In this day and age when everyone seems to think
you have to have a crotch rocket to get to the best areas and the
bass the
fastest
I can
see
where
some may not think it is worth the effort to fish. This couldn't be farther
from the truth. There are lots of places you can go to fish without a
boat.
One would be the barges at the marinas. This is sometimes just
as fun as
fishing from a boat. It's definitely relaxing and besides, there are
usually other fisherman just like you there to enjoy the sport. For
just a few
dollars and some minnows or jigs you can make a day of it. They are
usually covered so the weather shouldn't be a problem.
If you feel you
would
rather fish outdoors some lakes or state parks have fishing piers
that you can
fish from. Points around bridges on the banks are also a good spot.
Try to fish near bridges with rocks. The bridge usually creates 4
points. 2 on the North and 2 on the south. They almost always have
a creek
channel
going under them.
Now let's talk about technique. Spinnerbaits,
buzzbaits, shallow diving crankbaits will all work well as a parallel
presentation.
But what if the fish aren't up shallow? Try casting a deep diving
crankbait out from the rocks and reeling it up real slow. This will
maintain
contact with the bottom all the way up. Try casting a 1 ounce spinnerbait
out
and
slow rolling it back up the same as the crankbait.
Try casting
to the creek that goes under the bridge with a Carolina rig. This
can work
real well
in the summertime. Do you prefer to fish live bait? Try this
set-up if you do. The rig will consist of a spinning rod from 6 and
a half
to 7
feet long. Medium to Medium Heavy action. The spinning reel
will consist of
size enough to hold 12 to 14 pound test. Use an easy cast line
for distance.
First you have to know the depth to the bottom of
the spot
you will cast
to. Just for arguments sake let's say it is 10 feet deep.
The most common problem with fishing the rocks out deep is getting
hung
up.
We are going
to minimize this problem. Measure up the line 10 feet. Take
a rubber band strand and wrap it around the line like you are tying
a
shoelace.
Clip
the excess strands. It will now look like a rubber band knot.
Next put the bobber on {The size of the bobber will be relative
to the
size of
the weight} and make sure it is rigged so it can slide up
and down freely. After the bobber you will put on 1/8th ounce bb weights
that
can be put
on and taken off by squeezing the tabs. Put these about 12
inches above where the hook will be. Now put the type of hook you
will
use
on.
When
you are ready to cast you will see this. A bobber, bb weights,
and a hook
about a foot below. the rubber is inside the spool about
10 or so feet depending on the depth you set it at remember? You
cast and
the bobber
hits the water. The line slides through until the rubber
band
bobber stop gets to it and Walla! you are drifting along at 10
feet. No
snags.
Hope
this gives hope to those without boats and let me know
if you would like to go on a guided trip in the future. Good luck
and Good
fishing.
Mark McManaway
Local Anglers Guide Service
