Asleep At The Fishing

[lmbfisherman]

So today I went shore fishing since I didn't have time to take the boat, it was a slow day for bass.  After about 3 hours into fishing and catching 4 pikes ranging 14-16"...I decided to put on a Black and Red Jig with a A Yum 3"Green Pumpkin colored craw.  Threw it as close to the submerged hump and was almost dead sticking it only moving it a few inches every 30 seconds or so...and then shaking it subtly (Water is still chocolate milky).  After about 3-4 minutes of fishing the 1st jig cast, a guy walks by and says Hi, how you doing?  ...Any luck?  As I turned to answer said just small pike..I turned back and brought it a couple inches more..and shake.  While staring at my line, I noticed a twitch...it didn't "CLICK" still going through the motions I lifted it and felt heaviness, I was like great weeds.  Then I saw my line move to the left, it was like slow motion..I was like hey what, WHAT! it twitched and it's now moving, now that I realize a fish was sniffing my bait  I went for the hook set,..yep you guessed it.  I took way too long and it spit it. (From the time of the twitch to the line moving it was around 30 seconds) lol...After thinking about the whole thing, I was like wow what was up with me?  With all the no biting today I was in some kind of "trance" or something and was like thinking back, hey WTH?  Why wasn't I ready?...Anyway, bummed out and disappointed I packed up and left. Have this happened to you guys?  I guess the guy talking to me didn't help either.  In hindsight I probably should've stayed and fished more, who knows it might've been "the bite" time. 

[Felix77]

Yes ... It's your brain checking out of what you are doing.  It happens.

 

I have two stories ...

 

1) The worst case of this happening was in my first tournament in the heat of the summer last year.  Early on I was focused and firing on all cylinders.  As the day progressed the heat did a number on me and I struggled to retain focus.  I had strikes which I let sit too long, fished too fast, began getting frustrated ... None of which is good when you are trying to catch fish.  I learned from that and plan to bring a ton of water, stuff to keep me cool and 

 

2)  I try to fun fish after work to decompress.  Even if it's for an hour or two.  On some occasions I take the frustrations of work with me to the lake and find that I struggle to get into what I am doing (focus wise).  My brain is sidetracked and I almost always miss a strike or two as a result.

 

I am convinced that the fish know when you are mentally not there.  LOL.

 

You did the right thing in leaving if you were truly tuned out from what you were doing.  Try to learn from it and maybe work through it differently next time.  

[CPBassFishing]

Well, you can feel better in the fact that it was likely a small stupid bass if it was moving with your jig. Big bass will usually inhale it then spit it a second later. Always watch your line for the slightest twitch.

[Bluebasser86]

I think everyone has been caught daydreaming at one point or another. Sucks when it happens but it helps to remind you that you need to stay focused and it can be the fish telling you to slow down!

[Bankbeater]

At least you didn't doze off like I did a couple of years ago.  I caught myself just as I was starting to fall off of the seat.

[lmbfisherman]

At least you didn't doze off like I did a couple of years ago.  I caught myself just as I was starting to fall off of the seat.

That would've been a rude awakening. 

[Hyrule Bass]

ive literally fell asleep while fishing before, but not bass fishing, just soaking bait for whatever wanted to eat. it was last year and i was night fishing off my uncles dock at Smith Mtn Lake. i guess between being tired from the half a days work before making the 5 hour drive down there and the beer i was drinking(not while driving down there), it all got the better of me. its why i always position my chair center of the dock, id hate to fall asleep and fall over in the water and bust my head on one of the many rocks in this area. atleast i had two catfish on when i woke up, my other two lines were knocked loose and stripped of bait lol...