Shore Fishing for Bass: Tips and Tricks to Catch Fish
- by Brett Freese
- February 17, 2022
Table of Contents
Fishing is a popular sport and outdoor activity for people of all ages, from young children to older citizens. Choosing the best fishing pole, however, may be challenging since there are so many different kinds and styles available on the market.
Going shore fishing for bass with your family may be a great way to spend quality time together while fishing. It is also one of the most cost-effective techniques of fishing available.
Unlike boat fishing, you don’t have to pay for gas or a boat rental, and there is no need for a fishing license. Shore fishing can be done anywhere that has loose rocks or sand. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you! In this article, we will provide you with some tips and tricks for catching bass using shore fishing gear.
How Can I Catch Bass?
In order to catch bass, you need a few key things: the right type of rod and reel, bait, and some patience.
First off, make sure that your fishing rod is strong enough to pull in a larger fish like trout. The best bet would be something with a medium-light action . It should have some flex, but it also needs to be able to push out a good amount of line when needed.
Next up is choosing your bait. Crickets are a great option for shore fishing – they’re easy to find and easily fit on most bait holders for lures or hooks. Make sure that the crickets you use are large enough for the fish you’re trying to snag. A cricket that will cause no problem on land will likely be too small for a fish to munch.
Finally, you need patience and determination! While fishing from shore can sometimes seem like it’s not worth the wait, the more practice you get at catching bass this way, the better of an angler you will become. Keep practicing and before long, you’ll be reeling in your first big catch with ease.
Shore Fishing Gear You Will Need
There are several items that you will need in order to shore fish for bass: A fishing rod with medium-light action is best so it can push out a decent amount of line if needed but also have some flex when reeling in more difficult catches. Make sure it has got enough strength to pull in larger catches!
The right type of hook or lure depends on your bait. For crickets, a dough bait can work well. A worm hook might be needed for fishing with earthworms. If you’re using minnows or leeches, go with circle hooks so the fish can swim easily when you reel them in. And finally, if your rod doesn’t come equipped with it already, be sure to buy a line that has no more than 10lb test strength.
Tips to Catch Bass Using Shore Fishing Gear
One thing that often holds beginner shore fishers back is difficulty in learning how to use their fishing rod. Here are some tips on how to properly cast and reel in your catch:
- When casting your line out into the water (usually about 30 feet away works best), make sure that your arm is fully extended with your rod tip pointed at the spot you want to cast.
- Once you’ve let go of your lure or bait, make sure to keep a steady aim and allow the weight of the line to drop down into the water. If using crickets, you can use a dough bait or put the cricket on a hook.
- To reel in your catch once it bites, start reeling slowly at first and then speed up as necessary to tire out larger bass.
- Be sure you don’t bend over too far – this can cause back pain for some fishers that they may not want to deal with after a long day on the shore.
Bank Fishing Tackle Box
The Tackle Treasures Inshore Pro-Kit is a great way to start chasing your first bass on the bank. It comes with everything you need to be successful, including a high-quality carbon steel rod and reel combo that’s perfect for small fishing spots. The kit also has a few other necessities like a spool of line, hook sharpener, and lures – all at an affordable price point.
In addition to being one of the best tools for catching bass from shore, the Inshore Pro-Kit is also ideal for exploring waterways by boat or canoe. When you’re ready to try something different, this kit also includes spinning gear so you can give it a shot!
Bass Bank Fishing Lures
Are you familiar with the bass bank? It’s a group of artificial structures that are made to look like the real thing. They are commonly found near bridges or docks, where there is a structure under the water that bass love but can be hard for biologists to accurately map.
The best thing about fishing for bass on these man-made structures is that once you find out which ones are hot spots, you don’t even have to worry about your bait getting snagged – they’ve already cast the hook! There are many other types of bank fishing options as well, for both beginners and advanced anglers alike.
Creature Baits Cricket
Creature Baits has revolutionized the cricket fishing market, creating durable and realistically-shaped crickets that stay on your hook no matter what! These versatile lures can be used for everything from bass fishing to panfishing. They also come in all sorts of different colors so you can find the one that works best in the water conditions and with the kind of fish you’re after.
The Creature Baits Cricket is a good option for an affordable shore fishing lure when catching a bass. It’s effective in clear or muddy waters, plus it comes pre-rigged with quality hooks and split rings already attached (no assembly needed). If you add some bait like either Creature Bait Paste or Craw Tubes, it’ll be even more enticing.
Topwater Lures
Topwater lures are best used in the early morning or evening when bass are most active. They are called topwater because your bait floats on the surface of the water – making it easier for you to cast far and wide, without spending all day trying to reel in a big catch.
This collection of lures is great for beginners looking to stay within a budget. Many fishermen use these particular models to catch bluegill, crappie, walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, brown trout…and yes – even largemouth!
Fishing with Spinner Baits
Spinnerbaits should only be used when shore fishing during bright daylight hours, as they are very visible. They can be used around lily pads, fallen trees, or anything that is overgrown with vegetation. The best part about using spinnerbaits for bass shore fishing? You don’t have to cast far to get the right kind of action!
The only thing you need to be wary of is making sure your spinnerbait isn’t dull (if it is, you will not attract a fish), and also switching the blades out if they become rusty.
Baiting a Jig Head with a Worm
Many people use worms as bait when catching bass on land. Worms are easy to find and last a long time – just keep them in an airtight container so they don’t dry out.
To attach a worm to your jig head, grab both by their heads and make sure there is enough tension on the line so that they don’t slip off when you cast. Next, push the hook through both of them at about even levels. Make sure that your weight isn’t too heavy for this type of setup – it won’t work well with too much weight.
It can be tempting to try to give your worm some “action” by wiggling it around the hook once you’ve got it tied on, but resist! You’ll free-line more successfully if you just allow your worm to dangle naturally.
Bass Fishing Rigs
There are five basic rigs for bass fishing.
Sinker Rig
This is a very simple rig that can be used in many situations and has two main variations: the slip sinker and the Carolina rig. The weight will slide along the mainline depending on how you position it, which allows for heavier weights to be used without sacrificing hooking power.
Tilapia Rig
Other kinds of fish like tilapia taste similar to bass (saltwater or freshwater) so this one is great if you want something more versatile than just using regular bait like crickets or worms. It uses a swivel as an intermediary between your line and hook.
Bottom Bouncer Rig
These types of rigs work well for those who are fishing from a boat. The bottom bouncer can be used to get your bait just over the desired spot, and it gives you the option of using heavier weights depending on how deep your area is that you’re trying to fish.
Texas Rig
You can catch a baby bass with a Texas rig as its weight is only about 0.4 ounces, but it’s best used to catch bigger bass that you can’t land without a heavy tackle. The hook is set up by sliding the point through the top of your worm and then positioning it between two O-rings (ring-shaped pieces of rubber tubing) on the line.
This way, when the bass eats your worm, they won’t be able to spit it back out because there are no exposed hooks!
Bucktail Jig Rig
This one is ideal for clear water since it leaves a small wake behind as it moves through the current. It works well in areas where there isn’t a lot of vegetation but there is some so you can still attract bass by moving your jig back and forth or up and down in the water to create a disturbance.
The last thing you want when shore fishing for bass is to be unprepared! If this is your first time with these techniques, that’s okay, just do some research first to make sure you have the basics down before trying it out. Always remember to wear proper footwear, wear sunscreen for your skin and sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun, and bring water with you so that you don’t get dehydrated.
When is the Best Time of Year to Go Bank Fishing for Bass?
Bank fishing for bass is a favorite pastime in the summer when water levels are at their highest and the weather is warm. During the winter, it is more dangerous to be out on a boat because of how choppy the water can get.
The best time for bank fishing for bass is during their spawning season from late spring up until mid-summer when they have chosen a nesting spot and are waiting for the perfect time to spawn. This is their most protective period so catching them now will prove to be a challenge!
What Is The Best Way to Catch Bass in a River?
River bass love areas with structures such as downed trees or rocks. Be sure to fish slowly near any area where there may be deeper spots around those structures so you can catch these types of fish. Also, try practicing some patience – sometimes it pays off!
Make sure to check any state laws beforehand so you know what kind of fish you can keep and how many is within your legal limit.
Can I Fish For Bass From the Shore?
Yes! If you’re looking for bass fish but don’t have access to a boat then you can try bank fishing for bass.
Just remember to check any local state laws so you know the rules and regulations of what kinds of fish you can catch, how many you can keep, and if there’s a license required or not. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
How Do I Catch Bass on a Floating Dock?
Floating docks are best fished at dawn and dusk when the water is calm and it’s easier to hear small movements underwater. Fish tend to school up around floating dock habitats because they like the protection that comes from such structures as well as easy access to food sources right underneath them.
You’ll want a 7-foot baitcasting rod with a 12-lb line for this type of fishing. You’ll also definitely want a high-visibility baitcasting outfit, which you can get in many different color combinations so your line is easier to see in the water.
Topside Rags is another great choice for bass when fishing out of a boat or floating dock. They allow you to use heavier weights because the weight has small lead balls instead of one solid piece.
Make sure that you have enough space between each additional ball down towards the hook so they don’t rub against each other and cause jumbled noise underwater since this will scare fish away. The last thing you want is for them to hear your line before they even come into sight!
Final Thoughts on Shore Fishing for Bass
Reading this article should give you some basic knowledge about shore fishing for bass. Use this information before adding it to the other articles in the series so that you don’t make any conflicting claims.
Thanks for spending time on this article, I hope you enjoyed it! Do remember to provide your audience with useful tips if they are looking for help with bass fishing either from shore or on a boat. Good luck and happy fish hunting!
Brett Freese
I've always had a passion for fishing ever since I was young. I started fishing with my grandpa at 6, and he taught me everything I needed to know! I love sharing my knowledge with the community, as well as learning from other anglers. We only get better if we help each other!
