Why do I keep getting skunked?

[BassBoy01]

I fish Lake Candlewood and Lake Lillinonah I have fished them for almost 2 years now and I havent been able to put together a pattern. Trying to make this year great but I honestly just dont know where to begin. I appreciated anyone who takes the time to reply! Thank you!

[papajoe222]

Welcome to BR

Although I'm not familiar with either lake, I have to ask; Are you fishing from the bank, a boat, what type of experience, skill level do you have.  The more info you give us, the better. Also, check out both the Fishing Reports and Fishing Location forums as someone there may have the info that will answer you

[scaleface]

Looking at Lake Candlewood with Google Earth , i come upon this . What the hey ? Is this a boating accident ?

 

[MN Fisher]

5 minutes ago, scaleface said:

Looking at Lake Candlewood with Google Earth , i come upon this . What the hey ? Is this a boating accident ?

Looks like a barge being pushed - see it here on Minnetonka occasionally with the milfoil harvesters.

[CrankFate]

Keep fishing. Skunking builds character.

[jimmyjoe]

   For right now, tell us what worked sometimes in the last 2 years and what didn't work at all in the last 2 years.

   Give us an idea of:

   1) depth of water

   2) all general types or designs of lures you possess

   3) tell us what you expect when you say, "pattern".

 

   If the people here can help me, they sure as heck can help you. ? Talk to us.         jj

[BassBoy01]

Im currently fishing from a 17 ft bass boat thats pretty tricked out graph wise. Im not the type to ask for help so I dont think I ever really got to understanding my electronics I dont know what areas to fish at what times, or at least thats what I think is wrong. I just got into using google earth and that has helped me quite a bit but I struggle to figure out which baits to use and when.

[Conrod]

Are you fishing too fast?

[Leacrab]

Sounds like you are fishing history. Quit going out and fishing where you caught them yesterday. Take what you learn at you practice (location) and apply it to where fish might be today ( location) by there pattern. A pattern will sometimes be sustainable (location) where the fish you located may not be where you left them. That doesn’t mean they won’t bite what they bit yesterday they just moved. Use seasonal patterns to follow them.

[Team9nine]

Slide over to RichZ’s bass blog, type your lakes into the search bar, then read and study ?

[J Francho]

11 hours ago, scaleface said:

Looking at Lake Candlewood with Google Earth , i come upon this . What the hey ? Is this a boating accident ?

Barge for transporting materials and building docks.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, J Francho said:

building docks.

Ya - we got one of those tooting around Tonka too. Lets the guys put in the docks without getting their feet (legs, hips, etc) wet.

[BurrStone]

I fish these lakes with some regularity and have good days & bad days. I fish mostly plastics, finesse fishing. I always have a chance fishing Lillinonah with a roboworm drop shot, which seems to work well there. But that lake has the snaggiest bottom anywhere I've ever fished. Laydowns are everywhere which is good, but man ... As far as Candlewood also drop shots, ned rigs, heck I caught my PB smallie there last spring on a grub. Have had good luck w/t-rigged senkos working shallows, too, at both lakes. Best thing to do is keep moving ... that's what the smallies are doing. 

[papajoe222]

Start with seasonal locations. If you're comfortable targeting shallow cover an structure, you'll be able to put your lures in front of some fish in all but the coldest water. Pick your lures according to what level of activity you expect to encounter.......bluebird skies=fairly inactive fish holding tight to cover or suspended off of deep structure.......overcast or windy conditions= fish willing to chase a bait. From there you can refine your 'pattern'