Stubborn to a fault or determined to overcome?

[Quarry Man]

if it is pressured lake, throw stuff others aren't, like drop shots and other finesse baits.

[LionHeart]

Just my experience but I have had some pretty tough days on my local lake.  I keep going back because it is so close to my house.  It can definitely get discouraging if you have a string of unproductive trips to the same place.

 

 There is a pond near my work that I fish on lunch breaks some times and can dependably catch at least one fish per trip.  This helps tremendously as far as confidence goes.

 

Give the new spot a try.  It may be even worse, but it could be a great spot.

 

As far as fishing a popper goes, I typically try to give it an erratic set of pops/twitches, then pause for 3-4 seconds.  5-6 twitches, pause, 2-3 twitches, pause, 6-7 pops, pause, so on and so forth.  One of my favorite lures.

[ClackerBuzz]

On 6/10/2018 at 10:45 AM, geo g said:

You know where they live, and what they like.  The only thing I would add is to slow way down, and lighten up on the weight, so you get a slow fall through the water column, and more natural action by the bait with the very light weight on the line.  Just like a dying fish, a couple of small jerks, and then let it sit.  On tough days it usually works for me.  Good baits are senko type baits,  centipedes, flukes, trick worms, beavers, Texas Rigged weightless or with a 1/32 weight.  Also Try a wacky rigged trick worm or senko.

This.

 

OP your post spawn is my year round life.  I live on a lake with brutal conditions and had to develop a system (even live bait was barely producing). 

 

1- light lures, light line and long casts. my lure of choice has become a 1" nail weight in a 6" zoom trick worm. there is just something so appealing to bass about the way it glides down on a 45 degree angle.  and if you sweep it forward 4ft it glides back at them which they aren't used to.

2-retrieve:  deadsticking is an understatement. these bass will NOT hit a lure on the fall so it's going to be a long day if you keep casting for it.  you need it to settle to bottom and sit a minimum of 60 seconds before even thinking about moving it only 6 inch.  when the bite is 'aggressive' it's a minimum 2 min cast with the bite coming on the second drag. when it's bad go ahead and cast the rod, set it down, fish a second rod before going back working the first rod 3-4 mins later.  brutal.

3-an anchor is mandatory.  you can't do the retrieve above unless ur boat is stationary.  drifting with the wind is far too fast and unnatural, i know b/c i've tried it hundreds of times when i give up for the day and drift home (although crappie love it).

 

exciting way to fish?  not on ur life.  but man does it taste sweet when you catch bass and especially sweet when you trick the big ones.