Why Do I Torture Myself?

[boostr]

I have been going back to the same reservoir for the past couple of weeks, and the reason I do is because it's loaded with bass. Yesterday the fam went again around 5p and it solidified my reasoning. The side I was fishing on I seen 4 3lb + bass either cruising the shallows or just relaxing in the shade, and probably starting their spawn. Then my wife told me she saw 2 more of same size on the other side. Also saw plenty smaller bass around. With all those yaps in the water why am I only getting followers. I've used different baits different speeds, and different sizes still no luck. Except yesterday, I was using a Sieberts blue gill Fogy chatter with a black/blue flake pit boss trailer, and splash of JJs. Cranking it on a steady crank with a little tug between cranks, and ripping thru some millfoil(?) I get a strike set the hook, and feel something on the end then nothing, continue cranking thru the weeds I see a follower, and to my guess a nice 2 lbr. I stop cranking, and the bass picks it up starts taking off, I give it a second, set the hook, and BAM the lure flies thru the air almost hitting me. I think this place is cursed for me, but I keep coming back.

[F14A-B]

Try a verticle presentation.... You're story indicates all horizontal methods. Try a soft plastic,

Of you're choice or jig&pig.... Keep working on it

It will happen! Buy a new rod and reel! That will

At least make you feel better!! JK....

[boostr]

Even from the bank?

[einscodek]

1) The place likely saw much fishing pressure

2) I am guessing the since it was a family outing that it was blue skies clear bright out.. prob clear water.. tougher fishing conditions as the fish can see you, see the lures clearly

3) In Jersey the fish are starting to spawn so those guys in the shallows are less interested in eating..just watch them in the shallows rolling over each other.. sometimes as fun as fishing

[boostr]

It really doesn't see much pressure unless it's from the bank. It's a kayak and canoe only reservoir, and doesn't see to many of those. It was Blue Bird skies and visibility about 3ft. A lot of these bass weren't skittish when I walked up to the bank they were just cruising. I just think they are still kind is slow up here plus the spawn is late. I SHALL OVER COME THIS!

[gripnrip]

Often times cruising fish can be tough to catch.  Put a weightless stick bait in front of as many as you can.  A dinger, ocho, or senko.  

[boostr]

Yeah, I'm gonna have to try that.

[HeavyFisher]

This might be a stupid question but do you do a walk around the lake or just fish one spot regularly?

[Bankbeater]

Try slowing down the retreive, or dead sticking the bait.

[boostr]

This might be a stupid question but do you do a walk around the lake or just fish one spot regularly?

Yeah I do walk around the "lake" it's more of a large "cove" off the main lake. It seems there are more fish hanging in the cove. There is a trail around the whole reservoir, and also around just the "cove". Maybe I should start walking the main lake.

[boostr]

Try slowing down the retreive, or dead sticking the bait.

Did slow the retrieve, dead sticking no. I think I need to build up more patients for dead sticking for the 2 hrs I get to only fish sometimes.

[stk]

I ran into the same thing this weekend, few bass just cruising or on their beds.  I fished a weightless zoom super fluke in watermelon seed and it took a few tries, but eventually the bass hit it.

[HeavyFisher]

You definitely need to do the full walk around man. If the lake is to large then fish half one day at a time. You could be missing some pretty prime spots. Remember us bank fisherman *need* to walk as much as we can to cover as much ground as possible to increase our chances of catching the "one"!! If they aren't biting in one area whether they are there are not move on to the next. 

[jhoffman]

blue bird sky = high pressure = tough day.  try it in the middle of a downpour.

[Ski213]

I've had good luck with a bright colored trick worm or a black lizard Texas rigged when they act like that. If I can see them reacting to the bait and they're curious, following, just grabbing but not taking, or whatever I switch to something like burning a rattle bait going for the reaction bite. I've also thrown everything I own fast, slow, bottom to top and been skunked. It's almost worse when you can actually see them rejecting you. At that point I just watch them do their thing. As was said before that can be a big time as well.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Dead sticking and walking the entire perimeter. The best thing sometimes is to get full coverage of the area. I have some big ponds here in NC that if I don't take the kayak, I make certain to walk the whole body of water as well. ;-)