The small concrete bridge led Jeff Samsel from Allen Creek’s west bank to its east, but in doing so, that foot crossing escorted a teen angler to an influential world of wonder and engagement. Amid the bass and bluegill he’d catch from various points on and under the bridge, Samsel found enlightenment and inspiration.
Those were simpler times, but in the quiet solitude, the seeds of a rewarding career were planted.
“Because of the overhead vantage, I learned a tremendous amount about fish movements and behavior and how they used various habitats,” Samsel said. “I suspect fishing from the bridge did more than I can fully understand to shape my fishing preferences toward simple gear, a multi-species approach and, of course, Fishing on Foot.”
We capitalize that last phrase because Samsel has become one of the industry’s foremost proponents of that very notion. With a deep history of outdoor writing, he currently serves as a Content Specialist for PRADCO, which comprises several prominent fishing tackle brands such as YUM, Booyah, Heddon and Rebel. Most recently, Samsel has created a multi-media project aimed at encouraging and instructing folks on the fun of land-bound fishing.
“I launched the Fishing on Foot YouTube Channel in September 2023, although the concept lived in my head for a couple of years before I committed to doing it,” Samsel said. “The first two videos were recorded in Bemidji, Minnesota, which is the first place I ever fished during a family campout when I was a little tiny dude.
“I created an Instagram account, @Fishing_on_Foot, at the same time as the YouTube channel and established the Fishing on Foot blog last November.”
Path and Purpose
Born in Minneapolis, Minn., Samsel moved to Clearwater, Fla. at age 6. He traces his earliest fishing memories to Minnesota and Wisconsin, but he credits his West Central Florida move and the creeks, ponds, bridges and piers he discovered with anchoring his fishing education.
Samsel would spend a handful of years in South Carolina, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from the University of South Carolina. In 1990, he moved to Marietta, Ga. to work for Game & Fish Publications and six years later relocated to Clarksville, Ga.where he currently lives.
A career in the fishing industry has put Samsel on several boats, so he’s certainly not diminishing their clear benefits and relevance. He’s simply stressing the fun of catching fish from shore (to include seasonal wading).
“I want to share my own passion for fishing without a boat and highlight great opportunities to fish by wading or walking banks,” Samsel said. “I seek to balance educating and entertaining and hope to take people along on adventures that make them want to do their own exploration.
“Before I started my YouTube channel, I saw channels that emphasized creek fishing, pond fishing, fly fishing, dock fishing for crappie, surf fishing and various other elements, but very little that brought all the on-foot opportunities together in one place.”
Today, anglers interested in learning about fishing on foot, or those that vicariously enjoy the sport will find Samsel’s YouTube channel addressing topics such as How to Fish a Grasshopper Lure, Dock Fishing for Crappie and Bank Fishing a Dam’s Tailrace.
Wide Open Potential
A self-described multi-species angler, Samsel struggles to pick a favorite scenario or species. As he notes, farm pond banks, surf zones, mountain trout streams, ice-covered natural lakes and cool-water creeks filled with panfish and river bass all have unique appeal.
“That said, a few favorites that come to mind are the Buffalo National River in Arkansas, the Chattooga National Wild & Scenic River, which is close to home, and the streams and small lakes of the Black Hills, near Deadwood, South Dakota (open water and ice),” Samsel said. “One favorite fishing area that I’ve only gotten to fish by boat, so far, but eventually plan to fish on foot because of world-class opportunities to catch trophy versions of multiple species and extensive shoreline access, is the Niagara River Gorge in New York.”
Samsel’s also broad in his species pursuits. That’s partially his personal appreciation for nature’s diversity, but also he encourages anglers everywhere to join the fun of fishing on foot.
“I don’t think there are ‘usual species,’ and I hope that becomes even truer as time allows more travel opportunities for filming videos and fishing on foot,” Samsel said. “Largely because of geography, I probably spend the most time fishing either for rainbow and brown trout or for river bass, including spots, largemouth, smallmouth and regional river species like shoal bass and Bartram’s bass.
“Of course, river trips also produce plenty of redbreast, green sunfish, bluegills and more, and I’m not usually after one species. Of course, crappie from docks and riprap banks wouldn’t be far down the list.”
Starting Point
Tournament anglers commonly study Google Earth to locate sweet spots and explore connections not visible from the water level. If you’re fishing on foot, these satellite views will show you where to park and where to walk.
“Many excellent areas aren’t necessarily billed as fishing areas,” Samsel notes. “Start close to home and look for things like city parks, canoe launches and creek-side greenway trails. Google Maps is extremely helpful. Use the regular map view to locate public areas along creeks or lakes and then switch to the satellite view to see if the creek has shoals, how open the bank looks, whether there are defined features that probably hold fish, where parking is available relative to the water and more.
“Also, look at your state’s fish and game department website. Many include excellent information about various types of waterways and fishing access and opportunities.”
Best Baits: A quick online review of likely fish species and the local forage will guide your lure selection. For most small waters, you’ll do well with a mix of topwaters, subsurface hard baits and soft plastics on light jig heads.
“For ponds and creeks, I’d put a Rebel Crickhopper at the top of the list,” Samsel said. “Everything eats terrestrial insects that land errantly on top, and it can be twitched on the surface to imitate a misplaced hopper or reeled steadily as a small crankbait. Rebel Teeny-Wee Crawfish and Tracdown Ghost minnows also have fabulous multi-species appeal.
“In addition, I’d suggest carrying a few small soft-plastic lures, jig heads and floats. Excellent soft plastics for fishing on foot include Bobby Garland Mayflies, Rebel LIVEflex series baits and 3- or 4-inch YUM Dingers.”
Minimalism Matters: Packing light is essential for fishing on foot and Samsel prefers a small backpack that keeps his hands free. Along with his tackle, he carries hemostats (for small hook removal) usually clipped to hisshirt or belt loop, fingernail clippers for trimming knots, a bottle of water, and a sealed plastic bag for keys and phone.
“For mountain streams, I usually wear felt-bottom wading shoes (to prevent slipping) and I might carry a wading staff and net,” he adds. “If I’m after larger fish and have bigger treble hooks, I carry pliers and maybe a fish gripper.
“A final item that I usually have if I’m wading or walking a pond bank is a little Presso Lure Wallet. It clips to a belt loop and zips shut. With it, I can keep a starting lineup of small lures handy and don’t need go take off the backpack to make a lure change.”
Summarizing his zeal for fishing on foot, Samsel said it’s a combination ofDIY instinct and the more intimate connection of staying near or in the waters he’s fishing.
“As a fishing writer, I’ve had the great fortune of spending time in the boat with top guides and pros and have traveled to iconic fishing destinations, but there’s something different and strikingly appealing to me about having my feet on the ground in a location I selected and having to figure out where the fish are and how to catch them.”
