Got skunked for the millionth time.

[BubbaBassin’]

I’ve been fishing this same spot for months now. Using Glenn’s Senko technique recently hasn’t been working. I can’t move spots due to no ride. Watched a couple other fisherman catch though. Just me not catching I guess. 

[Rick Howard]

If other guys are catching them in that area. Then you know that fish are there.  

 

There is no shame in watching what they do and copying that.  That's part of learning.

 

second, if your using the same technique and yielding the same result ,skunked, each time.  You ought to try something different.  Which is easy to say for veterans who've been around long enough to learn a few things.  So to get started,  keep that senko tied on.  Use your imagination.  Change the way you fish that lure.  More twitching, less twitching.  Hook placement.  But don't stop there.  Learn what you can do with that bait.   You have an awesome resource here and on YouTube.  There are several well documented ways to fish that senko.  And if your crafty you might find a new method or at least a combination of methods that will hook you up.

 

[CroakHunter]

Are you using 20Lb red mono? If you are, senkos won't cooperate well with them. Try 6Lb big game. Cheap and reliable 

[Gundog]

Have you tried dynamite? If you don't get any fish with it at least you'll scare off all the other guys who are catching fish and have the whole place to yourself. ?

[Trox]

Originally, I bought a pair of binoculars to find schools of white bass during their spawn, which is the only time I don't hunt lunkers. But during one local tournament, I was having a hard time catching anything when I saw a boat go over the spot that I was just picked apart and pulled two into the boat... That was the moment that I remembered I still had my binos in the side compartment and within a matter of minutes, I was Sherlock Holmes uncovering the mystery of the century. I started doing this after I noticed that they were working their rods (jigging) the exact same way that I was, but getting bit so it must have been the bait. Anyways, I found out that they were also using some type of craw imitation, but without a skirt. After that, I removed the skirt from my jig and ended up catching a couple before switching locations...

 

Moral of the story is, bass can be picky... You could be using a black/blue spec craw and catch nothing but trees while someone else is using a pumpkin seed craw and catching hawgs. My story just happened to be about the jig skirt. There's no shame in asking other fishermen who may have more experience with a body of water what they are using. More than likely, they were in the same place that you were at one point and had the same issues before they finally found out what the fish want. I've never met a fisherman outside of a tournament that wasn't open about the baits being used and I feel that the willingness to share tips and tricks with others is just something that tags along with the passion to fish. And for bonus points, if you stroke a fishermans ego a bit, he may just give up his best kept secrets. 

 

So save yourself some time and heartache, ask around... Or whip out your binoculars and become the lake spy. There's some fun to be had in that too lol 

 

 

 

 

[NYWayfarer]

11 hours ago, CroakHunter said:

Are you using 20Lb red mono? If you are, senkos won't cooperate well with them. Try 6Lb big game. Cheap and reliable 

Very observant of you to notice @FishingNoob other thread "Does line affect fishing?"

 

I agree with the solution to downsize to 6# clear line.

 

As others have mentioned observe the other anglers that are catching and imitate them both bait/lures and how they work them. You might even want to start up a conversation with them. Not every angler is going to give up their secrets but most will help if you are asking for help.

[BubbaBassin’]

12 hours ago, CroakHunter said:

Are you using 20Lb red mono? If you are, senkos won't cooperate well with them. Try 6Lb big game. Cheap and reliable 

@CroakHunterI can only find 8lb Berkley triline big game will that work? And can that go on a baitcaster? I have a silver Max and that’s all I have.

[NYWayfarer]

7 minutes ago, FishingNoob said:

@CroakHunterI can only find 8lb Berkley triline big game will that work? And can that go on a baitcaster? I have a silver Max and that’s all I have.

I have a baitcaster spooled with Berkley 10lb Trilene Big Game that I use for casting weightless Senkos. Casts far and I catch fish. Hope that helps.

 

I am not answering for @CroakHunter just giving my opinion.

[BubbaBassin’]

@NYWayfarer I greatly appreciate it, I’m in walmart now and was about to go home without it. Now I’ll grab some and be on my way.

[PECo]

Slow down. You’re fishing too fast.

 

No, even slower than that. ?

 

Seriously, early in the season, when the water is still cold and after the spawn, you often have to slow things waaaay down. The fish just aren’t feeding actively. They’ll still hoover up a lure like your Senko off of the bottom, though.

[Todd2]

Fan cast a Mepps at different speeds. If that doesn't work, move...lol

[EGbassing]

Try a 4 or 5 inch zoom lizard t-rigged with a 3/16 ounce bullet weight. I fished for months without catching any bass, then decided to try that out one day because, well, I dunno. I'm now catching a bass almost every day using just that. Just cast it around some kind of cover, hop it off the bottom, wait, repeat.  I know it sounds stupid but it just works.

[BubbaBassin’]

5 minutes ago, Todd2 said:

Fan cast a Mepps at different speeds. If that doesn't work, move...lol

Mepps? @Todd2

[EGbassing]

7 minutes ago, FishingNoob said:

Mepps? @Todd2

Mepps Aglia spinner.

[Todd2]

14 minutes ago, FishingNoob said:

Mepps? @Todd2

Any inline will work...Mepps, Rooster Tails, Bang Tails. They are all skunk removers but dink magnets too sometimes. 

 

I grew up in the 80's hopping farm ponds with inlines and they caught me a lot of fish. I pull them out on the big water now and they still work.

[BubbaBassin’]

@Todd2 Will you send me a picture of those that you mentioned, I haven’t heard of them.

[EGbassing]

Just now, FishingNoob said:

@Todd2 Will you send me a picture of those that you mentioned, I haven’t heard of them.

Here's one: https://www.google.com/search?q=mepps+aglia&safe=active&rlz=1CAASUE_enUS766US766&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiKwqbaysTbAhVhmK0KHQZFBCcQ_AUICygC&biw=1536&bih=773#imgrc=r7usfiAybSJP1M:

[BubbaBassin’]

Are those sold at walmart or do I need to go somewhere more central to fishing?

[EGbassing]

4 minutes ago, FishingNoob said:

Are those sold at walmart or do I need to go somewhere more central to fishing?

Should be at walmart. While you're there I would definitely pick up some zoom lizards. Trust me, they work.

[Ratherbfishing]

2 hours ago, BubbaBassin’ said:

Are those sold at walmart or do I need to go somewhere more central to fishing?

For a cheaper alternative (at least until you can find some Mepps), try Beetle spins.

[BassNJake]

Judging by the picture you included it looks as if there is a rock retaining wall all around the parking area.

Try fishing parallel to the retaining wall.(I like to start right up against it and then work my way out)

You can do this with a variety of lures: spinnerbait, buzzbait, senko

 

Also when I looked at the map there looks like a long wall leading to a bridge.

These causeways are also good places to throw a lure parallel to the edge.

 

good luck and keep at it!!

[Rahlow]

I get skunked often, I try to fish new areas, not every time I go but I like to scout around. I use a spinner bait when scouting an area for the firs time thru it, if I get a second shot at it, I throw a Texas rigged curly tail worm,,,and slow down with the worm, no, s l o w d o w n

[Airman4754]

On a main river the location is more important than the bait, line, or anything else. If you're watching people catch fish pay attention to where they are hooking them as opposed to what they are hooking them on. You can be off two feet and never get touched. 

 

Drag a 1/2 - 3/4oz football jig around or a 3/4oz C-rig with a Rage Craw behind it and figure out the bottom. If you're fishing the same spot over and over with zero results but you know fish are there then you haven't learned your spot.