I am a bank fisherman. The lakes that I usually fish have alot of rip rap along the roads. I normally start at one end and fish my way along the road. I carry 3-4 rods and my tackle box. I have prepared the rods with a spinnerbait, a crankbait, and at least one soft plastic.

My question is, What order would you throw these baits? I start with the spinnerbait, then use the soft plastic, then crankbait. If I get no hits after 15 minutes or so, I move down bank right to the area at the end of my casts? and start again. If wind is not a problem, I will also cast back over the water I just fished.

How would you guys approach this??? As always, I appreciate everyones input.

Spinnerbait paralelled would be my first choice. Have you tried jerkbaits yet? Also running a buzzbait down the shore could prove to be interesting. If you need to slow it down I would look into using jigs such as a football head with a hula grub or craw or even a shakey head.You may lose a few though but it can be killer around the rocks.If you see bait dimpling the surface or any swirls whatsoever I would not hesitate to make a long cast down the bank with a zara spook.

Thanks  Bassin_Fin@tic, I should have said that, but I start casting parallel with bank and work all the water in front of me as well.

Thanks for the tips.

Shore fishing I use my 7' med/fast spin most of the time. I always start with plastic t rig 6" worms. like to work an area slow. I fan cast out usually working further distances out first. If I see bass chasing shad of course I throw past and into the shad. I like gravel surfaces and dont spend much time on silt surfaces. I will also make casts parallel in the same area. If theres some pretty good ripple on the water I will pick up my baitcaster and if wind is blowing out Ill try spinner baits. If Im fishin solo Ill stay in one area more. If with my wife and shes guardin my poles Ill tend to walk further down the shore working a spinnerbait/wormor whatever. Sometimes if its slow Ill just throw a drop shot rig out there and sit back and have a cold one. For me to anwser you I go with t rigs first. Probably just a confidence thing. Cant tell u how many times when I first get to a spot on first cast or two  8-) things heat up and I feel like its going to be a good day . My main thing working the shore is to work slow and be patient. I have one area I work from shore and in 4/5 hrs catch several bass but when I fish thru that area with my boat pick up few fish.  8-)

take one spot and burn a spinnerbait through it doing "fan cast's". or a crankbait whichever you prefer.

Then when you get into some fish, work the area with a soft plastic. I would go over the area with the spinner bait for around 20-30 minutes, and if i get no hits then id move down a bit.

good luck

take one spot and burn a spinnerbait through it doing "fan cast's". or a crankbait whichever you prefer.

Then when you get into some fish, work the area with a soft plastic. I would go over the area with the spinner bait for around 20-30 minutes, and if i get no hits then id move down a bit.

good luck

same here i always work a faster bait first to cover more area.. then once i feel a nug or find some fish ill switch from difference paces from there untill i find the most productive.

    I would fish a buzzbait first, if no blowups I would then switch to a crankbait.  After that I would go straight to the soft plastic perferbly a craw type bait since it is rip rap.

Thanks for all the input. Anyone have anything else?

I would definitely recommend a buzzbait for along the riprap, as that would be the first thing I would throw.  Then soft plastic, then crankbait.

Top Water first, like a buzz bait not to slow or fast....then to the spinner bait and I would fish it the same way as the top water bait. Crank bait preferably a lip-less and the color would have to be red craw. Then I would go to a 1/4 once jig blue/black and work the rocks really good. Good Luck.

Yes, I definately would be throwing a buzzbait first thing. I love those things. ;D

Depending on the time of year, I would be varying speeds till I got some action.

It sounded like you avoid casting into the wind, if not then forgive me for misreading, but I would suck it up and be doing some serious casting into the wind.

Any baitfish at all will be blown with the wind and thus, your motion baits look all the more real to the fish when they are swimming with the current instead of against it or sideways thru it.

You will still get bites that way, but I noticed when I started casting into the wind(which I despise)I started picking up more fish and the quality got a bit better too.

Dont know if that was just a fluke or what, but I let em talk to me.....haha.

Cyas,

D

I'd use something I have a ton of confidence in. Then I'd just try and catch some fish then fine tune my tactics from there.

Thanks to all who have added input so far. I have garnered some good tips from this thread. I rarely throw a buzzbait, so I will have to try that. I also will have to try casting into the wind as was suggested.

It is amazing the stuff I learn on here just by asking a question. Thanks to everyone for sharing your knowledge.

Not a prob that's what we're here for.

I would mix the crank and spinnerbait up and try a jerk bait as well. You didn't say how deep the area is you are fishing so.....try also tossing a small jig with a small trailer (Bitsy Jig??). I do the same thing from shore....it's peaceful huh???

ajr

I believe its important to fish the entire water column. I only carry 2 rods, and switch it to cover all areas. I'd go at it like this...

Buzzbait

Super Fluke

Lipless Crank

Sweet Beaver

Best of luck.