Is it normal to not catch anything?

[Rollincoal420]

Gundog the only time I can see a fish is when they pop out of the water to stare me down.  Lol.  I wouldn't know if one was chasing it or not.  I'm guessing polarized glasses really help, cause I can never see n e thing, let alone be able to tell what kinda fish it it is.  

 

One of the things I really enjoy about fishing, it it's rather cheap to do, until the boat comes into play of course.  The jeep, nothing ends up being cheap.  A full tank, and full cooler are usually needed just to start the day, and that can easily reach $70-80.  Then parts break and wear out.  Then we got 2 jeeps in our house that usually go.   When it comes time to fish, I just need enough fuel in the tank to make it there and back.  I can usually spend a whole day Saturday fishing and never spend a dime.  ( until it's time to replace all the bait I lost in the bottom of the lake)

[Doelman]

A lot of good info here.  The only thing I'll add is, don't be afraid to fish creeks.  Rivers and creeks are usually all public property and you're allowed to walk up and down them.  They usually see less pressure because people for the most part are too lazy to walk in a creek.  The fish will usually be smaller, but they fight harder.  Creek fishing is a blast and those fish will often still bite in the summer when everything else is turned off.

[CybrSlydr]

16 hours ago, Rollincoal420 said:

 So,  I'm relatively new to fishing and have started going every day after work since I get out a couple hrs before my girlfriend.   We sometimes go in the evenings after she gets home, and usually at some point during the weekend.   Here recently. Last month,  month and a half, I started to get serious about it due to restrictions that arose for me in my other hobby/addiction whatever u wanna call it.  It's pretty common for us not to catch anything for days,  even over a week.  

 

We do all our fishing from the bank,  like parks,  lakes,  rivers,  usually a boat ramp or some other highly pressured access point for fishing. We wear out Google earth and usually spend roughly a day in the weekend checking spot off the list. 

 

The success I do have is all from info taken off the internet, and applied as best I can since all of our friends are jeep friends, not fishing friends.  No one to turn to for advice, if u know what I mean.  

I see posts on social media, YouTube, and other fishing or "news feed" type apps of people always slaying fish.  Whether from shore or boat, don't matter.    I get a boat give u all kinds of access,  and things like fish finders offer a huge advantage,  but I usually strike out.  Doesn't really slow me down, I still enjoy the fishing part even without the catching part, but I'd like to see better results.  

 

Today and yesterday, for example,  Fish wr busting out of the water everywhere.  As close as I couldn't see through the water n e more, to all the way across the lake.  Tried everything, and got nothing.  So I'm here to try and improve on that.

 

Sorry for the long winded post.  I usually avoid creating them.

Welcome to the club, my friend!  I usually go fishing at least once a week and so far this year have caught... 2 fish.  One in December and one in April.  And I've been to dozens of lakes/ponds.

 

So, yeah, it sucks.  I've pushed through so far with the hopes of striking it big someday.  I think my issue is I just can't find the dang things - and somedays they're just not going to bite.  It's hard not to get discouraged.

 

Do a lot of searching here and you'll find tons of answers to just about any question you can think of.  If you can't find it, pop up a thread and let us have it and we'll help the best we can.

[WIGuide]

Getting skunked is part of the game. The better fisherman you become, the less it will happen, but that doesn't eliminate the possibility. Just fishing from the bank adds to the challenge because you're usually very limited by the amount of fishable water you have access to. As some have suggested, smaller bodies of water are usually your friend when it comes to this. 

 

As far as what you see from others in person, on social media, youtube, or the interwebs don't let it get you down. Fishing tournaments, there have been days that even on the same smaller lake someone hits the jackpot and nobody else does. Or the case of the two boats passing each other one saying they can't catch a fish on "x" bait and boat two says they can't catch them on anything but "same x"bait. As for social media, posts, or videos you're only seeing the highlights of their outings. Someone may have put in a 16 hour day on the water and had lots to show for it, but you're seeing the highlights of those 16 hours in the course of a few minutes in a video, or in a few pictures. You don't see the 4 hours straight they went without a bite, or the other 3 hours they kept getting short strikes. On the other hand they could also just be fishing a tremendous body of water as well. I'm not saying that to take anything away from them as fishermen because that's fishing, but when you see those type of posts you have to take all of that into account. If not you start to develop unrealistic expectations for your own fishing. 

[BassNJake]

Hey there Rollincoal420, 

 

I see you are fishing around Melton Hill by the links that you posted.

It's hot here in Knoxville and water temp is in the mid to upper 80's on Norris Lake.

Any type of fish I have caught close to the bank in the past few weeks have been near first/last light and near some sort of cover/structure.

 

My boss fishes along the walkway that is across from the Steam Plant and had a banner day last week throwing a culprit worm along the shore that had a mudline and some debris piled up.

 

When I was coming into work today I could still see the floating debris across from the Steam Plant, so you might want to try there.

 

From what you have posted it seems like you have a good start to what you are doing. 

It may be more of a timing issue as it is Summer and a more traditional summer pattern would be to fish deeper breaks.

 

There is a place to park and then a walkway they goes right along the water.

There is an old bridge abutment that sticks into the water and that is where the debris is piled up.

 

Across from this is the discharge for the steam plant, which at times will bring all types of fish into this stretch of river.

I've added a pic to show where the Parking, trail and floating debris are located.

[Rollincoal420]

I can agree, lots of awesome info on here.  Especially when the internet is your only source.  As for fishing creeks, it's beet hit and miss.  Usually miss because I'm in a bad spot.  But my first bigger bass, couple pounds, came from a creek on a frog.  Again a few weeks later.  Same location, I almost think it was the same fish.  Right where a spring fed pond spills into the creek.  (Plan on going there today after work hoping to get momentum going in the right direction)  the only one I caught bigger, came at 3pm on a cloudless day in the 90's, after someone said, u probably won't catch n e thing today.  Too hot.  He was buried in heavy grass and I threw a weightless Texas rig right at the edge of an opening.  

 

 

BassNJake

 

I been there twice.  Walked it from the parking lot ur talking about, and once came in from haw ridge.  Day one was almost a strike out until we wr heading out and I decided to toss a worm next to the log that's laying right about where u started the red loop around the old bridge. A couple ticks of the worm and I was realing in a little bass.  Around a pound.  Been thinking I need to head back out there.  Maybe tomorrow after work.

[gim]

The ned has saved me multiple times over the years when bass fishing has been tough.  It doesn't necessarily catch big fish, but it works so I use it when I need to.

 

You guys should try muskie fishing!  Getting skunked happens way more often than having success when targeting muskies.

[flyfisher]

When starting out i would say sure, it is more likely.  For me I usually can muster up a fish or two unless there are ridiculously bad conditions.  I don't think I have been skunked in a few years but i will say there were days I did not catch a bass but did catch other species.

Bank fishing is difficult but I would say look around for smaller streams or rivers with difficult access points and see what you can do there.  I have some good success around here on smaller flows that have more difficult (still legal though) access.  

 

[WRB]

It's difficult to learn to bass fish carrying 3 rods shore fishing unless you are skilled and know how to bass. My suggestion is putting away the the 2 spinning outfits if you know how to cast efficiently with your 6'6" MH casting outfit. I would also tie on a 15 lb 5' to 6' long mono leader, use a double Uni knot to join the leader to the braid or save and replace the braid and respool with 15 lb mono (Big Game is inexpensive and good line). Next I suggest using a sliding bullet sinker Texas rigged 6" to 7 1/2" soft plastic worm and 4" soft plastic craw both on a 3/0 worm hook.

Usec1/8 oz, 3/16 oz and 1/4 oz bullet weight and work the worm or craw slowing along the bottom. Zoom trick worm and Berkely Chigger craws are both good choices. 

Stay with this T-rig and casting outfit until you have caught several bass and have confidence using it, about 1 month. Add another presentation of your choice and continue using the casting outfit. 

Tom

[LxVE Bassin]

I just got back from a pond looking for the  good ole top water bite. I got skunked, not even a short strike. So to answer your question, YES! Don't be fooled by the video editing on YouTube and ESPN.

[Rollincoal420]

26 minutes ago, WRB said:

. My suggestion is out away the the 2 spinning outfits if you know how to cast efficiently with your 6'6" MH casting outfit.

Tom

I wouldn't say I'm efficient just yet.  Finally getting to where I can cast an acceptable distance in a general direction without a birdsnest.  As long as the bait is heavy enough.  Lol. It is quickly becoming my go to rod tho.  Got another casting rod sitting here I would like to find a reel for.  Got one here that won't put any tension on the spool with the knob.

[WRB]

You can always add the reel brand and model number so someone can figure out what's part is missing more than likely assembled incorrectly.

Being able to cast is usually a combination of casting technique and reel preformance plus learning to use your thumb to prevent backlashes. You can't whip a bait casting outfit, it's all in the wrists. Glenn has a few good instructional vedio's on proper casting technique and plastic worm rigging and hook setting. Casting distance and accuracy comes with practice, one reason I am suggesting you stick to one presentation and rod/reel combo. If you can cast 25 yards/ 75 feet and hit a hula hoop size target, your are good to go T-rigged worm fishing.

Tom

[islandbass]

As a shore bound angler, I can relate.  There will be days that they won't be in the areas they can reach.  As the saying goes, that is why we call it fishing and not catching.  Just hang in there and pay your dues.  Try to learn something from every trip.  In time, the catches will come.  I usually take 3 rods with me.  A casting reel with either a M or MH rod, a spinning reel with a M or MH rod, and an ultra-light set up.  I truly despise going home skunked (but accept it when I know I did everything I could given my shore bound limitation) so I have that UL set up that might land a me a face and game-saving fish, be it a bass or a ding dang blue gill.  For true bass fishing, when I target them exclusively, 1 fish is a good day, especially if I add the tens of blue gill, perch, of rock bass that I might also catch lol.

[BCline]

The simplest solution to avoid getting skunked is to move to South Florida!  The bank bass fishing opportunities here are world class.  I fish for at least an hour nearly everyday and landed bass number 225 for the year yesterday.  I can count the number of times I get skunked on my fingers with several left over.  A 4" Senko, Texas-rigged with a 3/16 oz bullet weight on 8 - 12 lb mono fished very slow seems to catch everything in the water.  I also suggest keeping a fishing log and recording air and water temp, wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, moon phase, location, lures used and size and numbers of what you catch.  After a while you will begin seeing patterns for the different locations you fish and be able to predict success or failure.

[scaleface]

Rollincoal420  You are surrounded by lakes . You need a boat , it doesnt have to be fancy . Most of my fishing is done out of a 14 foot jon boat powered  by an elec motor only .

[Airbornebass]

Don't get down on yourself, it happens.  Three of us fished Jocassee Lake in SC yesterday and we didn't catch a fish.  It's a clear mountain lake and most water depth is 50-150 feet deep.  You can see 20 feet down.  Sometimes you just can't figure them out.

[geo g]

Don't get upset, even the best get skunked under certain circumstances.  During temp extremes, like 90* water temps, and after extreme cold fronts, you can get skunked even in south Florida.  Bass will hit a worm rig even during these difficult times, so you have the right choice.   Extremes will sometimes cause lock jaw even for the best fisherman for a day or two.  If someone tells you they have never been skunked, they are either lying, or they don't fish much!

[the reel ess]

It's far too common to get skunked.

 

Whenever I'm facing a skunk, I'll make up a lightweight C rig with a 4" Zoom Finesse Worm and throw it out and drag it slowly. It'll catch fish all day. They'll be smaller on average because, when forced to downsize, you're really targeting smaller bass. That's a decision you have to make. If I get skunked twice in a row on the same body of water, I'll avoid it. After a while, that's not fun.

 

I have a go-to pond where the bass are dumb and hungry and the bluegills and shellcrackers are big. It's exactly what the doctor ordered when the confidence gets low. It's also the place to get the hang of a new technique because you'll get practice catching and not just fishing. And if all else fails, I can tie on an inline spinner on a lightweight rod and go after the bream.

[scaleface]

Whenever I get skunked I feel better knowing  that somewhere out there  somebody is getting skunked fishing for sunfish .

[38 Super Fan]

I don't think I've been skunked this year, but I've come close several times. Just yesterday I caught one in the first 5 minutes, then not another fish the rest of the day, and I mean like 7 hours of fishing.

[BigAngus752]

8 hours ago, scaleface said:

Rollincoal420  You are surrounded by lakes . You need a boat , it doesnt have to be fancy . Most of my fishing is done out of a 14 foot jon boat powered  by an elec motor only .

Don't listen to really good, experienced fisherman like @scaleface.   He will only get your hopes up.  My wife and I have a beautiful new Ranger boat and we can't catch a cold.    

[Sword of the Lord]

Getting skunked is normal. You won't catch them where they aren't located. It's not as easy and casting and getting a bite. You have to locate the fish. Cover, fallen and hanging trees, boulders, other debris, under docks and bridges, weeds, etc. Yesterday I basically got skunked. I slay fish at this body of water every weekend, but yesterday it was frustrating. I could not find them. It's not that I was doing something wrong, it was just one of those days. Finally right before I was about to leave I saw a lone dink swimming by the shore. I threw a wacky Senko on its nose and it instantly struck it; leading me to believe that I simply never found them because this guy was hungry and not skittish at all.

[Ratherbfishing]

Is it unusual to get skunked?  Nope.  Especially on pressured lakes with limited access.  Is it unusual to get skunked quite a lot?  Mmmmm... perhaps a little.  But summertime can be a real challenge, too.  As is usually the case, the bass will not be everywhere BUT they will be, IMO, in places that are harder to access (or locate) and do not have to chase as often as food is more plentiful.

 

Hang in there!

 

 

[Columbia Craw]

With 1200 views on this post, others must really want to know. I am the original skunk dawg.  It happens.  Evaluate where you're fishing and when and take a look at the lure selection. Experiment. You will get it. Many years ago I put in five eight hour days in the early spring. It was cold.  Not one bite. It made me more determined than ever. Try to learn from every outing. It's fishing.

[Rollincoal420]

Had a good weekend.  Finally broke the dry spell.  Got invited out on a john boat Saturday and found one with a weightless senko under a tree.  Then today we were at a park with a walking trail with spots along the waters edge.   I went to a spot with access to the edge of the bank but still had trees blocking direct access to the water.   I said screw it and tossed a fatty craw on a belly weighted hook over a tree and it got picked up shortly after hitting the water.   Had to winch him up over a tree, lucky my rod barely reached over it.

 

 

All came from bits of advise taken from this thread.   Thanks!