Disappointed And Getting Frustrated...

[fishingator]

...and my bf is about to quit all together :/ We got up this morning at 4:30 and hauled the canoe down to Blue Lagoon ramp in Miami as was suggested in a previous thread I posted. We got there at 615ish. We fished the more natural area on the Southeast side of the lagoon, then we fished along the dolphin expressway on the rocks and lilly pads. We crossed back over fishing along throwing everything we had - Zara Spooks, KVD sexy frogs, rapalas, yozuri floating minows, and some flukes...We even went over to the west side into I guess that is Tamiami canal? NOTHING...we saw big fish, we saw little fish but we had no action. I actually got a new frog set up as was suggested in my other thread and it totally changed my presentation and it was so much better but NOTHING I feel like the more I learn the worse my fishing is getting lol. We had such high hopes today I guess. I even snarled up my new reel in my frustration. I enjoyed it down there...it was much nicer than I expected and it would seem as if we should at least get a bite lol. The bf started to complain about how this just doesn't seem worth the work we put into it anymore...I tried to throw him overboard but it's hard to do in a canoe without sacrificing yourself lol. Sorry I guess I needed to vent.

[Shane Procell]

Much of the advice given is generic and too broad to actually put you ON fish. While everyone wants to help out the fellow angler, you might want to ask more specific questions via PM's from folks who you see are posting up good fish reports. I would not mind giving you very specific spots, baits and tactics....but I would not be too specific on any forum board.

For example: Blue Lagoon has plenty of peacocks, but how do you target them in a canoe? That place is huge and the better spots are miles from the boat ramp. Lox has plenty of bass, but by foot your probably going to be extremely limited to only small areas near the ramp when there are some tremendous flats nearby that hold extremely large fish. Holiday Park is difficult to catch bass when the water is high, but incredible when the water gets down in the canal. Sawgrass Park is extremely fishy, but some baits work better than others. Should I be concentrateing on the flats or in the canal and should you throw topwater or flukes or what.

Ask specific questions for specific areas.

BTW, I have an area in mind for you that will probably turn your world inside out as far as bass fishing goes. If your interested...just PM me.

[1234567]

Ok, you two can't give up so easy. It seems that you two picked up fishing not too long ago and I think I even remember a new personal best thread from you!

Anyways, Summer is nearing very quickly and I have found that this can sometimes be the hardest time to catch Florida bass. I have spent DAYS on the water or on the banks and did HORRIBLE! Yes, some areas of water are dead water or empty but if you're covering alot of water you will come across fish.

In summer I really look to flip cover, fish deeper by hitting the bottom of ledges and shelfs where the fish are looking to stay cooler. My most productive areas is where I can find current, which usually has more oxygenated water and those areas can harbour lots of bass sometimes. when it gets tough and I can't buy a bite on anything, I usually go to a plastic worm, now I use the 10 inch berkley power worm and even on the slowest of days I can get bit.

I have not been on the water in a boat for over a month now but I would think surface temps are starting to get pretty high. \

Don't give up, you'll find em!!!

[fishingator]

Thanks for the support! Trust me, I do not give up on fishing...I was ready to go out to the Holey Land area today after Blue Lagoon. The bf however, is another story lol. I just can't handle the canoe myself so if he doesn't stay interested then I am going to be stuck bank fishing entirely. We did just start in August I would say. Before we really "got into it", we used to fish Corbett and we would catch all the time...nothing big, but it kept him interested. Now I think our goals have changed a little and we are in that awkward part of the learning curve.

[1234567]

Haha, you must be a true die hard fisherwoman! I love it, catching or not, I can't get enough of it. Oh and check the new thread I posted in the Southeast section, especially if your in a canoe or kayak!!!!!!!! It's labeled "Florida guys be careful!"

[fishingator]

Fishing is my peace and has been since I was a teenager and while I prefer to catch fish, just being out there really is never a loss for me. Now that I am giving freshwater a go the thing that also clears my head is organizing my tackle boxes...it's the strangest thing.

[Diggy]

The fish know you mean business and were instructed not to bite

[GLADES]

Don't give up. I had the same experience at Blue Lagoon lakes my first time there. All I caught was a submerged shopping cart. The next time I did manage to get some peacocks.

I agree with the part about the peace, and also getting closer to nature for a few hours. Most of the time I am happy just to be fishing, catching is just a bonus. Tourney's are different though, a different mindset.

[evrgladesbasser]

You were back home by 2pm today. That was a huge mistake IMO. The bite has been getting better later in the day/afternoon for the past month or so. Lately I've been sleeping in and arriving at the ramps around 10am. Lots of fish, and especially big fish seem to be biting later these days. I was at the Holeylands yesterday. Bite didn't turn on til 1pm. But after that it was game on. Also, sounds like your going through your whole box when the going gets tough. In this situation, I would revert to the basics. Specifically a Senko. If you can't catch fish on a Senko, then yes, the fish are not biting.

[fishingator]

Thank you evrgladesbasser. Yes we got out there super early and we were out by noon We were thinking of doing the Holey Lands tomorrow.

[Shane Procell]

I second what Evergladesbasser said, especially the Senko tip. PM sent...if you do what I say you will be very happy.

[vapredhunter]

Welcome to Bass Fishing !!!!!!!!!

[Diggy]

It's slowed down for us in our normal areas since the rain. My dads complex has still been hot according to him.

[piscicidal]

Fishingator,

Don't be discouraged. Days like today can be tough for anybody. I fished the King of the Glades qualifier today at Holiday Park. Some of the best bass anglers in South Florida fish this series and only about half the field filled their five fish limit today.

You've gotten some good advice. When the fish are not chasing, your choices get reduced. You can dead stick a senko type bait and just keep it in his face. Or you can flip, but that's going to be tough from a canoe. I would try pitching a jig.

My suggestion the next time the fishing gets tough...try a senko or worm worked really slow or try pitching a jig.

[gar-tracker]

Don't forget we are in a transitional period right now, the fish are getting accustomed to the hotter temps, the blue gill are bedding.

Lots of variables, keep at it and they'll come around.

And keep that Zara Spook handy.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

As much as I hate admitting it, when things get tough, I break out the old Senko myself. Those stupid little stick baits are almost tailor made to fish the mostly shallow, grassy waters we have down here. When things get really tough, I'll almost always have one rigged up. Like Gar-tracker mentioned though, we're kind of in a transitional period for bass fishing. Before too much longer, fish will be actively biting again once they get accustomed to the hotter temps. Time to start moving into the summer patterns.

That may work for Largemouth, but Peacocks are a different beast entirely. It's not too common to catch them on plastics. Usually something flashy and moved very erratically will do the trick for them. Go figure though, I got out for a few moments this afternoon on my lake here, and Peacocks are pairing up and starting to bed again. I guess some of the oddball weather has triggered another spawn for them. I worked on one for a good 20 minutes, just couldn't get him stuck. Probably in the six or seven pound class. Man I love those fish.

Blue Lagoon has some massive Peacocks in it. If you want to almost guarantee yourself some fun there, stop and pick up a couple dozen live shiners. Go out and just have a blast.

[FD.]

Don't forget we are in a transitional period right now, the fish are getting accustomed to the hotter temps, the blue gill are bedding.

Lots of variables, keep at it and they'll come around.

And keep that Zara Spook handy.

Or a Devils Horse. That is the only consistent bite I have had over the last month.

My tourney partner and I went to Kissimmee on Saturday and were greeted with a tough practice day. I caught six fish all day long and he only boated 1. It has been too hot, no rain and the moon was full. That is a bad combination for the morning bite. Hang in there.

If it makes you feel any better most of us here have had more ZERO days than the total number of times you have been fishing. It will get better but you are still going to have bad days.

[Nitrofreak]

If it makes you feel any better most of us here have had more ZERO days than the total number of times you have been fishing. It will get better but you are still going to have bad days.

Very well said !!!

It's those days that you should be most thankful for, if you read the info these great folk's have just provided and learn from it, then nothing was lost at all, you actually gained.

Next time your bf starts whimpering just tell him to shut up and keep fishing !! LOL.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

If it makes you feel any better most of us here have had more ZERO days than the total number of times you have been fishing. It will get better but you are still going to have bad days.

Ain't that the truth. Lol. Like the old saying goes, a bad day of fishing beats working any day of the week.

[RoLo]

Every angler on the boards knows that feeling well.

Confidence comes and goes, but perserverance is the equalizer.

Keep on slugging, because it only takes ONE retrieve

to cause a reversal of fortune

Roger

[SirSnookalot]

This is a transition period, at least for me, my bass days are few now and the saltwater bite has been spotty. I'm out of my ordinary routine, I've been using live bait a bit more often, like senkos in freshwater live bait inshore catches some nice fish with much less effort.

[Gotfishyfingers?]

Wow No bites down south, that sux. Don't get discouraged. Like most said we all have had our fair share of blanking . Just curious, are you using a trolling motor with that canoe, or paddling? Investing in a trolling motor might aid in keeping the BF's interest in fishing. That way he won't feel like he's paddling his life away for no good reason . Ya, Fishing certain techniques from a canoe can be tuff. If your fishing side canals in Broward or palm beach, I would stick to a few certain techniques that are canoe friendly and try to get comfortable with them. I would suggest for top water a small chug bug, POP-R or a small skitterwalk. Also try a small rapala shad rap crankbait (black and white) 4-9 ft. I swear this lure attracts EVERY darn species in any water! When I bring beginners on my boat, this is what I give them to use ! Last but not least is a shakey head w/ a finesse worm or a small senko weightless or with like a 1/16 oz weight. I like the brand zoom for my finesse worms. For rod and reel use a 6'6 medium action spinning outfit w/ 8 maybe 10lb mono line. If you have two different spinning reels use mono only with the topwater, since it floats and use fluorocarbon for the others.