MacJig

Fishing is like real estate. The most important thing is ... location, location, location. Even Roland Martin couldn't catch fish in a bath tub. Experience, tackle , technique ; these all won't be worth two copper pennies if they are fished in a fishless body of water. The first issue of importance is to make sure you are not fishing in a bath tub. Being from Rochester, NY and being a bank fisherman, finding that consistent body of water is, for me, a very challenging thing.

Thx ! Always a minute early but a year late. Difficult to find consistent shore productivity. Do you know of any that have a consistent bite? Widewater is pretty good in Spencerport but that is hit and miss as well.

I go to Black Lake at least once, sometimes 2x year. It is a great lake for Crappies (although last year they ran small) . Funny thing is that I went for crappie but wound up catching a 19" bass, guessing around 4lbs. On top of that, I caught it on a Bobby Garland Baby Shad plastic which is made for pan fish/crappie fishing. So, when I go out looking for bass; nothing. When not targeting bass, I get one. Ahhh, there is no sport like fishing.

By golly guys, these are strange times we are living in I am 65 years old and have never seen anything like this in the entirety of my life. I live in NY and can still fish so I went out 4x in March/April and got the skunk trophy each time. I know we all have our opinions about what is going on. I know I do. But I guess in the long run my opinion is worth about as much as the few copper pennies I have in my pocket. I am concerned for the many businesses ( even those in the sporting/fishing industry) who are being so adversely impacted by the shut down of societies that recovery for some may never happen. There may be some very far reaching unhappy consequences through all this that go above and beyond infection control. If you can and desire to, go out and fish. I can think of no sport that incorporates social distancing quite like fishing does. Stay safe and stay sane.

Thx Bassin. Yes I have considered that. In fact, I had intended to begin trout fishing this year and began accumulating the necessary gear. One place I went to 2x in March was Sandy Creek noted for its trout fishing. I went fishing lures that a trout would like but that a bass would go for as well: trying to "go small" because of the time of year. But alas the skunk still got a ride home. I'm confident things will pick up in the coming months. Just hoping that with all the bad news of late, we all might get a dose of good news on the water.

Hmmmm. I'm from Rochester and don't recognize that place. Care to share? ?

Thx for the reply. Wow, A family farm ! A family farm with ponds !! Double wow. I might be willing to take the lengthier ride for the promise of more fish. Nice having that in your back pocket. ?

Hey , thanks Johnny. I appreciate the reply. I have tried to slow the retrieve and will probably slow it down further to a turtle's pace. It can be frustrating though. I have been on water as a kid at the 1000 Islands and as an adult at Black Lake where the bite was exciting and frequent. Not so on the bank. It's important to keep a correct perspective I guess.

I am primarily a bank fisherman. For 1-2 weeks out of the year I fish from a boat at beautiful Black Lake. But when home in upstate NY I utilize the banks. I have gotten out 4 times in March (trying a few new spots) but each time I came home with the scent of "skunk": no bites no fish. I use plastics, hair jigs, spinners, big baits, small baits, etc., etc..I'm sure the bass are snickering. Being new to bank fishing, can this be par for the course? Is March a typically difficult month from shore for bass? Are there great year round bank fishing locations around the Rochester, NY area that I might be missing? I don't frustrate easily and I am always open to sound advise. Many thx all !

Looks like you caught a shiner ... but not the kind that swims !!

The funny thing about getting old is your mind doesn't figure it out until your body is already there. Most of us are young in mind but the body just doesn't cooperate. I will be 65 soon, had one knee replacement, another bad knee that needs one and recent shoulder surgery. When a young fella, fishing with my dad for pike at the 1000 Islands, I could jump in and out of a boat with the "...greatest of ease...". Today I have to stop, analyze and finally ask myself ... "do i really want to do this?". No older angler wants to be a burden to other boaters/anglers but age is something none of us can avoid. Enjoy each day while you can. The day me come when the only fishing we will do is in our memories.

Many thx Toxic and Ronnieh -- I have not looked at "Fishers of men" but I will -- Thx for the heads up on that Toxic -- Yes, I feel your pain Ronnieh -- I would think it would be a relatively easy thing to find a brother in the Lord to go wet a line with but alas it isn't -- Alabama is a bit of a drive for me !! --

I am a retired banker in the Rochester NY area who is looking to pal up with other retired men who just enjoy a day on the water. I am a Christian man who would also find it beneficial to share some Christian fellowship with other believers who enjoy the sport of fishing. I have gone the "club" route but it's not for me. It would be good to create a network of Christian anglers in the area who like to share their passion for their faith and love for fishing with others. I am not looking to start a new club just an informal listing of others who would benefit from this type of networking. Maybe such a network exists of which I am not aware. If so, can you share more info on that with me? If you would like to add another fishing friend to your water excursions, let me know. Thx all.

I live in Rochester NY -- most of my fishing is done in Black Lake but would like to spread my wings a bit and fish closer by as well -- have gone to Long Pond, Eastman Lake, Lock 32 (?) with some success but nothing to write home about -- I fish off shore in Rochester and am looking for some decent places to throw a line -- any help will be appreciated !!