Over the years I’ve spent a ton of time fishing different lakes, ponds and reservoirs from the bank. One thing I’ve noticed fishing with and observing others is that there are certain anglers that are able to catch more fish than others.
I realized early on that if I wanted to be successful fishing from the shore there were certain techniques, strategies, tips and things I needed to learn to be able to catch more fish. At the time I wish I had someone that could have taught me these things.
For this reason, I have put together the following list of key strategies and tips that I ‘ve learned over the years that will help you catch more fish while fishing from the shore.
Let’s get started.
25 Bank Fishing Tips That Will Help You Catch More Fish
Do Some Research
Sure you can drive to some random bank, throw your line out and catch a few fish every now and then, but if you want to catch more fish than doing some research beforehand is a must.
Before each fishing trip I would recommend understanding and researching the following things below and adjusting your game plan accordingly.
Key Things to Know Before Hitting the Water
- Fish Species
- Potential Forage
- Weather
- Seasonal Changes
- Water Clarity
- Water Levels
- Any historical productive areas & techniques
Granted, you may not be able to find out all of this information, especially if you are fishing in more remote areas. But knowing as much as you can about the lake, river or pond you are fishing at can dramatically increase your odds at catching more fish.
Tip: One of my favorite research tools is Google Earth. There is so much valuable information and productive fishing spots you can find and mark using this free resource.
Here is an in-depth guide on how to use this tool by Edwin Evers a professional bass fisherman.
Target Points
Points are typically one of the more productive fishing areas you’ll find on any body of water. They hold a ton of fish year round and can be a great place to catch both size & quality as well as a variety of species.
Main lake points are one of the first spots I would target, especially if you are on a new body of water. If you are fishing a lake or pond that doesn’t have any obvious points, look for subtler targets like grass lines, docks, reeds and other types of structure.
Cast from a Distance
One of the most common mistakes I see anglers make while fishing from the shore is they get too close to the water without making a few cast first. This can be a big opportunity missed.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen anglers walk right up to the water line only to see some big fish swim away because they’ve been scared off.
The next time your headed to your favorite bank make a few cast from a distance first and then slowly and quietly work your way closer. This strategy will increase your chances at catching those fish that are holding tight to the shore.
Down Size and Go More Finesse
If you are having a hard time getting bit or just want to go out and catch a bunch more fish, than downsizing your lures and baits can go a long way.
A smaller more “finesse” bait presentation or technique works especially well when you are fishing in heavily pressured areas and when the bite gets tough.
Pack Light
Sometimes having a lot of fishing success from the shore requires you to move around a lot and try new spots. For that reason, packing light is key.
Don’t bring all the gear and tackle you own. It will only slow you down and might overcomplicate things. Just select a few of your confidence baits and take only the rods you’ll use.
Packing light and staying agile will allow you cover a lot of water which will ultimately help you catch more fish while fishing from the bank.
Be Stealthy
If you have ever been hunting you know the importance of being stealthy and staying quite. It’s equally important while fishing. Even the slightest noise, shadow or disruption could be a signal to a fish you are there and can result in some missed opportunities
While approaching your targeted fishing spots from shore be as quiet and stealthy as possible. This will allow you to go undetected and will result in more bites and fish caught.
Fish in Low Light Periods
Having consistent fishing success is all about increasing your odds. Fishing during low light conditions such as early in the morning and evening is going to give you the best shot at catching a bunch of fish.
During these low light periods fish tend to be more active and aggressive making them more willing to bite your lure or bait.
These ideal low light periods are not just in the morning and evenings, but cloud cover can also be a great time to catch a bunch of fish as well.
For more information about fishing in low light and productive periods, check out this article When is the Best Time to go Fishing?
Use Scent
Another great way to get more bites and catch more fish is to add some scent/attractant to your lures and baits. Adding scents like garlic, crawfish, shad & coffee among others is a great way to draw fish in and helps mask other negative scents like gasoline, oil, sun tan lotion etc.
Fish will also generally hold onto a baits emanating a positive scent for a longer period of time. This will allow you to get a good hook set and catch more fish as a result.
Figure Out the Fish Forage
I’ve already mentioned the importance of doing your research on the potential forage of the fish you are targeting even before hitting the water. However, once you start fishing its time no nail down what the fish are focused on.
If you can figure out what the fish are actively feeding on and imitate it, you’ll have a ton of success and will catch a lot of fish. How can you determine this?
Look for visible clues such as fish busting on the surface or when you do catch a fish pay attention to what they have in their mouth and spit up. These can help you determine what they might be feeding on.
Move Around
Spending too much time in one spot can be a big mistake and is one that I see so many anglers make. While fishing from shore you may be somewhat limited with the amount of ground and water you can cover but there are still some things you can do to effectively cover different areas.
If you aren’t having any luck fishing shallow in a spot, try fishing deeper or if you are fishing on the bottom try targeting the middle and upper water column and vice versa. If after 15 to 30 minutes have passed by and you still haven’t caught anything, it’s time to head to a new spot.
Mix Up Retrieval Speeds & Cadence
If you are fishing with lures and soft plastic baits, actively mixing up your retrieval speed and cadence is critical. Fish are opportunistic predators and the more you can imitate a wounded bait fish or any type of easy prey the more fish you will catch.
Sure you can catch fishing by just doing a standard retrieve, but if you want to catch more fish mix up the speed of your lure retrieval and give it a few stops or snaps every once in a while, this will help you get a lot more bites.
Make Longer Casts
Making longer casts is a simple but yet effective way that will help you catch a ton more fish. Longer casts will allow you lure or bait to be in the strike zone longer increasing your chances at getting bit. The longer the cast the better.
When casting at a particular target like a dock or rock pile, make sure to make your casts well passed your intend targets. If you cast directly at it, you’ll have a greater chance at spooking the fish and will struggle to get bit.
Switch Colors
Every anglers tends to have their go to color choices but if you aren’t’ having any luck, making a small color change can make a huge difference. Water clarity, cloud cover, seasonality as well as other things can all play a role in color selection.
Here are some fishing color resources that can help you determine the best colors to be using:
- Best Colors for Trout Lures
- What Colors Do Smallmouth Bass Like?
- What Colors Do Bass Like in the Spring?
- How to Choose the Right Bass Fishing Colors
Try Different Depths
Another helpful tip that will allow you to catch more fish is to target different depths. Throughout the day fish will move, reposition and adapt to the different conditions, so it’s important to mix things up and try fishing at different depths and areas in the water column.
If you aren’t having any luck bombing your lure out into the middle of the lake, try casting parallel to the bank and target fish that are up shallow. On the other hand, if you can’t find them shallow, target areas with deeper water.
Experimenting by fishing different depths throughout the day can dramatically increase your chances at catching more fish.
Mix Up Your Casting Angles
Another great tip that can help you catch more fish from the shore is using different casting angles. A few years ago I was bass fishing at a point that I thought held a ton of fish, but I wasn’t having any luck. That was until I tried to approach the bank from a different angle, and boom I caught a nice 2lb smallmouth bass.
You never know how the fish are positioned and sometimes making a few extra casts at a different angles can make all of the difference.
Target High Percentage Areas
If you want to catch more fish than target higher percentage areas. What I mean by that is start by selecting the best spots on the lake, river or pond you are fishing at.
Here are typically some of the best fishing areas to target:
High Percentage Fishing Areas
- Points
- Secondary Points
- Docks
- River/Creek Channels
- Hard Cover
- Windy Banks
- Grass Lines
- Other Types of Structure
Don’t Stick with a Bait or Lure Too Long
One of the challenges and things that makes fishing so fun is that it is constantly changing. No two days are the same. A bait that worked the day before or even couple hours ago may not be working now.
If you aren’t having any luck with a particular lure or bait and you have been using it for over 30 minutes, it’s time to switch things up. I will typically set a 15-30-minute rule for myself and if I haven’t gotten anything within that window, I’ll switch to a different bait or lure.
Use Lighter Weights
If you are using soft plastic baits, jigs or lures powering down and going with a lighter weight can be a great way catch more fish. A lighter weight will slow the fall rate of your bait which can be a great way to trigger more fish into striking. Not to mention you’ll get hung up less and have a better hook up ratio.
Make Multiple Cast in The Same Area
Often times we make a single cast to a spot that we think should hold fish, but nothing happens and we end up moving on down the bank. This can be a huge missed opportunity.
If you see a high percentage area or target, try making multiple casts at different angles to that same spot. Sometimes it might take few casts before the fish decide to bite.
Stay Organized
Staying organized won’t necessarily be the direct reason that you catch more fish, but it can certainty help you be more efficient and productive. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wasted valuable fishing time looking for a pair of nippers or a particular lure.
Staying organized will not only make you a more efficient angler which will ultimately help you catch more fish, but it will also prevent stress and allow you to better enjoy your fishing experience.
Wind & Shade Are Key
While fishing from the bank there are two important factors that you should pay close attention to throughout your fishing day. Wind and shade.
Wind can present you with some highly predictable areas on the water if you pay close attention. Wind will push and blow a lot of food resources close to the bank presenting you with some great fishing opportunities.
Look at what direction the wind is blowing into the bank these will be highly productive areas and you’ll have no problem catching fish.
Shade can also play a major role in your fishing success. If it’s hot and the sun is out shady areas such as hanging trees can be a great place to catch some fish.
Find Vegetation
Any experienced angler will tell you that fishing around vegetation is a great way to catch fish. Areas like weeds, stumps, trees, or any type of structure or hiding place are great opportunities to find and catch a lot of fish.
When searching for a good bank to fish from, first target shorelines that have the most vegetation. Most of the time these are going to be some of the best fishing areas.
Understand Fish Movement & Seasonality
Understanding seasonal fish movement and behavior can put you ahead of the curve and allow you to have more fishing success from shore. Do some research on your target fish specie seasonal behaviors and adapt your baits and techniques accordingly.
Find Current
Current can play a big factor on any body of water especially river systems. It cools and oxygenates the water, and brings in food and nutrients. Simply put, if you can find current, whether that be from an inlet, the wind or a river or stream you’ll find fish. These are high percentage key areas that you should look to target from the bank.
Learn from Each Fishing Trip
After each fishing trip you should walk away having learned something new. If you are able to take away at least one thing each time you are out, you’ll be well on your way at catching a lot more fish.
I would also encourage you to invite other anglers to go fishing with you, ask a ton of questions and don’t be afraid to try new baits, lures and techniques and most importantly go out there and have a fun.
Final Thoughts
Fishing from the shore presents anglers with some unique opportunities and challenges. The 25 bank fishing tips and strategies we discussed in this article will not only make you a better angler but will also make sure you catch more fish while fishing from the bank.
Tight Lines!