Struggling To Catch Bass

[Mattq]

I have been struggling to get into bass fishing for the fast few years. Sometimes I'll get lucky and catch a few bass but most of the time I go to a lake or pond I get there and pick some random lure like a spinnerbait or worm and then not catch a fish and I don't know what the hell to do. The times I get lucky are the times when the first lure I pick I catch a fish. My biggest problem is that when I get to the water I have no idea what to use or how to use it and what to do when the fish aren't biting. My question is is there a Lure or two I can really learn to use and be able to get good at before starting to use other techniques? Thanks! I have caught 10-15 bass each on the crankbait and Texas rigged worm but I've also caught bass before on the spinnerbait, inline spinner, beetle spin, wacky rig and trout magnet. Also I have a MH Baitcaster and a M spinning rod.

[IDUTBass]

A senko, shakey head and now the ned rig seem to work well for me when things aren't going well. Those seem to be a good starting point when the fishing is real tough and will get bites from all sizes of fish. Something I have been working on is learning how the weather and season can alter the fish. It's been a real slow process for me as I have taught myself to fish. There are lots of good videos on youtube from bassresource and many other people that have been helpful as well as the articles here. Also lots of great info here on the forum. As a lot of people say though, nothing beats time on the water.

[roadwarrior]

Just Getting Started"
Guaranteed To Catch Bass
I just cant catch bass
Learning to fish on your own
 

[Mattq]

Thank you guys!

[Mattq]

I will definitely try the senkos and fat ika. That is excactly what I was looking for! Thanks!

Also I read that second one yesterday so I actually tried the rapala because I had that excact lure with me in silver black.

Also the line you said #6 YZ Hybrid. Did you mean the regular or the ultra soft version? Because some guys said the regular was too stiff for spinning rods.

[roadwarrior]

Yo-Zuri above #8 might be too stiff for spinning tackle, but #4 & #6 are just fine. 

 

 

 

 

[Mattq]

Also one more thing. You said fish lakes at least 5 acres in size. The ponds I fish range from 1-3or4 acres. Will this technique work for those small ponds around 1 acre too?

[Mattq]

Ok so you meant the regular YZ hybrid?

[blckshirt98]

Dropshot x10000000000000000000000000  You may never want to learn another finesse technique.

[deep]

Finding fish (spots) is primary (for structured reservoirs at least).

Depth and speed (secondary). Vary these until you start catching fish.

Every other refinement comes afterwards.

[A-Jay]

I have been struggling to get into bass fishing for the fast few years. Sometimes I'll get lucky and catch a few bass but most of the time I go to a lake or pond I get there and pick some random lure like a spinnerbait or Iworm and then not catch a fish and I don't know what the hell to do. The times I get lucky are the times when the first lure I pick I catch a fish. My biggest problem is that when I get to the water I have no idea what to use or how to use it and what to do when the fish aren't biting. My question is is there a Lure or two I can really learn to use and be able to get good at before starting to use other techniques? Thanks! I have caught 10-15 bass each on the crankbait and Texas rigged worm but I've also caught bass before on the spinnerbait, inline spinner, beetle spin, wacky rig and trout magnet. Also I have a MH Baitcaster and a M spinning rod.

 

 As great a sport as bass fishing is, and as fun & rewarding as it can be - like so many aspect of our existence - you'll get out of it exactly what you put into it.      

 

 You can most definitely learn exactly how, where, when & what to fish to become an avid bass angler.  The vast majority of this information is available free right on this site.  Between the BR article sections and the Forums there's a ton of info.   

 

So I'd encourage you to get into it as far as you need to and then apply it on the water - you're only limited by you're own efforts.

 

Sometimes the Harder you work the Luckier you'll get . . 

 

Good Luck

 

A-Jay

[the reel ess]

Texas rigged Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Craw. 3/16 oz weight. This has saved me maybe 5 times from getting skunked. It seems to me if you drag this guy by a bass, more than likely, he'll grab it. It also seems to attract keeper sized fish. I like the black/sapphire color. I'd say I like it best, but it's the only color I buy.

 

A wacky rigged worm is another good bite producer when they won't chase a reaction lure. Everything catches fish at some time. But no lure catches them every time. If it did, you'd have an empty tackle box.

 

Start keeping a log of your trips with the date, time, temp, conditions, lures used, and results. You'll be amazed at what this will help you sort out.

[WRB]

Read the post Tips on split shot/mojo rig in the forum on this page.

Tom

[scaleface]

If you get good with a texas rig all other techniques will be easy .

[EvanT123]

A lot of good advice above. What time of day are you fishing? If your not fishing early morning or in the evening around and past sun down, give it a try.

[Mattq]

Yesterday I went out and I didn't have any senkos or anything yet so I used a zoom finnesse worm and I tried your technique and I wasn't catching anything but then I heard a splash right along the weed line that went about 6 feet out. So I pitched my worm at it and caught it. Less than a pound but it's all good. So I continued to do that along the weed line and caught 3 more just like that. The only problem is I was fishing from the back so whenever I caught a bass I had to drag him through all those weeds. I was using a medium light and 8 pound mono so I couldn't horse them out. Which was why the ones I caught were only around a pound. I hooked into 1 or 2 bigger ones but they went straight for those weeds and I lost them. Is there anything I can do to help get these fish through those weeds without changing my setup? I'm getting 6 pound yo zuri soon though.

[BucketMouth15]

Maybe based on your location.. Throw a frog out there especially if the ponds are weedy

[Mattq]

Maybe based on your location.. Throw a frog out there especially if the ponds are weedy

I was thinking exactly that. The pond is very weedy. There are frogs EVERYWHERE. I see bass jumping out of the water for these frogs. The problem is I don't have frogs and all I have is a MH Baitcaster that is usually spooled with 12 pound mono but i don't have any line right now.

I did go fishing yesterday though in the same place and used the same finnesse worm and caught 3 more.