My lake is very low right now, so there is alot more accesable fishing that I can get to by foot.

I've taken advantage of this fact a few times lately and have done pretty well.

This evening I fished a favorite spot that I have only fished from the boat before.  I acutally did better than usual.  

My conclusion is that when bank fishing we are less tempted to rush the presentation.

Especially in our favorite "hot spots".  These are the places where the anticipation is high and we may get a little over eager.  but from the bank, you fish slower, more methodically and make sure to cover every inch of the water column.

Not exactly "power fishing" but a fun way to spend a few hours in the outdoors.

hey Avid do you think it was so succesful on that bank b/c the bait is being presenterd from the shore side instead of the boat side. I have often wondered if fish get used to seeing the same baits coming at them from the same direction, and if changing directions will get more stikes?

IMO fish do grow weary of baits presented in the same way every time.  That is why it is a good idea to change things up every once and a while.  Instead of presenting perpendicularly to the bank, trying working parallel.

Avid, I agree totally.  If I'm in a boat I've got to worry about the wind and keeping the boat in position.  If I'm on the bank, I've just got the bait to worry about.

Many more distractions for a boat fisherman.  Plus I am very tempted to cover as much water as possible instead of fishing a hole from every possible angle.

Funny you should mention that Dom.

I was thinking this afternoon, how as kids we would always complain that the bass don't like baits heading "toward" the bank. We longed for a boat.

It seems like one of those grass is greener things.

NO, personally I believe that

#1. This afternoon was just a good day.

#2. I was sittling on the bank like a good ole boy, not caring about my burdens, and just concentrating on what presentation would most likely get me a fish.

#3. I had 4 hard baits, and about 3 different soft baits. (tube, senko, brush hog) I had to make what I had work, so

#4. It's not the exact bait so much as using what fits the conditions and being patient.

#5. the young woman sunbathing in her mini bikini accross the creek also helps you stay in one spot.

the only problem was I kept grabbing the wrong rod. 8-)

Avid, you're making me long for summer and pontoon boats on the big lakes.   ;D

HAY I KNEW IT AVID HAS A POCKET ROCKET

I don't have a boat and all I do is fish from the bank and have done pretty good for not having a boat. I think at times it helps for the bass to see the lure in a different direction. I was fishing from the bank  and a guy was in a boat in the same spot. I ended up catching 3 bass from the same spot that he was just fishing in so I think at times it does help. I still wish I had a boat.

Some of my best memories have been made fishing from the bank.  

Sounds like you found yourself a little piece of Shangrala there Avid. There is a lot to be said for keeping it simple and slowing down. As far as the woman in the mini bikini, as Curley of the Three Stooges once said  " knaaa, knaaa, knaaa !!! ".  

the only problem was I kept grabbing the wrong rod. 8-)

You definately don't want to do that,..... you want to use a rod with some backbone left in it.    ;D

I fish from the bank all the time.  I don't know know one with a boat so I try the tactics that I read in magazines and watch on television.  Sometimes they work really well and others they dont.  One thing I love about bank fishing is that you can be more creative and sometimes actually study the fish.

Last year I spent more time fishing from the bank than I have since I was a kid.  I found that I was able to establish a pattern that held up all season long - I was fishing from a bank that is pretty heavily pressured.  It is about 50 - 75 yards from the main channel and comes up to a long flat with lots of brush and laydowns.  I would hit the bank at about 7:30 each evening and start out throwing a T-rigged worm or weightless Senko type bait.  The Blue Gill would peck away at the baits until it was almost unbearable and then suddenly, about the time the sun was setting, the BG bite would stop - within about 15 minutes I would start getting Bass bites.  At that point I would switch to a buzz bait or chatter bait and catch 2-4#'ers until the skeeters ran me off the lake.  Oddly enough, I tried fishing this same area from a boat and also watched lots of other boaters fish this same area at the same time, but nothing was happening.  I still like heading out in the boat, but never pass up a chance to fish from the bank.

  the only problem was I kept grabbing the wrong rod.  8-)

You definately don't want to do that,..... you want to use a rod with some backbone left in it.    ;D

LOL!!!

I pound the bank too man!  It's easy to just sneak up on a spot and hit it.  I know the boat gets you to cool places, but it's a mission.  Now if were talkin' lake front property... ;D  I'd be one of  the guys with feeders and piles.

As an avid bank fisherman even though I own a boat.  I just find it easier to fish from the bank with less hastle of messing with the boat and what not.

Definately while the water is way down on your lake take maybe a note pad and write down some specifics about the lay of the land and some of the cover that you see.  Remember when you finally get that rain it'll all be under water again.  If you pay attention and remember it well you'll pullin in those big belly bass off cover your buddies sure didn't know was there.

I have a couple of boats, but I almost always fish from the bank or wade in the spring.  Every spring my local lake (Grenada Lake, MS) is overrun with crappie fishermen, and the roads to the local forestry service lakes are closed.  So I bike in & fish a couple of the forestry service lakes from the bank.  I agree that you slow down and fish more thoroughly from the bank or while wading.  You also don't have to deal with the boat control, etc.  I enjoy fishing from the bank as much as I do fishing from a boat, and I always catch more fish from the bank.  

Many of Toledo Bend's shore lines are covered with buck brush and during the spring this brush is flooded thus affording bass an almost impenetrable hiding place.

One way I attack this thick cover is with a short heavy action rod, a jig, and on foot.  

I caught my Virginia PB fishing out of a tree lol.

 I have always pretty much been a bank beater in small ponds and lakes and almost always have a great time. Don't get me wrong, have loved every chance I've had to fish from a boat. I think you've been grabing the afore mentioned wrong rocket to much if you say otherwise :. The fish haven't seen every lure in the world swim past.

 BTW You folks that do fish from the bank (you might have already realized this), I was catching fish so close in that I started stopping short of the edge and pitching or flipping to where I was going. You might get surprised if you do some creeping

                                          As Ever,

                                           Skillet

I've had similar experiences skillet. When the fish are close to the bank, a lot of times it really can make a difference to stand away from the edge and wear a neutral colored shirt to blend with the background.

i know i certainly work a spot more thoroughly from the bank.  if im in a boat it is too easy to keep moving and hitting good looking spots but in my experience they are not as easy to come by on the bank.  

...Definately while the water is way down on your lake take maybe a note pad and write down some specifics about the lay of the land and some of the cover that you see.  Remember when you finally get that rain it'll all be under water again.  If you pay attention and remember it well you'll pullin in those big belly bass off cover your buddies sure didn't know was there.

This is so true.  I realized this after I nailed my PB.  The spot had a huge rock right there.  It showed after the water level got low.

c312,

 My son-in-law is in the military and they changed the pattern on their camo. fatigues. They are supposed to be a lot lighter and cooler than when I was in the Army (didn't even have camo. then, all OD Green ;D).

 We're driving down in April (2nd grandson) and I'm going to try and pick some shirts up for that very purpose. Great minds think alike 8-)

                                         As Ever,

                                          Skillet