Bank Fishing
The trout bite is pretty good right now from the shoreline. Generally we have some pretty awesome trout fishing during the winter months with a lot of the better fish being caught by bank anglers. Artificial lure presentations work great, but we are going to focus on bait/still fishing this week.

Here is a good approach for fishing with bait, and bank angling. If you split the water into three different sections it will better help you locate where the fish are actively feeding. The three sections being top, middle, and bottom.

Pictured Above: Top -- Bubble/crawler rig.

To target fish that are feeding on or near the surface, try using a bubble/crawler rig. It is a very simple set up that consist of a bubble, swivel, 24-48" leader and a bait holder style hook. First slide the bubble on the main line, tie on the swivel, leader then hook. Fill the bubble half full of water to make it easy to make long casts. Be sure to use a worm threader to rig the crawler on straight for a natural presentation. This set up can be fished motionless or with a very slow retrieve.

Photo #1: Middle -- Slip float rig with a live minnow

It is a little more difficult to target fish that are feeding in the middle water column. But, once you master the slip-float rig you will be able to catch fish at depths that very rarely get fished by bank anglers. This set up consists of a bobber stop, slip float, swivel, 24" leader, split shot and a mosquito style hook. Set the bobber stop at the depth you desire to fish. Low profile bobber stops will real onto the spool of a spinning reel. Cast the float, swivel, leader, weight and hook, and the bobber stop will follow. The weight and bait will sink until the bobber stop meets the float. It will stop there leaving your bait suspended at the depth you have chosen. Try using a live minnow as bait.

Photo #2: Bottom -- Standard sliding sinker bait rig.

The fish that are feeding near the bottom are the ones most anglers target and the set up is fairly easy to rig, yet very effective. It consists of an egg weight, swivel, 18-48" leader and a light wire hook. There are many different bait combinations that will work. The most important thing is to make sure your bait floats up off the bottom. When fishing with crawlers use a worm blower or a mallow to float them. If your fishing with dough and it won't float, use more dough or a smaller light wire hook.

This approach works great if you have a second rod stamp or when fishing with a few people. Try each set up on a different rod and let the fish tell you which one is working best for the day.

Good Luck- from all of us at Glory Hole Sports