You're Not Getting Bites, What's the First Thing You Change?

[Standard]

8 hours ago, Mike L said:

When the vast majority of your water is 5ft or less, depth really doesn’t play into it as much as the rest of you guys. 
 

Action, size and angle are the first things I change considering 70%-80% of my presentations are either pitching or flipping, especially this time of the year.

The Rate of retrieval is part of almost every cast for every bait anyway 

 

 

 

Mike

 

Usually, but I have had days on the river when they wouldn't look at a topwater, but would consistently hit a wake bait.  Or wanted nothing but a ned rig drug along the bottom, even in the shallows.

 

Of course, I've also had slow days where I said screw it and put on my 120 size Choppo and just hucked it until I found the hungry fish.  Late summer and into the fall is my favorite time, usually the big ones will hit a top water no matter what.

[Bankbeater]

First thing I change up is my retrieve.  Sometimes the bass won't go after a jig being hopped, but they will go after a jig that is dragged.

After that I'll change the depth, bait, and color.

[Alex from GA]

Depth and that usually means location.

[Darth-Baiter]

4 hours ago, Standard said:

 

Usually, but I have had days on the river when they wouldn't look at a topwater, but would consistently hit a wake bait.  Or wanted nothing but a ned rig drug along the bottom, even in the shallows.

 

Of course, I've also had slow days where I said screw it and put on my 120 size Choppo and just hucked it until I found the hungry fish.  Late summer and into the fall is my favorite time, usually the big ones will hit a top water no matter what.

Exactly.  Sometime they want it on top.  Sometimes the bottom.  Fast or slow.  This is not a euphemism for anything.

[king fisher]

First thing I change is my expectations, then my attitude.  I go from thinking I'm going to catch my PB on the first cast, to realizing I am going to have to work for my bites.

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, king fisher said:

First thing I change is my expectations, then my attitude.  I go from thinking I'm going to catch my PB on the first cast, to realizing I am going to have to work for my bites.

Perfect ~

This NEEDS to happen just about every trip I make.

In the truck on the way to the lake, I have to give myself a stern talking to. 

Otherwise, there is too much sadness and perhaps even a little sobbing. 

A-Jay

[Woody B]

Modern sonar has changed things for me.   I'm usually making targeted casts to what I believe are Bass on my screen.   If they don't respond I'll change speed, colors, depths (above, below or the same depth I see the fish at) and lures.   If it get's really tough I'll turn the sonar off and just beat the water to a froth with a variety of lures.  

 

After seeing all the monsters @T-Billy catches I've considered bringing several hats to change if I'm not getting bites.   

 

FWIW I don't do sadness or sobbing.  I got skunked last Sunday but I still had a good time.   Being able to go fish is enough to make me happy.  If I catch fish that's an added bonus.  

[T-Billy]

12 minutes ago, Woody B said:

After seeing all the monsters @T-Billy catches I've considered bringing several hats to change if I'm not getting bites.   

Fur lined plaid, and white mesh with a big orange T are the only colors required. Kinda like black worms and green punkin beavers. No need to overcomplicate things. ?

[12poundbass]

On 8/25/2023 at 10:14 AM, king fisher said:

Why is it I am the one that always has to change?  The bass are part of the relationship, maybe they should be less selfish, and change once in awhile.

Of course they are selfish….their name is literally in the word! ?

[thediscochef]

Probably the voltage on the fish whistle. Also depth.

[Zcoker]

When the going gets tough, time to change out to a big weightless worm, ala south Florida style and cast around any visible structure. That simple change is a guaranteed fish on!  

[TnRiver46]

If I’m not getting bites, I just keep waiting. 
 

to quote ace Ventura, “if I’m not back in 5 minutes, just wait longer”

[Sam]

On 8/24/2023 at 10:14 PM, Darth-Baiter said:

Depth and speed 

X2.

Good night everyone!!!!

[pdxfisher]

Usually the first thing I do is change locations (different depths, different types of cover, etc). If I have tried a couple of spots without success then I will slow down. Usually that means picking up my Ned rig rod. I consider a good day on the water any day I don't have to touch that rod  If the slowdown does not work then I do a complete 180 and try and burn something in as fast as I can. 

 

If none of that works then I resort to weeping and colorful language