Too many skunks

[Hannock]

I've only been able to get the lines wet about 5 times this year but I've been skunked on every outing. I think I'm starting to smell like a skunk. I did catch a 16" Striper at Lake Anna, however it was after I had given up and threw a fluke overboard to troll in my kayak so I'm not really counting that one. Another factor against my favor is that I primarily target snakehead. The SH season has only just begun but I consider March/April the green flags to start targeting them. The other day I took my boat out, casted my arm off for 6 hours and only had a single go at my frog. 

My confidence is low.  I feel like I should be slaying them, but right now I question every bait in my arsenal.  My buddy that I go out with occasionally has caught two already (and several LMB) and I've seen multiple people post their catches via Facebook and Reddit.

It hard for me to get out at the "optimal times" of early morning/evening because I drive an hour to my location and it seems on my two days off its either 15mph winds, rainy or a cold front passed through the night or two before.

Just venting that's all. Thanks for reading. Best of luck out there! ?

[S. Sass]

Look at it this way there is now were to go but up. Your starting on the bottom with zero so eventually you will find them. I have this one place i go because I just know there are a couple a monsters in there. If you see the place its like Bass heaven. Anyway I haven't pulled one out over 2 lbs yet. But I haven't let it get me down. I just know when I do start catching them its going to be awesome!

Think positive 

[brotekind269]

I remember a long-long time ago asking someone if they caught anything, and his reply was (in a southern draw) "caught-a-buzz." Ever since, I bring some beers with me so I always catch something. I, like you, have had more empty cans than tight lines this year. But I am spending all my time watching how to videos and all my money on electronics and setups, so at least I will be able to talk the talk and look like a pro.

My best season is always the fall. I struggle all year then tear them up the last couple of trips, then I sit all winter chomping at the bit to get back out there. Which forces me to hit the Bass Pro spring sale in preparation for the next year. It is a vicious cycle. Does Bass Pro have the ability to turn on and off the bite? Hallmark invented St. Valentines Day so anything could be possible.   

[BrownBear]

I feel your pain man. Same here, can't get a fish lately. Throw everything I have at them, nothing. It gets despairing sometimes. I tell myself, I am just not able to catch the fish during the spawn....lol. Keep trying and good luck to ya!

[Nitrofreak]

That's 4 more trips than I have under my belt this season LOL!

My first trip out to actually fish for the first time this season didn't yeild the success I had hoped for but, it was a high pressure day and the first day after a front, keep in mind that we have had numberous fronts and it's messed with everything, Anna was at least 2 weeks behind on the spawn, not sure what areas you were fishing but where I was 2 weeks ago there were only 4 that had just pulled up and I covered a lot of area that day.

Keep an eye out for bait schools, that will be your number one key to success, right now anyway, pay attention to birds in your areas they will let you know where they are, most importantly just keep going, you might just need to slow down a bit and pick apart areas before everything turns on for your style of fishing.

 

[Roger, The Smiling BassHole]

On April 28, 2016 at 1:44 AM, Hannock said:

I did catch a 16" Striper at Lake Anna ...  I'm not really counting that one.

Of course you're skunked if you don't count the fish you DO catch! Trolling is a legitimate way to fish, so I say "Fish On!"

Let me ask you this, did you have fun getting that striper in? And the whole point is having fun, right? That's what THIS BassHole thinks!

On April 28, 2016 at 2:17 AM, S. Sass said:

Look at it this way there is now were to go but up. ...

Think positive 

"As you think, so shall you become." If it worked for Bruce Lee, why not we BassHoles? Maybe it's better to get out there BEFORE the action starts as opposed to AFTER it's all over?

23 hours ago, BrownBear said:

I tell myself, I am just not able to catch the fish during the spawn....lol. Keep trying and good luck to ya!

Share what techniques you are using, and how do you fish DIFFERENTLY during the spawn? If you're not getting results.

Last year (before I went and tore my patella tendon, ending my fishing season early) I could SEE the fish cruising, but generate no interest. I spoke with a young man at my local Bass Pro Shops, and he turned me on to the Red Eye Shad. Then I started catching some fish! 

Have you experimented with drop-shotting? That's a technique I learned about I'm wanting to try.

23 hours ago, Nitrofreak said:

Keep an eye out for bait schools, that will be your number one key to success, right now anyway, pay attention to birds in your areas they will let you know where they are, most importantly just keep going, you might just need to slow down a bit and pick apart areas before everything turns on for your style of fishing.

Great advice! I fish from a Hobie Float Cat 75, a pontoon "boat." I have no electronics (dream of getting the FishHunter!"), so the tip about watching birds to locate bait schools is awesome! Now, can I get my butt out there (the Hobie is all BassHole powered).

And I LOVE the advice to slow down and pick apart areas. I've been fishing 3 times this year (the first time I got ice in my rod guides!), and the last time was on my birthday. No action, so I went out a bit deeper (the water was blissfully calm) and dragged my Red Eye Shad slow and deep. Thought I snagged a rock, but turned out to be a bass. 2.88 lbs., or as I like to say, "A 5 pounder!"

Keep your chin, and rod tip, up and keep going. The water's warming and so will the action.

Roger, The Smiling BassHole

[Nitrofreak]

Rodger, welcome to BR, let us know when you do get out and how you did, maybe add a photo or two as well, we like photos around here ?

[Hannock]

Thanks for the kind words, all.

A day on the water is better than a day at home (or work for that matter). Even on the days where I knew the weather wasn't in my favor, I still went out bc I knew I'd rather be fishing. 

The season is young, just working through a slow start. 

[Mike L]

I don't care where you fish, how you fish or when you fish....Everyone has been skunked one time or another, and some more than they are willing to admit. 

You know how to end your streak?? Just keep at it, Do what you know how to do..

This too shall pass

Good Luck

 

Mike 

[Roger, The Smiling BassHole]

8 hours ago, Nitrofreak said:

Rodger, welcome to BR, let us know when you do get out and how you did, maybe add a photo or two as well, we like photos around here ?

Thanks, Nitrofreak!

I've been out 3 times so far:

1. Skunked. But did have ice form in my rod guides (outside temperature did rise to mid-30's by the time I left).

2. Skunked. But no ice! And I still had a good time.

3. Fish on! I caught a 2.88 lb. bass. Or, as I like to say, "A 5 pounder."I tried to upload a photo earlier without success, but it looks like I did manage this time? We'll see!

I fish from a Hobie Float Cat 75. And I'm recovering from a patella tendon rupture (slipped on a bank while fishing last year!), so I only stay out a couple of hours at a time for now. But my home lake is 5 minutes from my bedroom, and sooner or later the water will warm up to near 60 degrees (I don't have a thermometer because I'm too cheap to pay 20 bucks for one, since I have to fish in the water no matter what its temperature is).

My dream is to win the lottery and buy a Hobie MirageDrive Pro Angler, but to WIN the lottery I'd have to buy the tickets, and I seldom do that either.

I'm off tomorrow, so I'll try again!

Thanks for the welcome! Just joined the forum, though I've been reading articles from BassResource for quite a while. (Since I couldn't fish, I researched fishing!)

Tight lines!

Roger, The Smiling BassHole

[geo g]

Things will pick up.  Keep your line wet and good things will happen.  You will stay skunked unless you get to the lake!  Try down sizing and fish slow.

[RVA_Bass_Fisherman]

Was feeling the same way...until today!  Recently took up bass fishing after a 20 year break.  Fished a TON in the last week and a half (4 different rivers/ponds) with no luck.  Hardly any bites, for that matter.  Was actually beginning to wonder if bass still even existed, because it felt like I was on a snipe hunt!  Caught 2 today and the bite was on fire, so it was a lot of fun.  An experienced angler probably would've pulled in 7 or 8 at least. Keep at it and good luck!

[Nitrofreak]

3 hours ago, RVA_Bass_Fisherman said:

Was feeling the same way...until today!  Recently took up bass fishing after a 20 year break.  Fished a TON in the last week and a half (4 different rivers/ponds) with no luck.  Hardly any bites, for that matter.  Was actually beginning to wonder if bass still even existed, because it felt like I was on a snipe hunt!  Caught 2 today and the bite was on fire, so it was a lot of fun.  An experienced angler probably would've pulled in 7 or 8 at least. Keep at it and good luck!

Don't think I could stand a break of 20 years, PHEW!! I have a hard enough time between weekends!!

Welcome to BR and hang in there, you'll get em!!

[Roger, The Smiling BassHole]

On May 1, 2016 at 8:30 PM, Nitrofreak said:

Don't think I could stand a break of 20 years, PHEW!! I have a hard enough time between weekends!!

Understood! All that wasted time, NOT fishing.

Though I did have a long stretch of years when I didn't fish. I was moving around with very little cash and no equipment. But happy to be able to fish again! Even though I still need more money! (No boat!)

Tight lines!

Roger, The Smiling BassHole