| Fishing the banks for bass has long been a popular and effective technique among anglers. The history of bank fishing for bass can be traced back to the early days of angling, when fishermen realized that bass often congregate near the shorelines in search of food and shelter. Over the years, this technique has proven to be highly successful in targeting bass, and it continues to be widely practiced today. In this discussion, we will explore the reasons behind the effectiveness of bank fishing for bass and delve into various tactics using soft plastic baits like Scorpions, Lizards, HellaMites, and Worms. One of the primary reasons bank fishing is so effective for bass is that it allows anglers to target fish in relatively shallow water. Bass are known to inhabit areas close to the shorelines, particularly during certain times of the year such as spawning season or when they are actively feeding. By fishing the banks, anglers can access these prime locations where bass are often found, maximizing their chances of success. Bank fishing also offers anglers the advantage of being able to cover a large amount of water in a relatively short period. By systematically working their way along the shoreline, anglers can explore various features such as points, laydowns, docks, and vegetation, all of which are known to attract bass. This method allows for efficient and targeted fishing, increasing the likelihood of encountering actively feeding fish.Scorpions are a versatile type of lure that can be used to target a variety of fish species, including bass. We like to use bait that bass simply can’t resist. We use our FreshBaitz Scorpion because it closely imitates a crawfish. Our Fresh Scorpion paired with a Stand-up jig is deadly… This bait will actually sit upright in a defensive stance! The Scorpion is a revolutionary new look to soft plastics. This bait not only appears natural to fish but gives them something to become curious about. Each Fresh Scorpion has a unique and exclusive 3-axis tail design that is engineered like no other soft plastic bait. Made from high-grade non-salt plastic to provide superior life-like action that triggers MORE strikes! Scented for complete and total attraction! Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, the Fresh Scorpion is a must-have bait in your tackle box. Use it to target bass all year round and watch as it outperforms other baits. |
| Soft plastic baits, such as Scorpions, Lizards, HellaMites, and Worms, are highly effective in bank fishing for bass. These baits mimic natural prey items of bass and can be rigged in various ways to suit the conditions and angler preferences. The soft and lifelike appearance of these baits often triggers a predatory response in bass, enticing them to strike. When using soft plastic baits for bank fishing, one popular tactic is to Texas rig the bait. This involves inserting the point of the hook into the head of the bait and then burying it within the body, making it weedless and allowing it to be cast into cover without snagging. Texas rigging is particularly effective when fishing around vegetation, laydowns, or other areas with potential snags. Another effective tactic is to rig the soft plastic bait on a shaky head jig. The shaky head jig adds a subtle shaking or wobbling action to the bait, which can be highly enticing to bass. This technique is especially effective when fishing rocky areas or when the fish are less active and require a more finesse presentation.The new Fresh Baitz Lizard delivers a realistic profile that excels in both power and finesse techniques. The unique forward-facing leg design creates drag that holds it in the strike zone longer or produces wild flapping action with every pull of the rod. Additionally, its slightly ribbed solid body and large head hold your hook in place and provide much better weedless performance making it the ideal bait in any condition. The superior 5.5-inch profile stretches to a whole 7 inches! Perfect for predatory fish including bass year round. The Fresh Baitz Lizard is made from durable high-grade Non-Salted plastic for maximum attention-grabbing action. |
| When fishing the banks with soft plastic baits, it is important to pay attention to the structure and cover present. Bass often relate to specific features such as submerged rocks, fallen trees, or weed beds. By casting accurately to these areas and working the bait slowly, anglers can effectively target bass in their preferred habitats. For example, if there is a fallen tree along the bank, a Texas-rigged soft plastic bait can be cast close to the structure and slowly dragged or hopped back towards the angler. This technique imitates a natural prey item moving along the bottom, enticing bass to strike. Similarly, when fishing around weed beds, a soft plastic bait can be rigged weedless and cast into open pockets or along the edges of the vegetation. The bait can be retrieved with a slow and steady retrieve or with occasional pauses and twitches to mimic injured or fleeing prey, triggering a reaction bite from nearby bass.Each Fresh HellaMite is scented for complete and total attraction underwater along with being made in the USA by real fishermen just like you. Our newest Invisible HellaMite is an effective bait for various reasons, starting with its transparency, which makes it look like a natural prey item in the water. When the water is clear, the fish can see the bait more clearly, and a clear HellaMite is more likely to look like real food, increasing the likelihood of a strike. There’s a limited supply of our clear HellaMites so you better act fast! If you’re fast enough then you’ll be able to grab some Perch HellaMites before they end up selling out again! The supply won’t last long so don’t wait for another second. |
| In areas with rocky banks or points, a shaky head jig rigged with a soft plastic bait can be an effective choice. The bait can be hopped or dragged along the bottom, imitating a crawfish or other bottom-dwelling creature. This presentation often proves irresistible to bass lurking in those areas. Furthermore, when targeting bass in clear water conditions, using soft plastic baits in natural colors that closely resemble the local forage can increase effectiveness. Green pumpkin, watermelon, and natural browns are often reliable choices. In murkier water, baits in brighter or contrasting colors like chartreuse or black and blue can help increase visibility and draw strikes from bass. It’s important to note that successful bank fishing for bass also relies on understanding the seasonal patterns and behavior of the fish. During the pre-spawn and spawning periods, bass often move into shallower water and can be found near the banks. Targeting areas with suitable spawning habitat, such as gravel or hard bottom, can lead to great success during these times.Using a stick-styled worm is the most tried and true ways to catch fish. We have a wide variety of 5-inch Fresh Worms to choose from, but we’ve recently released new 6-inch Worms that catch some trophies. Charmeleon, Rainbow TRT, Bone, Chocolate Mint, and Fire TGR are all available in 5 and 6-inch. The high-grade non-salt plastic they’re made from provides positive buoyancy and it even floats underwater! We’ve also recently released new 8-count packs of worms available in Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, and Green Pumpkin. We also offer worms that have the unique ability to shift from one color to another under different lighting conditions. Each Worm is scented for complete and total attraction and made in the USA by anglers just like you! |
| In the post-spawn and summer months, bass tend to move to deeper water but can still be caught near the banks early in the morning or during low light conditions. As the day progresses, they may retreat to shaded areas or cover, such as docks or overhanging trees. By focusing on these spots and presenting soft plastic baits effectively, anglers can continue to find success throughout the day. In the fall, as bass prepare for winter, they often feed heavily to build up their energy reserves. Bank fishing during this time can be highly productive, as bass aggressively target schools of baitfish near the shorelines. Soft plastic baits resembling baitfish, such as swimbaits or flukes, can be effective choices for imitating this natural prey and enticing bass to strike. In conclusion, fishing the banks for bass has a rich history and remains a highly effective technique today. By understanding the behavior of bass and employing various tactics, such as Texas rigging, shaky head jigging, and adapting to seasonal patterns, anglers can consistently catch bass while bank fishing. So grab your gear, head to the nearest shoreline, and give bank fishing for bass a try. You might be rewarded with some exciting catches and memorable fishing experiences.We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose from. For Scorpions we love to use the Stand-Up Jig because it sits your bait up-right in a defensive stance! When using a lizard we like using an All Purpose Hook which is built with an extra-wide gap and is made to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. This hook has a z-lock shoulder bend feature that holds baits firmly in place working through and covering. Also has a super needle point technology that ensures its sharp penetrating power performs. Mosquito Hooks work for drop-shotting and are designed to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. The Block Head Jig is perfect for ned rigging with its mushroom-style head that seamlessly matches a wide variety of soft plastics such as lizards and worms. The Shakey Ultrahead can permanently secure baits by inserting the pin in the center and screwing the twist lock coil spring for perfect rigging every time! The Ultrahead Wacky Jig features precise weight positioning and hook orientation for the ultimate wacky presentations. |