Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 3825 Nov 22- Dec 6 | Page 7

HOW TO... VOL.38 • ISS. 25 Nov 22 - Dec 6, 2019 5 Bank Tips For Trouters! < Success! This big rainbow was caught during a bank fishing adventure. The trout gobbled down a ball of well-presented PowerBait and it was, “Fish On!”. When the water is cold, it’s not uncommon for bank anglers to out fish boaters because the trout tend to gravitate to the shoreline, making them prime targets for bank anglers. presents How To Bag Trout From The Bank! P rospecting the waters of a lake or reservoir for trout from a boat decked out with downriggers and the latest electronics can be both productive and exciting. However, there is something inherently satisfying about successfully targeting trout from the bank. Bank fishing by its very nature is a more personal approach than trolling. When fishing from the bank it’s you against the trout. Bank anglers rely on their legs for mobility and their instincts to locate produc- tive water. When an angler reaches a point where they can consistently score under these circumstances, a feeling of accomplishment is the inevitable result. Some anglers mistakenly believe that bank fishing is the folly of unfortunate souls that don’t have access to a boat and that productive trouting can only be enjoyed while sitting on the water as opposed to sitting next to it. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. As far as the productivity of bank fishing is concerned, rest assured that members of the shore fishing fraternity routinely record catches every bit as impressive as those taken by their boating brethren. All in all, banking for trout is a fairly simple endeavor, but like other types of fishing it requires a selection of efficient good quality gear and a solid systematic strategy. The first thing the aspiring bank angler needs is a spinning rod and reel. A lot of folks choose short rods ranging from 5 to 6 feet in length, but I prefer a 6’6” to 7-foot stick. Much of the time you’ll be fishing your baits close to the bank, but there are some situations and approaches where casting well offshore gives you a distinct advantage and this is when a longer rod really shines. Once you’ve settled on a light spinning rod, it’s time to pick out a reel. As with rods there are a large number of quality spinning reels on the market today. The first requirement is that the reel has a smooth drag. A reel capable of holding at least 175 yards of 6 or 8-pound line is a sensible choice that will work for trout both small and large. End tackle represents the nuts and bolts of the bank angler’s toolbox. Since trout spend most of their time holding near the bottom, that’s the most effective zone for presenting your bait. The basic bait fishing set up is the sliding sinker rig. To construct sliding sinker rigs that meet a number of different situations and conditions you’ll need a selection of hooks, egg or bullet weights, beads and swivels along with a with some fluorocarbon leader material. I keep my various bait fishing supplies in a plastic compartment box. I like to have both bait holder and octopus hooks on hand in sizes 8, 10 and 12. It is important to use super sharp hooks. I swear by fluorocarbon leader material. Due to its molecular make up fluorocarbon line diffuses light in much the same way as water, making it virtually invisible to fish. Sometimes, having an invisible leader isn’t important, but at other times it is a critical element of success. As a result, I use fluo- rocarbon leaders at all times. Most often I use 6 or 8-pound test. Once you’ve gathered all the necessary components, putting together a rig is simple. The first step is to pass the line of your spinning rod through one of your sinkers going in from the narrow end and out through the wide end. Next pass your line through a bead and then tie on a swivel using an improved clinch knot. The bead acts as a spacer between the weight and the swivel, protecting the integrity of the knot. To the other end of the swivel attach an 18 to 36-inch section of fluo- rocarbon leader with an improved clinch FISH SNIFFER HOW – TO ^ At times bank anglers can do well on trout while tossing lures, but day in day out dough baits, worms and salmon eggs produce the most consistent action for bank anglers. > ^ Gearing up for bank fishing is pretty simple. All it takes beyond a spinning rod and a selection of bait is a small compartment box stocked with hooks, bullet weights, beads, swivels, beads and perhaps some split shot. To enjoy the best results when bank fishing for trout, it’s important to take advantage of structure. For example, a large point like the one shown here serves to concentrate any trout cruising the bank. In a situation like this you’ll want to fish one bait off the tip of the point and another inside the cove formed at the rear of the point by Cal Kellogg CONTINUED ON PG 21