What am I doing wrong?
Jul 16, 2021 09:34:28 #
I started fishing recently and out of 12 trips to local lakes and a half a dozen small ponds in my area and only nabbed 2 fish. One didn't even bite the lure more so I hooked it's mouth shut and the second was only a 8" baby largemouth.
I've tried almost every hard lure there is: crankbaits, lipless cranks, rooster tails, jigs, buzz baits, spinners, whopper ploppers, chatterbaits, texas rigged craws/creatures, swim baits. Nothing works. Nothing prompts bites.
I don't know what I'm doing wrong. It would help if they bit at SOMETHING, but I've had days I've literally gone through every type with no interest from the bass or even bluegill and crappie. I have lost more lures than I've had bites and I'm getting very discouraged.
Am I working the baits wrong? Am I just stupid and should just quit? If it helps, I fish the bank and don't have a boat or a high-riding vehicle to get to more out of the way spots.
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by CAP2SupremeBurrito
I've tried almost every hard lure there is: crankbaits, lipless cranks, rooster tails, jigs, buzz baits, spinners, whopper ploppers, chatterbaits, texas rigged craws/creatures, swim baits. Nothing works. Nothing prompts bites.
I don't know what I'm doing wrong. It would help if they bit at SOMETHING, but I've had days I've literally gone through every type with no interest from the bass or even bluegill and crappie. I have lost more lures than I've had bites and I'm getting very discouraged.
Am I working the baits wrong? Am I just stupid and should just quit? If it helps, I fish the bank and don't have a boat or a high-riding vehicle to get to more out of the way spots.
--
by CAP2SupremeBurrito
Jul 16, 2021 09:41:22 #
john1470
Loc: Sandy Hook, CT
Nah ur not doing any thing wrong - it’s called fishin. Recommend u talk to people at local tackle/bait store - ask them ur questions bout local fisheries.
Have fun, don’t give up - keep at it.
Have fun, don’t give up - keep at it.
Jul 16, 2021 13:33:04 #
Spring and fall are the best times of the year for bank fishing.
I agree with John, check at the local bait shop and ask for locations for shore fishing this time of year. There are fish to catch, but locations, presentations, and tackle might make a difference.
Time of day, etc., may be another key thing to find out for fishing from the bank.
Hang in there!
I agree with John, check at the local bait shop and ask for locations for shore fishing this time of year. There are fish to catch, but locations, presentations, and tackle might make a difference.
Time of day, etc., may be another key thing to find out for fishing from the bank.
Hang in there!
Jul 16, 2021 16:53:21 #
Try changing pace of the lure, slow down and see if it helps, depends on lure some with faster retrieve will get a hit. Hang in, the fish are there to catch. My main lure is a swim bait I get from Walmart, white shad and catch bass and crappie on them. For bass I reel in steady speed, for crappie I let it sink a few seconds then slow the retrieval.
Jul 17, 2021 10:43:49 #
You said you fish small ponds. Are you sure there are fish in those ponds? Ain’t catchin’ nuttin unless they are there.
My experience has been that spinner baits work well in most places. You may have to adjust the color and/or size of the bait to be effective. Also, early morning and late afternoon have always been the best times for me (unless you are bream fishing with a pole).
My experience has been that spinner baits work well in most places. You may have to adjust the color and/or size of the bait to be effective. Also, early morning and late afternoon have always been the best times for me (unless you are bream fishing with a pole).
Jul 17, 2021 11:13:06 #
Chuck56
Loc: Texas
Fishing from a bank can severely limit your access to catchable fish . My suggestion to you would Texas rig a 6” floating worm with a 1/4 ounce weight, if your fishing rod/ reel can cast it. Learn patience and get good at fishing with that type of rig. It’s fairly inexpensive if you lose the rig , and a good way to learn when/ if bass are in the area. You can cast it basically anywhere , and not get hung up too often......My 2cents
Jul 17, 2021 13:41:58 #
BILLBYRD1
Loc: Prattville Al
Look up Bass Resource on line. They have how to videos on just about every lure and technique that is being used today and the earlier days. You can find a tremendous amount of info if you just look. Major League Fishing, Bass Pros, Bassmasters and on and on and on.
Jul 17, 2021 13:54:09 #
FS Digest wrote:
I started fishing recently and out of 12 trips to ... (show quote)
Try some live bait ie worms, frogs, minnows.
Jul 17, 2021 14:18:42 #
4DaFryer
Loc: Romeoville, IL
When all else fails, go back to the basics ! The good old worm and bobber !
Oftentimes, the fish are not inclined to chase after those artificail lures.
Oftentimes, the fish are not inclined to chase after those artificail lures.
Jul 17, 2021 14:50:40 #
Line quality is critical. And go light . I like using a 10 braid with 8 lb fluro leader. Confidence is everything. If your on a body of water, and it holds fish, sooner or later they have to eat. Go down in lure size too. Try and match whatever bait you find. You’ll dial it in
Jul 17, 2021 15:15:34 #
tannin
Loc: Western OR
You might be leaving a scent of human by handling the lure.
Some type of Smelly Jelly, Garlic Anise herring they even have Worm scent.
Use it withe bait or lures.
Some type of Smelly Jelly, Garlic Anise herring they even have Worm scent.
Use it withe bait or lures.
Jul 17, 2021 17:36:58 #
FS Digest wrote:
I started fishing recently and out of 12 trips to ... (show quote)
I feel you SB. I've caught more than my share of donuts and I sometimes think I'm insane repeating the same fruitless activity over and over. But I love the escape and solitude and have taken the attitude that actually catching a fish is a bonus and a secondary benefit. That said, have you considered solunar fishing, i e., taking into account moon phases to determine optimum fish feeding times?
https://youtu.be/xzvQrjn5JKk. I was a skeptic at first but did notice that when I aligned my fishing times with the peak feeding periods, my catch rate did statistically increase. Could just be a coincidence but it proved itself to me. There are a number of apps out there; I personally use BassForecast. Tight lines!
Jul 17, 2021 18:59:23 #
BILLBYRD1
Loc: Prattville Al
DCGravity I am like you. I take notice of when the feeding times are, (I don't schedule around it) and have notice that I catch more fish during that time. I may be catching fish before and after but I have notice I get more bites during that time. If you notice mother nature gets more active during that time also.
Jul 17, 2021 19:21:09 #
HenryG
Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts
FS Digest wrote:
I started fishing recently and out of 12 trips to ... (show quote)
Ya let's see where this goes🙏
Jul 17, 2021 19:23:42 #
HenryG
Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts
4DaFryer wrote:
When all else fails, go back to the basics ! The good old worm and bobber !
Oftentimes, the fish are not inclined to chase after those artificail lures.
Oftentimes, the fish are not inclined to chase after those artificail lures.
👆👍
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