Graphing Tactics for Dummies

[Rpratt]

I have had my boat for 4 years now, and I admittedly am primarily a bank beater (mainly to the type of lakes I fish). It's time to expand but I have some questions that I hope can be answered.

 

Ok, so let's do example A. I am cruising along on the trolling motor 20-50 and I can see fish on my graph. I have decent idea that those are probably bass by the way they are spaced out. They could be 5-30 deep. Why can I never ever catch those fish? 

 

Did I spook them by going over them? Do I need to let them rest a few minutes before bombs away? Or would it be something I am missing? (Besides you stink as angler...)

[Team9nine]

Hard to tell. Are they suspended well up off the bottom, or tight to it? Super clear water or more stained?

 

My first guess is that they are NOT bass because you haven't caught one yet. If they are suspended, it might be because you aren't getting your lure right back to the depth and exact location where the fish was. If they are tight to the bottom, you should have at least got bit if you've done this enough times and tossed something relatively standard like a jig or worm at them. Guys sit right over the top of fish all the time and catch them, so makes me question if they really are bass.

[Rpratt]

Sorry, this happens all the time. If I can see fish on my graph, which I do all day, I am not catching fish that I graph. I meant to say it pretty much covers all situations. It's just odd, and my buddies I fish with, are all confused as to that problem too.

[TnRiver46]

I have similar experiences. The river is ancient  and full of fish most everywhere. Just because they are there doesn’t mean you can catch them . If you have some clear water, try snorkeling in summer. It will make you feel like a terrible fisherman! I’ve had big smallies swim right up to my diving mask to say hello in places I had fished for hours and got skunked. If every fish that marked on a graph got caught, we would be out of fish by now 

[galyonj]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

If every fish that marked on a graph got caught, we would be out of fish by now 

 

That's true, I've seen your graph.

[TnRiver46]

58 minutes ago, galyonj said:

 

That's true, I've seen your graph.

I want a graph that shoots the fish with laser beems. I don’t need to see them, I know they are there. I need to eat them! 

[Smokinal]

First thing I want to know is how are you doing 20-50 on your trolling motor??

Is that a 72V, 340lb thrust motor?

[Rpratt]

 

49 minutes ago, Smokinal said:

First thing I want to know is how are you doing 20-50 on your trolling motor??

Is that a 72V, 340lb thrust motor?

Not 20-50 MPH LOL! Power setting...20-50 %. I don't own a Garmin Ghost ?

 

Think what I am getting at is what strategy should I employ to get at those fish. The water is usually probably to stained to try drop shotting. Maybe my trolling motor is spooking the fish? I normally will just keep it running as I go down the bank...?‍♂️

 

 

[Smokinal]

29 minutes ago, Rpratt said:

 

Not 20-50 MPH LOL! Power setting...20-50 %. I don't own a Garmin Ghost ?

 

Think what I am getting at is what strategy should I employ to get at those fish. The water is usually probably to stained to try drop shotting. Maybe my trolling motor is spooking the fish? I normally will just keep it running as I go down the bank...?‍♂️

 

 

?

If it's stained, I doubt you're spooking them in anything over 15fow. 

I have this issue too and I attribute it to either them not being bass; or that I'm not on the exact spot that I saw them.  If you're sure you are over them or very close to them, I definitely wouldn't rule out a drop shot in any type of water, just adjust your bait color until you find something they like.  Try Green Pumpkin, Morning Dawn or Chartreuse. If no go there, and they are on the bottom, try a worm of various colors on a shakey head.

[ryanerb]

Suspended bass can always be tougher to catch.

What is the water temp? What time of year? 

Do the fish look 'active' on the sonar, showing streaking? Chasing bait? 

 

 

Might be time to break out a night crawler just to see what kind of fish it is, even if it is a crappie they would probably bite it. A night crawler might be the answer for everyone trying to catch those fish that won't bite... however I'm sure even sometimes they dont want to bite that!