FS Digest

I've been fishing a lot the last two years, but the fish just don't seem to bite. Been trying fast reeling, slow reeling, different types of line setups, etc. Watching YouTube videos for techniques. I've caught three fish in those two years, each of them were silverside jacks in salt water with a bobber with some cheese on the hook after I had given up and was sitting back drinking a beer. Squid does nothing, chicken liver does nothing, powerbait does nothing, none of my spoons or chatterbait do anything. When I go fresh water fishing I'll see the fish jumping like crazy, but they don't want anything to do with me. What do now? I'm enjoying myself, and I love being out in the wild, but it would be cool to catch more.

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by 01010110_

FS Digest

I know it’s miles different, but during Michigan’s summer, if you’re not fishing as the sun is going up or going down, you are spinning your wheels.

If you’re fishing at high noon, that’s probably the worst time to fish. Noon-4pm is a real stinker.

That said, if you are going at the butt crack of dawn, throw out a spook jr (silver/black) and you’ll catch speckled trout over grassy flats in saltwater and largemouth by the weeds in freshwater. You’d have to look up the “walk the dog” retrieve. I highly recommend the canoe man knot to give it some extra action.

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by your_childs_teacher

FS Digest

I'll check out those techniques, lures, and knots, thank you.

On quite a few occasions I've been at the lake for full days between sunrise and sunset with zero luck. The few fish I have caught have been at the solunar prime times, but that hasn't worked consistently.

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by 01010110_

FS Digest

Come up to Michigan in a month or two and we’ll put you on ‘em.

But don’t bring that curse of yours up here!

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by your_childs_teacher

FS Digest

The lack of success of many fishermen can often be attributed to fishing at the wrong depth. It's such an important yet overlooked factor. For example, you can use topwater lures at night, sunrise and sunset close to shore but during the day fish will typically move to deeper waters.

The second aspect of fishing that often needs to be fine-tuned for better success is gear and presentation. I know a few who use heavy line, huge swivels and metal leaders at all times when in reality the situation calls for a finesse setup: small(er) diameter line, fluoro leader, smaller lure, no clunky terminal tackle, less aggressive retrieve, etc.

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by adhq

Ivey Loc: South Central Tennessee, Tim's Ford Lake

Not really sure where your zip code is but if you have a way to measure water temp. that can tell you a lot. spring time 60* and above to around 80* most of the fish on my lake will be shallower. Around 65* fish will start bedding bass 60* to 70* you'll find them as shallow as they'll be most of the year. Coves that face the south or on North banks will normally warm just a little quicker and will draw fish earlier in the year, as will coves with rock.
As the water temp rises 70* to 85* most of the larger fish will start moving away from shallow water and on to deeper points and old river channels. Summertime most will move on out to the main lake and you'll find them very close to the deepest water in the lake. They may be on shallow flats or points in the cooler parts of the day but they'll move deeper as the sun get up.
Fall, should find fish back on the points and flats you found them in spring and winter fish should move back to areas you found summer fish.
These are very brief things to look for hope it helps some. Knowing your location and type water you fish would help us get you closer to the fish.

MorningRays Loc: Long Beach & San Gabriel CA

I second that. Depth and setup are big factors. I'd also add learn about the species your fishing for. I'm a largemouth angler.. more I know about when and where bass eat the different colors of the bait and seasons. Example.early spring I'm not throwing bright orange or red. Reason craws and panfish have been dormant for three or four months.like us we don't have much of a tan right now. Come July we will that's when start throwing bright.. anyway I'd read about them as much as I could it will improve your bite by using the right lures and plastics.. enjoy

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Research a local guide and consider the money spent on one trip is way cheaper than all the fuel and unnecessary tackle you’ll buy doing it wrong.

Jimmyking Loc: Desoto , Missouri

Ackleyimp

Maybe you just stink. There are a lot of smalls that just plain run fish away. If you have gas on your hands you won't catch a fish. There are a lot of other smells that do the same and some people just have that smell. Try washing your hands with a sent eliminating soap, not a perfumed one.

hemihappy Loc: pawleys island s.c.

It seems no matter where you are 11 am time to go home come back at 6pm

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

That works in Idaho. Pretty much anywhere I’ve ever fished. We call 10:00 to 5:00 “nickel and diming them”.

Ihntnfsh Loc: Colome, South Dakota

Maybe your not holding your mouth right.