Bank Fishing for Big Bass

I remember the spot like I was there just yesterday—a scenic cove on a beautiful, back-forty farm pond.

In shallow water along the bank, willows grew. Beyond the willows, in slightly deeper water, were many inundated stumps and logs. Big largemouth bass haunted this cover-filled flat. I knew because I had caught numerous 4-, 5- and 6-pounders there. I was certain, however, that even bigger bass swam there.

Back in those days, I didn’t have a boat from which to fish. But I probably wouldn’t have used a boat even if I had one. There was no vehicle access, so bringing a boat to the pond would have been difficult at best. Besides, no boat was needed. I could walk the path to the pond and be fishing from its banks in minutes.

A foot trail circled the water, and at regular intervals, there were openings in the bankside brush where I could stand and cast. Often as not, I fished with a Crème worm or Lucky 13. And often as not, five to 10 bass would fall for these offerings each day.

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