Another new guy
Dec 24, 2020 19:36:36 #
My sons are grown, youngest 16, trying to get back in to fresh water fishing. I live west of Philadelphia but have been mostly a salt water guy. I’ve caught tuna, dolphin blues, pompano, spot and croaker from Virginia to North Carolina. When it comes to fresh water I blow. I’ve tried everything. Carolina rig, whacky rig, cranks, spinners, nothing. Mostly shore fishing, is it really just finding the right spot
Dec 24, 2020 20:07:44 #
Phil3547 wrote:
My sons are grown, youngest 16, trying to get back in to fresh water fishing. I live west of Philadelphia but have been mostly a salt water guy. I’ve caught tuna, dolphin blues, pompano, spot and croaker from Virginia to North Carolina. When it comes to fresh water I blow. I’ve tried everything. Carolina rig, whacky rig, cranks, spinners, nothing. Mostly shore fishing, is it really just finding the right spot
Welcome to the stage Phil. It can be, if the area you're fishing is not attractive to fish, they won't hang around there. Look for structure like dropoffs, rocks, or creek channels, or cover like blowdowns, weed lines, boat docks, or patches of lillypads. Try and fish the edges of these areas. Throw a frog into the lillypads . Throw a worm,Texas rigged or unweighted,under docks. Throw a topwater,like a popper,or WopperPlopper and work the edges of weeds or trees. If you don't raise any strikes move around.
You can fish bait,on the bottom,or under a bobber. Good luck,and keep trying,you'll figure it out.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Dec 24, 2020 20:19:20 #
Phil3547 wrote:
My sons are grown, youngest 16, trying to get back in to fresh water fishing. I live west of Philadelphia but have been mostly a salt water guy. I’ve caught tuna, dolphin blues, pompano, spot and croaker from Virginia to North Carolina. When it comes to fresh water I blow. I’ve tried everything. Carolina rig, whacky rig, cranks, spinners, nothing. Mostly shore fishing, is it really just finding the right spot
Merry Christmas and welcome to the Forum, Phil. Isn't it always finding the right spot whether you are fishing salt or freshwater? But, the "spots" are closer together in freshwater. You must learn the read the water in order to find the "spots".
Dec 24, 2020 20:47:55 #
Thanks and hope you and yours are doing well. I do a lot of scouting, being a deer and turkey hunter in my younger years, could it be just presentation? I have a 22yr old that catches bass ,trout and catfish and I look like an amateur around him. I’m 62 by the way
Dec 24, 2020 20:53:03 #
Merry Christmas to you as well. I’ve always thought salt is about tide. I’ve always caught fish on an incoming tide, usually about an hour before that.
Dec 24, 2020 21:02:03 #
Phil3547 wrote:
Thanks and hope you and yours are doing well. I do a lot of scouting, being a deer and turkey hunter in my younger years, could it be just presentation? I have a 22yr old that catches bass ,trout and catfish and I look like an amateur around him. I’m 62 by the way
Oh, you can teach an old dog new tricks, but he has to want to learn and I think your son would be a wonderful teacher. You raised him right, didn't you?
Dec 24, 2020 21:02:59 #
Welcome Phil. Im covered with salt. Catfish is about the only fresh water fish i go after. Good luck.
Dec 24, 2020 21:04:30 #
Phil3547 wrote:
Thanks and hope you and yours are doing well. I do a lot of scouting, being a deer and turkey hunter in my younger years, could it be just presentation? I have a 22yr old that catches bass ,trout and catfish and I look like an amateur around him. I’m 62 by the way
Do you fish with your son? If so try and imitate his retrieve. As you know,every type of lure has a few ideal ways to work it,depending on conditions. I think I would pick a couple types of lures, and concentrate on learning the best way to work them. There are many U-Tube videos showing how to work various lures. Watch a few a try to emulate the retrieves you learn. The old saying still holds true, practice makes perfect.
Dec 24, 2020 21:12:43 #
Able Man
Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)
Welcome to the Fishing Stage, Phil3547!! I also am 62 years old... If and when I find myself fishing from shore (of ponds), I usually try what worked, when we were kids = worm under a bobber; get some fresh fish in the belly.
Dec 24, 2020 22:02:08 #
Welcome Phil, it's winter time buddy. Fishing is a little slow right now. Except for ice fishing for cold water fish, there just turning on after a long hot summer. It will happen.
Dec 24, 2020 22:39:59 #
Welcome to the stage Phil winter Fishing can be tough. If you have trout in your area they will often bite in cold water
Dec 25, 2020 00:31:13 #
Phil3547 wrote:
My sons are grown, youngest 16, trying to get back in to fresh water fishing. I live west of Philadelphia but have been mostly a salt water guy. I’ve caught tuna, dolphin blues, pompano, spot and croaker from Virginia to North Carolina. When it comes to fresh water I blow. I’ve tried everything. Carolina rig, whacky rig, cranks, spinners, nothing. Mostly shore fishing, is it really just finding the right spot
Yes and no. Fresh water fish bite when they are hungry or mad. If they are not hungry then try and make them mad. Cast the same place 3-4 times, if nothing then move your lure over 10-15 feet and try again.
Hopefully with out getting snagged.
Dec 25, 2020 02:47:36 #
Its like parking in other peoples parking places sooner or later someone will get pissed.
Dec 25, 2020 08:41:04 #
Welcome Phil and Merry Christmas. You've got a lot of good advice already. I also like a jig with minnow under a bobber
Dec 25, 2020 13:50:50 #
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