Frustrated

[jr45]

The last 3-4 times I have been out, I have caught 0 fish of any kind size or type. I try and stay positive, but I don't know what to do. I night fish because of the heat and lake traffic. I really believe my problem is not being able to find the fish. I will admit I really have no idea where to start. I know about structure and cover and breaks, but I still never seem to find fish. My depth finder really doesn't show much besides total depth and temperature, its old and just not a good one, but I don't have $500+ to spend on a new one. I have been fishing deep on bluffs because the water temp as been 85+. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I really don't know anyone around me that fishes or anything, so I am on my own.

[islandbass]

Let me help you put things into perspective or at least show you that misery loves company. August is nearly over and I have yet to catch my first lmb. Granted, I'm shore bound, and I've not gone out as many times as I would want but I am 0 for 4 from the shore since the start of the season. Frustrated is not the word for me despite all the bass skunkeroos I have. I still trudge on and try to not let it get to me.

The only thing I can tell you is to not give up. Be thankful you're not stuck on the shore like me. You can also think of this low period as putting in your dues. And like a hitter in a slump we'll both be on the up and up. Be strong, bro!

[Vinny Chase]

August has always been my least productive month of the year. In your case, because you don't have the electronics, I would cover as much water as possible with a deep diving crank bait and when you find one, slow down and throw a jig or dropshot.

[TNBassin']

August is a horrible month here in TN. We've had a ton of rain, and cold fronts one week, and blazing hot the next. Temps are starting to stabilize, but other than a nice smallie, I haven't done much this month.

[Fontana Finesse Man]

Like the others before, here in NC, August isn't the ideal month for LMB fishing. At night right now, I try and focus on points around the bluff type areas. My son and I have had some success flipping these areas with a zoom vibe craw and gambler mega craw on a texas rig, both in junebug colors. If the bluffs have steps or ledges, concentrate on walking the bait down these steps.

If you haven't tried a heavy single colorado blade black (and/or red and blue) spinnerbait, fish one of these parallel to the bluff allowing it to drop more/less until you have some luck.

Good Luck!

[Brad in MS]

welcome to the club.

i know guys here that fish semi-pro and they aren't catching any fish to amount to anything either.

having the expensive electronics certainly is an advantage. however you can catch fish this time of year without them.

we were getting skunked in deep water (using lowrance HDS10s). so out of frustration we moved back to shallow water around grass and started catching fish.

at least for me i have found that a slow, finesse type technique works best when the water temps are the highest. i've had great luck with the drop shot rig. just by simply dropping a green or red finesse worm around structure.

hang in there, fall bite is already cranking up here in my neck of the woods.

[SirSnookalot]

Don't blame the electronics, there are probably dozens of people on this a site alone that started fishing either from shore or in a rowboat with no electronic aids, and I'm sure caught plenty of fish. Fish the drop offs, fish slow presentations, keep at it and you will score. I still don't use electronics for bass fishing and catch my share, but summer is not one of the better times.

[Geoff Sandvik]

I'm glad you posted this as I was begining to feel like I should quit fishing and take up a new hobby! Last two trip I caught nada', nothing! I too fish from shore so I can't get into deeper water.

[Daddyodo]

Same here. Stuck on shore but I swear the birds start cacklin when I show up which alerts the fish that Im there. The birds in turn call out signals of what bait and color I am throwing. With that info the fish don't bother with me but the guys down bank seem to do just fine. IT"S A CONSPIRACY I TELL YA!!

[BassmanDan]

I've been struggling for about a month now in NC with no big fish and only a few keepers in the boat. Then last weekend I went to a different lake and caught my biggest bass of the year. My advice is to try and fish the most productive waters you can and then try some of the tips others have suggested. Some times it just takes a change of scenery.

[mod479]

Summer can be tough....and electronics are just a tool, they dont catch the fish, even if it that unit does find them for you.

Contact someone with some experience like a guide maybe? Might cost you a few bones, but its better than getting skunked day after day.

Dont let it get to ya, stay focused, and keep fishing baits you have confidence in.

[Loop_Dad]

I live in big metropolitan area where local lakes are so high pressured. I used to be shore bounded and fished only locally. My catch ratio was horrible. One point it was like 5 fish / 25 outings. It was okay first, because it only takes me 10 min from my home to the nearest lake, and each outing was short, as short as 1 hours.

But eventually I started getting tired of not seeing fish. I decided to go to a place many people say good thing about. One negative about the place was rather far, little less than 2 hours from here. However, I decided to try that new water.

Being shore bounded, the water access was limited. That's the second negative part of the water. However I found a handful of locations with shore access. First two locations, I got skunked. But the third place I went, bam!. I caught 5 fish in a couple of hours.

What I am trying to say is that if you don't catch fish, it might be not you or weather, but the water you fish. I know serious fishermen, like you and I, tend to over-think about techniques and stuff, but the answer could be simple.

Now I don't fish local lakes much. I save money and energy for less frequent but productive fishing trips. I am much happier that way. If you have a water people say good thing about, you might want to give it a try.

Hope this helps.

[BassinLou]

Live and learn. Summer is a slow time. Its not impossible to catch fish however as you have experienced so far it can be tough. You have two choices keep at it. Or just don't fish. Keep your head up.

[bleedingshrimp]

Butt crack of dawn..buzzbaits....long casts to shore. Once the topwater bait dies...I'm with you...sun burnt and nothing much doing. You could take the opportunity to try and work on new lures and presentations.

[Jake P]

Being able to find fish mid summer can be a frustrating task. Dont let it get the best of you though. I am not able to go at night because I have to get sleep for work, and I hate hot weather so I gave up the boat for the summer and have been killin em' at a large pond/ river.

Try downsizing your tackle. Fish love a small, easy meal. Try adding a bead when you throw a T-rig to help the fish pick up on the location of your lure better when your fishing in the dark. Good luck!

[Clint C.]

I've been having a rough time of it here also. Today I got a couple on an sr7 shad-rap (nothing big, but hey better than nothing!). The fish are suspending for sure. Water levels are low and they are hovering over the deeper water. If you can get yourself a countdown jerkbait (i use the rebel countdown) and start at 1 foot and work your way down. Or if you have a variety of crankbaits (different depths) use those. Stop and go and the double jerk / pause retrieve worked for me.

The fish here are suspending at about 5-7ft in 10-14ft of water. Do you see a thermocline on your depth finder? (line through the middle of the screen usually)

[prjavelin]

and here i thought I was alone in the skunk master club. Summer has been awful. 1 bass in the whole summer for me with 2 tilapia in between. I havent caught a thing since july 5. I go fishing at least once a week.