When bank fishing I have to guess the water temp. from what the fish are doing, month, and air temperature. Does anyone know a good way to get a good accurrate reading when bank fishing?

Pool thermometer should work well. You can put it on an old rod and cast it out away from the bank and let it sink also. then you will know the temp below the surface and at the depth you are trying to catch fish as well.

I'm not sure what a pool thermometer looks like. I use what is commonly called a "stream thermometer." It's about the size of a ballpoint pen, costs $10 or less and is often found with fly fishing gear in stores and catalogs.

A pool thermometer looks like a 1/2in plastic tube with a glass theremometer in it. They are incased in plastic in order to protect them from the concrete that surrounds the pool. If you drop one, it want break. Has a rope tie on the end. You can pick them up at Wally World in the pool section.

Sounds pretty similar to mine, as mine is cylindrical also. Probably a matter of whichever is more convenient, as they certainly will both take a temperature reading.