Realistic expectations?

[Holetail]

I’ve been bank fishing pretty hard through the winter here in NC. Mostly just in neighborhood retention ponds for an hour or two a trip. Been having some luck on drop shot and weightless worms both TR & wacky rigged but feel like I should be catching more than 1 or 2 per day. Mostly dinks up to a pound fish. I’ve seen bigger fish but cannot seem to get them to bite. Question is, am I being unrealistic in feeling like I should be catching more than 1 or 2? I know it’s relative, but wanted to gauge what y’all feel is a good bank fishing outing. 

[TriStateBassin106]

I mean, it is the winter time. I wish I could carch bass right now hahaha. 

[Bluebasser86]

A whole lot of variables go into what you should be expecting. If the population in your ponds isn't good, then 1-2 a day might be right on par. If there's a good population of bass in them, then there's probably something you could be doing differently to be catching more and/or bigger fish.

[Hammer 4]

To add to what Bluebasser said, I would look if possible for any structure, i.e. grass, any type of wood/trees, ect. As bass usually bigger bass will use structure to ambush prey, the biggest bass will find the Best spots.

You didn't say what the depth is, nor what type of rods/reels you have. A couple of things you could try to get a bigger bite. I'd get a 3/8 or 1/2 oz Arky type skirted jig in a natural color, and grab a pack of Reaction Innovations sweet beavers. Cut off about 4 rings of the beaver and thread onto the jig. You can search here or youtube on how to do that.

Then toss it into any cover/structure on your pond, be Patient, work it slowly, by casting out, let it hit bottom, then hop it about a foot off the bottom, make sure to watch your line, and keep on of your fingers on the line to detect any bites. There are other ways to try and catch them, but I would try this first.

I've fished almost every pond in So. Cali, so I know catching fish can be frustrating, hang in there, and try to learn from every outing. 

[Biglittle8]

I'm in N.C. too, try fishing some other baits like lipless or square bill cranks. I have had a ton of luck with a Ratl-Trap fished fast using my rod tip to control the depth. Just rip it through any weed beds you find . With a bigger(1/2 oz) lure you can weed out some of the small dinks. Sometimes with the bigger fish you have to pi** them off to get them to strike, a fast retrieved crank or spinner bait can do that. 

[Holetail]

  Thanks for all the replies so far. As far as depth goes, ponds are maybe 6’ max with heavy snot grass over sand. No real structure to speak of so mostly fishing weed edges and the few deeper holes and channels I have found. I’ve tried jigs and it wasn’t worth the effort due to the muck. Was thinking of giving the lipless a try but figured I should wait until the fish are more active? Seem to only bite super slow finesse now but weather is warming so I’m hoping they fire up. 
  Got into bass fishing hard in the last year. Went from one med spinning rig on the bank to 10 combos and a boat! Still skunked on the boat, but haven’t gotten out much but that will change. I wanted to ask about expectations since I was catching 1-2 fish per trip last year on just a weightless senko and very little experience (did manage a few 4 and 5’s) Now fishing same ponds with more experience and better gear, I am expecting to up it to 3-4 per trip. I realize there are so many factors that affect this, and no one can predict catching. Just wanted to see what others typically catch to manage my own expectations. 

[DitchPanda]

Well time of year and as @Bluebasser86 said overall population both have an impact. I have a local pond that doesn't have a great population that I hope to catch 2-5 a trip most of the year. Likewise I have a couple other ponds that have better populations that its not uncommon to fish 3 hours and catch 15. A few summers back I hit it right and caught I think 27 in 2 hours. But to address the time of year thing even in those ponds with good numbers there are times...like ice out and mid summer...when its not uncommon to get skunked.

[Biglittle8]

7 hours ago, Holetail said:

  Thanks for all the replies so far. As far as depth goes, ponds are maybe 6’ max with heavy snot grass over sand. No real structure to speak of so mostly fishing weed edges and the few deeper holes and channels I have found. I’ve tried jigs and it wasn’t worth the effort due to the muck. Was thinking of giving the lipless a try but figured I should wait until the fish are more active? Seem to only bite super slow finesse now but weather is warming so I’m hoping they fire up. 
  Got into bass fishing hard in the last year. Went from one med spinning rig on the bank to 10 combos and a boat! Still skunked on the boat, but haven’t gotten out much but that will change. I wanted to ask about expectations since I was catching 1-2 fish per trip last year on just a weightless senko and very little experience (did manage a few 4 and 5’s) Now fishing same ponds with more experience and better gear, I am expecting to up it to 3-4 per trip. I realize there are so many factors that affect this, and no one can predict catching. Just wanted to see what others typically catch to manage my own expectations. 

I use lipless cranks year round. Try it, rip em fast to start with then try different retrieves. You'll be cleaning your hooks a lot, but the grass is more than likely holding fish if it's the only " structure" in the pond. I don't ever leave any technic or lure off the table unless it doesn't work when I give it an honest try. Fish don't have to be super active for a reaction strike. 

[Holetail]

Thanks Dink. Will give it a try. I see you fish Sutton, you in the ILM area? I have blanked there the 3 or 4 times I’ve had my boat out there so far this year

[Holetail]

Sorry big little. Didn’t mean to call you dink. Just realized what that means... haha

[Koz]

In my opinion, winter fishing is always a crap shoot. You can be in the ideal spot with the ideal bait, but with the metabolism of the bass slowed they will conserve energy until they are really hungry. Timing is more important than ever in the winter.

 

One day you might catch a handful of fish and for the next week you draw blanks. My personal philosophy is I'm just happy to be outside in the winter and anything I catch is a bonus. Other than that, I just be patient and wait for the warmer water temperatures.

[Bankbeater]

When I go fishing late fall, winter, and early spring I'm just happy to get out.  Catching is an added bonus.

[huZZah]

Winter fishing is about being outside when weathers nicer. Hanging with my kids. Catching a fish is just gravy.  Catching 2 is heaven. 

[Darth-Baiter]

Zero expectations here.  I never know what’s going to happen.  It’s why, despite the fact that I’m a full grown adult will still lose sleep the night before a fishing trip (or hunting trip).  The excitement and nerves still get me. 
 

sone days I just hope I don’t get skunked. 

[Deleted account]

It just started getting good here last week. Was having to crappie fish for bass with NED like things, and other ultra finesse stuff to get bit. After the last warming trend, It's been getting better by the day on several baits. JB, square bill and chatter getting it done, spinnerbait coming on. I'm hoping we get rain, and it doesn't get warm to fast, will be good right to the spawn. Biggest so far a tad over 3. More females in the mix.

[Herbert Lorenzo]

There have been days when I would have been thrilled to have caught 1 or 2 bass . In fact there have been days when I would have been happy to have had a bite . It's all about timing , amount of actual fishing time on water , location , and ...a lot of other things. No matter what , be thankful you are healthy and able to be fishing .

[huZZah]

I’ve caught 1 each of my last 3 outings. Lol can’t remember the last time I had this much luck! Errr skill, I mean skill.