Does Getting Skunked Bother You?

[nascar2428]

Nope. I figure they're just not in the mood.

[NEjitterbugger]

I don't get skunked.

[slonezp]

Nope. Just glad I don't have to fish to survive.

[bigbill]

When I get skunked,  first I know the fish are there and it's me doing the wrong thing. Do I beat myself up 

for it?  No I try to think about what I'm doing wrong or did I leave something home that

I should of taken with me.

 

One day I wouldn't accept being skunked. I threw every lure in my arsenal twice, everything.  On the second go round I use every presentation I know with each different lure. Then wammo the bomber A in firetiger broke my being skunked.  I should of read the water clarity better but it's hard from shore sometimes. Lessons learned. I do find it a challenge. 

 

There are many reasons for being skunked. The bacteria or the ph in the water can be off. Or were doing the wrong  thing. Sometimes we need to take a deep breath and regroup. Just don't get mad or upset.

Remember fishing is a supposed to be fun.

 

We never stop learning.

[CPBassFishing]

I don't get skunked.

suuurrrrrrreeeee.

[SudburyBasser]

It doesn't really bother me to get skunked. Fishing is an opportunity for me to get away and enjoy some quiet time if I'm alone or camaraderie if I'm with someone else. As long as I have a line in the water I'm pretty happy. If I catch something so much the better. 

 

As a guy told me a few days ago after he mentioned me he got skunked: It's still better than mowing the lawn.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

 

when i get skunked, i do get a little irritated because i start to question what im doing wrong. IMO the fish are always biting just not what im throwing. Before i joined this forum it was extremely rare if i caught anything, i never got frustrated because i went home empty more days than not.

 

Totally agree with this. I think that no matter what time of year you are fishing, the bass can still be caught.

[JeziHogg]

Ha, I read this earlier today (Not being skunked once this year) and guess what... I got skunked lol.

[Stren_g]

Getting skunked sucks, but it still beats working!

[SENKOSAM]

I agree with fstr 385 - driving miles to a location and getting skunked sucks!! I don't care that I don't know the water or that I couldn't find an active fish. The lake was supposed to yield a limit!! But in the real world, knowing the water supersedes everything else and I've got to accept the fact that money is wasted fishing far away, strange waters fished only once, twice a year or maybe every other year.

 

loudCherokee has the same mindset I do when rec fishing - if the bass bite seems impossible, fish for panfish. What's been fairly consistent over the years is that when I find a good panfish bite in a section of lake, somewhere nearby are bass that bite. So, when I can't find a good bass or panfish bite or pattern, then I know something has really made all species inactive and go home thinking about killing them tomorrow in areas I neglected to fish today.

 

The challenge won't end even with a few skunks if I can come away with a few ideas or discoveries, the trip is never a waste.

[EvanT123]

Nope to me it's part of the game I fish for fun not money or prestige. Sometimes losing or missing a fish is part of the game to; it happens. I feel like getting skunked or missing a fish keeps me coming back and on my game. Fishing is a sport of highs and lows just like life.

Like others have said sometimes it makes you think outside the box and try a different approach. I'm just happy to be outside and doing something I enjoy.

[Tuckahoe Joe]

Depends.  Usually when I fish I get off work around 1am, stay up, and then fish from around 430-9am.  By the time I get home, get showered, and get to bed it's like 10 so on days that I fish, I'm usually only getting about 5 hours of sleep before I have to go to work the next day.  Since I know I'm gonna be really tired for work that night, I'd like to catch at least one fish (preferably more than one) to justify it.  If I don't it can be sort of irritating.  I've been fortunate so far this season though and haven't gotten skunked much.  I know it's all part of the game though and it happens sometimes.  I try to take it all in stride and just enjoy my fishing time.

 

If I have the day off or work, it doesn't bother me at all.

[prjavelin]

this year Ive been skunked once or twice. The last time was this d**n week when I went there to try new baits and the stupid government decided Chantal was a threat to PR and they had to close all gov agencies at mid day. I got to fish for around 2 hours and just when I got into a spot that has been producing right now in the summer the stupid rangers came and asked me to leave. I WAS ticked. It was also the only trip I could do this week. You can bet that skunk hurts. Anyway next time I will catch one and then I will start working the new baits. 

[Sam]

In a tournament it bothers the devil out of me.

 

Fun fishing it does not bother me.

[SENKOSAM]

Nope to me it's part of the game I fish for fun not money or prestige. Sometimes losing or missing a fish is part of the game to; it happens. I feel like getting skunked or missing a fish keeps me coming back and on my game. Fishing is a sport of highs and lows just like life.

Like others have said sometimes it makes you think outside the box and try a different approach. I'm just happy to be outside and doing something I enjoy.

Great attitude! Isn't that what fishing is all about - attitude?

[Bluebasser86]

Does this actually happen to people?    

 

I get irritated with myself more than anything. The fish are there, they have to eat to survive, I just didn't do my part and figure out what they're eating and where they're eating it at. 

[loudcherokee]

Well I guess I shouldn't have posted, lol. was out from 7am this morning till about 11:30 and didn't catch a darn thing. not even a bluegill. I had one small bass come after my buzz bait but I jerked it out of his mouth before he took the hook. ah well. maybe next time.

LC

[Catt]

Aint been skunked in 4 or 5 years, the fish are always biting some where, you just gotta find that some where

 

But even though I catch I'm still try to figure how I could have the way done better all home

[tholmes]

I fish because it's relaxing and therapeutic.  I get away from the stress of work and life in general to enjoy some peace and quiet on the water or on the shore.  I think if ever starts to frustrate me I will need to step back and reevaluate what I'm doing.

Words of wisdom ^

 

Fishing is my escape from the frustrations of work and everyday life. When it becomes a source of frustration, then it's time to rethink the whole thing.

 

Tmo

[WRB]

Elite tourneyment anglers get blanked! This happens because they are targeting a specific size bass and fishing during a controlled time period with other rules and regulations.

If you are not fishing a tournament, no reason to handicap yourself to tournament restrictions, otherwise go to a high percentage presentation, fish optimum hours and move around to catch a few bass.

Tom

[Smallmouth Hunter]

Fishing is my escape from worries and frustrations. I like it more when i'm catching fish, but usually I just enjoy being there. Any natural pond/lake is paradise to me.

[Downeaster2010]

If in a tournament and i get skunked, I look to see what the winners did, and try to learn by it.

If for fun, heck I have a good time anyway.  Sometimes youre the bug, and sometimes you are

the windshield.

[gripnrip]

Let's put this into perspective. I would like to find out.  Not to sound like a whiner but, I have been out three times since last October 8th. My son had a brain tumor, surgery and extensive radiation before recovery. That was almost 4 months.  My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer the week he went home. Three surgeries and an 18 week Chemo regimen to be followed by 12 more weeks of radiation and I should be able to consider getting out. We'll see.  Getting skunked right now would be a positive experience. I have been able to organize my stuff and get some pitchin practice in out in the yard, which is nice. 

Dang man!  I hope all is well now.  My household has had our share of medical issues as well.  Nowhere near what you have gone through. 

 

As far as the skunk?  I really don't care if I do or not.  Of coarse I want to catch fish but it isn't the end of the world.  I love to go and know that someone is sitting at home wishing they could go.

[Hanover_Yakker]

Its all part of fishing......

Oh yeah. For the uneducated, its no longer referred to as a skunk.

Its called "scouting".....

[loodkop]

Its all part of fishing......

Oh yeah. For the uneducated, its no longer referred to as a skunk.

Its called "scouting".....

I'm good at scouting.