Can i get some help?

[AustinHellickson]

READ THIS PLEASE! 

Hello, i am 14 years old and i live across  the road from a big lake. I have fished this lake for about 1.5 years and i have only caught 1 bass and 1 carp.

 

My buddies that i fish with catch bass with what they use, so i throw that on and get no bites. I have a canoe but we mainly bank fish. End of summer 2016 i went fishing with my great uncle and we caught about 40 using soft plastics (on his bass boat no where close to where i live, about 300 miles away).

 

I am really stuck on how to catch more fish and any on my lake. I know there are bass there in the lake but i do not know where in the lake and what to use. Any recommendations for a bank angler? Just list and i will implement. Thank you

[NorthwestBasser]

I've been in your shoes, it can get frustrating! I just kept at it, tried everything, read as much as I could about different lures, presentations and patterns, cover and structure... and did exactly what you are doing, asked questions!  I asked friends, I asked successful tournament fishermen, and I asked in forums like this one. it will pay off eventually. personally I have my best, practically only, luck throwing soft plastic finesse baits. either Texas rigged or on a drop shot (my best producer). I'd start there but some of the people who are about to start responding to this post will help you much more than I can. Good Luck!

[Bluebasser86]

Describe the body of water more in depth, the techniques you're using, along with the equipment. If it's a public lake you might even say which one and it's possible someone on here may have fished it and have some advice from first hand experience. 

[roadwarrior]

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

 

[Paul Roberts]

Time to start reading, and watching vids. 

[AustinHellickson]

16 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Describe the body of water more in depth, the techniques you're using, along with the equipment. If it's a public lake you might even say which one and it's possible someone on here may have fished it and have some advice from first hand experience. 

Little murky water, 16-20' deep i manly use jigs, and Texas rig grubs. Bait caster setup

[jr231]

I like weightless plastics on spinning gear. I use braid for the sensitivity and casting distance. Sometimes a floro leader for a little extra depth. Jigs work year round. And so will that Texas rig. Try different things on the t rig. Big worms, craws and creatures. 

I' also recommend finding a couple cranks at various depths and get comfortable with those. A suspending model, sinking and floating is where I would start. Of whichever brand you like. I like rapala and bomber. I know many people love the SK cranks especially their square bills. when you can get a bite going on a crank bait nothing is more fun IMO. 

Also a topwater. I caught my personal best on a popper style bait. But also like walk the dog and frog lures. Big time producers in both quality and quantity for me. 

If you're catching fish on a jig you're already ahead of the curve.. don't give up on that bait because even the greatest bass fisherman on earth rely on a jig on a consistent basis. 

If you're getting skunked.. try an in line spinner . I've caught bass, crappie , bluegill, catfish (a nice one too), pike, and a bowfin on an in-line spinner. A true multi- species bait and will put some excitement in your day when it's not going as you plan. 

Also. Get your ace in that canoe ! Ha-ha. More bass to be caught around the lake then at the one spot you're bank fishing from. Sometimes you can't get the right presentation or depth from shore..  you could just be out of reach of a honey hole. Go explore. 

Good luck. 

[Ratherbfishing]

Even a broken clock works twice a day so I'm guessing it is less about you and more the lake.  Does it get hit hard by bucket fishermen?   Is it a dumping ground for toxic waste?  Some lakes are more fragile and/or less fertile so that might have some bearing on things.  Are your buddies catching fish on this particular lake?  If so, do you watch them and try to emulate them?

In business, they say the three most important factors are location, location, location and so it also is with fishing.  Don't concern yourself so much with the lures you are using or even the techniques (except how they pertain to location and/or depth) and concern yourself MORE with location.  Seek out cover, vegetation, changes in structure, etc.  Pay attention to the time of day and time of year.  I could go on and on but maybe this is a good start.

[WRB]

Welcome to the BR site young man.

Before we confuse you beyond all hope, your bass fishing journey should start at the beginning and that is understanding basic bass behavior. By basic I mean seasonal period behavior. The seasonal period most anglers agree on is the spawning cycle when male bass are on beds protecting the nest site and the female bass lay their eggs. You can see the bass when this occurs in the Spring time when water temps warm up from being cold to about 62-67 degrees. You will find the bass in protected coves during the spawn.

Where are the bass now? To determine where they are located you need to know what the water temperatures are where you live during the year. It's been cooling off since summer and fall is here with winter just around the corner. The water is also cooling down and when it drops into the low 60's the bass are moving into deeper water, mid 50's it's winter seasonal period for bass and they should be in the deepest water areas where you live and stay there until the water starts to warm up again.

Study everything you can starting with bass behavior. Next learn all about what the bass in your lake eat, bass are near their food source.

Tom

PS, search the web for The Cosmic Clock and Bass Behavior.

[Red Bear]

How big is this lake? A lot of times big lakes can be tough from the bank, especially if there is no cover around the banks or within casting distance. Also if there is not much structure within casting distance. If there, try fishing stuff like downed trees and around any kind of vegetation, perhaps underwater rock piles or stumps. Also, see if you can find stuff like underwater humps, dropoffs, points, and transition areas. Finding stuff underwater from shore or without electronics can be tough. If the water ever drops low, pay attention to what you can see that you couldnt see before, even take pictures like i did when my favorite lake dropped real low.

You mentioned having a canoe, get out on it and explore a bit more and fish from there. also, sometimes dragging your bait from shallow to deep can be impactful when dragging from deep to shallow isnt getting it done.

Try different presentations, if the jigs and grubs you mentioned havent been working so well, its time to change up your baits. Try some moving baits like crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwaters. Try some worms or senkos. Try a drop shot. are you using trailers on your jigs? if not could make a big difference. dont limit yourself to things that arent bringing you success, just because you like them, learn to be versatile, theres a ton of options out there available to you...

[AustinHellickson]

7 hours ago, Red Bear said:

How big is this lake? A lot of times big lakes can be tough from the bank, especially if there is no cover around the banks or within casting distance. Also if there is not much structure within casting distance. If there, try fishing stuff like downed trees and around any kind of vegetation, perhaps underwater rock piles or stumps. Also, see if you can find stuff like underwater humps, dropoffs, points, and transition areas. Finding stuff underwater from shore or without electronics can be tough. If the water ever drops low, pay attention to what you can see that you couldnt see before, even take pictures like i did when my favorite lake dropped real low.

You mentioned having a canoe, get out on it and explore a bit more and fish from there. also, sometimes dragging your bait from shallow to deep can be impactful when dragging from deep to shallow isnt getting it done.

Try different presentations, if the jigs and grubs you mentioned havent been working so well, its time to change up your baits. Try some moving baits like crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwaters. Try some worms or senkos. Try a drop shot. are you using trailers on your jigs? if not could make a big difference. dont limit yourself to things that arent bringing you success, just because you like them, learn to be versatile, theres a ton of options out there available to you...

The lake is actually a reservoir, so big... lots of stumps and a man made lake. No trailers and i have actually never rigged a drop shot but i have fished it once.  

[primetime]

iHere is what I would do. I have had the same frustration fishing Deep water from shoreline as it is tricky. 

The best plan is to try to get info on where the fish are, the best spots, most lakes in a region all fish similar so your local tackle shop can help you. To save time & get action, Buy some live bait, Shiners or Minnows, then free line them and keep them out for a good 10 minutes then move if you do not get any strikes. I would get some small minnows to see if you can get some Crappie since at least you then know you are also near bass since both feed on smaller fish.

Fisherman will help you if you ask, and from shore, if you have to pass through a yard, make sure you ask the owner if it is ok to pass through. That will go along way since they can tell you where most people fish. If you see any docks or boats you can be certain that somebody has planted brush piles off that dock or beach area to attract fish so they can catch them quickly.

Lastly, Fish either live bait on a Carolina rig, or use a soft bait on a carolina rig since you can cover water quickly, figure out depth changes and drop offs, or a split shot above your soft bait. 

I would google "How to catch bass from shore in deep water" look for articles then videos. The Shoreline fishing is every bit as good as on a boat if you find the fish and what level they are feeding. 

lastly, If I had one lure to use, I would honestly cast a 1/2 ounce Lipless Crankbait like a Red Eye shad, Rattle Trap, and fish it from 3' down mid, then bottom. You can fish quickly that way and it is easy, plus they always work just remember how fast you were reeling or if you were on or near bottom. 

Live bait is the way to go since it is fun, works better than any artificial, & you find fish much easier. Lip hook and use 10-14lb mono. That is what I would do for sure. Shiners and Minnows is what you should buy or catch yourself. Live worms can also work well to find fish.

[lo n slo]

12 lb test line

3/16 oz bullet weight

3.0 offset worm hook

6" plastic worm or lizard in green pumpkin or june bug

throw out deep, cast down the bank, drag it, hop it, or swim it.

yer welcome