Your Strategy For Getting Skunked

[Shewillbemine]

So...the new boat hasn't been nice to me. Four times out in the water and I've got nothing to show for it. I can't help but laugh at how successful I was fishing off rental boats and now can't get the first one to break her in properly. Nevertheless, I'm more eager than ever to get back into the groove.

When you get that big goose egg after a day of fishing, do you change up your strategies next time out? Or do you stick with that you've been trying and make minor changes?

For example, I've been fishing jigs in 4' - 20' water, mostly giving it a slow lift. Today, I also threw out the Rapala Shad Rap, which is my usual slump buster. Nada.

The next time out, I'm thinking of doing a Senko and possible drop shotting and/or swimbait. Or should I work on my techniques with the jig and Shad Rap?

[Bluebasser86]

If all else fails a trick worm on a 1/8oz shakyhead will almost always get me a bite.

[SirSnookalot]

Getting skunked 4 times is a lot IMO. If you can't catch something on a senko, it may just be the water and not you, I'd be trying a different area.

[jhoffman]

I can put a drop shot zoom finesse worm on and catch a fish within 10 mins. When I get skunked its a RARE day.

Downsize your baits and your line diameter.

Ive been a bass fisherman since a kid but in my teens into the middle 20's I was a fly fishing jedi master. I could have 100 fish days on streams that were C&R with fisherman all around me not catching anything. Three of the biggest things that made major differences were and will always be...

1: Sitting at the correct depth, fish feed at different parts of the water column based on prey

2: Fly size(bait size), if theyre eating a size 26 midge, you wont force feed them a size 14 pheasant tail

3: Tippet(leader) size, a change from 4x to 6x depending on water conditions and pressure could turn a day around instantly

[jhoffman]

Dont be afraid of light line either. I have put 15lb steelhead in the net on 2lb tippet, of course you wont van dam them over the side of the boat with that line but its possible to land a bigger fish on lite line

[Bankbeater]

The cause may be something you have no control over. What is going on with the body of water you are fishing? Is a front moving through the area?

[slonezp]

It's that "new boat smell" that is turning them off. .Are you seeing fish on the locator? or are you just fishing spots you normally catch fish in? Could be no fish

[Fishing Rhino]

It's that "new boat smell" that is turning them off. .Are you seeing fish on the locator? or are you just fishing spots you normally catch fish in? Could be no fish

If it's the "new boat smell", I'd suggest getting a quart of JJ's Magic and apply two coats below the waterline. Allow two hours between coats at temps of 60 degrees Fahrenheit, or warmer. It goes without saying, apply in a well ventilated area, and wear a respirator.

[*Hootie]

So...the new boat hasn't been nice to me. Four times out in the water and I've got nothing to show for it. I can't help but laugh at how successful I was fishing off rental boats and now can't get the first one to break her in properly.

Same thing happened the first time I spent over $200.00 on a rod. Couldn't even catch weeds on it. Pick up my $39.00, on sale BPS Tourney Special and start tearin' em up.

About 4 more trips before I caught a fish. Go figure.....

Hootie

[Curved]

My strategy for getting skunked is a 6 pack between friends

[WRB]

So...the new boat hasn't been nice to me. Four times out in the water and I've got nothing to show for it. I can't help but laugh at how successful I was fishing off rental boats and now can't get the first one to break her in properly. Nevertheless, I'm more eager than ever to get back into the groove.

When you get that big goose egg after a day of fishing, do you change up your strategies next time out? Or do you stick with that you've been trying and make minor changes?

For example, I've been fishing jigs in 4' - 20' water, mostly giving it a slow lift. Today, I also threw out the Rapala Shad Rap, which is my usual slump buster. Nada.

The next time out, I'm thinking of doing a Senko and possible drop shotting and/or swimbait. Or should I work on my techniques with the jig and Shad Rap?

Got to love your title, most of us don't need a strategy to get skunked, it just happens!

There isn't a lure made that will prevent being skunked.

Tell me about your boat, do you have a good trolling motor and what type of electronics are you learning to use? A bass boat is a bass boat for a reason; to allow you to locate bass control the boat position to allow you to present lures effectively. kVD or any other pro elite bass angler can't catch bass if the bass are not located where they are fishing. Your first task with your new boat is learning to locate bass. You do this with your sonar unit and a basic understanding about bass behavior; where the bass should be during any specific seasonal period. It is currently winter everywhere bass live in the USA. Take some time a study winter period bass fishing techniques and location. In a few months, depending where you fish, it will be transitioning to pre spawn, the next seasonal period you need to study.

Learning to operate a new boat distracts your concentration or focus on fishing, instead you are thinking about boat control. My advice; put your rods in the locker and enjoy the new boat and learn how to handle it properly and learn how to use your sonar unit. After a few hours driving around and metering serval different areas, including the marina where you launched you boat, you should be able to determine the first piece of the puzzle; how deep the bait fish are located, you may also see a few larger marks that indicate bigger fish.

Find a major lake point near the dam area and survey that point from close to the bank out as far as you can, make a turn and follow the opposite side of the point back near the bank, watch for bait fish or larger marks. Repeat the survey on every main lake major point in the 1/3 rd of the main lake basin where the dam is located. Next go into a bay or creek arm and repeat metering a few points. If your lake has river or creek channels near those major points, try to follow the channel break and watch for bait fish. You should notice the depth is remaining about the same every time you meter bait fish, this is the depth you should start to fish.

Good luck.

Tom

[Diggy]

Usually a senko type bait in green pumpkin, watermelon red or june bug secures a fish for me

[Nitrofreak]

Got to love your title, most of us don't need a strategy to get skunked, it just happens!

There isn't a lure made that will prevent being skunked.

Tell me about your boat, do you have a good trolling motor and what type of electronics are you learning to use? A bass boat is a bass boat for a reason; to allow you to locate bass control the boat position to allow you to present lures effectively. kVD or any other pro elite bass angler can't catch bass if the bass are not located where they are fishing. Your first task with your new boat is learning to locate bass. You do this with your sonar unit and a basic understanding about bass behavior; where the bass should be during any specific seasonal period. It is currently winter everywhere bass live in the USA. Take some time a study winter period bass fishing techniques and location. In a few months, depending where you fish, it will be transitioning to pre spawn, the next seasonal period you need to study.

Learning to operate a new boat distracts your concentration or focus on fishing, instead you are thinking about boat control. My advice; put your rods in the locker and enjoy the new boat and learn how to handle it properly and learn how to use your sonar unit. After a few hours driving around and metering serval different areas, including the marina where you launched you boat, you should be able to determine the first piece of the puzzle; how deep the bait fish are located, you may also see a few larger marks that indicate bigger fish.

Find a major lake point near the dam area and survey that point from close to the bank out as far as you can, make a turn and follow the opposite side of the point back near the bank, watch for bait fish or larger marks. Repeat the survey on every main lake major point in the 1/3 rd of the main lake basin where the dam is located. Next go into a bay or creek arm and repeat metering a few points. If your lake has river or creek channels near those major points, try to follow the channel break and watch for bait fish. You should notice the depth is remaining about the same every time you meter bait fish, this is the depth you should start to fish.

Good luck.

Tom

X2

Love your title as well, not many of us have a plan to get skunked LOL !!!

Congrats on your first boat !!!!!!

[ripinthem]

I'd buy a new Boat,but thats just me.

[BassnChris]

Toss in a grenade and then just reach down a grab one after it floats the surface and hook your farvorite lure in the mouth and take a picture!

JUST KIDDING!

I usually can pick up atleast one of something with a small roadrunner.

(Absolutley no explosives)

[LgMouthGambler]

Put a big treble hook and a weight on the end of your line. Cast out and reel fast, your bound to snag something! Lol.

[Fishing Rhino]

Put a big treble hook and a weight on the end of your line. Cast out and reel fast, your bound to snag something! Lol.

Treble hooks are made for just that purpose. I had some years ago when we'd drag 'em through a school of pogies (bunker/menhaden) to get bait for stripers.

[Raul]

I don´t have any strategy for getting skunked, it just occurs naturally, I simply go with the flow and let go. It´s not a big deal, it has happened before and most probably will happen again many times in the future so why worry ?

[PotomacBassin]

Evaluate any changes in conditions and figure out where I went wrong. Sometimes I can figure it out, other times I can't... like in our last tournament where we caught one keeper in 30 mph winds and 2.5 foot swells.

[Fishes in trees]

How many hours total?  Four trips is a lot.  I really suck at fishing and I've never blanked 4 trips in a row.  Wow, experiences like this could cause lifetime self esteem issues.  You should wash your mouth out with beer - repeatedly - maybe that will help.

 

Are you one of those guys who are careful with their new boat and go to great pains not to scratch it or get it dirty?  That could be the issue.  When my boat was new, I put the first scratch it in within 10 minutes of it being floated (not on purpose, I was just an inexperienced driver and docks don't get out of your way)

 

I spilled a beer on it within the first hour on the water.  Anyway, maybe you are being too careful.

[Shewillbemine]

How many hours total?  Four trips is a lot.  I really suck at fishing and I've never blanked 4 trips in a row.  Wow, experiences like this could cause lifetime self esteem issues.  You should wash your mouth out with beer - repeatedly - maybe that will help.

 

Are you one of those guys who are careful with their new boat and go to great pains not to scratch it or get it dirty?  That could be the issue.  When my boat was new, I put the first scratch it in within 10 minutes of it being floated (not on purpose, I was just an inexperienced driver and docks don't get out of your way)

 

I spilled a beer on it within the first hour on the water.  Anyway, maybe you are being too careful.

I agree--my self esteem is definitely taking a hit. I feel like the fish are laughing at me and calling my lures ugly.  

 

I'm definitely not being too careful with the boat. Here are some of the factors that I believe contribute to my slump. 

 

a) I'd been on a bass fishing hiatus for several years until now. This is actually the first time I've ever tried fishing for bass during the winter. I am literally learning winter fishing techniques each trip (first time using jigs). Hence, my learning curve must be tremendous.

 

This is a new lake I'm fishing. My usual lake doesn't allow private boats. So I'm learning the structure, cover and habitats of this new water.

 

c) I personally believe deep/cold water fishing is a more difficult technique. It's harder for me to keep in touch with my lure because of the wind, cold and choppy water. In the spring/summer, my crankbaits were SO easy to fish and detect strikes on. 

 

I'm definitely not giving up. I figure, that next fish is gonna feel like I just won the lottery. In fact, today, I got a hit on the jig but lost the fish before I could get it into the boat. 

 

I appreciate all the responses, even the ones making fun of my semantics in the title. 

[WRB]

By the time you read this it should 2013 a new year to learn this new lake. Winter bass fishing is about locating baitfish and presenting lures to the vertically; drop shot finesse worms, structure spoons are good for this type of fishing. Another option is fishing jigs along breaks, any deep standing timber or working long tapering points down into deep water. It's time to do more fishing with your sonar than your lures. Take some and survey the areas you plan to fish with your sonar unit and fish areas that have some signs of baitfish or bass. Blindly working a bank in hopes to find a bass is a very % method.

Good luck and Have a happy New Year catching bass.

Tom

[Ratherbfishing]

As some have already said, I don't have to strategize for getting skunked. It just comes naturally.  Sometimes TOO naturally.

 

Weedlines and weedy flats will almost always hold some bass.  If your area of the country still has some vegetation, I'd try there.  Concentrate less on the bait and more on the location.