Here at MVF we like to take the time to go through the mail and try to answer those questions that have a recurring theme to them. One
With the right approach, shore fishing can be great
of those, especially lately, is regarding what the shore bound angler can do, this time of year to catch some fish when they can’t get to the deeper water because they don’t have access to a boat.
There have also been a lot of references to having a lot of grass close to shore that just causes problems for shallow cranks and other hard baits. So let’s take this apart a little bit to help point you in the right direction.
First, Get Your Eyes Right
Depending on where you live and of course the water that you’re fishing, there are some adjustments that you can make. First off, take some time to really survey the lake and look for some new areas to fish. Some of the signs you will be looking for are bait. Are there any panfish or shad that inhabit a cove or back bay that you haven’t tried?
This is where a good pair of polarized sunglasses comes in mighty handy. Both the kid and I prefer Costa Del Mar’s with the 580 lenses for our eyewear but the most important element is whether or not your glasses allow you to see into the water and determine what’s there. Locating a food source is one part of the puzzle.
Locate Fish Friendly Structure
When I visit an unfamiliar body of water, especially this time of year, I am looking first for food and secondly for shade. Yes, bass use shade just the way we do. They don’t like to bake in the sun when it’s eleventy-seven degrees out any more than the rest of us. Shade can come in several forms in the underwater world and isn’t limited to overhanging trees, although this is usually a good place to start given it has the other ingredients too. For fish, shade can be generated by heavily matted vegetation or horizontal cover including tree branches, lay-downs, floating plants and/or grasses as well as man-made structures like docks. All of these can be fished effectively from shore if you choose the right bait and are patient to hit them from all angles.
So let’s say that you’ve found a new place with both of these ingredients. Should you give it a shot to see if you can get a bite? You certainly can but in the interest of narrowing down potential spots you might take a moment and consider this. One more thing I look for before setting up shop is activity.
Not just that there are some small baitfish in the area, activity that suggests a more robust level of involvement from predators. Are there some schools of bait breaking the surface? This is a good thing ‘cause most freshwater impoundments aren’t usually inhabited by flying fish which means there is something making them really nervous in the near proximity. Do you see some lily pads or stalks moving? You could be witnessing the after effects of carp or catfish but it could also be your target species. Now, I’m really ready to give this area a shot.
Choosing Baits
As far as choosing lures, the first rule of thumb is to pick one that you have confidence in. Yes, there are some that I would choose over others considering the current season and the conditions you find. No matter where I find myself fishing this time of year, I have a short list that consists of top-water baits, swim jigs and trailers, soft plastic jerk baits, creature or craw lures and soft plastic swimbaits.
With this selection, I can effectively cover the entire water column fairly quickly and usually figure out where the fish are holding and what speed they prefer that day. From there, you may need to refine your presentation but that happens all the time. Right now you’re just trying to find the beasts and give yourself a chance to hook up!
Remember, fishing from shore is different than from a boat. You will often have to deal with more impediments walking the bank. With this in mind, you really should consider having some weedless lures at the ready that you have a lot of faith in. Even better is to have some that allow you flexibility in your presentation like the ones I mentioned. I hope this helps the folks who have been struggling.
See ya’ on the water …