Ditchin’ and Pitchin’
for Giant Bass
By Mark Zaskey
Here in the state of Florida
the opportunities to Bass fish from shore or fish without a boat for “Big Bass” are
for the most part overlooked. South Florida is
riddled with thousands of inter-connected canals and water control ditches that
hold large numbers of Bass. Many of South Florida’s
Bass fishermen, me included, grew up and honed their rod skills in these man
made water systems. But as time went on and we were eventually “paroled” from
our shore bound prisons, we all but forgot the long hot days we spent in our
youth pounding the shorelines of hundreds these canals. But do those canals and
ditches still hold anything worth bragging about?
I’ve got good news for you… Many of these overlooked canals are loaded
with above average Bass in the 4 to 12 pound range that have never even seen a lure. In fact... In most situations if the
lure is presented correctly...they will explode on them in textbook "Big Bass"
fashion. The Idea of pulling a bass like that out of a ditch that is only 20 feet wide seems ridiculous but I assure you....It happens to me almost every time I wet a line and some days I catch multiple giants. One canal I fish consistently produces double digit fish almost every time I go. I usually catch at least 20 fish most over 5 pounds. I have produced 5 fish limits in this spot that weigh over 40 pounds. All from shore. One thing is for certain....these small waterways produce huge numbers of really big fish.
Covering Water
As a shoreline Bass expert, I can tell you that last year I probably covered around a 100 miles of shore line in pursuit of the Giants I love to catch. This is what it takes to give yourself the opportunity to present your bait to a bass like the ones above. It's a numbers game, and it is as simple as that.
If I make 100 casts covering 100 yards of shore line and catch 10 fish- if I make 200 casts in a 200 yard length of shoreline I should catch more fish right? Sooner or later...A giant. Remember..If you see Bass on the shoreline in the 4-10 inch range...That means the area your fishing contains breeding females.
You have to Pound the water and the fish into biting.
When checking out a new area I use three primary types of lures: Spinner-baits, Swim-baits, and swim-jigs.
These three types of lures allow me to fish at a pace that is so fast and aggressive that I can successfully determine if there are any Bigger Bass in the spot quickly. This is the same technique used by the best in the world like Kevin Van Damm. Only we don't have a boat. We have to cover as much water as possible just like the guy's in the boat do. If you use this strategy, you will be surprised at the results. If you don't get any bites, there aren't any fish in the area. Have confidence in your abilities and strategy. Go get one like this one below in the video
 |
| 11.5 pounds on a swim bait |
The fact is…I’m lucky I don’t own a boat right now. I would
not have come to the important conclusions I have come to this year regarding
my big Bass techniques and would never have accomplished what I have as an
angler. Shoreline Bass fishing can be very productive if you follow a very
simple process.
- Cover as much water as you can, using reactive type of baits or “Search Baits.”
- Blanket cast the opposite shoreline, ripping the lure off the edge into deeper water.
- Hit every piece of structure several times.
- Watch for minnows and bluegills.
- Fish hard and fish aggressively
Covering Water
As a shoreline Bass expert, I can tell you that last year I probably covered around a 100 miles of shore line in pursuit of the Giants I love to catch. This is what it takes to give yourself the opportunity to present your bait to a bass like the ones above. It's a numbers game, and it is as simple as that.
If I make 100 casts covering 100 yards of shore line and catch 10 fish- if I make 200 casts in a 200 yard length of shoreline I should catch more fish right? Sooner or later...A giant. Remember..If you see Bass on the shoreline in the 4-10 inch range...That means the area your fishing contains breeding females.
You have to Pound the water and the fish into biting.
When checking out a new area I use three primary types of lures: Spinner-baits, Swim-baits, and swim-jigs.
These three types of lures allow me to fish at a pace that is so fast and aggressive that I can successfully determine if there are any Bigger Bass in the spot quickly. This is the same technique used by the best in the world like Kevin Van Damm. Only we don't have a boat. We have to cover as much water as possible just like the guy's in the boat do. If you use this strategy, you will be surprised at the results. If you don't get any bites, there aren't any fish in the area. Have confidence in your abilities and strategy. Go get one like this one below in the video
