Am I Cursed?

[IneedAnewScreenName-334513]

Hey all. Just a little question here. I've been getting back into fishing with my dad, we split a $6,000 bass boat 50/50 and each put out share of money into it. We live in Tennessee so it's been pretty hot and muggy around, normally you'd think all the bass and other fish would be down deep.
 

This is where my question comes in. I've tried everything. Deep diving cranks, medium and shallow cranks, top waters, jigs, worms, Texas and Carolina rigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and pretty much everything under the sun and I'm still not getting any bites. I've come to believe I'm cursed or something. Could anyone give me some advice?

[A-Jay]

Start looking shallow . . . .

A-Jay

 

[Mike L]

You're not cursed. 

Welcome to the wonderful world of bsss fishing. 

Sometimes it's a little like a search and destroy mission. 

 

Try hunting in more advantageous areas as A-Jay suggested. 

You gotta find 'em before you can hook 'em

 

 

 

Mike

[StrikePrince]

But have you tried senkos? 

[Montanaro]

Positive mental attitude

 

Just because it is hot and muggy doesnt mean the bass are deep.  Bass are deep because their forage is there...

 

Perhaps try downsizing your presentations and try to be stealthier in your new boat.

[Sword of the Lord]

You won't catch them where they aren't located. It's that simple.

 

I've caught almost all of my bass shallow all summer long. My biggest come deep, but they're a real grind to catch. Throw Senkos and inline spinners and you'll catch bass and boost your confidence.

[Boomstick]

My first suggestion is to look shallow during dusk and dawn. Then during the day, especially when sun is out, look under cover -bridges, lily pads and tall grass. You can also try deep during the day, but limit yourself to around 20ft as well

 

If half of the lake is 6ft or less, then it may be worth trying that half of the lake.

 

Senkos, shakey heads and drop shots are often good rigs for hotter weather. The bass bite is often pretty lazy in the summer too, so throw trailer hooks on your spinnerbaits and fish your baits a little bit slower.

 

Most important is keep your head up and keep trying.

[Raul]

4 hours ago, IneedAnewScreenName-334513 said:

Hey all. Just a little question here. I've been getting back into fishing with my dad, we split a $6,000 bass boat 50/50 and each put out share of money into it. We live in Tennessee so it's been pretty hot and muggy around, normally you'd think all the bass and other fish would be down deep.
 

This is where my question comes in. I've tried everything. Deep diving cranks, medium and shallow cranks, top waters, jigs, worms, Texas and Carolina rigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and pretty much everything under the sun and I'm still not getting any bites. I've come to believe I'm cursed or something. Could anyone give me some advice?

 

3 hours ago, Sword of the Lord said:

You won't catch them where they aren't located. It's that simple.

 

 

[Gundog]

I would try night-time fishing. In the dead of summer bass feed at night. Water temps cool slightly and fewer boats on the water also. 

[bigbill]

Bass feed shallow, near the shoreline in low light conditions. As it gets lighter they move to thicker cover. Try a split shot rigged black or redshad colored worm 6". 

[OCdockskipper]

I disagree with the other responses, I believe you are indeed cursed.  By chance, you haven't accidentally run over any gypsy's recently have you?

[scaleface]

Google pre fishing bass tournaments and watch the videos made by pros . 

[BassB8Caster]

Some great advice above. Warmer months tend to favor slow presentations. I have learned to never go a fishing trip skunked without trying a worm. ESPECIALLY if there is some vegetation. 

Often times bigger bass will go deep, especially under sun conditions. Remember there are always exceptions to rules with bass. 

I went out tuesday afternoon. Overcast cool conditions. Perfect. Fish should be active. I tried topwayer, swimbaits, swim jig, chatterbait, etc. Tried deeper areas to target the bigger fish. Nothing. As it was starting to get dark something told me to target pockets in vegetation with a worm. Within 15 minutes i landed a new pb. 6.01lbs  22" on a 10" blue flake worm. Wasnt expecting that to be in there. 

[IneedAnewScreenName-334513]

8 hours ago, OCdockskipper said:

I disagree with the other responses, I believe you are indeed cursed.  By chance, you haven't accidentally run over any gypsy's recently have you?

I knew that lady looked funny.

[Spankey]

Are you seeing other fish and bait fish?

 

Have you seen a bass there yet?

 

Have you seen anyone else catch one there yet? 

 

There might be something online about your body of water that can help. 

[BassNJake]

If you're fishing Loudon/Tellico or any of the TN river system lakes, find out if they are pulling water

There is a TVA app that shows this, I am told.

 

The fish are a little more predictable when they are pulling water, as I find they will hide along main channel breaks to capitalize on the food being moved by the current. Any type of laydown, rockpile or point will give the bass a place to hold in slack water

 

Also as fall starts to creep in the bass become more scattered, so throwing 20 different lures becomes more common

[papajoe222]

The Sword hit the nail on the head. You have to find them and then figure out what will catch them. There are a number of good articles on just that on this site. Check them out. The other thing I suggest, especially if you plan to continue targeting deep fish, is to get yourself a depth finder.  With the influx of the down and side imaging units of late, you can pick up a good used unit without emptying your wallet. 

[BassB8Caster]

On 8/31/2017 at 7:24 AM, papajoe222 said:

The Sword hit the nail on the head. You have to find them and then figure out what will catch them. There are a number of good articles on just that on this site. Check them out. The other thing I suggest, especially if you plan to continue targeting deep fish, is to get yourself a depth finder.  With the influx of the down and side imaging units of late, you can pick up a good used unit without emptying your wallet. 

to add on to this "first find the fish, then figure out how to catch them" point. I saw a video where Glenn of Bassresource talked about this. His recommendation was to go buy the biggest swimbait you can find (10, 12") and cover water with it. He said this will reveal where the bass are, as naturally they will be tempted to check out the bait. They may bite it, they may not and just follow it in. But that atleast will let you know where they are at and which direction they are coming from. You can mark this on a gps and return and fish the area. 

[ClackerBuzz]

22 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Start looking shallow . . . .

A-Jay

 

...shallow around weeds is my milkrun.

 

a 2ft strike zone is a pimple on a horse's behind when ur fishing deep.  but a 2ft strike zone is enormous in 2-3 ft of skinny water.

 

I'd also PM roadwarrior for local tips (sorry i don't know how to fancy hyperlink his name).

opps looks like he far from you. but still might point you in the right direction.

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/profile/75-roadwarrior/

Edited August 31, 2017 by ClackerBuzz