One thing to keep in mind is to try and use lures others aren't using. Obviously, the most popular colors and lures are popular because they work, but a lot of bank fishing spots receive a ton of pressure so I think the fish become fairly educated when they see a watermelon red senko or a junebug-colored craw. When my first team lures don't work I typically go to something I don't ever see anyone else throwing. Lately, that has been a bubblegum trick worm. I have no idea what it is supposed to look like or why fish bite it, but it sometimes works when nothing else will.

Man, I gotta try that bubblegum worm.

Another thing to think about is where you cast. If you watch most bank fishermen, they are casting out as far to the middle of the lake/pond as they can. Now watch someone from a boat and they will be casting as close to the bank as they can.

In my experience, most fish will be clinging so some type of structure 8-10' from the bank. You can maximize your exposure to this sweet spot by casting parallel to the bank instead of 90 deg straight out in front of you. If you keep casting ahead of yourself as you move down the bank, you are also fishing spots before the fish can see you.

Also as stated above, be stealthy. If you can see them, they can see you. Stay back a few feet from the bank and behind some brush if possible. And be mindful of your shadow.

I totally agree with finding lures that nobody else is throwing. Most bank fishing spots get hammered with fishing pressure. Once you find a lure that catches bass for you start looking for earlier versions of it that aren't made anymore. You might find some on the internet, such as ebay. You will have to pay a little extra but this may prove dynamite for you.

Also I almost always catch more fish from the bank wearing camo. The more the better in my experience. Especially for small creeks/river I fish with a "stalking" approach that is similar technique as in hunting. Try blending in with surroundings. The bass are a lot smarter and aware than most give credit to. I learned this technique from fly fishing back east. May seem a bit silly but it really works.

Another tip look around for the type of insects and creatures in and along the water. This may tip you off to the type of lures that will catch bass.

Work the shore line heavily for sure. Also point your hand out and cast in all 5 directions. Move 20ft or so left or right, and repeat, over and over.

Lots of excellent information here. I truly appreciate everyone sharing their knowledge, tips and opinions with a fishing n00b. I wanted to go today and try everything out but rained flooded again today ;-)

One other question that may be silly, but all this heavy rain we've received recently made me think of it - but after huge rains like this - tons of rain received over a several day period - does that affect fishing at all? Good or bad? Or no effect?

Leaf, it has a huge influence on the bite. Think about all the bugs and worms and such that wash into those hill country creeks and rivers after a flood event. And man those streams really can get to rolling after a lot of rain. It puts fish in a feeding frenzy that can last several days. First...The fish will swim up stream in the higher flow and water level. I personally think they do this because that is where all this food abundance is coming from. I don't think it is because they want to check out new surroundings they'd heard about from friends. catfish are really turned on by the water rise. Now in some rivers and lakes a flood muddies up the water so much it hurts the fishing for a few days, because the sight feeders just can't see the bait very well. But where you are fishing it usually clears quick, If the water is muddied or stained fish darker colored lures and slow them down a bit. The fish will often after a flood swim as far as they can and then get stopped at like a low water dam or shallow gravel bar and they'll congregate in the deeper pools right below the obstacle waiting for dinner to float by. As the water level starts to drop the fish tend to head back down the river after a day or two or three.The flooding often has a negative effect on fishing simply because it makes it so difficult to get around for the fisherman they tend to stay home for a few days. I want to see Rudy and Moon and a few others take on this.

I go to school in Blanco. Try to go up river more, Ive had more luck fishing there than at the Park. Head up 1623 past the school about a mile or so and fish the bottom of the dam. Hard to do without a kayak though. If you cant hook up there go to low waters as we call it on river road and fish there

I've found that after a good rain or flood the fishing is crazy good for a day or two, or even right after the rain stops. The extra oxygen in the water and the ability to move about more freely gives bass the opportunity to attack prey easier. That being said, here's what I would look for and has worked well for me. Find a point where the land narrows or has any sort of shallowing or both. Fish the side that the water is running to. Usually you will find a deep pocket or it deepens after this narrowing. This will allow the bass to ambush prey very easily, plus they love the flow of the water. Top waters and weightless senkos will work great there. If they don't, find something that is the most realistic version of what the bass eat and use that.
I didn't see this before, but I'm like you, I don't get the chance to go fishing when it's the best time. I do a lot of midday fishing as well. This doesn't mean that you can't catch bass or can't catch big bass. All it means is that it's harder to. Slow down your presentation. This will help. In crystal clear water, this may not work so well because they will be able to see the lure very well and may not bite. I would use trick/finesse worms and hop them along the bottom. Shade is the key or laid down trees. Anything that will give bass protection from the sun. Remember, as the sun moves, so will the fish.

Proof that it doesn't matter what time of day it is, you can still catch bass. I caught this one at 2:45pm today. I found cover and this little guy was hiding under it. Is it big... no, but it's still a fish. I caught one more about the same size in almost the same spot. It's not your equipment, it's the fish. Let them tell you what they are looking for. You may need to spend a little more to obtain more lures and worms, but keep trying and you will find what they like.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO DOWNSIZE! Big fish will hit small baits! I do it all the time. I do a lot of night fishing; very late at night, and you would be amazed at the size of bass I catch with jigs as small as 1/32nd. oz.!!! I have caught them up to 8 lbs., and landed them with very little trouble but a zillion worlds of fun on small jigs and ultralight gear. I am never hesitant to downsize when "normal" sized lures won't work.

What have you got to lose?

And then there is old reliable--THE ROOSTER TAIL! CATCHES EVERYTHING THAT SWIMS!

Rudy

btw, well said, Davey. I love to find those shallow bars/points when the water starts to clear and level starts to drop. with the current just so, it can be dynamite! I have seen them in Red Oak Creek in Rocket just lay off a point, with the current just so,with an overhanging limb or a limb that just has buried itself in the bottom, offering just enough cover, facing upstream, and whatever washes by, ZAP! an instant snack! Gotta love it, I sure do.

Rudy

Tarpon Fly, during the white bass runs earlier in the spring, always advised, in nearly every post on the creek fishing, to follow the shade as it moves through the creek over the course of the day. I can tell you LMB's don't like sunlight either. Find the shade and or cover, and midday fishing can be most rewarding. I look for creek or river stretches, especially in clear water, in which you cannot see the bottom. Some cover or shade is there for the fish, and they will tend to congregate in such spots. I do quite well in those spots, lol.

Rudy

Rudy, isn't it funny how if you walk down to one of these clear water creeks or ponds mid-day you might think "well there ain't no fish in these waters." But as I said earlier, slip down there after dark real quit like with a good floodlight and snap it on for a quick scan of the same water. All of a sudden there are lots of big bass cruising about, and little groups of catfish stationary in the current feeding on what comes by. The bluegills and other bream that stole your bait all day long are not out in the main areas of water any more. I mean...would you be? with all those large predator fish and water snakes slipping about in the darkness...looking for you? No, the smaller bait-fish have wedged themselves up as shallow as possible between as many rocks and clumps of vegetation as they can hoping it's just too skinny for the big fish. I sometimes take advantage of this fact and take a dip net with me to snag up a few bluegills for bait, Just hit them with your light and run that net up under them. of course you want to minimize the amount of time your light is on when night-fishing. I must admit though, even though I'm 58 years old, I often revert back to the 10 year old inside of me running up and down the creek shining my light into the depths looking for fish...snakes...crawdads...whatever. My fishing buddy Clarence gets put out with me for it at times.

I dearly love the deep night fishing trips too Rudy. Be fun to meet you some night soon down on one of our haunts.