How to have more fun when not catching em

[Sharkicane]

Hey BR, 

 

I have only been bass fishing for a few months I am not sure what it is in me but every time I go to my local lake I feel like I have to catch some. I treat it like its a tournament ( I know its silly) even though I never even been in one. I get so honed in on what I have to do to catch some that sometimes its not as fun as I would like it to be. However it isn't something I feel I can help all the time like I know there are bass there I have a rough idea of where there at I should be able to catch them any given day. At least that is what I think, then Ill get a lure hung up on top of not catching any or getting any bites and its just a bad time all around. 

 

What are some of the things that yall do to take the pressure off of having to catch them or just tips to focus on having more fun despite how many bites I get or the lack of bites.

[BigAngus752]

I just started bass fishing again last year after a 30 year break.  I find it most satisfying to plan my day around either trying a new technique, a new piece of equipment, or practicing a technique that I'm not good at.  If I'm really, really itching to catch fish then I will start out early in the morning and use a technique that I'm already good at.  Once I get a good fish in the boat (for me that's 2.5 pounds or bigger) then I'm moving on to my plan to try something new or work on my skills.  If I can catch one good fish and then spend a few hours getting better at another technique I'm really happy.  If I catch a few dinks along with the practice then I'm thrilled.  I don't like getting skunked but if I've learned something then I'm content that it's time well spent.   

[Arcs&sparks]

When the bite is super slow I like to try out some lures that don’t get much use, practice flipping and pitching,  study the lake, enjoy a cold one..  it all pays off when you have a killer day.  

[Hyrule Bass]

i just enjoy the fact that i am able to be fishing at that moment, whether im catching or not. obviously we all would love to be catching fish on every outing, but it just doesnt work that way normally. i just take solace in the fact that i am able to fishing at the moment, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the nature around me. really its just mental therapy for me basically, i forget about everything going on around me in the real world for awhile, a temporary escape sort of, its just really refreshing for me...

[keagbassr]

I just tell myself it beats work,raking,mowing,shoveling snow etc.

[Koz]

I don't stress or get frustrated when I'm fishing whether they are biting or not. I just enjoy being out there, usually with my son or our friends. If for some reason I'm not having a good time I pack it up and go home.

 

That being said, if things are really slow I'll go through half of my tackle bag trying different things.

[Glaucus]

If I'm not getting bit, I keep trying different things. If it continues to be slow, I pop a squat, drink some brews, and start junk fishing a wacky rig. I'll throw it here, there and everywhere while relaxing and enjoying the freedom of the outdoors.

[NHBull]

That what Petit Corona's are for

[A-Jay]

Purchase & use gear you enjoy using.

And then do so.

A-Jay

[ohboyitsrobby]

If I'm solo I'll go try new places and techniques. If my son is with me.... we go swimming of course.

[jbmaine]

sometimes you can do everything right and still not catch anything. I used to fish harder and harder, trying to catch something, anything, but as I've gotten older I've learned to kick back, and just enjoy all the wonderful places our fishing brings us to.

[frogflogger]

Fish with real big lures - surface or swimbait - then you can tell people you aren't catching BIG fish - I've done this for years and you will see some fish and learn a few things and maybe eventually catch a huge one.

[Angry John]

3 hours ago, jbmaine said:

sometimes you can do everything right and still not catch anything. I used to fish harder and harder, trying to catch something, anything, but as I've gotten older I've learned to kick back, and just enjoy all the wonderful places our fishing brings us to.

I like to travel to fish and see new and beautiful places.  Austin TX is a lot cooler place from lady bird lake and if you go in the evening you can watch the bats.

[EGbassing]

Try a topwater walking bait. It might not get any bites if they aren't active, but it sure is fun to fish.

[lo n slo]

me and my cousin listen to the radio and crack jokes whether we’re catching them or not. he really makes me laugh.

[Log Catcher]

I recently had a trip where the bite was slow. Heard a noise and saw a deer up on the bank. At least it made the day a little more interesting to watch it for a little bit.

[HeyCoach]

I went to a small reservoir lake the other day with a buddy. It was hot, no wind, no fish, but we had fun. 

 

We watched a squirrel fall out of a tree, land in the water, climb onto shore, shake off, and climb back into the tree. 

 

It was was rather comical. 

[Brew City Bass]

If it's been a while since my last bite (an hour) I'll usually grab the biggest stupidest lure in my boat and cast it for a bit. Sometimes it buys a bite, other times I just laugh at it and the other fishers in the area giving me a weird look as I throw a double cowgirl on a lake with no muskie.

[Arcs&sparks]

4 hours ago, lo n slo said:

me and my cousin listen to the radio and crack jokes whether we’re catching them or not. he really makes me laugh.

This^. Get a fishing buddy.  My fishing buddy and I have had the best days on the water while getting skunked.  Getting hung up in trees and losing lures can be downright hilarious with a good friend.  

[Bluebasser86]

If I'm not catching them and not having fun not catching them, I make changes so I can start catching them ?

[813basstard]

Man, I think we all been a bunch without a bite. Refuse to be discouraged. Keep throwing, keep switching tactics. Keep at it, ain’t nothing but fish. They’ll bite 

[timothy_spain]

I realized I'm not going to catch a limit or fish at all every trip.  If fish aren't biting, practice your cast to specific targets.  Or try new lures that I haven't tested out yet.  Make every trip a learning experience.  

[Stephen B]

Trust me I suffer from the same thing. It's all mentality. It can be discouraging when you aren't catching but its important to always think that each cast could be the cast to catch one. I have had times where I was fishing and was discouraged and not paying attention and got a bite and missed it. So just try to stay as positive as possible. Another thing I like to do  to enjoy myself more is to take a friend who would just enjoy being out there. It helps me calm down and enjoy myself more.

 

Also, go fishing new areas of the lake and study the new areas. 

 

 

[scaleface]

I sit back a little , stretch, rest my back ,look at  the scenery , eat a little ... Sometimes  a short break  is needed to get recharged . 

[NittyGrittyBoy]

When nothing is biting I'll change species I'm fishing for. I'll catch some bream and catfish somewhere lol. 

 

I usually carry a ultralight pole bass fishing so I can panfish if the bite is slow. If the sun's our most of the time you can catch a bream.