Super User MIbassyaker Posted February 23, 2021 Super User Posted February 23, 2021 I've been getting skunked all my life. Nowadays it happens only a few of times a year, often walking the river bank in spring. I find this to be kind of miraculous! When I was growing up, I would get skunked most of the time, everywhere! So often that I still expect to be skunked unless I'm actually on the water in a craft, somewhere I've caught fish before. And, of course, even then it still happens.
Super User WRB Posted February 24, 2021 Super User Posted February 24, 2021 Some days you feel lucky that you didn't fall out of the boat. Tom 2 3
Super User MassYak85 Posted February 25, 2021 Super User Posted February 25, 2021 I like to say getting skunked is "paying your dues" as a fisherman. If you were guaranteed to catch fish every time everyone would do it.
NoShoes Posted February 25, 2021 Posted February 25, 2021 Skunked today. Again. And the cocaine will be calling me again this weekend. every cast could be that cast. It’s why it’s so addicting
trout123 Posted February 25, 2021 Posted February 25, 2021 Living in the bay area getting skunked is normal lol
schplurg Posted February 25, 2021 Posted February 25, 2021 On 2/20/2021 at 6:14 PM, BrianMDTX said: Well, to be frank, there’s “I went out alll day Saturday and got skunked” and then there’s “I’ve been out 4-5 times a month the past six months and have been skunked every time.” I think the vast majority of us have been skunked on a day of fishing, used it as a learning tool and caught bass the next time on the water. But if you’ve fished 4 or 5 times a month for half a year with no bites, that’s a lot tougher to take. But, having said that, I bowhunted five years before I arrowed my first deer (a doe) and it was nine years before I put a tag on a buck. That could have been soul-crushing for some, but I stuck it out. Since then I’ve arrowed about 60 deer. Had I given up after the first year of days upon days of no sightings, I’d still be skunked. I 100% skunked for several months last season and I fished way more than 5 times a month. Bank fishing local tough waters but still, what the heck man? I've mentioned it here before. Not a single bite from any fish! I've only been fishing a few years though so I figured this was one of my big tests. It was seriously depressing and it messed with my head. Learning to fish is an adventure I figure and you gotta pay your dues, so I kept at it but I had VERY serious doubts about myself. "Why am I even grabbing my gear? I should just stand at the lake and stare at the water for 4 hours" A person could probably give up during this period. Later that season I started catching and I feel like I've improved a lot. I caught bass everywhere - best season so far. I feel very confident. I'll never forget that skunk. It was demoralizing and embarrassing but in the end I won I think the original post asked "character building or demoralizing', or similar. I'd say demoralizing unless you keep at it long enough to succeed, at which point it becomes character building.
Super User bulldog1935 Posted February 25, 2021 Super User Posted February 25, 2021 I've had so many lifetime dues-paid-up-fishing-natural-phenomenon days, the concept of a skunked day, let-down, etc. doesn't enter the picture. A skunked day is sitting in the office. Paying dues is how you get on natural phenomena that concentrate bait and gamefish. Paying dues is how you learn to plan around harmonics and structure, learn the water, even how to pick and use what bait. Recent salt trip, we had two beat-our-butt days for one absolutely phenomenal day. I'll take those odds and call the whole trip a success. No time on the water is wasted.
Junk Fisherman Posted February 25, 2021 Posted February 25, 2021 It all depends on the circumstances. If it is a lake I know well and the conditions are positive, then getting skunked is crippling. But the few times I have gotten skunked in the last few years was lake trout fishing in 40 degree water and fishing in a lake when I highly suspect they just did a weed kill. With finesse tactics and the amount of time I spend on the water when I fish, a true fishless day are really a thing of the past for me. The question that applies to me is about getting outfished or having a poor day in terms of my performance. After the initial disappointment and anger wears off, those days motivate me to improve. What should I have done? What did I do wrong that I need to improve upon? I am constantly trying to improve and evolve as a fisherman. A long time ago, I fished a 2-day club classic in very tough circumstances and all I needed was one fish to finish on our state playoff team. I didn't catch a single keeper fish in 2 days and missed out on the state team. That motivated me to study and practice over the offseason. I analyzed my strengths and weaknesses and how I needed to improve. That offseason was the best time in terms of my improvement.
Boulderman Posted February 25, 2021 Posted February 25, 2021 I'm a new bass angler (within the last two years), and this is my first winter fishing as often as I could (1-2 times per week). I have been skunked more often than not, but I think the skunks have taught me more than success could have. Seasonal behavior, water changes, lure techniques, etc. I think the greatest improvement I made through the skunks was my skill and aim with a baitcaster. I grew up using spinning reels, so getting my reps in with the baitcaster has resulted in much better control and accuracy (for me!). I try to learn something new every outing, and I hope it pays off this spring ?
evo2s197 Posted February 25, 2021 Posted February 25, 2021 I personally think that if an individual gets depressed or discouraged thats just a weakness said individual needs to work on, getting discouraged because of a unproductive day or days on the water is pretty pathetic, there are millions of people that would love to trade places just to have a chance even if a skunked day known before hand.
Super User DitchPanda Posted February 25, 2021 Author Super User Posted February 25, 2021 5 minutes ago, evo2s197 said: I personally think that if an individual gets depressed or discouraged thats just a weakness said individual needs to work on, getting discouraged because of a unproductive day or days on the water is pretty pathetic, there are millions of people that would love to trade places just to have a chance even if a skunked day known before hand. No different than somebody spending alot of time and money to get good at baseball only to get bummed when they lose. Fishing is a game we play and I don't agree that its pathetic to get bummed out when they fail especially if it is several outings in a row. If your really serious about bass fishing you will use those be negative feelings as a motivator to learn so you don't feel that way often. Remember everybody processes wins and losses differently...as long as you use failures as fuel to do better I think that's the goal. 2
evo2s197 Posted February 25, 2021 Posted February 25, 2021 30 minutes ago, DitchPanda said: I don't agree that its pathetic It's definitely a character flaw, its a past time hobby if you are discouraged because of a lack of productivity it is pretty pathetic, it's a first world problem, hate to see what happens if this hypothetical individual encounters real issues in life. Instead said unproductive day should light a fire under this individual and make them a even greater fisherman.
Super User DitchPanda Posted February 25, 2021 Author Super User Posted February 25, 2021 22 minutes ago, evo2s197 said: It's definitely a character flaw, its a past time hobby if you are discouraged because of a lack of productivity it is pretty pathetic, it's a first world problem, hate to see what happens if this hypothetical individual encounters real issues in life. Instead said unproductive day should light a fire under this individual and make them a even greater fisherman. So is it also pathetic to you when an pitcher is upset when they lose a big game?
evo2s197 Posted February 25, 2021 Posted February 25, 2021 11 minutes ago, DitchPanda said: So is it also pathetic to you when an pitcher is upset when they lose a big game? It's definitely a weakness if that pitcher gave it 100% then why are they upset, they are in more control of their pitching, than a angler trying to coerce a fish to bite a lure in fishing there are way more variables, pitching wasn't a good example.
MGF Posted February 25, 2021 Posted February 25, 2021 34 minutes ago, evo2s197 said: It's definitely a character flaw, its a past time hobby if you are discouraged because of a lack of productivity it is pretty pathetic, it's a first world problem, hate to see what happens if this hypothetical individual encounters real issues in life. Instead said unproductive day should light a fire under this individual and make them a even greater fisherman. I don't think we're talking about somebody with messed up priorities or being as miserable as when something really bad happens (a death or something). I think we're talking about somebody who is motivated to improve and perform well. Certain types of fishing are skill intensive and sharpening my skill is what I enjoy about it. On a day when my performance isn't what it should be you might get the idea that I'm not having fun but you have fun your way and I'll have fun my way. LOL What you would see when I have a real problem is the same self sufficient never give up attitude. Fishing isn't all that casual for me and I don't know of a law that says it has to be. 2 minutes ago, evo2s197 said: It's definitely a weakness if that pitcher gave it 100% then why are they upset, they are in more control of their pitching, than a angler trying to coerce a fish to bite a lure in fishing there are way more variables, pitching wasn't a good example. That old saying..."No try. Do."
Super User DitchPanda Posted February 25, 2021 Author Super User Posted February 25, 2021 21 minutes ago, evo2s197 said: It's definitely a weakness if that pitcher gave it 100% then why are they upset, they are in more control of their pitching, than a angler trying to coerce a fish to bite a lure in fishing there are way more variables, pitching wasn't a good example. Disagree...there is another variable you can't control in either...in fishing its the fish in baseball its the batter. You can only do what you can do. Lets go another way...basketball. Michael Jordan was extremely hard on himself for underperforming. He is also regarded as one of the hardest workers and best players ever in the history of the game. He is also weak and pathetic by your logic. 25 minutes ago, MGF said: I don't think we're talking about somebody with messed up priorities or being as miserable as when something really bad happens (a death or something). I think we're talking about somebody who is motivated to improve and perform well. Certain types of fishing are skill intensive and sharpening my skill is what I enjoy about it. On a day when my performance isn't what it should be you might get the idea that I'm not having fun but you have fun your way and I'll have fun my way. LOL What you would see when I have a real problem is the same self sufficient never give up attitude. Fishing isn't all that casual for me and I don't know of a law that says it has to be. That old saying..."No try. Do." See its not that hard of a concept to understand. This guy gets it. I'm saying its ok to be down and use that as a motivator to improve after a failure or what you perceive as failure. I'm not saying your gonna be devastated or emotionally wrecked like after you lose your job or your mom dies. I never asked if your in a life altering depression and can't function after getting skunked.
evo2s197 Posted February 25, 2021 Posted February 25, 2021 17 minutes ago, DitchPanda said: Disagree...there is another variable you can't control in either...in fishing its the fish in baseball its the batter. You can only do what you can do. Lets go another way...basketball. Michael Jordan was extremely hard on himself for underperforming. He is also regarded as one of the hardest workers and best players ever in the history of the game. He is also weak and pathetic by your logic. See its not that hard of a concept to understand. This guy gets it. I'm saying its ok to be down and use that as a motivator to improve after a failure or what you perceive as failure. I'm not saying your gonna be devastated or emotionally wrecked like after you lose your job or your mom dies. I never asked if your in a life altering depression and can't function after getting skunked. Your determination to argue your opinion which is what it is, proves you do not give up easily even if the argument is futile as are all arguments based off of opinions, you read too much into my posts and assumed other things, but nonetheless good job, definitely an A in my book.
Super User DitchPanda Posted February 25, 2021 Author Super User Posted February 25, 2021 47 minutes ago, evo2s197 said: Your determination to argue your opinion which is what it is, proves you do not give up easily even if the argument is futile as are all arguments based off of opinions, you read too much into my posts and assumed other things, but nonetheless good job, definitely an A in my book. I don't believe I read to much into anything...you said people getting bummed out for things you don't deem worthy of such feelings are weak and pathetic. But you are right on one thing these are all opinions that in the grand scheme don't matter. 1
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 25, 2021 Super User Posted February 25, 2021 We're done here... Good night Irene. 1 1
Recommended Posts