There are plenty of good places to go bass fishing on foot. You don’t really need a thirty thousand dollar bass boat with all the bells and whistles to catch some bass and have a great time. Bass fishing from the bank can be a very rewarding and fun experience. It does take little preparation, some specialized equipment, and some common sense however. A good comfortable, waterproof pair of boots is highly recommended, and while shorts can be a lot cooler, I recommend jeans for protection from the sun, thorns, bees, and some protection from snakes. A hat and a good pair of polarized sunglasses are a must.
And while I’m on the subject of snakes, we do have several poisonous species which can all be found near water. That’s where the common sense comes in. Educate yourself on how to identify these critters and if you see them (and you will) give them their space. Any time you’re walking near the water, you need to be vigilant. Keep an eye out for the snakes and the alligators. As far as equipment goes, a good sharp knife, a pair of needle nose pliers, a camera, maybe your cell phone, and a small zip-lock bag with some extra hooks, some bullet weights, and a selection of soft baits, all of which can be worn on your belt will do nicely. Now grab your fishing pole and you’re ready to go.
I liken bass fishing from shore to hunting. You must be stealthy. Fish have very good eyesight and are very often attacked by predators from the bank, such as Herons and other birds. They are very sensitive to movement along the shore and scare easily. Also a lot of people think that as a bank fisherman you need to cast your lure as far out into the body of water that you’re fishing as possible, while the guy in the boat comes along and is casting his lure as close to the bank as possible. There is a method to that madness. That’s actually where the majority of the bass’s prey hides. So remember as you make your way along the shore, always fish a few feet off the bank thirty or forty feet ahead of you if possible as bass often sit very near the bank waiting to ambush their prey. Also don’t forget to make a cast behind you ever so often. As you walk along, you will scare minnows away from the shore. A lot of times the bass will home in on these.
You can do a little homework and scope out some good places around to get started with some bank fishing. Check out Google Earth. You can pretty much tell the bodies of water that you can access. Once you get started you’ll see just how much fun it can be. Not only do you get to get outside, experience some nature, and get some exercise, but it doesn’t cost an arm and leg to do it. Most people associate bank fishing with catching little Bluegill and catfish,
but this recent catch by Louie from the bank at one of our favorite spots here in the heartland by far proves that’s definitely not the case.
Tight lines and good luck! Oh yeah, and don’t forget your sunscreen and your fishing license.
You can view many more of Louie’s bank catches at
https://www.facebook.com/FishingTheHighlands 
