A total skunk

[BrianMDTX]

I mean, a total 100% skunk. Not just no catches, not even one nibble. I’ve been skunked a couple of times but had soft bites or missed a few blow-ups on topwaters, but I can’t recall fishing 4+ hours and not getting one strike. 
 

And as we’ve gotten rain and the pond is refilled, and baitfish were being chased like crazy, it was baffling. 
 

Still had a good time, though. Nice to get back on the water without walking across mud flats to get the boat in the water! 

[Captain Phil]

13 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

I’ve been skunked a couple of times but had soft bites or missed a few blow-ups on topwaters, but I can’t recall fishing 4+ hours and not getting one strike. 

 

Seriously?   I've had times when a missed strike from a mud fish was the highlight of the day!  ☺️

[TnRiver46]

My condolences . It has happened to me ! 

[DitchPanda]

It happens...anybody that claims it hasn't happened to them is either lying or...............they aren't telling the truth. Early and late season up here in the north it happens fairly regular. Have learned some tricks and techniques over the years to make it happen less often.

[Swamp Girl]

Yep, we've all been there. Sometimes Mother Nature clamps her babies' mouths. I'm guessing you still enjoyed your time on the water and I admire your honesty. It makes all feel a little less alone, remembering all the times when we were skunked. Yesterday, I was literally skunked, for whereas I caught some fish, I smelled a skunk all morning!

[BrianMDTX]

Like I said, I’ve days aplenty where I caught zero fish, but at least had a soft bite or two. This was the first time I can recall where I got nothing at all. Not even one tap. 
 

This baitfish thing has me wondering. There’s always been bluegill and bass (and likely catfish) fry in this pond. Not a ton, and normally close to shore in the weeds. But in the past month I’ve seen numerous large schools of some small baitfish (look like typical minnows to me) that are slashing across the surface from against the bank to out in the middle of the pond. I don’t know why I’ve never seen this until this summer (been fishing here since 2020). I talked to a park ranger a month or so ago (before I noticed these baitfish) and asked about stocking, and he said the ponds were stocked when the ponds were created but they do not restock. But I think someone has stocked these fish. Regardless, it adds something to see them break the surface. And hopefully the bass eat them and get bigger! 

[Catt]

Couple weeks ago I was approached by a friend who is a game warden, he said I hate doing this but I need to see your liecence.

 

I told him I don't need one to practice casting!

[Mike L]

Don’t feel bad. 
If that was your first time or even your 2nd or 3rd…. you’re a lot better than you think!

?

 

 

 

 

Mike

[TnRiver46]

I fished for like 13 hours one day and didn’t get a single bite. I was about to though 

[gim]

19 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I fished for like 13 hours one day and didn’t get a single bite.

 

Holy cow, that is dedication...and pure stubbornness.

 

I can remember one time years ago when my Grandfather asked me to go walleye fishing on the Friday of Labor Day weekend.  I told him no because I knew the bite was poor at the time.  He went for 8 hours, never caught a thing.  Then he asked me if I wanted to go on Saturday, and told him I already had plans to field hunt geese.  I found out later he went 7 hours that day without even a bite.

 

Labor Day rolls around, and he has the audacity to ask if I wanted to on Monday.  I looked at him like he was an idiot and said "You can't be serious.  You just went for 2 days straight without a bite and now you're going again?"  He said "yep, I refuse to stay home."  I then said "I'm not going.  I think you should wait for the bite to pick back up before you go again."

 

Turns out he went by himself again that day for 7 hours and once again, never even had a bite.  For those of you counting, that's 22 hours straight without a bite or a fish.  And I'm not talking muskie fishing here either.

 

That's when I realized that he was probably the most stubborn man on this planet.

[BrianMDTX]

Your grandfather’s name isn’t Job by any chance, is it? ?

[Swamp Girl]

23 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

Holy cow, that is dedication...and pure stubbornness.

 

I can remember one time years ago when my Grandfather asked me to go walleye fishing on the Friday of Labor Day weekend.  I told him no because I knew the bite was poor at the time.  He went for 8 hours, never caught a thing.  Then he asked me if I wanted to go on Saturday, and told him I already had plans to field hunt geese.  I found out later he went 7 hours that day without even a bite.

 

Labor Day rolls around, and he has the audacity to ask if I wanted to on Monday.  I looked at him like he was an idiot and said "You can't be serious.  You just went for 2 days straight without a bite and now you're going again?"  He said "yep, I refuse to stay home."  I then said "I'm not going.  I think you should wait for the bite to pick back up before you go again."

 

Turns out he went by himself again that day for 7 hours and once again, never even had a bite.  For those of you counting, that's 22 hours straight without a bite or a fish.  And I'm not talking muskie fishing here either.

 

That's when I realized that he was probably the most stubborn man on this planet.

I love your grandpappy!

41 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I fished for like 13 hours one day and didn’t get a single bite. I was about to though 

I too am an optimist! 

[Bankbeater]

I've had a lot of days like that over the years.  That's how I started lure hunting.  Got bored with no bites, started looking around.

[GRiver]

Been there- done that….. but I still had fun. 

[Zcoker]

It can happen to anyone...or not. It's more a state of mind, too. I mean, when the skunk starts getting deeper and deeper into the day or night, one suddenly feels that it's doom and gloom. With that kinda negative weight upon the shoulders, it's almost like a heavy conditioning. Trying to fish in in that is like trying to fish in a gutter. My approach is to simply move around a LOT with as much positivity as possible. Moving around with a fresh outlook on things always seems to keep the bass biting.

[Jmilburn76]

I just got home from the second time in a row getting skunked, I dont get it as I go to the same place and fish the same I have all year. Just part of it I guess.

[GreenPig]

Skunked! You need some lures and maybe a new combo to prevent that from happening anymore. ?

[BrianMDTX]

1 hour ago, GreenPig said:

Skunked! You need some lures and maybe a new combo to prevent that from happening anymore. ?

A capital idea, sir!