I suck at this!

[Daddyodo]

I got skunked again!! This is getting old fast. Went out again this morning and not even a sniff! I REALLY SUCK AT THIS! :'( I tried fishing BPS Tournament series 7" ribbon tail worm black neon/chartr tail. I did not use anything else because I stink at plastic worms and want to get better. I AM REALLY GETTING DISCOURAGED :-[ I have 1 day a week to fish and that is only in the morning, from shore(no boat). I have veerryy limited funds to purchase lures and could use some advice.

My tackle box:

5" Senko   wtrmln/blk&red

BPS Tourney series 7" ribbon tail blk neon/chart tl

BPS Squirmin Bait Series 8" worm tequilla sunrise

Rapala Original Shad Color

2 spinnerbaits (not sure whos) chrtr skirt brass blade

  ivory skirt brass blade

BPS tourny series EWG hooks Red

BPS Buzzbait chartr/white skirt

Help!! somebody please.

When I go out I spend about 2 hours at a time. Does anyone live close to Columbia Maryland? I would love to see what I am doing wrong.

Thanks

Daddyodo

[grayAG]

Go to the articles in the upper left corner. Find the one about wacky rigging. Fish your Senko weightless with the hook in the middle. That technique usually does well.

[farmpond1]

First thing is this, don't get so down on yourself.  Every fisherman I've ever known has dry spells-especially in the summer.  Summer is a most difficult time for many fishermen.  Second (or third, or fourth), not every body of water is born equal.  Some are veritable gold mines while others have innate problems (too shallow, too polluted, overfished).  You may not be trying the best body of water.

Although I do think a plastic worm is a good all around bait, I find it a little amusing that you list your arsenal of baits and then insist on fishing only one type (the worm).  Try them all.  One of my go to baits-especially on spooky bass-is the floating Rapala.  Sounds like you have one of those.  Cast it out.  Let it sit for awhile.  Than twitch it.  If that doesn't work, using the rod tip especially, bring it under the water a few feet and than let it float back up.  Often they'll hit it on the rise.  If that doesn't work either, try a steady retrieve back to you.  If there are hungry bass in your lake, they will clobber the snot out of a Rapala.

What time in the morning are you getting out?  Sunrise?  That's generally the best time during the summer.  Once the sun comes up much more than a little over distant trees or buildings, the bite often tapers off.  I hate getting up really early myself but if you want to hedge your bets, that's the time to be out.  Until evening, anyway.

Only vampires should be proud of saying they suck at something.  You don't suck.  Just keep trying and if what you are trying doesn't pay off, try a different lake.

[roadwarrior]

Here ya go:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1158577137

8-)

[Daddyodo]

Hey Farmpond1 and RoadWarrior, thanks for the encouragement. I usually get out by 6:30-7. I have tried all the other baits to no avail. One thing I am learning is patience I'm still so new at this, I know I am making some fatal errors as far as technique and location. Even after reading everything I can and listening to advice from others especially RoadWarrior, (thank you for your post) I am still unsure of myself in regards to knowing where the fish are. I really do love going out and matching witts with the fish but so far I am on the short end of the stick. Oh well, there is always another day

P.S. Is there anything to fishing by the Astro table?

[Red]

Don't sweat it man.  I haven't caught a bass over 10 inches in like a month!!  But I still go out 3-5 times a week.  This summer is killing me, my worst yet.  One thing you might try if you can get them, is Zoom Super Fluke, rig it weightless, toss it out, let it sink, twitch twitch, sink.  Be ready they usually nail it on the fall.  Never give up man!!!  Good luck!

[Daddyodo]

Thank you Red I will give it a try. Weather here has been brutally hot. Mid to upper 90's so I going to blame my no luck on that.

daddyodo

[Hook Set]

We all hit slumps, I know I do.

Just keep hitting  the water and DON'T loose your confidence.

When all else fails, I just go back to the basics and try not to over think it.

[Vinny Chase]

Try using a Rebel pop-r or a Rapala skitter pop (shown below). They are very easy to use, inexpensive, and great on a calm morning. Rarely do i ever go with soft plastics in the morning, which might just be a confidence thing...Give one a try, but i'm warning you will get hooked on topwater!!

[MasterBasster09]

Keep your head up my friend. I went 2 years without catching a bass that hit the 3 pound mark. Broke my slump late last fall with a 3.3 and have been on fire this year. It goes in cycles. If you are fishing small waters, senko worms, and spinnerbaits have been good for me this year. One piece of advice though in weather like this. Fish as slow as you can possibly fish. When you get as slow as you think you can go, go slower than that. Whoever said wacky rigging  a senko is giving you good sound advice. Try different things and eventually you will hit on the right combination. Most of all....stay after it!!  Good luck and don't come back on here until you have a fish story!!!  That is all!!   

[fishermantony]

Use the discouragement and change it into focus and preserverence.  I'm determined to become proficient with every technique I try and won't quit until I do.  Getting skunked will just make me focus and study harder.  If I fish 10 hours without a bite, I'll take a deep breath and cast again.  I have a quick temper and can be a bit of a sore loser but I am learning there is really no room for this kind of behavior if you want to improve and compete.  Just channel it into focus.  There won't be a better feeling than when you start killing them. 

[Fishing Cowgirl]

Don't forget to try and work a worm slow.

Real slow.

I even had an older gentleman follow me around Shingle Creek in his john boat(when I was fishing solo) giving me helpful tips.

>>"Fish that worm slower, your not fishing it slow enough..that big ol fish is thinking about it.. get ready...She'll grab it..leave it alone till she moves it" LOL

But I listened, watched my line finally move off and pulled in a nice 4 lber..

But hey, if you tell me that sticking out my tongue and balancing on one foot will help me land a good one, I'll give it a try!

[fishfordollars]

Yep, you sure do if you truly believe the statement you posted. Refocus and put  a little more planning and effort and you should be fine. We all have spells we go through. Makes you appreciate the better days. Get serious and pull out the maps. contact any tackle shops in the area and get current information. It may not be the real deal, but it will give you a starting point to expand on.

Good luck.

[pudmunk]

Focus and patience my friend

It will come

[fishincop640]

Ahh....brings back so many memories.....If I wasn't so stubborn I would have given up a couple years ago.   In 2004 I was off work with a fractured foot.  Every day my dad would drive me (coz i had a standard shift truck) and my boat to the launch then pick up me up in the evening.....I can seriously remember going 3-4 days and not even getting a bite!!  I would also fish the lunker tournaments and see guys bringing in nice fish and I didn't even have a bite!  Stubborn me just kept my head down and kept fishing.....things have gotten a lot better since then thank God!!   Just downsize, slow down, speed up, whatever you can do.....Good luck and don't give up.

[fishincop640]

Also try to downsize your line....Here in Central PA the water is so clear I can't catch them on anything but 6#....sometimes even 4lb line!!