Shore/Bank Fishing Tips

[Jmarley]

Hi guys, new member here. Also new to hardcore fishing. But like many people I don't have access to a boat, canoe, or even a kayak. Also don't have the funds to procure any at the moment nor the storage space available so I'm stuck on the bank. I live in the Hendersonville area so most of my fishing has been around Hendersonville and Gallatin.

I like fishing small rivers/creeks/streams and waterways due to it seeming like the fish are more concentrated, biting and those spots are not as fished as many of the access points around here, but need some help with fishing on the bank of the lake.

What's the easiest way to recognize good structure underwater from the shorelines? I'm looking out for fallen trees, stumps and things like that, but without a fish finder I'm having a hard time telling what exactly is down there or even if there's any fish nearby.

I'm also having a hard time telling the water depth. Obviously darker water = deeper water, but I don't know if I'm throwing into 2 feet of water or 10 feet of water. When looking out on the water with the sun shining you can see certain areas where there is more shimmer (maybe more choppiness on the water) and areas where there are no shimmer. The picture below describes what I'm talking about, the only thing I added are the red lines outlining the areas with no shimmer. Does that give any clues or indications on what the bottom of the water may be like or whether it is deeper or not?
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18580539/Shimmer.png

Are the bubbles coming out of the water good signs of fish activity? Is it worth trying to fish an area where fish are particular jumping out of the water with lots of top water activity? Seems like it to me, but don't get too many bites if any.

Any suggestions on certain lures that I may have better luck with? I've had some luck with texas rigged worms and spinners. Been using various darker colors to match the water color/weather Haven't used too many crankbaits due to the fact I usually get hung up on something and end up losing them. I've also been doing alot of research online about lure use and techniques.


Almost done, any good fishing areas around the Hendersonville/Gallatin areas I should checkout? I'm not looking for GPS coordinates or an exact location but maybe a general area might be good for some bank fishing. Same things goes for small waterways or creeks, I've found one area in Gallatin that I like, has pretty easy access, just looking on google maps or using my gps I have gone to just about any good looking creek in the nearby area I could see, but either it was just a trickle, on private lands, or no feasible way to access it without bringing a chainsaw to cut open a clearing.

Last but not least any others tips or ideas you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Travis C.]

What's the easiest way to recognize good structure underwater from the shorelines? I'm looking out for fallen trees, stumps and things like that, but without a fish finder I'm having a hard time telling what exactly is down there or even if there's any fish nearby.


The underwater structure will not vary a bunch from the above water structure.

Example: If your fishing at a place that is on the edge of a field then the bottom contour will be pretty much the same as behind you on the field until it hits a channel. On the flip side if you are fishing a steep hilly bank then the bottom contour will continue to fall at the same rate as the hill until it bottoms in the channel or slopes toward it.

If there are a bunch of trees behind you then there will either be a bunch of fallen trees out in front or stumps as they cleared a lot of Old Hickory after which usually pushed them to the nearest channel before impounding the lake.

Almost all the time the steep straight up or 45 degree banks will be either on or closer to the channel at the least it will mean deeper water than that which is across from it.

Long explanation... to say pay close attention to what's above the water as it will tell you what's below. Even with a sonar or on the bank fishing.

[eaglestrike09]

Bank fishing is tough! Just about anything you throw out there is likely to get hung up and broken off! I like throwing texas rigged plastics for this reason. There is one spot everywhere I go that I can catch at least one fish, Boatramps!!! Throw that baby brush hog down the side of any boat ramp and see whats there waiting to bite!! As for your water shimmer question, I believe that is just the wind. And look for the dark spots in the water that may be a submerged stump or rock!! Hope I have been
helpful and welcome to the Forum!!!

[Jmarley]

Thanks for the tips. Getting hung up on things is the main reason why I'm forcing myself to stick to the texas rigged worms for now.. Those $3 to $5 lures can add up pretty quick.

Have any 'proven' lures that I should pick up? Trying to expand my tackle box as well. Open to recommendations for anything that may have worked particularly well for you guys in shallower waters.

Thanks again.

[Alphahawk]

Up until March of this year I had been only fishing from the bank since 2004. I caught a lot of fish...of all specie. I do travel a lot in the state but it took years to find all my spots. I would advise you to look at Google maps. I found quite a few great fishing spots doing that. A tail race is always great. Bridges...railroad trestles...that cross water are great places. Look for drainage culverts that might carry water from the main body of water to a small bay or cove. If you trout fish go to the Caney Fork during no generation. In September I will start my Crappie fishing. Even though I have kayaks now I will be doing that from 3 spots that I have found on the bank. Might use the kayaks to have some fun trolling but I know my bank spots will produce and that is where most of my time will be spent for my Crappie fishing.

Good Luck

[fisher01]

A lot of good advice here from the previous posters. I've been bank/wading Percy Priest for the last 25 years. What I like to do during the low water conditions it walk around various areas and take notice of brush piles, stumps, small rock ledges, road beds, small springs, etc. When I bank fish, if I don't catch anything in the first 10 minutes, I'll move to my next location. When I do locate fish, I'll stay there and work the area thoroughly until they stop biting. I'd rather go locate feeding fish, then wait/hope they come to me. When fishing, I'm also targeting a specific fish. For example, I went fishing Friday evening from 6:00-8:30 PM and had a blast catching 20 bluegills all 7-9" and 5 catfish (18-24" long). For me this is bluegill/catfish time of the year. All of these were caught on a 1/16oz black/charteuse jig. When falls arrives, I'll target more yellow stripe, white bass, largemouth, hybrids. The best advice I can offer, is keep scouting and moving when bank fishing. When you catch fish, take notice of the location and pattern, as they repeat themselves. If you catch fish on a point, go the the next point and try that area out rather then fish all the unproductive water in between. Hope some of these comments help.

[Alphahawk]

A lot of good advice here from the previous posters. I've been bank/wading Percy Priest for the last 25 years. What I like to do during the low water conditions it walk around various areas and take notice of brush piles, stumps, small rock ledges, road beds, small springs, etc. When I bank fish, if I don't catch anything in the first 10 minutes, I'll move to my next location. When I do locate fish, I'll stay there and work the area thoroughly until they stop biting. I'd rather go locate feeding fish, then wait/hope they come to me. When fishing, I'm also targeting a specific fish. For example, I went fishing Friday evening from 6:00-8:30 PM and had a blast catching 20 bluegills all 7-9" and 5 catfish (18-24" long). For me this is bluegill/catfish time of the year. All of these were caught on a 1/16oz black/charteuse jig. When falls arrives, I'll target more yellow stripe, white bass, largemouth, hybrids. The best advice I can offer, is keep scouting and moving when bank fishing. When you catch fish, take notice of the location and pattern, as they repeat themselves. If you catch fish on a point, go the the next point and try that area out rather then fish all the unproductive water in between. Hope some of these comments help.

Excellent advice. I have taken as much advantage as I can of scouting out Center Hill this year. I am 61 year of age and it has not been this low in my lifetime....and once the dam is repaired will never be this low again. Even for us bank fisherman scouting out areas during low water is a great idea.


Regards

[Travis C.]

Have any 'proven' lures that I should pick up? Trying to expand my tackle box as well. Open to recommendations for anything that may have worked particularly well for you guys in shallower waters.

Thanks again.

If you are covering water looking for a bite its hard to go wrong with a spinnerbait. Nothing real fancy just cast-n-retreive. For Old Hickory get a 1/4oz chartruse and white with a silver and gold willow leaf on it. Booyah has them for around $3 or so.

Then after you catch a few on a certain spot use the worm to work the area pretty good.

Schooling fish that are jumping out of the water can be a fun bite "if" you can reach them and burn something through the school to get a reaction bite or let something twitch then slowly fall down under the school.

The shimmering on the water could be wind, chop from boats or current being pulled reflecting the sun's light not really an indication of fish. However, it is by far better to fish banks that the wind is blowing toward you while you're standing on it than away from you. The wind will blow plankton and micro organisms against the banks causing the whole food chain to follow.

Like Alpha said bridge's. I fish everyone I come to on the water. They provide a current break even when you think there isn't any current. Almost always trees or branches get drifted or lodged into them and at the base is always concrete/chunk rock which harbor crayfish.

Next time out instead of thinking "where are the fish" think "where would I be if I was a fish." Sounds silly but bass are ambush predators. They need food nearby and something to hide by in which to ambush it. It could be a tree, rock or even a depth change. Fish those areas more and less random casting your luck will improve but once you do catch one...ask yourself why then start putting the puzzle pieces together.

[Kiss my Bass]

Best tool I have found for bank fishing is google earth in satellite view, great for finding bank spots and seeing structure in the water,bridges etc. more often then not.
Also check out TVA's river access points pdf's like the one below.
Good luck!!!
http://www.duckriverwatershed.org/Access_files/Duck%20River%20Access%20Points.pdf

[Newbie]

I am amazed with that valuable advices. Thank you guys for all those advices.

Bank fishing is tough! Just about anything you throw out there is likely to get hung up and broken off! I like throwing texas rigged plastics for this reason. There is one spot everywhere I go that I can catch at least one fish, Boatramps!!! Throw that baby brush hog down the side of any boat ramp and see whats there waiting to bite!! As for your water shimmer question, I believe that is just the wind. And look for the dark spots in the water that may be a submerged stump or rock!! Hope I have been
helpful and welcome to the Forum!!!
I was frustrated by that, and thought that I am doing something wrong. I lost many lures by getting stuck between the rocks

I would advise you to look at Google maps. I found quite a few great fishing spots doing that.
Alphahawk, what to look for exactly in Google map?

[Newbie]

Dude, we are having a friendly gathering for all forum member in October.
http://www.fishingtn.com/showthread.php?t=5398
Join us and lets have a good time :)


I'm also having a hard time telling the water depth. Obviously darker water = deeper water, but I don't know if I'm throwing into 2 feet of water or 10 feet of water.


Is it worth trying to fish an area where fish are particular jumping out of the water with lots of top water activity? Seems like it to me, but don't get too many bites if any.

Those two questions are so important for me. Any idea about it??