Skunked

[BrownBear]

Try tying on the ned rig.I have been playing around with it the last couple months and have been pleasantly surprised with the results. Its simple to use and i have caught some decent size bass on it. I f your not having much luck with the swim retrieve try hopping it in or deadsticking it.http://everything-smallmouth.com/ned-rig-fishing/

aceman387,

Thanks for your post and for the link, saves me time from trying to filter out everything to find it. I am going to give it a try next time I go out.

[BadBassWV]

I read it twice 30 rods. I don't think I have 30 different baits to try LOL.

[lectricbassman]

Thanks for all the great tips everyone. Went out on the same pond ive been getting skunked at and actually caught some nice fish! Instead of forcing the technique i wanted to use i listened to the fish. I realized that ive been stuck in a mental rut. Today i really really really wanted to fish a topwater frog. So instead i threw a spinner bait first. No luck. Threw the frog. No luck but i forced myself to throw a curly tail grub. Tried hopping it on the bottom. No luck. Then as i swam it quickly along the bottom, wham! First fish wasnt a bass but a nice crappie. I had no idea they were even in this pond. Lucky for me the bass wanted the same thing and i landed quite a few bass and crappie today. Long story short, dont be a nimrod, listen to the fish!

[guitarglynn1]

Just out of curiosity, how many times have you returned from a fishing trip without catching any fish. Ive had more than a few recently and it really messed with my confidence. I know its going to happen, what do you do to get back on your game?

 

I am a master of going fishing and catching nothing. I don't let it mess with my confidence though because it is going to happen. I always feel like no matter what, I can learn something each time I fish. And some times catching nothing one day is part of why you have success the next time. One thing I have learned from my fishing experience is, catching fish is not easy. At least for me it is not. But I learn from it and walk away a better fisherman for it I think. 

[einscodek]

I am a master of going fishing and catching nothing. I don't let it mess with my confidence though because it is going to happen. I always feel like no matter what, I can learn something each time I fish. And some times catching nothing one day is part of why you have success the next time. One thing I have learned from my fishing experience is, catching fish is not easy. At least for me it is not. But I learn from it and walk away a better fisherman for it I think. 

Yes let a skunk teach you instead of frustrate you.. in this way you move forward

and with each step forward you get better

I would give one suggestion.. erase that idea of "catching fish is not easy"

that is not a constructive conclusion

its also alot about attitude and confidence believe it or not

[guitarglynn1]

Yes let a skunk teach you instead of frustrate you.. in this way you move forward

and with each step forward you get better

I would give one suggestion.. erase that idea of "catching fish is not easy"

that is not a constructive conclusion

its also alot about attitude and confidence believe it or not

 

So are you saying where the mind goes the fish will follow?

[einscodek]

Heh..I said its alot.. its not all or is it?

[ClackerBuzz]

I am a master of going fishing and catching nothing. I don't let it mess with my confidence though because it is going to happen. I always feel like no matter what, I can learn something each time I fish. And some times catching nothing one day is part of why you have success the next time. One thing I have learned from my fishing experience is, catching fish is not easy. At least for me it is not. But I learn from it and walk away a better fisherman for it I think. 

x2. i finally started keeping a fishing journal this year. but it's more a 'not get skunked next time journal'.  it's far more focused on what my original plan was, what i actually did on the water and what i learned for the day vs just a record of catches. i start to see patterns in locations and techniques which allow me to be more efficient on my next outing.  it helps me to cover smarter water, more effectively 

[Choporoz]

So are you saying where the mind goes the fish will follow?

 

Be color blind - don't fish so shallow