What am I doing wrong?ADVICE

[thedilettantedad]

I am still following this thread and was wondering if you have checked - http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7749.html

I do not know exactly where you are in NY, but maybe you can find some more waters to check out. They also have stocking reports to look at. 

[TKFactory]

11 hours ago, scaleface said:

Are you fishing from bank or boat ..? are you fishing public lakes ,ponds..?

Bank, lakes and ponds, rivers and streams 

9 minutes ago, thedilettantedad said:

I am still following this thread and was wondering if you have checked - http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7749.html

I do not know exactly where you are in NY, but maybe you can find some more waters to check out. They also have stocking reports to look at. 

Syracuse Area and thank you for your generosity and linking me to this 

[TnRiver46]

From reading all the replies I believe the only thing I see that you are doing wrong is switching lures too often . Sometimes if you don't get bit in 10 minutes you just have to wait longer

[Sam]

14 hours ago, haggard said:

Not necessarily. Youtube vids showed me the basics and taught me how to fish for bass, how to operate a rod and reel. Just learn to filter out the nonsense. Even if they're pitching a product, not that there's anything wrong with that, you can still learn some basics. 

Yep. That's the hook. And yes, you can learn from them.

 

There are some great vids on YouTube.

 

If it was not against the law on the Forum I could give you the name of a guy who produces outstanding productions with no skin in the game. I may PM you his name so you can look him up.

[Ratherbfishing]

You are only seeing the times when something IS working.  You aren't seeing all the times when something isn't working.  How interesting would THAT be?  Take consolation in this (but not too much if you want to learn).  Also, with creative editing, time is compressed into a much shorter span. 

 

Regarding baits, when a You-tuber advocates a SPECIFIC bait ("gotta use X, Y, or Z"), they generally fall into 2 categories:  1) Have a vested interest in selling the bait, or 2) have had really good luck with X, Y, or Z and can't/aren't looking beyond it.  Another tendency is that YOU, the viewer, may watch someone else succeed with a certain bait and, when you don't follow suit, you ask yourself (as you have done) "What am I doing wrong?"  You may, indeed, be doing something wrong.  But it isn't inherently about you.  Here is the real answer to "reasonably" successful fishing: It is MOSTLY about location and conditions (to include time of year or season).   When you learn where the fish hang out and when (and why), the choice of bait (particularly in terms of brand) becomes less important.  Not unimportant, mind you, but LESS important.  You do still have to have the right tools for the job, BUT if there aren't any fish, there isn't any job.  Period.

 

 

[J.Vincent]

Understanding Bass behavior and seasonal movements along with a solid understanding about a lakes age, depth, forage, cover options and structure.....are the keys to finding and consistently catching Bass......Nobody does this perfectly all the time......not even the most succesful and accomplished Tournament Bass Pro in the history of the world. 

 

[Chris186]

21 hours ago, TKFactory said:

Ok, here is my problem, I have only been fishing for about a year. I have spent good money for the rods, reels,tackle and more. I always notice how people on here say that have only gone about a week without catching anything. I watch these Youtubers and pros and they can go to any pond, any lake and catch SOMETHING. It doesn't matter the conditions the clarity, it just seems that they put on any lure they please and catch a record. I listen to the people telling me I can't go fishing without this or that, I won't catch anything without this or that. I go about two months maybe three without catching ANYTHING. It is so frustrating so discouraging to me. I am only doing what others are doing to catch fish and...nothing. I have nobody to personally help me or guide me, I have to figure things out on my own and not catch a single thing while everyone else catches em by the pound. I am 100% sure that I am the only person on this website and on this planet with this problem. So there is my rant. Thank you for reading. 

Don't get discouraged, not catching anything comes with the territory. I have been fishing since I was 8 years old, I'm now 38 and last weekend I got completely skunked both days I went. Didn't matter what I threw, the fish were just giving me the middle finger. There has been a lot of great advice already given so I won't repeat any of it, but you have to try to stay positive. If you lose the battle in your head, you are for sure going to lose it on the water. 

[TKFactory]

3 hours ago, Sam said:

Yep. That's the hook. And yes, you can learn from them.

 

There are some great vids on YouTube.

 

If it was not against the law on the Forum I could give you the name of a guy who produces outstanding productions with no skin in the game. I may PM you his name so you can look him up.

Please do 

2 hours ago, Chris186 said:

Don't get discouraged, not catching anything comes with the territory. I have been fishing since I was 8 years old, I'm now 38 and last weekend I got completely skunked both days I went. Didn't matter what I threw, the fish were just giving me the middle finger. There has been a lot of great advice already given so I won't repeat any of it, but you have to try to stay positive. If you lose the battle in your head, you are for sure going to lose it on the water. 

Thank you for this. 

[Smalls]

10 hours ago, J.Vincent said:

Understanding Bass behavior and seasonal movements along with a solid understanding about a lakes age, depth, forage, cover options and structure.....are the keys to finding and consistently catching Bass......Nobody does this perfectly all the time......not even the most succesful and accomplished Tournament Bass Pro in the history of the world. 

 

You posted this :You are right, I only fish for about 2 hours. I notice blowups in the water. I have also thrown a small jig in this floating green stuff on the water and a giant one cut throw the green stuff to go to the middle of the pond. 

 

Now read the above again. You see blow ups, which means bass are feeding on top. Yet you threw a jig. 

 

I’m not poking fun, and mean no disrespect. But if you want to consistently catch bass, you need to understand their behavior as best you can. After that, you have to learn how outsmart or trick their very instinctive nature. You literally have to be better at being a bass than a bass. It’s not easy. 

 

Youtube is great, I’ve learned all sorts of tricks and tips. But seriously, even guys in BASS or FLW have come in with 0, 1, or 2 fish before. It’s fishing, not catching.