Also the bank can VERY spot/depth specific - often times you'll troll around for hours in the old school 100-140' depth for nothing, then come up into the shallows(60') and nail them like crazy - or vice versa.

For sure, the fish can be in the 70 to 100' depth on the bank, we often have had outstanding fishing shallows years gone by, but now you generally get those small lings and can troll for an hour not knowing you have one on. So I always stay in the 120 to 150 depth and avoid the small lings.
With no bait or shrimp spawn showing on the bank right now, it's not surprising fishing is slow. Lots of bait inside from what I saw on the way in.
I started fishing the bank way back, around 1970 before most sporties went out there and then often fished on the east bank during the closure years.... to put things in perspective.

Very interesting to hear from someone who's fished the bank so long. I'm curious how do things compare from 30 years ago to today?



If you're not coming up into the shallows you're missing the best fishing the bank has to offer, in my personal opinion that is - YMMV. Just check your gear and troll fast and you won't have problems with lings.

We first went out in a 12' aluminum (rivets leaked) with a 9 hp Elgin with the hood taped on. Limited out in short order in the shallow water. Can't remember if the limit was 4 or 8 then.
In the last 10 years or so for me, the bank has been steady but I only go out in the winter half a dozen times or so. I have found there are not as many hot bites and nothing like it was in the years before..and the fish were bigger then.
The inside fishing, the flag pole, gap, flats even Fiddle Reef were and still are good winter fishing places, but not like the past. When's the last time you saw someone fishing Fiddle Reef.
My fishing is focused mainly on the big summer springs.
You are active on this site and your input and observations as well as the others are appreciated. Every fisherman can ALWAYS learn something new and we are always interested in what others are doing and what's happening. I have found fishermen in general are SOMEWHAT,less secretive then they were in the past.
Probably more info then any one on this site wants or needs, but you know you can't shut up a fisherman once you get him going of his favorite sport.

Hey Foggy,

That's pretty brave heading out to the bank in a 12' tinny.
I guess you really had to pick your days carefully.
Wish the fishing was as good now as it was back then.
10 years from now we'll probably say the same thing.

Cheers

no kidding, I don't think I'd be out there in a little tinny like that but I think we've gotten soft with our big boats, heaters, electronics.

Any chance of any old school pics from the area?

Again...more info than anyone needs, however because you asked and because I have seen people say on these sites...no picture no believe....
Don't know how this will come thru but....it's the best I can do.
Sorry nothing from Constance....
Had to scan photo's and reduce the file size...tough for an ole guy
End of story....over and out!!!

pretty cool, did you get to play that big boy Foggy ?