My lake is tough.

[Jmp_37]

I've fished this local lake near me now for around a year. I have only ever caught 2 fish with lures, but as soon as I drop in a sucker minnow there right on it and I catch them. Problem is I don't have enough money to be buying bait all the time. Recently there's been bass everywhere from 1lb up to 4lb swimming all over chasing bluegills. I've tried everything at this lake and. Nothing seems to work, I don't know if it's pressure or what. A lot from people fish there but iv used stuff they don't use and I still can't get them to eat it. They just turn away as soon as they see it. Any suggestions? I need help bad...

[kylek]

Go buy a package of green pumpkin stick baits, I prefer the YUM brand.  You can either wacky rig it with a smaller hook or texas rig it with a 4/0 hook.  Cast it out, let it sink.  lift it up and then let it fall.  This will catch fish anywhere.

 

If you can see the bass swimming in the shallow water, then they can see you too.  Try casting from a little further back.  Cast passed them and bring it to them.

[Neakailen]

Id say that you need to change up your tactic. If the fish are simply lookin away you are obviously doing something wrong. Because I've never been to the lake I can't tell you exactly what to do but I'd say to just try out different styles, colors, and retrieves until you find something that works. I do suggest you try a dropshot or something finesse out though. 

Good Luck

[A-Jay]

If you can see them - there's a decent chance that they can see you.

So although that doesn't always result in no bites, it often doesn't help; especially in waters that get a fair amount of fishing pressure. 

Not sure if you're in a boat or on the bank but anything you can do to put the odds in your favor, could help. 

@kylek advice is sound in my mind - that's what I would recommend you try.

Also, if it's possible, fishing at night is always solid plan.  They'll have a much harder time seeing then.

A-Jay

[jr231]

Much easier to catch bass you can't see. You're chasing bass that are up shallow and keyed in on bluegill. It'd be almost impossible to catch them unless you're using ... Well.. a bluegill. Lol. 

 

Try a swimbait that looks like a sunfish. I won't say which ones but I have some nice ones that have caught some hogs and have lasted many, many fish. 

[huffman1988]

Try a drop shot with a robo worm on it. This is my go to when it gets tough. Then slow it way down and like others have said the ones you can't see are a lot easier to catch. 

[Tweek1106]

If all these suggestions fail may I suggest that you fish using live bluegill?

 

Some tiny hooks and a microlight fishing setup will not only give you EXACTLY what the fish obviously want but then you get to fish for bluegill too.

 

Win? Yeah, I'd like you to meet my other friend.....his name is Win too.

[scaleface]

Ignore those  bass you can see and concentrate on casting to cover .

[Jmp_37]

Iv used stickbaits, iv used a drop shot. I'm bank fishing. And bluegill are illegal to use in Minnesota

[WRB]

11 minutes ago, Jmp_37 said:

Iv used stickbaits, iv used a drop shot. I'm bank fishing. And bluegill are illegal to use in Minnesota

Not bluegill swimbaits like Hudds and Matt's.

If you want to use live bait try fly lined (no weight) tail hooked big live night crawlers 6" to 8" long, or catch live crawdads and nose hook them. Drop shot mosquito hooks on 6 lb line for live bait.

Tom

[TnRiver46]

Illegal to use bluegill???????? What's the world coming to.....

[Jmp_37]

46 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Illegal to use bluegill???????? What's the world coming to.....

Ikr...

[ClackerBuzz]

if the water is that clear do not walk up to the water's edge.  instead stand 15-20 ft back and gently flip a senko into the waters edge.  I get some strange looks for fishing so far away from the water but it's necessary in tough conditions, especially when you first arrive at a new spot.  also use trees and bushes to hide behind as you approach spots.  even if you spook fish stand still behind a tree for 4-5 mins and they will return/relax.  

[Angry John]

Weightless creatures seem to work best for me when they get real picky.  Lizards and hula grubs sink very slow wacky rigged or a light wire 2/0 ewg

[frogflogger]

cut stick bait in half (yum dinger, senko, stik-o, etc.) put it on a 1/16 oz. or 1/32 oz. jig head and catch them boogers.

aka "ned rig"

[LxVE Bassin]

Your best bet would be throwing a bluegill  like swinbait. It can be a slippery slope when bass are running baitfish. Sometimes if you throw something resembling what they are chasing they will strike but sometimes no matter what you throw there just won't be anything with enough drawing power to take them off of their forage. 

[FCPhil]

Try a topwater walking lure with plenty of short pauses mixed into your retrieve. I'd fish it right along the shore where they are up chasing bluegills but cast parallel the bank keeping your distance. If you can see bass they can see you and most likely will not bite.