I had not fished since I was a kid growing up in north Iowa. Now in north Texas, I was bit by the fishing bug a month or two ago. I had some decent, not great, but decent luck at first, bass and catfish in the North Dallas area in streams and ponds. I seem to have lost my touch. I can't seem to be able to judge water depth, biting, bass occupancy, baits, etc. It feels almost like a need a real coach, showing me or just fishing while I practice and watch. Laughs...it will come back I'd bet.

...wisdom through admitting

Lol! r u talking about bank fishing? If so, what species of fish do u enjoy targeting? Are you catch&release kind of guy or release into the grease kind of?...

I grew up in northeast iowa myself but been here since 85. It takes a bit getting used to down here. The lakes are bigger and the rivers a lot smaller lol. A lot of places to fish down here just have to find them. Summer down here better in a boat to get to the deeper water. What kind of fish are you wanting to catch?

At this point, I'd love the man vs. wild regarding any kind of fish. I want to see the pole bend. To specify, bass would be nice.

...wisdom

When I get back in July I know of a few spots for bass you may like. Only been gone four months so it's not like they would have changed any. These are spots I have fished for years.

As for depths, download the Navionics app. Very helpful.

Just my theory. Lakes and larger rivers are going to naturally be deeper. Ponds,streams, and creeks generally don't get deep. Ponds being the deeper of the three. If you a targeting bass, you can't usually go wrong by fishing shallow up closer to the bank. I'm big on throwing a Texas rig or Shakey head in ponds. Very rarely will I throw a trap or other crankbait in small water. If I do it's usually out of desperation.

Fishing for LMB once the weather gets hot, from the bank can be tough. I grew up for Michigan and was used to fishing from the bank all year round with good results.

When I moved down here (25 years ago), I tried the LMB thing from the bank and got mostly frustration.

Me, personally, I've had a lot better luck fishing for sandies (mostly in the spring), hybrids and catfish (which you can catch pretty much all year round).

Here is the perplexing part...fishing for bass from the bank can be hard. However, when men in boats fish, they cast toward the bank, incessantly. What gives? Are the bass seeing my big Minnesota Viking purple cap, or my Apache feathers?

...wisdom through asking

That rule really applies more to lakes anyway. Where they can get out farther. Ponds are limited on where they can go. And if it's not too big you can usually reach anywhere from one side or another. Or at least get out to the deeper water in the middle if need be. That is if you have the equipment to cast a little farther. A good casting rig that's well maintained and oil along with the right line will help get some distance. For ponds or smaller water I like using soft plastics over just about anything else.

New fishing buddies with the "knack" are appreciated.

...wisdom

Hey Indianation65 where do you usually fish . if your near Plano try spring creek fish are biting good and its narrow in most spots easily accessed from the bank.

Are there a lot of Apache in Iowa?

Aquiles, someone posted Spring Creek locations, might do a search?

Mr. ChugR,
Apaches are nomads...wait, I take that back, Indians are always "mad," but they roamed. There aren't tribes per say in Iowa, except the Iowa Tribe. Yes, that is where the state got its name, from the Iowa Indians. My grandparents are southwest Texas Apaches. I just happen to be born in North Iowa, growing up just like Bobby Brady, not like Geronimo or Cochise. Anyway, I will give bank fishing another go. I may have found a decent spot, but it's a trek getting from the railroad tracks, down the slopes, on the minny boulders, and down to the water. I tore my hamstring, and it's still healing.

...wisdom through fish and feathers