avdr22

Plus there are definitely some people that have success where I am fishing. I think there is some kind of "X-factor" when it comes to bass fishing that I might be missing that is causing me to get a much lower bite rate than other people, like my pattern of retrieval might be slightly different than people that catch fish or something else

Don't have too many options. Urban Western Washington is very bad for someone without even a raft or boat. Tried so many lakes I saw on google maps but public access is really bad.

Update: Well I am getting a little bit closer. Ordered a ton of 1/0 hooks and senkos of all different kinds to whacky rig. Probably fished another 40 hours since my original post, and had two times where I for sure had a bass on the line. Lost them both though. I think by the time I hit around 300 hours of fishing I will have probably caught one for sure. Just a matter of time now, thanks for the advice everyone

Ah, it's a 3/0 off set. I'll go make a run out for the 1/0s today. I just feel bad having already spent quite a but of money but haven't caught anything so I'm hesitant to spend more ?

Okay! Definitely going to try a whacky rig with . I only have size 3/0 hooks though. Is that pointless and should I go make the trip to Cabela's to get the 1/0s?

Also probably a dumb question, but do Bass move close to shore in Spring and Fall and move out in Summer and Winter? How about wacky rigging off of a boat? I want to try the boat but i'm worried that the large 170hp motor will scare the fish away. We do not have a electric trolling motor.

Ah, one thing i like to do with my casts because I didn't think it mattered is lob it pretty high. Should I make as small of an impact as possible?

err, didnt mean to throw the whole thing in quotes haha And thanks to everyone for the advice.

Hello, At the beggining of the summer, my goal was to catch one (1) of ANY bass. I have an extensive fishing background and have done mostly saltwater at this point. I researched for hours and came up with the following "idiot proof" beginner rig. 4 size Gamakatsu off set shank hook. 5 inch senko (GRN PMPK or WTRMLN texas rigged weightless. Fast action spinner reel. 8 pound flouro test. I fish primarily Lake Washington and I have been to many places where I have seen people or heard people catch bass. I walk along various points in the shore and cast 45 degrees out but try to keep it parallel. I let the senko sink to the bottom and give it about a foot or two of tug and let it sink again and repeat it like that. I fish it real slow. I know this is the post-spawn season so not that many fish are shallow. I have tried frogs over the lily pads, metal spinners, crankbaits, shads, crawfish, dropshot rig with worm as well. Mostly I just stick with the unweighted senko on texas rig. I have tried American Lake all over as well. At this point im ready to give up. I have fished close to 100 (maybe even 120 hours) hours this season and I have seen people on the left and right of me pull up bass. I have caught countless rock bass, sunfish, perch, you name it but no bass. I had my father come with me one time and he doesn't know ANYTHING about bass fishing (hasn't even tried it before) but he asked to use my pole and setup and on the third cast he got a small 1 pound Largemouth. I just don't know what more as a beginner I can do to just catch one bass. If anybody knows what the absolute best bass fishing lake in WA state, I might just pay a visit to try one last time. If anyone can tell me what I'm doing wrong, I would love to know. I want to get into this, but I have just had nothing but failure so far.