FS Digest

I've been to many different spots in my local area but I always leave empty handed. I'm trying to catch bass (or anything that will bite) and it seems no matter what lures I use I just can't get a bite. I've seen from other posts and YouTube videos that the go-to technique for bass is a Texas rigged finesse worm or senko. I've tried that as well....cast it around cover/structure, slow drag along the bottom every 5-6 seconds with some hopping action sprinkled in there. No bites....at all. I've tried spinners, cranks, and buzzbaits as well....same results. Obviously I'm doing something wrong and I'm hoping that someone who's more experienced can point it out. I'm VERY new to fishing and typically fish from my kayak.

EDIT: I live in Tennessee, usually go around 7-8am when the temp is around 70°-75°. The water here is fairly dirty, about a foot or two of visibility when my bait is in the water. I use dark colors for my baits (black and blue or black and red).

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by -VOIDED_

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

When you figure it out let me know, I haven't caught a trout since 2019.

Whitereb Loc: Lake Guntersville Alabama

Try a rattle trap or makes noises. I prefer live bait minnows or crickets. I have caught several nice bass this summer on crickets. Keep trying and wet line.

Foodfisher Loc: SO. Cal coast

😆😆tickled me. I thoughr you were going to offer advice.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

My advice would be relax and keep fishing. That's what I'm doing. Don't stop believing!

Foodfisher Loc: SO. Cal coast

👍👌🤞

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Try fishing topwater and try a little earlier in the day, too, before the water warms up. Chatterbaits may help draw attention as well. Good luck!

Chuck56 Loc: Texas

Since you are fishing from a yak, I would not use a worm until you locate the fish. I would “ power fish” with a crankbait or spinnerbaits , casting as fast as you can , allowing your lure to get to working depth , over and over. You can usually get a reaction bite that way. Once you know there are fish in the area, then slow your roll and use the soft plastics instead....My 2cents...

Ronniejw Loc: West Point MS

I start fishing at first light, usually the fish are in feeding mode as it lights up and most times only for an hour or so. Maybe get there earlier. What color lure are you using. My go to is a shad swim bait in white, I usually get bass first then within the next hour a few crappie on the same lure. By 9am I'm on my way home.

tuboshu Loc: Kennebunk, Maine

I had a particularly frustrating day yesterday myself. I usually use a Zoom Swimming Super Fluke to locate the fish. If I feel something, I concentrate on that area, or areas with similar cover, trying different baits until I find what they will eat. That didn't work. A couple times, I saw a wake behind the lure. Normally, if I see that, I kill the retrieve and the fish will usually pick it up. That didn't work either. Finally, something bit the tail off the bait. I was ready to quit, so instead of putting on a fresh lure, I threw the tailless fluke back in the same spot, let it sink to the bottom and hooked a small bass.
Never give up.

01_31_19_47_bass

Good advice, Spirit!!

Ronniejw Loc: West Point MS

Hey buddy I saw your post about that some people make silly comments about how much you post, well if they don't like it don't read it. I enjoy reading most, the ones that interest me and a lot from certain people, yours is one of them. There is no stereotype on here, we are all individuals and comment with appreciation for our friends. This is an open forum so keep it up my friend, there are so many worse things in this life.😉

whtoak Loc: South Carolina

I had the same problem last year. I've very new to fishing. I tried the Rapala Original Minnow Jointed, black back and silver sides. Interestingly, I could cast it and not get any bites, I saw some similar lures with small feathers tied to the rear treble hook, went out to my chicken pen, and tied some small "tail feathers"(either white or black). Kaboom! They hit the ones with the tail feather tied on frequently when they don't bite the ones without it! Beats me. I have NO IDEA why. I read about how to fish it and everything says to fish it as slow as possible. I've found that retrieving it steady ( but not slow by any means) and twitching my rod tip similtaneously produces the most bites. There's probably a reason that lure has been round since 1936. My next best producer is the Booyah Prank Popper. I've caught more bass on these two than anything else, including worms. Righ now, I catching bass 60% of the times I go out and trying to improve on that. With this being my third year at bass fishing, I am NO expert , but I have found that slowing down considerably improves things. If I am using texas rigged worms, I cast it out, let it fall and sit for at least a minute before moving it at all. Frequently, when I do move it, there's a bass on it.( I learned that by casting and then leaving it alone while I rebaited my grandchild's hook with a worm or either relieving my anitque bladder before retrieving. My only other idea, is to go out and get situated and simply sit still and wait until you see some type of fish activity. When you do, get over there with your trolling motor, KEEP AS FAR AS YOU CAN and cast to that spot. That has worked for me. Good luck.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

I believe you are in a live bait area. Use a minnow or other small local bait fish under a float at different depths. If you don't get bit, there are likely no fish there. Live bait is not allowed in tournaments for a reason. Keep moving until you get bit. The fish are somewhere if you caught them out of that body of water in the past. Once you have established a pattern of where the fish are this time of year, then you can go to the artificial and establish a pattern of what they want. I guarantee even KVD will not catch fish if there are no fish there. If you are fishing, you can't be doing something wrong. If you are fishing, you are definitely doing something right. You just need to tweak to catch some fish.

Bushwacker

don't forget you can always free float or slow troll a shiner when nothing else seems to work.