5 Shore Fishing Tips

A lot of anglers believe that you need a boat to catch fish; but these 5 shore fishing tips will help you prove them wrong.  Too many people believe that shore fishing offers limited opportunities to catch fish. If you're one of them, you may be missing out on some prime fishing action. The next time you head out to the lake, why not save some gas money by leaving your boat at home? Just follow these five shore fishing tips and see what you've been missing.

1. Match your lure to the conditions- If it's overcast, bright colors and chrome spinner baits are fine, but if the sun is shining, stick to natural colors in matte finishes. Too much flash can scare off a wary fish!
2. Don't forget the live bait- Shore fishing is a great time to bring along the night crawlers. Bass, bluegill and crappie love worms.  If it's legal in your area, try using bluegill or other small fish to catch northern pike.
3. Cover and structure are the key- You can find and fish many of the same features from shore that you usually look for from a boat. When shore fishing, look for drop-offs, pilings, docks and weed beds.
4. Don't wait for the fish to come to you- Shore fishing makes getting around the lake a little slower, but don't spend too much time in one place. If you don't get a strike within fifteen or twenty minutes, move, even if it's only 30 feet down the bank.
5. Don't be afraid of the dark- Shore fishing is even more fun at night. Just remember to bring a lantern or flashlight so you can see where you're going.

Above all, have fun!  Shore fishing makes for a great solo trip, or an adventure for the whole family.