How To Make More Into Less: Top 5 Bank Fishing Hacks

Posted by Spencer Bauer on 4th Aug 2021

How to make more into less:
Top 5 bank fishing hacks

Fishing on the bank using whicker seeker tackle gear

Bank fishing is awesome. Seriously, just think about it for a second. Big fancy boats have big fancy problems. They require hours and hours of maintenance and repair. Don’t even get me started on how much it all costs. When fishing from shore, you get to skip all that and go straight to fishing. The convenience and effectiveness of bank fishing makes for an easy going experience, and here’s a few tips to make it even more enjoyable.

TIP #1 - ONE ACCESSORY, MANY USES

It’s nice to be prepared for every situation that might possibly come your way, but hauling all that stuff, even for a short distance can be a buzzkill. Less stuff not only lightens the load, but lets you focus more on what really matters, like catching fish. One trick is to find tools and things that have multiple uses. Instead of bringing a sweatshirt in case it gets cold, bring a rain jacket. It will keep you warmer, and keep you dry if it rains. Multi-Tool Pliers are handy, as they can do many things, and weigh little more than a regular pair of pliers. They help remove hooks, cut line, and make minor mechanical repairs. A good rule of thumb is to not add anything new to your tackle bag without taking something out of your tackle bag.

TIP #2 - FISHING BUCKET 2.0

There is no need to bring a bait bucket and a chair. Simply put a cushion on top of your bait bucket, and now your bait bucket works for both. If you want to really fancy it up, remove the wire handle on the bucket, drill out larger holes and put a rope in it. Make the rope long enough to carry on your shoulder, and add a pool noodle for a little extra cushion. This will make the haul a whole lot easier.

TIP #3 - LESS LEAD

How many sinkers do you really need? 4, 5, 6 oz sinkers, and larger, add up weight in a hurry. If you fish with 3 fishing rods, bring a maximum of 9 sinkers. If you fish with 4 fishing rods, bring 12. That’s a lot of weight anyway, but it lightens the load substantially compared to bringing every sinker you have. Leave your backups in your vehicle, and just restock periodically. This will really save your shoulders.

TIP #4 - BACKPACKS ARE WHERE IT'S AT

Any tackle box works, but a backpack, any kind of backpack, has many advantages. The style doesn’t matter. I’ve seen a few Hello Kitty backpacks at some local dams before. Those anglers still caught fish. The most important part is durability. Make sure the tackle backpack has strong seams, and durable fabric. Sinkers and other heavy objects can tear up a backpack in short order if it isn’t durable enough to handle the abuse.

TIP #5 - CUT BAIT, NOT DIRT

This is one I’m extremely guilty of. You’re in a hurry and all you want is bait in the water. You throw a baitfish on the ground and slice it up, dulling your knife on the dirt, sand, and rocks in the process. A simple solution is to take a thin cutting board, trim it so it is the same size as your tackle box, and use heavy duty velcro to attach it to the top of it. You now have a cutting board for bait, or even filleting your catch, it takes up little room, and your knife holds an edge longer. To top it off, at the end of the trip, simply separate the velcro and clean it off in the water.

These little tips and tricks may not necessarily help you catch more fish, but they will definitely enhance your experience on the bank. When you take a step back, having fun is the whole point of getting out there after all.

Patience is a virtue, at least that’s what they say. I’m not sure who “they” are. Apparently no one who’s tried to consistently catch daytime flatheads. If you can pull that feat off, you know patience is the last thing

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