when is your weakest time to fish

[blanked]

what situation makes your confidence go down the hill.  cold fronts, ultra clear water, suspended bass, mid day fishing on hot clear calm days or what else???  do you attack the problem or shy away from it?

[nwgabassmaster]

For me, it honestly depends on what I am fishing.  If I am fishing Lake Weiss, or the Rocky Mountain project, or a couple of choice ponds, there is nothing that I fear when fishing them, at all.

Now, with Sloppy Floyd State Park, the winter time PERIOD is a tough time.  Yes, the pressure isn't there, as it is during the rest of the season, but, if you don't have a boat, which I don't right now, finding the fish is hard, due to the fact that you can't get a good cast to the deeper parts of the lakes.

There is one pond that I fish, almost exclusively in the winter, and I catch 10-12 bass there each time I go.  I haven't been there this winter, though, so, I might have to make a visit there soon.

On Lake Hartwell, on the SC/GA border, it has to be early spring.  You almost have to fish the main channels exclusively.  I learned my lesson the hard way, with a dude who didn't know more than I did, about the lake.  LOL

And yes, I do attack fishing in the winter time, but I find it funny that I can catch fish on a T-rigged finesse worm one day, and the next, they are slamming a suspending jerkbait.  LOL  I can catch fish, any given day, on something totally different than what I caught them with on the previous day.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

I FEAR NOTHING ...... just kidding.  I, in a way, kind of like when the conditions get tough.  It separates the men from the boys.

I guess the thing I struggle with most is early spring (right when you start to see a lot of bedding bass) and a huge cold front comes through.  I mean average highs in or near 70 for a a week or two, then out of no where a cold front comes through and drops the day time temps into the 40's.  It's bound to happen every year and I have really struggled during them.

[Guest avid]

Early in the morning.   > Can't ya see I'm sleeping!!!!!

[CJ]

January and Febuary.I guess it depends on the weather alot.As far as fish location,I hate it when they are suspended and love it when there on bottom.

[nwgabassmaster]

Well, I actually like fishing for suspending bass.  I use a Suspending Smithwick Jerkbait, and just let the fish tell me how they want it.

So, I have no fear of suspending bass.

[Cujo]

Definately the cold winter months.  I always get the urge to go, but I hardly ever catch anything.      >

[flippin4it.]

      I could'nt catch a suspended bass if my life depended on it. That is why this year I'm working on jerk baits. Bought the Smithwicks,X-raps and Rogues. Try and try again,I will win!

[basser89]

For some reason, I've had a tough time in the fall after the water drops below 70. Don't know why, I just get all rattled for some reason.    

[KU_Bassmaster.]

For some reason, I've had a tough time in the fall after the water drops below 70. Don't know why, I just get all rattled for some reason.

I've experienced the same thing in the past.  It seems to be really hit or miss.  Fortunately last fall it was more hit than miss. 8-)

[Gatorbassman]

For some reason my confidence drops drasticly when I am not on the lake with a rod in my had. I just can't seem to catch a dang fish.  

[KYbass1276]

When my best friend is catching fish on a spinnerbait that he peeled out of the bottom of his severly disfunctional takle box that he leaves in the sun when he ain't fishing on his ten dollar local bait shop clearance sell rod and reel while laughing at me for buying nice equipment and takle and having it orginized while I'm catching water and more of it tends to send my confidence to the bottom of the bucket. That and fishing in the cold

[RoLo]

You specified some of the most intimidating situations, with one exception.

The exception is midday on a hot, clear, calm day, which actually increases my confidence.

I would say that I'm most intimidated by falling air temperatures, when the air is already cooler

than the water. Though I won't shy away from this situation, it has often been my undoing :-[

[Madhouse27]

I think post spawn is the most challenging situation for me. It doesn't last very long but it can make for a challenging week or so. Not every fish in the lake is on the exact same schedule so I can usually find a few willing combatants but it can make for spotty fishing.  Not only are the bass somewhat more difficult to locate but they seem to just be sulking and recovering from the whole spawn deal. They are usually out in the deeper water that I like to fish so that is a positive. My plan this year is to slow down and work a drop shot rig once I find them. I'm thinking they are a little spent and won't want to work any harder than they have to. One good thing about the post spawn period is that you can usually do a little travelling and avoid the worst of it. Man am I ready to do some fishing....two months to go  :-/

[Rattletrap]

Post front, Bright Bue sky days.  :-/

[flyphisher #]

Georgia's Febuary weather really seems to make fishing tough in my neck of the woods. Sunny and warm for  2 or 3 days, then friday it starts raining with a 20 degree temp drop with a 25 mph east wind kicks my butt.....Certain conditions in august also kill me.

[papa smurf]

My weakest time definately has to be during those early spring cold fronts like the one we are having now.  Another tough time for me is during the late summer and early fall when it stays hot and dry like it did this year.

[mike22]

When there's ice on the lakes. >

[ranger50]

I agree with Mike, I can't get my cranks to dive under the ice either.

[nwgabassmaster]

I am at some of my best fishing when stuck outdoors, middle of the day, 100* outside, in the middle of July and August.  I can fish docks with a wacky-rigged Senko, and tear them up.  

[TLBassin]

.As far as fish location,I hate it when they are suspended and love it when there on bottom.

Same here.

I love a C-rig, thats where my confidence is.  But when there suspending, I have trouble gettin um in the boat.

[afroengineer]

Well I have a few weaknesses, right now it is that I cant find a weight to punch through the ice, but when there is no ice, I'm not very good during rain and/or cold. I am anxious for this year that because I have a lot more knowledge of where to look for the fish in these situations. So I guess i'll give it a try in about a month or 2, jeeze, 1 month, that is like 744 hours of not fishing. Winter is killing me.

[Basspastor]

#1 Ice

#2 When I'm tired, I have a heart condition which limits my endurance and a lack of sleep combined with hot weather can kick my butt.

#3 Extreme Wind 20MPH plus in post frontal conditions.

[Rattlinrogue]

Yesterday was a good example of conditions that I have no confidence in.Post cold front,bluebird skies,and the wind was so strong coming out of the North I couldn't control the boat.Even in the coves the wind was taking you where it wanted you to go.Worst conditions I've ever fished in.Needless to say I got skunked.

[cart7t]

Early pre-spawn, right after a big spring front has come through, with water temps dropping seriously and water clarity muddied up.

Bluebird skies, cold water, muddy to very murky water = Sleep in late and do yard work around the house.