For better or worse, most bass articles like those on this website are geared towards fishing from a boat. It's how many anglers target bass, so there's a big emphasis on using your electronics, boat positioning, and other themes that apply to bass boats but make less sense for those fishing from the bank. Some pieces translate, but fishing from the shoreline has challenges and opportunities.
Fishing from the shore is how most anglers get their start, and it's a fun way to target bass, even if you also spend some of your fishing time in a boat. When fishing from the bank, a simplistic approach is usually the best, and it can pay dividends because fishing this way is a perfect way to spend time outdoors, even if you only have an hour or two of free time to spare.
Pack Light with the Basics
There are many reasons why keeping your tackle selection simple is the way to go for shore fishing. One is just for the practical reason of having less to lug around. A backpack or small tackle bag is more than enough gear to fish from the bank.
You can minimize tackle selection because some baits translate poorly to shore fishing. Deep diving crankbaits and jigging spoons are two examples as they are much harder to fish from the shore and should be left at home. Instead, a solid selection of shallow-water lures like frogs, jigs, ChatterBaits, and soft plastics are a must for any bank fisherman.
When it comes to rods, versatility is the best approach. Having a rod or two that can fish various fishing techniques is a smart practice. It will make it much easier to swap lures and still have a rod that can fish that bait effectively. Some good examples would be do-it-all rods like a 7-foot medium-heavy baitcast setup or a 7-foot medium spinning rod. You can use these two rods for many different bass lures.
Stay Stealthy
One benefit of fishing from the shore is that it can be much easier to sneak up on fish and catch fish that otherwise may have been alerted to because of the sounds of outboards, trolling motors, electronics, and anglers moving around in a boat. That's why it pays to be cautious of your sound when fishing from the shoreline, as it can be much easier to be stealthy when shore fishing.
Some good examples of how to catch more bass when fishing from the shore are to make your casts count. Before stepping onto a dock or pier to start fishing, make several casts around them. Bass love these types of cover, and it's wise to assume that at least one bass lurks around them. The same goes for stumps, laydowns, and bank grass. Make your casts and present your lures to these high percentage areas long before you make noise approaching and stand right next to them. Sounds and even your own shadow can hamper your chances of catching some of these shallow bass.
After making your initial casts, fishing from a dock can be some of the best bass fishing you can find on the shore. Bass and forage like bluegill and crappie will often be around docks as they offer plenty of shade, making them great places to target bass whether fishing from them or casting to them from a boat.
Marinas and Boat Launches
Access to some bodies of water is limited, and your best chance to fish from the shore is to head to a boat launch or marina. These are high-traffic areas and have plusses and minutes for shore-bound anglers.
The negatives are that they are often crowded and full of other anglers. There's also the constant coming and going from those launching boats. But, fish in these areas tend to be conditioned to the sounds and can still be productive fishing areas.
Another thing to consider is that many bass tournaments release their fish around these places at the end of the tournament. This leads to a higher concentration of bass in many of these areas, and the plus is that they are all legal tournament-sized bass who have proven they are willing to bite lures.
Fishing in these areas can be productive, especially with finesse techniques like a drop-shot or Ned Rig. Focusing on the best pieces of cover, whether it is a dock, rock, lay down, or even the boat ramp itself can be the way to go. Hitting these areas with multiple casts from different angles will undoubtedly lead to more bites.
Ponds, Canals, and Other Small Bodies of Water
Another excellent choice for beating the bank is to fish in overlooked places or simply too small for boats to use. Across the country, canals, farm ponds, retention ponds, and small creeks can produce excellent bass fishing opportunities.
These small bodies of water should be considered as they can produce excellent fishing and are easy to access from the shoreline. Keeping it simple with basic lures and hitting the obvious places like water inflows, bridges, underwater objects, and irregularities in the shoreline can be the best bet to catch fish.
Fishing from the bank is a fun way to target bass because it's inexpensive compared to fueling up a gas-guzzling outboard, and it can produce just as many bass for savvy anglers. Opportunities abound for anglers wishing to fish from shore. With some research on access points and a willingness to explore new areas, you can experience some excellent bass fishing.
