How to have more fun when not catching em

[the reel ess]

Unless you're in a high level tournament, there really is no "pressure" to catch fish. I enjoy looking for a way to break the skunk. I'll try some technique that I haven't before. It really builds confidence if you ****** victory from the jaws of defeat with a method you haven't used.

[Log Catcher]

18 hours ago, HeyCoach said:

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. 

I had this happen to me last year only I didn't see it. I heard a big splash about 25' behind the boat. Squirrel got on a limb that broke with it. If it happened about a minute sooner it could have landed in the boat with me as I had just fished that spot.

[Will Wetline]

Sharkicane, I've been at your stage of the game with several different species, and y'know what? Hindsight from more than 50 years of waving a wand over the waters informs me that I'll catch more fish if I'm relaxed and in good humor rather than suffering with the delusion that I've gotta catch fish!

 

For one thing, even after decades of fishing, the fish at times will not bite even after multiple perfect presentations, especially if they're not at the spot I'm casting to. I stop short of dropping depth charges and will often put the rod down and have a snack and a sip. I stop reeling to watch an eagle fly by. I watch clouds go by, for goodness sake. I tell myself to "be cool," I have no obligations at the moment and I'm far away from traffic jams. 

 

It would be helpful to adopt this mindset. I'm also going to suggest you stop beating yourself up with unrealistic expectations. I do hope you catch fish, of course, but keep in mind you've just started and there's a learning curve, dues to be paid.

 

So! Get out there and experiment, analyze the results, and learn. Then go home and study Bass Resource pinned topics, read printed material, watch videos. And don't compare yourself to other fishermen. Be skeptical of advertisements for magic lures.

 

To sum up: Slow down and value your free time in a relaxed manner. 

 

[Bankbeater]

Most of the time I'll take some pics, reapply the sunscreen, eat something, and tie on new baits.  If I'm fishing out of a boat I'll start mapping the bottom.

[NittyGrittyBoy]

A good fishing partner goes a long way. I can get discouraged after a couple hours by myself, but when I have a partner we can fish for 8hrs during a tournament for 1 bite and laugh the whole time

[BCline]

When the bite is really slow or just completely non-existent, I practice my casting accuracy by targeting whatever happens to be there.  Floating garbage, turtles and ducks are some of my favorites and can be very satisfying. 

[EGbassing]

13 hours ago, BCline said:

When the bite is really slow or just completely non-existent, I practice my casting accuracy by targeting whatever happens to be there.  Floating garbage, turtles and ducks are some of my favorites and can be very satisfying. 

Sounds pretty inhumane...

[StrikePrince]

On 6/22/2018 at 10:33 AM, Hyrule Bass said:

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...

Great post, if you can set aside a day to go fishing then life is good. 

 

"i forget about everything going on around me in the real world..."

 

I'd say that fishing is getting to spend time in the real world; we spend most of our daily lives in a fake one.

[thinkingredneck]

Gotta pay you dues...  Fish the other side of the boat.  Cast jitterbugs and attract little gators, then get it in before they can get it.  Just enjoy being out.

[EGbassing]

I know I said to throw a walking bait before, but I've recently discovered something more fun than that. (It can actually get you some bites when they aren't biting sometimes too) Skip casting. Once you master it, it's addicting. It can also be really useful if you need to get a lure under a dock. I hooked my PB today doing that. He got off at the bank though...  

[Russ E]

Not much to add that has not already been said.  

I agree with those that have said, keep trying. 

 

I don't give up, I will either downsize and slow down or go to the other extreme and throw the faster baits., trying to trigger a reaction strike.

I may not always catch big fish, but usually I can trigger a few bites when things are tough.

 

[YaknBassn]

I'll rig up a little jig, chuck it at some bushes and spend some time catching bream.  It takes away the sting of saying "nothing" when my wife asks if I caught anything.  

Sometimes, I'll stop fishing altogether, pull out my binoculars and bird watch.  I've got a book that I use to identify species.  Everything from Kingfishers to Bald Eagles.

 

[Frisbie385]

Crack open an ice cold Miller Lite or find some shade and take a short nap.

[FishDewd]

I go lure hunting when the bite is slow! I usually find at least one good one... those who lose their lures in trees, forfeit those lures to poor ole me! I thank them all for their contributions! Saves me money buying them lol. Even if it's crappy lures, I can still get free hooks, weights, floats... that all costs money!

[Wurming67]

I think alot of experience that feeling that we have to catch fish.Why?We spend alot of money on gear,boat,truck and invest alot of time trying to be a better fishermen and you want to be successful and enjoy your hobby,but you are dealing with things that are totally out of your control weather and a fish both are unpredictable.Enjoy being out there, appreciate that you can do it,most imporantly you are connecting with nature which is so  good for the mind and soul it's called fishing not catching.

[ClackerBuzz]

we all fall victim to searching for the adrenaline rush of bass fishing.  ultimately fishing is about enjoying the outdoors which is what you have to re-learn during slow times.

[.ghoti.]

Casting practice. I pick a target; leaf, stick, whatever, and try to hit it. Pick a different target every cast. Change rod every few casts. Keep score. It will keep your interest up.

[FishDewd]

38 minutes ago, .ghoti. said:

Casting practice. I pick a target; leaf, stick, whatever, and try to hit it. Pick a different target every cast. Change rod every few casts. Keep score. It will keep your interest up.

Bonus points for getting snagged on the stick!

[Eric J]

If the bite's off I try some really ridiculous lures. This morning I ran a SK Anaconda. The sheer size of it was hysterical. I got into a conversation with another angler and we had a good laugh.

 

I also enjoy smoking pipes and always have one with me when I'm fishing solo. Very relaxing for me...

[scaleface]

  "not catching em"   whats that ?

[flyfisher]

start fly fishing.  it is the most fun way to fish without catching out there.

 

if i am have a tough day i never take a break though, i fish harder and try new stuff.  Can't get bit without something in the water

 

[papajoe222]

I reminisce about fun times fishing with old friends that are gone. Many of the lakes I fish, I’ve been fishing for decades. I’ve named many points and other structures  and some were given names by those friends, so if I’m fishing Dave’s point I’ll think about when, why, or just a memorable event that happened there. 

[Black Hawk Basser]

On 6/22/2018 at 5:30 PM, frogflogger said:

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.

This is what I frequently do.

 

Honestly, I think your attitude of expecting to catch fish every time is a good thing.  I believe that leads to becoming a better angler.  It's hard to remain confident after a couple bad trips, but focus on what you learned in the process and what to do differently next time.  Gotta put all the pieces together, the good and bad.

[Choporoz]

take up golf?

 

pardon my sarcasm and cynicism, but if fishing ever becomes a chore, I'll do something else....took me over 50 years to learn, but life is too short for me to spend any of my 'free' time doing anything I don't thoroughly enjoy

[Glenn]

This is what Keri and I do when the fishing slows down...