2026 at 7:54 PM, Swamp Girl said:

A boat 99.5% of the time. I caught dozens of bass casting from my boardwalk in all of 2025, but the majority of my pond has an uncastable shoreline. 75% is wetlands. The other 25% is private land that's steep and rocky. So, I can cast from my boardwalk and that's it. One time I caught six bass in seven casts from my boardwalk, but that was the exception. Usually it's one, two, or three. I do love fishing from a shoreline. It's comfy casting. I wish my pond permitted it. Here's a pic of some of the shoreline:

See the plants? They're growing in soil, right? However, when you step on it, it's like walking on a waterbed.

And here's some of the shoreline that's solid. Not much better, huh?

Those pictures look great. I would rent a canoe and call my top water FROG crew and go to work. 😂👍

I am always fishing from a bank. So normally 2 poles, 1 casting and 1 spinning, my sling pack with my tackle and my net. I would like a fishing kayak someday so until then, I’m banking it. 😂

9 hours ago, FLYING HIGH said:

Those pictures look great. I would rent a canoe and call my top water FROG crew and go to work. 😂👍

I am always fishing from a bank. So normally 2 poles, 1 casting and 1 spinning, my sling pack with my tackle and my net. I would like a fishing kayak someday so until then, I’m banking it. 😂

Bank anglers have a greater challenge and so when you land bass, it's a greater achievement.