They just won't bite...

[Austin11C]

Hey guys, the stripe are running here and I was out the other day fishing with my brother. We walked up on this little cove and we could look out and see quite a few bass, all just hanging out below the surface. I tried everything I had in my tackle box. From top water frogs,worms,crawfish,spinners etc. the fish just weren't interested. I'm somewhat new to bass fishing as I grew up on a river with mostly trout fishing. Any of you guys know why they wouldn't have any part of it or any tips for next time I'm there? Thanks. 

[FellowBasser]

Possibly could've been spawning they

just don't eat when they do 

[Bluebasser86]

This time of year around the spawn you'll see lots of cruisers and fish just up shallow sunning themselves. Those fish are very difficult to catch most of the time and usually not worth targeting. I've had a little success with wacky rigs and flukes when I'm seeing lots of cruising fish.

[Austin11C]

I figured they were sunning and wasn't too interested but figured it was worth a try. I did put my Senkos in my box because I wanted to try a wacky rig next time. Thanks. I'll give it a shot. 

[RPreeb]

Also, if you can see them, they can see you.  My brother-in-law tells about fishing a stretch of trophy brown trout river where you have belly up over a rock so that no more than your head is visible.  If they see you, you don't have a chance.  I don't know if bass are as spooky as those browns, but it can't hurt to be a bit sneaky.

[Crestliner2008]

I'm unclear if you were targeting stripers or largemouth/smallmouth bass? If it is the stripers you are targeting, we need to know that. For sure though, if they can see you, forget about it. The only way is to get them is to elicit a reaction strike.

 

You'd have to start out by approaching the area, as has been said, very quietly and with a low profile. Then make a long cast with a spook-type top water bait and "walk-the-dog" back to you, or use a double propped top water like a Devil's Horse. But again, this is predicated upon them not knowing you are in the area.

 

I don't know about stripers, but I know if you can see a largemouth cruising, your only option is leave the area and come back in stealth mode, making as long a cast as you can. Good Luck!

[Paul Roberts]

Spawn is imminent. Stealth and a wacky-rigged stick-worm is my best bet.

[scaleface]

If they were out in the middle of the cove suspended just below the surface , that is peculiar behavior  for bass .Ive had the same experience with bass  behaving that way shallow and sometimes I catch them sometimes I dont . I usually have better luck fishing cover than trying to catch those visible fish .

[Austin11C]

Thanks for the replies guys, and crestliner2008, I was targeting stripe when we set off but stumbled upon a cove with multiple largemouth. The cove would be a really hard place to sneak up on so I'll really have to figure out a better approach, if I can't I may just have to take that as a sign there are good largemouth in the area and fish more cover around the area. But I'll still be sure to give it a few cast as I'm walking by to my fishing spot. You never know when one may be feeling extra aggressive haha. Thanks guys 

[blckshirt98]

Are you sure they weren't carp either?  My suggestion is to dropshot, dropshot, dropshot, then dropshot some more.  Nose hook a Strike King Half Shell or Reins Bubbring Shaker.

[Austin11C]

Blckshirt98, I know they weren't carp for sure. And forgive me as I'm a novice bass fisherman but I do not know what a drop shot is. But that's why google is my friend haha. 

So I've looked up drop shot rig and I can honestly say I've never used one of these. I'll definitely have to give it a try. Thanks for the tips. 

[Ratherbfishing]

Saw a bunch of bass cruising the shoreline this past weekend.  After 5 minutes, I gave up on them.  I knew they weren't going to bite.  They never do.  My advice:  fish for the bass you CAN'T see.  You'll at least stand a chance with them.

[Sam]

Austin, do you know what the water temperature was when you saw the bass?

 

If it was in the high 60's then you may have seen a bunch of ladies resting after or during the spawn.

 

This has happened to me and I remember being on Lake Gaston in Virginia when my budding and I saw a beautiful, large female just handing out outside of a dock.  The only way we were going to catch her was to pick her up out of the water!!!!

 

So it is not you; it is not your bait; it is not your technique.  It may be that these large ladies are recuperating from the spawn.

[Austin11C]

I'm not sure the water temp but it was high 60s-low 70s outside so I'd imagine the water temp would be significantly lower. I'm not sure how it corresponds. And I'm definitely taking the advice for fishing for the ones I can't see. I definitely catch more that way. 

[iiTzChunky]

I'd be willing to bet it's spawn time for em. I had that happen to me today. I could visually see the band probably 3 ft off shore and I threw the crank bait and took it right past his face, tried burning slow rolling it and all he did was give it a quick look and turned around. Didn't feel like putting on a worm or craw fatty to see if I could get him to strike. He wasn't very big either. 

[Bucky205]

We are in a post spawn pattern here in Alabama.  They are not really feeding heavily just occasional reaction bites.  Makes fishing tough.  They will migrate back to the main reservoir as the water continues to warm.  I'v been fishing points that transition from the bedding area back to the main channel catching a few throwing a green pumpkin Carolina rig.