Bank spots

[John Sheehan]

 Spot #1(April-Fall): On my home lake a Bluegill hotspot is where flooding waters push sand and pebbles down a long paved incline.It's like a small boat ramp of sorts .It builds up a hump around the base which enters the lake which is where I cast from . It seems that many fish hit very close to the end of the retreive as the lure rises up the hump created through the years.I feel fish follow and commit to attacking when it enters this compression zone.Besides Gills,I have also caught Crappie ,Bass ,White and Yellow Perch at this same spot . The real good thing is the spot holds fish  Spring through Fall consistently. I always look for spots that have these humps dropping off to deeper water .I am sure they are used for spawning areas but if it's near depth that suits them can be used by fish before and after spawning season as well.The bluegill pictured in the attachments below  was caught in early October and the Bass in early March.

Hope to hear of other hotspots from members of this group!

The Photo above is Spot #2(Fall) 10/18/2011 An experiment today .I have much to learn about float fishing .

  The wading spot is a buildup flat at a spillway .I was casting out to a dropoff and
a floating dock .I had to try this spot ,wading /slip floating /distance
casting/ as a new experience due to the bank fishing group that set me in motion
. This is the first time fishing this spot like this and I learned some things: 1)
 I still haven't agreed on the favored stop the tube/string version or the rubber eagle claws .Until i can satisfactorily keep the tube/string version from slipping on the line I will favor the eagle Claw rubber stops which are applied by a threading /tab method.2)When wading or bank fishing a two piece 8' pole is good for casting distance and convenient to use .3)16th oz jigs are still usable on 2 lb test and get the distance needed in this circumstance.

 Spot #3 (Late Fall/Early Winter): Two hours of Fishing.A cement wall facing the wind proved to hold fish today in Late November.(11/29/11)Fishing from shore during cold water periods I always try to find access to deep water by looking at the bank surrounding my spot. The steep banks always seem to produce .This time I went to the beach area at my home lake of Cupsaw in Ringwood NJ again.The swim club docks were my casting platform and I took a few Yellow perch and Gills.When the warm Southerly wind really picked up I went to the diving area where the cement wall faced directly into the wind .I just knew the fish would be waiting there.It was like ice fishing by the wall. I didnt need to cast ,just frop the jig down and they were waiting right in front of me  about 5&1/2' down! Only one LMBass but it was a strong 14" er.One fine Male Gill and a nice PSXBG hybrid.All the others were Female Gills.Lots of Yellow Perch

Bank Spot #4 is an ice out March/ April killer for Yellow Perch and Bluegill and less so for Bass and Crappie . The warm flows from the inlet pipe turn fish on and they often stage at the end of the flow.Casting distance depends on water flow .The pipe is coming from sump pumps in back of the homes that are in line with it .My house is up the hill from here. Sometimes when Fire hydrants are flushed the flow is great! When the hydrants are flushed in March or April after some warm weather I want to be here . I often catch bass Crappie and Gills off to the side of the flow but Yellow  Perch congregate at the end or inside on the bottom of the flow . Food and debris comes out of this pipe and like spot #1 a buildup creates a hump and a good ambush point nearby.This spot is usually dead during the summer but Gills,Yellow and White Perch show up around labor day or shortly after and can be caught on 32nd oz. Beetle spins .

SPOT #5 A South East spot that turns on Mid April .Overcast and consistently strong North West winds will position Fish here at a shallow North East New Jersey Lake .The SW warmer winds keep the fish in this cove as well!

 Hit this windblown spot from an anchored  boat but the fish could have been caught from shore here I believe. Gills and White Perch hit floated jig/worm pieces and Jig'n'spins.Wind against the wall again!  

 I am realizing more and more how aggressive Bluegills ,both Male and Female ,and White Perch can be over other pannies like Crappie,Yellow Perch and Largemouth Bass .Last evening proved it again!

[John Sheehan]

  Sure thing Dwayne. I added spot #2 to this discussion and another photo .Spot #2 is a spillway dropoff and  a floating dock within long cast distance .

[John Sheehan]

A cold wet day and another example of following the wind to the wall. This is a NW wall and the wind came from the NE. Several good Gills were literally at my feet in 2 and 1/2' of water .Vertical jigging with tipped and untipped 64th oz and 16th oz jigs. They hook themselves as I 'm watching the take . 

[Leo Nguyen]

Great info and shots there John. We tried similar methods today for the family trout derby, but windy, cold, and rainy overcast is not helping. 3000 lbs of trouts stocked earlier, but only 45lbs were caught..

[John Sheehan]

Thanks Leo .This spot is like the corner store for Gills sometimes.Gee those Trout are sensitive!

[John Sheehan]

SPOT #5  A South East spot that turns on Mid April .Overcast and consistently  strong North West winds will position Fish here at a shallow North East New Jersey Lake .

[John Sheehan]

 Same spot 4/19 Sunny Blue skies and warm : Wind from South West blowing into a South East Cove holding fish.A few Good Male Gills and a Bass on 12th oz Swedish Pimple and 1/6th oz Flash King Wobbler Spoons .Floated worms at 2,1/2-3' Several Gills .Three 10" White Perch and a lone PSeed on 16th oz. Jig/worm piece.