WALKING THE BANKS

Just because you don't have a boat, doesn't mean you can't enjoy fishing, we tend to forget about this simple and fun way to catch fish. We learned to fish from the shore as youngsters and caught plenty of fish along with having a great day.
Well, today we rarely fish without our boat except for this spring which helped us remember a boat is not needed to really enjoy fishing. Actually spring fishing is best at or near the shore and with a little effort while being versatile, shore anglers may have better odds of catching more fish.
In last months article we told how wind can help stir up food and baitfish but if it is too windy to be comfortable, just try after the winds calm down since the fish will still be in this stained area.
An atlas, gazetteer or topo detail maps can show you where ponds are in your area. Once located, a walk up to a farm house to ask permission may be all it takes to get access to some good shore fishing. Lake maps for larger lakes can still be helpful to the shore angler for picking out hot spots. Remember, a high traffic area may be a good spot but is not the only place to catch fish, so be mobile to increase your odds while getting away from the crowds.
Since the entire sunfish family are schoolers, you can fish for them in shore cover such as brush, lily pads and weeds. Fish in small ponds are more aware of their aquatic environment and prefer smaller baits with a subtle presentation. Keep in mind fish are extremely sensitive to vibrations so walk softly as you approach the area you will cast from moving quietly along the bank not to send vibrations into the water and this is worst on spongy of soft ground. Also, try not to cast a shadow onto the water which sends a danger signal to fish and even if you do not completely spook the fish, you put them on guard or cause them to lose interest in feeding.
The key is to minimize your gear so you stay mobile but still be versatile and have a fair variety of baits or lures, so you can change colors or baits till you find what works. Use a small slip bobber just big enough to float your bait so you can adjust to get near the bottom or change depths till you connect with fish. Vertically dunk a small hook baited with a wax worm, cricket or redworm just off the bottom. If fish do not want your live baits, try small spinners or our favorite a 1/16-ounce tear drop jig tipped with a tiny curlytail power grub with light-wire hooks which can be straightened by pulling when you hang up on brush.
Your equipment can be a 5'6" light action rod with a spinning or spincast reel spooled with 6 pound line to handle the small baits. Basically standard fishing fundamentals still apply when walking the bank.
Another approach is wading to get to those usually unreachable spots from the shore along with being quite a thrill. As members of the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance, we are given the opportunity for monthly wade trips in the area. For questions, contact us or visit www.illinoissmallmouthalliance.com
Explore fly fishing as another way to enjoy fishing without a boat and let's not forget catfishing which also will be roaming shore lines early and late in the day, although catfishing may require heavier equipment.
Each year shore anglers catch some of the biggest fish from ponds and small lakes which proves being stranded on shore does not have to be an unpleasant experience. Just be versatile, go afoot to escape the hurry up crowded waters, kick back, have fun and introduce a youngster to the thrill of fishing and you may be surprised at the fish you can catch from the shore.
Just a Thought: I have watched several area family run Bait & Tackle shops close in the past two years or forced to close early and open late in the season. This was due to low or no sales of bait which is costly to keep alive. The sad fact is there were still anglers out but were picking up bait at a gas station within a few blocks of a Bait Shop. The repercussion from this was the many emails we received in late fall or early winter asking where to get minnows. We need to support our local Bait Shops to assure them being there when we need them for fresh, lively baits and current fishing info as well as latest tackle - Just a Thought..
For more fishing info, product test results (check out the Warrior Jigs) or lake reports, visit our website www.larrysfishinghole.com

Till Next Time, GOD BLESS & GOOD FISHING !