Thinking About Giving Up

[t_bone_713]

Good Evening,

 

I am a "born again" bass fisherman that well, simply put, can't catch anything.

 

When I younger I used to fish with my grandfather and I remember every time we went we each caught something. Even if it was just a little guy, it was something. I didn't know much, but I tied on a hook with a weight and a worm and just fished. "Hold the rod straight, pop it 3 times, 9 to 11, lower it down, reel in the slack, and if you feel something move your gear set the hook." I remember even catching a PB 4lbs 7oz at like 10 or 11.

 

All that aside I recently decided (at 28) that I want to bring fishing back into my life and into my family's life. I went out bought a 7' MH Fast, put on some 8lb mono, 1/8oz weights, 4/0 ewg hooks, and some senkos (Green Pumpkin and Black and Blue). Skunked. 11 sessions (2-5 hour sessions) at about 5 different spots between June and August. Not discouraged I took some time off to let it cool down a bit and did some research on spots to fish, simple lures to add to my arsenal to change up the presentation, and talked to some locals. I watched roughly 100 hours of fishing videos on youtube to make sure my hands were doing the right thing, what to add, and when to use them. I added 1/4 jigs with matching trailers (Green Pumpkin and Black and Blue), 1/8oz spinnerbaits (White and Chartreuse and Black and Blue), and #7 mojo rigged trick worms (Green Pumpkin and Black and Blue). Also learned drop shots craws (3/16oz) for the rare vertical structures.  Armed to the teeth I headed out between October and November to all the new spots that the locals told me about, the hot spots on Fishbrain, and the state protected inland fishery places. Skunked. 9 sessions (2-5 hour sessions). I've literally had a single bite. One. It was on a spinnerbait; I went to set the hook and flipped him out of the water and lost him.

 

All in all I've put about 200 hours into catching just one fish. I haven't. I have literally no idea what I am doing wrong. When I look up my "symptoms" I've already tried the answers. "Slow down, simplify, use a different color, do some research, talk to locals, etc." Where I used to find motivation in youtube fisherman catching something on silly things like a broom pole, string, and a hot dog or bringing a 5 year old with them to teach them to fish and they catch their first fish; I now only find frustration.

 

I want to do this. I really, really do. Help me remember my grandfather and rebuild a hobby I can share with my grand kids. Will you kind folks offer an advice to me and maybe convince me to give it one more shot?

 

Thank you in advance!

[The Bassman]

Would like to welcome you to the forums first. What jumped out at me in your post was when you mentioned that you were "armed to the teeth". I believe that's your problem. Too much too soon. Without getting bogged down in technical things go back to basics like when you were 10 (except with lures instead of live worms.) You'll get plenty of suggestions as this thread progresses. Get on just one or two basic techniques and think like you did years ago. There's lots of good info here. Best of luck.

[Harold Scoggins]

33 minutes ago, t_bone_713 said:

I want to do this.

You can. You are in the right spot to pick up the fun hobby of bass fishing. If you added up all the years of experience on this site and converted into miles, it would stretch well beyond the moon. I wish Bass Resource and the internet had been around when I was your age, it would have saved me thousands of hours. Glenn May and his team have built the best resource for fishing information IMO. Where are you located?

[LCG]

Hang in there buddy. I started fishing in when I was 34 and it took me an entire year to catch one bass. But that fish was worth it, I started to finally understand some things I was doing wrong. 

 

I am 40 now and have learned a ton. My advice is to stick to two techniques that are opposite of each other. One finesse technique and one moving bait. Master them. Don't give up. 

 

Personally a zman TRD rigged on a size 2 ewg hook and a 1/16oz bullet weight pegged on 6lb line is my go to finesse rig. For moving baits with vibration hard to beat either a 3/8 oz spinnerbait or a mepps inline spinner #3 or 4 in gold color. For moving baits with no vibration, my go to is a white curly tail grub. 

 

Maybe find where people are fishing and watch them. See if they can offer any advice on your bodies of water. If all else fails live worms never ever fail to catch something. 

 

[MN Fisher]

At one point or another, all of us get disenchanted - bad day, not being able to go out when you want, whatever.

 

This year I had 1 good bass, several dinks, 1 'hammerhandle' northern and a bunch of non-keeper panfish....ya, it was a bad year.

 

I'm still going to go out next year - it's the getting out there that matters...catching some nice fish is a bonus.

 

Hang in there - concentrate on just a few techniques, learn the lake(s) you're fishing (contour maps are a great item) and learn from the folks here.

[jimmyjoe]

  

2 minutes ago, LCG said:

If all else fails live worms never ever fail to catch something. 

   Yup. Go back to the basics. There's no shame in using live bait.  Get some confidence that way, get the family interested, and then gradually move into artificials. And remember ...... have fun.  ?  jj

[WRB]

I can see why you are frustrated. You started out using a Senko apparently T-rigged with a 1/8 oz weight. 1 simple basic presentation that the majority of BR members tote as a fail safe presetnation. Anyone who believes the lure and presentation is the key to catching bass is mistaken. Bass don't strike lures because the angler thinks it's good, they strike because it looks alive to them. The key here is it looks alive to the bass and to do that you must put the lure into the basses strike zone.....location and timing is the key.

You talked to local anglers, try asking them to take you along with them and show you how they catch bass. Talk is cheap and often misleading, on the water tutoring from a good angler willing to teach you is priceless.

You have the right stuff, don't add more.

You didn't include any info regarding your regional location, my suggestion is add where you are located, it helps.

Tom

[Scott F]

Aside from not catching any bass, you don’t provide much other information about your location, or if you fish from shore only. In my view, it seems like you need to be fishing with someone else who is having some success. I always give this advice to new guys. Join a club. Doesn’t have to be a tournament club. Just start hanging out with other fishermen. My experience shows that fishermen are almost always willing and happy to pass on their knowledge. If someone will take you out and show you the patterns that are working on your local waters. You’ll learn faster and have more fun than trying to figure it out alone.

[Sam]

T-bone, we all want to give you some advice but we need your help, first.

 

First, please update your avatar with your physical location and where you like to fish.

 

Second, please go to the Introduction section and introduce yourself.

 

Now, as for to you getting shut out, it happens to all of us. 

 

If we know your physical location and the types of waters you like to fish we can really dig in deep and give you some good advice.

 

Welcome to the Forum. Become a regular and read, read, and read some more. Take your time this winter to read and study your little green opponent. Ask us questions. Challenge us to give you some good advice. And then you will be armed and dangerous this spring.

[Craig P]

As others have said, hang in there and trim down your tackle. Take with you only a couple of presentations and that’s it. Learn them fully!

 

As for Senkos, I fish a lake where I couldn’t buy a bite with Senkos until one day I bought a different color, then it changed dramatically.  I was never a believer in color as I have a trout spin fishing background, color was always for the angler so I could see the spinner depending on water color.  I’ve obviously since changed that opinion so get fancy with some color. Orange / Black (I forget the real name) has never failed me, regardless of water color. 

 

About those Senkos. Next time out, try wacky rig on a standard J hook without any weight. Cast it into tight areas along the bank and brush and then watch that slack line. Yep, you’re going to get snags but your production will increase and your confidence will sky rocket.

 

I speak from experience of being exactly where you are at, I’m just a year ahead of you now. It will come together for you. 

[Hook2Jaw]

☹️  Don't give up yet! 

 

Like everyone else has said, focus on one presentation at a time.  When I began to take bass fishing seriously instead of as an every once in a while thing, I looked up the best ways to catch bass.

 

That brought me here, so we're on the same path.  I ended up with a Pflueger Trion 2500, a Berkley Lighting Rod 7' Medium Fast, some braid, ten pound fluorocarbon leader, some 3/0 EWG worm hooks and some 5" Yamamoto Senkos.  I settled on two colors, green pumpkin for my clearer water, and black and blue for stained and dirty.

 

The best advice I can give you is to fish an often productive technique like a Texas rigged stick bait -- this is still my answer to the dreaded skunk, and start putting it close to shoreline cover.  Give it a while to touch bottom, give it a slow lift, and allow it to drop again.  You should eventually get bit.

[Shimano_1]

Like has already been stated I think you're overwhelming yourself with all the options and techniques.  If your not catching fish it can be mind boggling as to why or where or what you should do. I would ask myself if I actually enjoyed being out and the act of fishing.  If I didn't then I'd sell all that gear. If I did then I'd quit looking at it like you're failing if you're not catching.  If you enjoy the time on the water and putting the puzzle together...the catching part will come. Personally I'd focus on say a jig and maybe a spinnerbait this time of year and leave everything else at home. Once you start catching fish and continue to try new things it will all start falling into place. Good luck on your journey! 

[TriStateBassin106]

I am too a (Born again) angler! got back into this sport last April and I have been having a blast! start slow my man! 

 

 

A great beginner bait is a Green Pumpkin senko with a texas rig, Fish it slow and drag across the bottom! watch that line! And always make sure to set the hook upwards with Texas rigs!! 

 

Here's a link on here that might help you! 

 

 

 

And a video by a great youtuber called Realistic Fishing on how to fish the texas rig! 

 

 

[t_bone_713]

1 hour ago, The Bassman said:

Would like to welcome you to the forums first. What jumped out at me in your post was when you mentioned that you were "armed to the teeth". I believe that's your problem. Too much too soon. Without getting bogged down in technical things go back to basics like when you were 10 (except with lures instead of live worms.) You'll get plenty of suggestions as this thread progresses. Get on just one or two basic techniques and think like you did years ago. There's lots of good info here. Best of luck.

Thanks for the kind words! Might just grab Roland Martin's favorite next time out. 4/0 EWG, 1/8 bullet weight, and 297 Green Pumpkin Senko and leave the rest at home!

1 hour ago, Harold Scoggins said:

You can. You are in the right spot to pick up the fun hobby of bass fishing. If you added up all the years of experience on this site and converted into miles, it would stretch well beyond the moon. I wish Bass Resource and the internet had been around when I was your age, it would have saved me thousands of hours. Glenn May and his team have built the best resource for fishing information IMO. Where are you located?

Hampton Roads and Northeast North Carolina!

1 hour ago, LCG said:

Hang in there buddy. I started fishing in when I was 34 and it took me an entire year to catch one bass. But that fish was worth it, I started to finally understand some things I was doing wrong. 

 

I am 40 now and have learned a ton. My advice is to stick to two techniques that are opposite of each other. One finesse technique and one moving bait. Master them. Don't give up. 

 

Personally a zman TRD rigged on a size 2 ewg hook and a 1/16oz bullet weight pegged on 6lb line is my go to finesse rig. For moving baits with vibration hard to beat either a 3/8 oz spinnerbait or a mepps inline spinner #3 or 4 in gold color. For moving baits with no vibration, my go to is a white curly tail grub. 

 

Maybe find where people are fishing and watch them. See if they can offer any advice on your bodies of water. If all else fails live worms never ever fail to catch something. 

 

Thanks for the kind words! That a size 2? or a 2/0? Choose two. Got it.

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

At one point or another, all of us get disenchanted - bad day, not being able to go out when you want, whatever.

 

This year I had 1 good bass, several dinks, 1 'hammerhandle' northern and a bunch of non-keeper panfish....ya, it was a bad year.

 

I'm still going to go out next year - it's the getting out there that matters...catching some nice fish is a bonus.

 

Hang in there - concentrate on just a few techniques, learn the lake(s) you're fishing (contour maps are a great item) and learn from the folks here.

Concentrate on a few techniques. What's the best way to get contour maps?

1 hour ago, jimmyjoe said:

  

   Yup. Go back to the basics. There's no shame in using live bait.  Get some confidence that way, get the family interested, and then gradually move into artificials. And remember ...... have fun.  ?  jj

Thanks!!

1 hour ago, Scott F said:

Aside from not catching any bass, you don’t provide much other information about your location, or if you fish from shore only. In my view, it seems like you need to be fishing with someone else who is having some success. I always give this advice to new guys. Join a club. Doesn’t have to be a tournament club. Just start hanging out with other fishermen. My experience shows that fishermen are almost always willing and happy to pass on their knowledge. If someone will take you out and show you the patterns that are working on your local waters. You’ll learn faster and have more fun than trying to figure it out alone.

Sorry! Hampton Roads and Northeast North Carolina! Banks for now! Maybe a Kayak?

50 minutes ago, Sam said:

T-bone, we all want to give you some advice but we need your help, first.

 

First, please update your avatar with your physical location and where you like to fish.

 

Second, please go to the Introduction section and introduce yourself.

 

Now, as for to you getting shut out, it happens to all of us. 

 

If we know your physical location and the types of waters you like to fish we can really dig in deep and give you some good advice.

 

Welcome to the Forum. Become a regular and read, read, and read some more. Take your time this winter to read and study your little green opponent. Ask us questions. Challenge us to give you some good advice. And then you will be armed and dangerous this spring.

Hampton Roads and Northeast North Carolina! I will update those asap! Thanks!

[BigAngus752]

I would bet my boat that you have gotten bites.  All those hours spent, I would bet you've gotten bit several times.  Do some research on what a bite feels like and when you should set the hook.  Sometimes a bite is the opposite of what common sense says it should be.  If you are waiting for that "tug" you are missing a lot of fish.  The hardest thing for me to swing on is the "weightless" feeling where the bass picks it up and sits with it.  I have gotten to the point (just this year in fact) that I am paying close enough attention to the line that I'm hooking fish based solely on the movement of my line.  These things are tough to learn but pay huge dividends.  

[t_bone_713]

50 minutes ago, Craig P said:

As others have said, hang in there and trim down your tackle. Take with you only a couple of presentations and that’s it. Learn them fully!

 

As for Senkos, I fish a lake where I couldn’t buy a bite with Senkos until one day I bought a different color, then it changed dramatically.  I was never a believer in color as I have a trout spin fishing background, color was always for the angler so I could see the spinner depending on water color.  I’ve obviously since changed that opinion so get fancy with some color. Orange / Black (I forget the real name) has never failed me, regardless of water color. 

 

About those Senkos. Next time out, try wacky rig on a standard J hook without any weight. Cast it into tight areas along the bank and brush and then watch that slack line. Yep, you’re going to get snags but your production will increase and your confidence will sky rocket.

 

I speak from experience of being exactly where you are at, I’m just a year ahead of you now. It will come together for you. 

Thanks it helps to know people have been where I am! How did you go about picking colors? I've did the two aforementioned colors because EVERY youtuber says those are the two colors they would choose but youtube fisherman and real people are very different. Thank you so much!

36 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

☹️  Don't give up yet! 

 

Like everyone else has said, focus on one presentation at a time.  When I began to take bass fishing seriously instead of as an every once in a while thing, I looked up the best ways to catch bass.

 

That brought me here, so we're on the same path.  I ended up with a Pflueger Trion 2500, a Berkley Lighting Rod 7' Medium Fast, some braid, ten pound fluorocarbon leader, some 3/0 EWG worm hooks and some 5" Yamamoto Senkos.  I settled on two colors, green pumpkin for my clearer water, and black and blue for stained and dirty.

 

The best advice I can give you is to fish an often productive technique like a Texas rigged stick bait -- this is still my answer to the dreaded skunk, and start putting it close to shoreline cover.  Give it a while to touch bottom, give it a slow lift, and allow it to drop again.  You should eventually get bit.

My man! Thank you so much!

[MN Fisher]

9 minutes ago, t_bone_713 said:

Concentrate on a few techniques. What's the best way to get contour maps?

Couple places - there's a link to the Navonics maps here on BR

https://www.bassresource.com/maps/fishing-spots-maps.html

 

I personally use I-Boating's maps and app on my Tablet

http://fishing-app.gpsnauticalcharts.com/i-boating-fishing-web-app/fishing-marine-charts-navigation.html#4.05/40.821/-96.957

 

With either one, just scroll around and zoom in to your lake.

[t_bone_713]

27 minutes ago, Shimano_1 said:

Like has already been stated I think you're overwhelming yourself with all the options and techniques.  If your not catching fish it can be mind boggling as to why or where or what you should do. I would ask myself if I actually enjoyed being out and the act of fishing.  If I didn't then I'd sell all that gear. If I did then I'd quit looking at it like you're failing if you're not catching.  If you enjoy the time on the water and putting the puzzle together...the catching part will come. Personally I'd focus on say a jig and maybe a spinnerbait this time of year and leave everything else at home. Once you start catching fish and continue to try new things it will all start falling into place. Good luck on your journey! 

That's the only thing that has kept me going is being outside and the burning desire to figure this out for myself and other reasons!

6 minutes ago, BigAngus752 said:

I would bet my boat that you have gotten bites.  All those hours spent, I would bet you've gotten bit several times.  Do some research on what a bite feels like and when you should set the hook.  Sometimes a bite is the opposite of what common sense says it should be.  If you are waiting for that "tug" you are missing a lot of fish.  The hardest thing for me to swing on is the "weightless" feeling where the bass picks it up and sits with it.  I have gotten to the point (just this year in fact) that I am paying close enough attention to the line that I'm hooking fish based solely on the movement of my line.  These things are tough to learn but pay huge dividends.  

I started out "setting the hook" on everything that felt well like anything, anything that moved my gear that I didn't cause, just like grandpa said. I felt like I was dry firing ALL THE TIME cause I was. How did you learn this technique? Thanks!!!

[jimmyjoe]

10 minutes ago, t_bone_713 said:

I started out "setting the hook" on everything that felt well like anything, anything that moved my gear that I didn't cause, just like grandpa said. I felt like I was dry firing ALL THE TIME cause I was. How did you learn this technique?

   I know where you're at.

   Here's some advice. Not for forever, but just for now. Watch your line, like  @BigAngus752 said. When you see it move, count slowly to three before you swing for the bleachers. That way you won't pull the lure out of the fish's mouth. This is one thing that's a little different from live bait fishing, mostly because of the different hooks used and the way they're rigged.     jj    

[Ratherbfishing]

Don't take anything but an assortment of ribbon tail worms between 6 and 8 inches long and of various colors.  Drag them along at different speeds (but mostly slow) in and around vegetation.  Don't forget to stop every now and again to tie your shoe or reach for a soda.  This is when the bites will come.

[BigAngus752]

44 minutes ago, t_bone_713 said:

I started out "setting the hook" on everything that felt well like anything, anything that moved my gear that I didn't cause, just like grandpa said. I felt like I was dry firing ALL THE TIME cause I was. How did you learn this technique? Thanks!!!

If your line moves, something moved it!  You're doing it right.  You just have to swing and miss a million times to get it right.  Unfortunately I fish all manmade reservoirs that are chock full of timber so I break off at least a couple times every trip just because I swing at something I think I felt or saw.  @jimmyjoe is giving you good advice.  I still have issues with swinging early before the fish has it all the way in their mouth.  Bass fishing requires a lot of self-discipline.  Learn to watch, feel, wait, and set the hook.  It's hard to do, but if it was easy I wouldn't bother with it.  

[GreenPig]

I'd throw a 1/8 oz Rooster Tail if you just want to catch some fish. I've never seen a body of water that has bass that a Rooster Tail wouldn't catch a few. 

[Craig P]

1 hour ago, t_bone_713 said:

2 hours ago, Craig P said:

 

Thanks it helps to know people have been where I am! How did you go about picking colors? I've did the two aforementioned colors because EVERY youtuber says those are the two colors they would choose but youtube fisherman and real people are very different. Thank you so much!

To be honest, finding the right color was luck. I have a friend who went through it with me if you will. Every time we went out, we always made sure to use something different from each other and that included stick bait color. We’d pick up a pack here and there and wing it and one day we finally started producing bites. We’ve since found a few other colors that work for us as well but only because we finally found something that gave us confidence. 
 

To go a little deeper, find the style you like to fish and fish it. To me, that is enjoyable fishing. I mentioned in another thread that when I can’t get bit using the popular bass methods, I go to an in-line spinner like a CP or Swiss Swing and I can always muster a fish or two, sometimes more. Is that bait magical?  Nah, I’ve just been fishing it forever and I know how to fish that bait / style.

[scaleface]

Too many hours , no fish. Youre doing it wrong . Are you fishing from bank or craft , describe it . Ponds ,  reservoirs , rivers..? Weeds , wood, rock..? clear water , stained , muddy ..? Spinning , baitcasting , spincast .Give all the info you can think of .

[ike8120]

I just got back into bass fishing this year. 

I only caught 2 bass this season, I am a bank fishermen. But I would rather be fishing and enjoying the outdoors then sitting on a couch watching nothing on TV. I am basically finding out what I like and don't like in the way of tackle, etc.

I feel like I am just paying my dues.  Don't get frustrated, in time you will be killing them.