Why do I even fish?

[HeyCoach]

Got skunked again today throwing a green pumpkin finesse worm.

 

I’ve only caught 3 fish all summer minus the 4 on my honeymoon. 

 

I came home and the wife asked how it went. “It sucked,” was all I could muster. She asked a question that made me think. 

 

“Then why do you go?”

 

It’s just frustrating getting skunked so many times. I’ve been fishing about 3 dozen times this summer. Caught 3 dinks.

[Log Catcher]

You are like all of us on here. Chasing the dream of catching the big one.

[DINK WHISPERER]

If every day was a good one, it would get pretty boring imo. 

[Russ E]

Everyone gets skunked occasionally. It is just a part of fishing. Especially if you are targeting big fish.

However if I only caught 3 fish in 3 dozen trips, I would be looking for better places to fish.

I fish several different bodies of water. If one is not producing, I move to another.

 

 

[Gundog]

This year I had 4 trips to the lake in a row where I caught nothing. Nada, zip, zilch, naught, zero. It was frustrating, aggravating and constipating but I still fish. Why? Because needlepoint is too exciting.

[geo g]

When things are real tough I down size plastics, slow way down, look for the greenest, thickest, vegetation I can find, amd fish early or late.  It happens to everyone once in a while, just enjoy being out there and practice your casting placement.

[LCG]

Hang in there. Try to enjoy the outdoors and scenery. Keep it fun and relaxed. 

 

I try to learn something from each trip out. What I did right ,what I did wrong, or what I could have tried. 

 

You said you are fishing a finness worm. How about a jig, a Texas rigged worm or creature bait, a crankbait, chatterbait, spinners, in line spinners,etc. 

 

If the water is dirty, you may need something that displaces more water or makes sound. 

 

If you really like finness, maybe a ned rig, neko rig, drop shot,etc. 

 

I know it sucks to get skunked, happens to everyone. Just try to stay positive and have fun. 

 

Sometimes I target other species just for fun be it crappie, catfish, or carp. I would prefer a 10lb largemouth or a 6lb smallie but those are few and far between. 

[HeyCoach]

I’ve thrown everything in my tackle box. 

 

I’ve caught the fish on this summer:

black baby brush hog

Junebug Trick worm

Whopper Plopper

 

I foul hooked the spotted bass on the WP, somehow it got a treble hook under its chin. I’ve probably caught less than 3 pounds of fish total. 

[BigAngus752]

This summer has been a lot of one fish trips and some skunked days too, but there hasn't been a single day that I haven't learned something new.  Yesterday I fished 5 hours and caught one 2.5 pound bass.  Last week I was embarrassed to tell my wife I didn't catch anything AND I lost an $8 lure.  From a boat!  What idiot can't free up a lure from a boat?!  Answer:  me.  

 

I like being out there.  I always figure something out for the first time.  To be a bass fisherman you've got to be a glass-half-full kind of person.  Actually, when I'm fishing is the ONLY time I'm a glass-half-full person!

[Lead Head]

If things are that tough, try a ned rig. You will have the added potential of catching almost anything that swims.

[scaleface]

1 hour ago, HeyCoach said:

Got skunked again today throwing a green pumpkin finesse worm.

You didnt change   ? You need to change if you're not catching anything . Its not always slow down and fish thoroughly either . A lot of times it pays to speed up and cover more water .

[GReb]

First of that is rough. Been skunked many times but 3 fish in 36 outings just sucks. 

 

What time have you been fishing? Have you tried fishing all periods of the day?

[HeyCoach]

Today was about a 2hr trip, long enough to hit all of the piers and structure around the slough. 

 

I’ve gone out before sun rise so I can try a topwater bite when the sun comes up, been out at mid morning past lunchtime, mid afternoon through sunset.

[islandbass]

1 hour ago, HeyCoach said:

Got skunked again today throwing a green pumpkin finesse worm.

 

I’ve only caught 3 fish all summer minus the 4 on my honeymoon. 

 

I came home and the wife asked how it went. “It sucked,” was all I could muster. She asked a question that made me think. 

 

“Then why do you go?”

 

It’s just frustrating getting skunked so many times. I’ve been fishing about 3 dozen times this summer. Caught 3 dinks.

Buddy, four words.

Do not give up!

I’ve done worse. I’ve done more than that totally skunked. 

This is where attitude comes in. 

With the right attitude, a skunk out is never a complete loss.

So you didn’t catch a fish, but did you learn something?

Try to learn something from every trip. 

Did you take note of the lures you use? Their colors? Their size? How did you work  your lures? Fast slow? What line did you employ? What was the temp? The time of day? Did you observe the water? What cadence(s) in your retrieve did you use? 

 

There are so many things you can make note of when you’re skunked and not. 

 

You can store this into your deposit of knowledge. Keep depositing. Keep adding. 

 

Eventually, it will return to you dividends. Think if it is partially delayed gratification, but is it in my humble experience, knowledge and wisdom come manifest. Knowledge that you earned though blood, sweat, tears, and training and praying and eating your vitamins, working out in the gymnasium of skunk. 

 

So no, I do not accept your sulking attitude and two personal example from which I hope you can draw upon for inspiration and optimism. 

 

1) I’ve been fishing for 14 years and in this time I had never ever caught a bass on a spinnerbait or buzzbait. Initially, I wrote them off as baits that “don’t work in the Pacific Northwest.” What a bad attitude and tick poor conclusion. What a mark of a loser. Eventually, I changed my mind and did my research. I got to a new pond and based on the water color and time of day (evening approaching, sun setting, nearly dark) and relative shallow depth, I tied on my black and red buzz bait. I honestly couldn’t imagine what the strike would be like. I chose a somewhat fast retrieve because I was thinking it’s dark and I don’t want to give them a chance to get too good of a look, ie, force them to make a decision. Then a strike! I missed. A short strike. *#*#€# qbert style thoughts raced across my mind. 14 years a blank, I ain’t quitting now. Only had about 15 minutes left before having to get to work. I slow my retrieve just a wee bit to hopefully get them some time to latch on. BAM. It worked. Holy smokes, I finally did it. One heck of a monkey to get off your back. 

I followed the same process with a spinnerbait on a different trip. Before, one bass per outing was usually a good thing or the best I’d usually do. 

Similar conditions. Chose a red spinnerbait that had a willow and Colorado blade. The clevis of the Colorado blade was broken and I was a bit upset. It was too late to change it. Sun going down, 20 minutes before work. Had to roll with it. I was concerned that a willow wouldn’t give off enough sound or vibration. I was 100% wrong.  First cast, pretty fast retrieve, short strike. I was shocked I even got a hit. Made an adjustment to my retrieve and SMASH!! First spinnerbait bass! Dang!! Then bass numbers 2,3,4. What in the world is going on? Bass #5 I lost because I got my rod tangled in some over hanging tree limbs. However, #5 came. Five bass in less than 20 minutes? This is unheard of for me. 

Many of those years of to trying with nothing to show for it until i finally changed my attitude and tried to learn from every skunk out IMHO was the difference. Granted there were some years I did not even try a spinnerbait or buzzbait but it’s still a net 14 years. 

 

2) My poor brother. In this same time, I have been trying to help him catch his fish bass or blue gill or whatever.  But no. Nil. Nada. Whether fishing with me or by himself. His closest was in a story I wrote about in a different thread not to long ago. That’s right. Hooking into a fish and not landing it Does not count.  He’s visiting me now but is going home for good. This will be his last chance to catch a warm water fish for a very long time. Well, tomorrow, I’m taking him and i am going to give everything I have to make sure this 14 year skunk will end. I’m even going to have night crawlers on hand. 

 

So so if you can go 14 years of being skunked, I’ll feel for you. But not for 48 fishing stints. At least you caught dinks. 

 

Attitude is key and I know you know this, especially if by chance you might be a sport coach by occupation.  When you’re down you have to dig deep, especially when your mettle is tested. We all know this, whether it’s sports, fishing, or life. 

 

So go get them and lose the depressing attitude if only for your sake, lest your fishing gear be transformed into glorified dust collectors in the garage. ?

[Mike F]

I fish after work every day for about two hours, which sounds like the amount of time you are spending as well roughly? On my after work trips I have other things on my mind, “I’ve got to be home by this time or the girlfriend will worry/be upset, do I need to get gas tonight? What am I goin to pack for lunch tomorrow”, just things that run through my head when I know I have limited time to fish. And it is not uncommon For me to get skunked on these after work trips as a result of it.

   I haven’t caught a fish in three days, or six hours of fishing as of now because I was distracted, disheartened by my previous two days of failing, and end up hurrying my retrieves, or just not totally concentrating. 

 

On on the weekends, and particularly Friday nights for some reason, I tend to do very well because the distractions and obligations are gone from my mind it’s almost zen like, it’s like being totally focused which I struggle with when my time is limited. But it’s amazing how my state of mind can change the results of my outings, not even being positive and thinking I’m going to catch them, just being able to forget the world for an evening and have the patience to really try to feel what my lure is doing instead of   Being indignant that they “should” be biting it!

 

im not sure if what I described is happening to you, but I know it happens to my dad too. If it is, just set aside a whole afternoon if you can manage it, leave your phone in the truck, and don’t come back until you’re satisfied. 

 

Btw on really bad days I consider a good bite as not being skunked, the point of fishing is to fool a fish into trying your offering right? At least that’s what I tell myself 

 

good luck

 

 

[PNW LipRipper]

Guess that's why it's called fishing and not catching. Been skunked many times. It's just relaxing to be near the water and to never quit !!

[Stephen B]

My addiction to the next cast could be the ONE makes me never give up regardless of the outcome. Keep on pushing on. Trying new techniques, lures, etc may be beneficial. 

[JustJames]

All I could say is " hang in there" it happens to most of us, some less some more but more so for those shore hunters. 

If WP doesn't work try small popper with longer pause.

if trick worm doesn't work try wacky finesse worm or 4" worm.

if baby brush hog doesn't work try weightless baby menace.

Fall transition is pretty suck for me too, so this year I change my game plan. I target those tiny bass in shallow weedy area instead. Most of the fish I caught were within 5-10' from bank. Of course I caught a whole lot of dinks but I got 2-3lbers mix in once awhile. The good thing is I get to use some of my setup and a few of my lures that never get to see water for awhole year.

The key is to down size and slow down.

[TOXIC]

#1...Change your attitude.  If you are frustrated and have no confidence it will affect your results.  Treat it like the challenge it is.  Figure it out.  I like a challenge.  

[Catt]

The hunt is just satisfying to me as the catch, the catch validates hunt (If that makes sense).

 

Sometimes to get out of a slump only requires minor changes. 

 

Timing could be the culprit, just because you've found the structure & the bass doesn't mean they wanna bite.

 

@scaleface mentioned a change of speed; many times during the dog days of summer I'll pick up a Rat-L-Trap & burn it just under the surface.

 

Keep chunking-n-reeling... it'll change ?

[jbmaine]

The way you are feeling I'd suggest you just stop fishing. After a while the urge to go will get so strong you'll just be happy to be out on the water. Every late fall we put the boat away and spend all winter waiting for ice out. Come spring we don't always catch anything the first time or two out, but we're so happy to be on the water it doesn't matter much.

[NYWayfarer]

13 hours ago, Russ E said:

However if I only caught 3 fish in 3 dozen trips, I would be looking for better places to fish.

I fish several different bodies of water. If one is not producing, I move to another.

Good advice.

 

If you stick with it at the place you are currently fishing my advice would be to downsize your baits. I am not afraid to fish a wacky rigged 3" Yum Dinger on a 1/0 wacky hook to see what I can get. Berkley Atomic Tubes are also great baits to do a species assessment on a body of water.

[the reel ess]

You know those neat looking ponds that you drive by all the time and never give a second thought? Find out who owns them and ask to fish them. You'll be surprised how many people will say yes. Seems to me fewer will turn you down than will say yes. Most people want their ponds managed in some way. Then hit those places early or late with topwaters and everything else you already mentioned. I like to use the big bass baits in those places. In most ponds the dinks are starving so they'll still bite. It's a great way to get your confidence back and catch something, even if it's just dinks. If they're extremely small, I switch over to lighter tackle and bust out the Rooster Tail and Beetle Spin. Some of these ponds have monster bluegills too. Any action is better than no action.

[Scott F]

If I’d only caught 3 fish in 3 dozen trips, I’d have quit myself.  My suggestion is to find other people to fish with. Join a fishing club (not necessarily a tournament club). A lot of times, fishing by yourself, you keep repeating the same mistakes over and over without realizing you are doing something wrong. Watching how and where others present their baits will give you insights you can’t always get from reading or watching YouTube videos. Downsizing your baits is also a good idea. I have a friend who was struggling to catch bass while everyone else was doing well. He was copying the guys he saw on TV and throwing big baits going for big fish which isn’t a bad thing but he was coming up empty and not happy about it. Once he switched to what the rest of us were using, he started catching and wound up with some big fish to boot. 

[JustJames]

35 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

Good advice.

 

If you stick with it at the place you are currently fishing my advice would be to downsize your baits. I am not afraid to fish a wacky rigged 3" Yum Dinger on a 1/0 wacky hook to see what I can get. Berkley Atomic Tubes are also great baits to do a species assessment on a body of water.

Just special for you, try wacky rig you Roboworm Ned Worm.