Anyone else skunked for 2021 still?

[Luke Barnes]

Granted the last four times I got a line wet were either family outings I happened to bring a little bit of gear with me or had my travel telescopic with a tiny little tackle box that's about the size of a pack of smokes. But I havent even caught a bluegill yet. When it was cold I threw an A Rig, dragged a new, slow cranked a swing head, creeped a drop shot. Nothing. Now that it's warmer ive only gotten to go for like 10 minutes before my kids required my attention. This time last year I had killed it! But so far 2021 is the year of bad luck for me. I feel bad because I spend way too much on fishing gear and tackle and lures and have nothing to show for it. I think maybe I just like collecting fishing gear more. Either way I'm bummed and need a break through bass in a bad way. 

[A-Jay]

I am.

And that will contine for quite a while unfortunately. 

But it seems like you're due to get a few fatties any day now.

Good Luck

A-Jay

[MN Fisher]

Considering that it's 68 days before Bass Season here in MN opens....ya, I'm still skunked.

[DitchPanda]

Nope no skunk here...so far I've caught perch,bluegill, crappie and rainbow trout.

[Luke Barnes]

6 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Considering that it's 68 days before Bass Season here in MN opens....ya, I'm still skunked.

So you have a limited season or is it a weather thing?

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Luke Barnes said:

So you have a limited season or is it a weather thing?

Bass, Walleye and Northern close the last day of February and open the middle of May - Bass for C&R only until Memorial Weekend when you can finally keep them if you wish.

[Finessegenics]

Bass season is currently open but I don't ice fish. I have the chance to catch one during the last week or two of March when the ice thaws but they're hard to locate. The season then closes on April 1 and re-opens on June 19th. So 102 days until bass season for me ? I usually end up catching one way before that as walleye or pike by-catch.

Edited March 9, 2021 by Finessegenics
typo

[Luke Barnes]

9 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Bass, Walleye and Northern close the last day of February and open the middle of May - Bass for C&R only until Memorial Weekend when you can finally keep them if you wish.

Is that to protect the spawn? @Finessegenics same question for you? Closed season because of the spawn? 

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Luke Barnes said:

Is that to protect the spawn?

Supposedly, but the spawn happens around mid-May most years...so in practice not really...at least for the bass.

Walleye are king here, and they spawn earlier, so yes...to protect the walleye spawn.

Bass opener use to be end of May, but enough got on the case that C&R was started when the main opener happened.

[Finessegenics]

Just now, Luke Barnes said:

Is that to protect the spawn? @Finessegenics same question for you? Closed season because of the spawn? 

 

That's the idea, but when the season finally opens a lot of them are on beds. So it's kinda pointless imo. Before June 19th, you're not even allowed to target them which is impossible to enforce. If you're on a spot and constantly catching them it's advised you change spots. If it's just by-catch then you should release the fish asap. It's basically a very strict c&r. 

[Spankey]

I'll be kicking my bass season off on April 5th or 10th, have done some winter trout fishing and that will continue for a little while longer. I'll be skunked for a bass for a bit yet. 

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Finessegenics said:

Before June 19th, you're not even allowed to target them which is impossible to enforce. If you're on a spot and constantly catching them it's advised you change spots. If it's just by-catch then you should release the fish asap. It's basically a very strict c&r. 

Ya - they're the same here. If they catch you with 'bass' lures before season, you might lose your fishing license for the year.

BUT - I've caught bass on 'panfish' lures (Mepps Comets, Beetle Spins, etc) so accidental catches WILL happen...but same thing. If you're catching nothing but bass...move along-move along.

[Michigander]

I'm still waiting for open water, so total bass caught is currently zero. ?

[Ski213]

I feel your pain.  Had it straight up handed to me yesterday, which was my first time out this year sadly. Never even got a bite. Threw a lot at them too. Stuff that should work, stuff that has typically  worked in the conditions, and then just threw whatever. Don’t get down. Just stay after it. 

[BrianMDTX]

Well...I said in my most recent Fishing Reports post that I wasn’t complaining about catching 7 dinks yesterday. Now I’m REALLY not complaining!!!

[Finessegenics]

25 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Ya - they're the same here. If they catch you with 'bass' lures before season, you might lose your fishing license for the year.

BUT - I've caught bass on 'panfish' lures (Mepps Comets, Beetle Spins, etc) so accidental catches WILL happen...but same thing. If you're catching nothing but bass...move along-move along.

 

The question then becomes what's a bass lure and what isn't? 

[TcRoc]

Skunked yup, haven't been out yet but.......... my forcast the next 4 days I'll be out on the banks.....Kayak.. nope.. not for another month or so.

[Michigander]

4 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

 

The question then becomes what's a bass lure and what isn't? 

Probably why it was mentioned it was unenforceable. ?

 

If MN wildlife officers are anything like Michigan DNR, they've already been observing what you've been doing before they come for you. You got your ticket from a distance and then they "deliver" it to you.

[BlakeMolone]

1 hour ago, Luke Barnes said:

So you have a limited season or is it a weather thing?

Fish around here are starting to feed like crazy, especially in the smaller bodies of water that are rapidly warming. I’ve been successful with several new to me techniques this week, get out and put that gear to use this week if you can swing it! 

[MN Fisher]

20 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

 

The question then becomes what's a bass lure and what isn't? 

Interpretation of the C.O. But I'd think that large spinners, chatters, buzzbaits would count. Magnum worms, punch rigs, larger swim/football jigs....quite a few things actually that a 9" Bluegill would run away from.

[Skunkmaster-k]

I am the skunkmaster. No bass yet this year . Short sleeve weather is coming soon woohoo !

[Deplorable Fisherman]

1 hour ago, Finessegenics said:

 

That's the idea, but when the season finally opens a lot of them are on beds. So it's kinda pointless imo. Before June 19th, you're not even allowed to target them which is impossible to enforce. If you're on a spot and constantly catching them it's advised you change spots. If it's just by-catch then you should release the fish asap. It's basically a very strict c&r. 

There's a portion of Lake Minnetonka that is closed to fishing all year. You just get to stare at it because it's the pristine grounds for bass. Too bad about the traffic at Minnetonka, it's an incredible lake. One of my biggest largemouth is out of that lake. 

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Deplorable Fisherman said:

There's a portion of Lake Minnetonka that is closed to fishing all year. You just get to stare at it because it's the pristine grounds for bass. Too bad about the traffic at Minnetonka, it's an incredible lake. One of my biggest largemouth is out of that lake. 

I've lived on Phelps Island for 35 years and this is the first I've heard of a closed part of 'Tonka...got any details?

[gim]

4 minutes ago, Deplorable Fisherman said:

There's a portion of Lake Minnetonka that is closed to fishing all year. You just get to stare at it because it's the pristine grounds for bass. Too bad about the traffic at Minnetonka, it's an incredible lake. One of my biggest largemouth is out of that lake

I’d like to know as well

[Luke Barnes]

14 minutes ago, BlakeMolone said:

Fish around here are starting to feed like crazy, especially in the smaller bodies of water that are rapidly warming. I’ve been successful with several new to me techniques this week, get out and put that gear to use this week if you can swing it! 

If I get a chance it will be for an hour or so after work at a pond. The only thing giving me any sort of confidence is they are usually heavy with fishing pressure but I havent started to see people out fishing yet. I will fish any way, any weather but I'm originally from upstate NY and these native Okies are pansys in cold weather!