Selecting Good Shore Fishing Locations

Fishing from shore for bass can be both challenging and rewarding. Obviously, one of the first things you need to identify is a great shore fishing location.

There are a number of factors that play into selecting a great location including:

• The season of the year since it definitely plays a major role in the movement of both bass and baitfish. As an example, if you’re fishing in the spring, you need to focus on shallow, hard-bottomed spawning flats. On the other hand, if it were the heat of the summer, shore areas close to drop-offs and points would be a better bet since many bass have moved from the shallows.
• The kind of water you are fishing is also key. Is the waterbody a river, stream, lake, pond or reservoir? Each type of waterway will have its own unique kinds of cover and shoreline obstacles (heavily vegetated or heavily developed for instance) and therefore must be accounted for from the outset.
• Different waterbodies also have different types of structure and cover that will be in close proximity to shore.  Therefore some areas maybe great in one season but not in another.
• Another important characteristic is the water clarity because it has a direct bearing on the depth both baitfish and bass use and whether they will be present or not.
• The type of baitfish and forage is also important since the forage prefers different environments and the proximity of those environments to a shore fishing location is keenly important when bass are actively feeding.

One other important note to keep in mind when shore fishing.

Bass and other gamefish use their ability to detect vibrations for feeding and to avoid danger. When vibrations arise that are not normal for the area, near-shore bass often become spooky and become inactive so strive to be quite and maintain a low profile when fishing from shore …