ok i know this is probably the most asked question ever but i have a hard time with it. when you guys are at the lake without a boat or electronics or anything what techniques do you use to find the bass? thanks

The Eyes Have It.

Begin by observing the angle of the bank, the bottom content, changes in bank angle

and changes in bottom content. Look for entering creeks and pay particular attention

to all forms of cover: weedy, woody & rocky. If other anglers are present,

note their whereabouts and how well they're doing. Listen for the splash of a feeding bass

and look for piscivorous birds such as ospreys, kingfishers, green herons and so on.

The bottom line of course is fish contact.

Roger

Ah, tis tough.

My trips so far on the bank have been a mixed bag. Most of the time I can't walk the bank to try all these diffrent spots since they are camped. People fishing for Cats and bluegill.  I do my best to be courteous but I still get some looks.

The best sign of bass in an area is the presence of baitfish at the surface leaping, darting. Those are usually easy to see and sometimes hear and smell unless you are a smoker. If they are present sooner or later they will surface when bass begin forcing them to the surface. If there are no good supplies of minnows or baitfish or other forage bass won't likely be there. The bass do break often, but sometimes you have to watch for swirls and wakes, not quite showing themselves. Aside from all these ideas being posted. the surest way to locate bass without electronics is to put the right kind of bait in spots where bass like to be, like in a laydown, a brush pile, under docks, over points, etc. Focus on the classic cover and structure features you can see in the water.

Jim

Watch the locals.

Here is a thread that should help you...

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1147654036/2#2