Can't catch any fish!

[CountryPhil]

Hey guys, I have been reading a lot on this forum lately and finally decided to post!

My dad just bought a 2006 Triton Tr-186 with a Mercury Optimax 150. We love fishing and are just now starting to get serious about bass fishing. He used to have a old john boat with a 1978 Johnson 5 hp. Its so nice having a good boat. Anyways.....

We have been fishing probably 5 times since we got the boat. Each time being a couple of hours and the last two times being 3 1/2 hours. All of these trips have been to local lakes. I live in Mississippi and we have been to Sardis upper and lower lakes, Lakeview, and Flower lake.

The problem is we havent been able to catch any fish! I mean i have been fishing ponds since i can remember and am decently confident in my abilities to catch bass but i just cant seem to either locate or catch them on big water.

Is it the weather in the south making them not bite or my presentation? I have fished with everything including Senkos, Tubes, Worms, Cranks, Spinnerbaits, Jerkbaits, and Rat-L-Traps. We have caught NOTHING and am starting to get a little discouraged. We have fished cover located on the bank and trees out in the water but not too much structure on the bottom because its hard to find.

Any tips that will help us bring that first fish in the new boat?

[bassmasta7]

It could be many things. Lots of fish are still in deep water in the south. This makes it very tough to find fish in unfamiliar territory. Dont worry it wont be long till the Bass are beding in your area and then you will have better luck. Last summer i got frustrated because i just got my first boat and couldnt catch fish on local lakes. After a while you will finaly catch a fish and there will be many more to come. You just have to get used to the water and find your honey hole.

[fishingrulz]

the first is always the hardest then the hardest thing is getting that darn bait monkey to go away

[Guest avid]

There are plenty of good articles on fishing new water.  Check them out I'm sure they will help.   There are alot of variables.  Keep at it.  You'll get em.

[CJ]

For starts I would get a topo.Look for creek channels,hump,points,or any of the sharper changes in elevation.This time of year I would mainly be concentrating on points(water temps pending).You will need to get used to that depth finder and don't pay any attention to the fish marks just look at the bottom contour and also pay attention to nearby banks for rocks(if any availible) do this only to get an idea what the bottom structure is like.A bouy marker is important when you first discover a ledge or point.Find your drop off and drop off your bouy.There is usually something on most points that will hold fish if the point or ledge isn't all that is holding them.I would seach during this season close to the main channel or deeper waters of the lake.If your lake is just mostly shallow and flat then cover is what you need to seek out.

The lures you have been using sound fine to me.I would probally lean more toward a crankbait,suspending jerkbait,spinner,or jig this time of year.I would definatly tinker with the presentation though.A slow presentation will work most all the time.

Hope this is some help.Oh yeah....Welcome to the forums.This is a good thread you started.

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

Fishing will pick up over the next couple of weeks. There is a wealth of information in the BassResource.com library. That's where you should start. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at just how much this resource can help you to get going. Every article has a number of links and every link directs you to more links. Take a few notes on the things you want to try and information that specifically adresses the situations you face. Believe me, it is ALL here.

Catching bass is really pretty easy, finding them can be a challenge!

[ball_coach_1]

Nice boat....keep your chin up, that sucker needs used.

I agree with all that is posted above this one, as all the guys are helpful with their information.

A lot of my fishing was learned by finding people who would tell me exactly where to go, exactly what to do, and the best times to do it.  Fishing ponds can be much different than fishing lakes, especially this time of year.   Ask specific questions on here, especially the "fishing locations" board for your area, go to a local bait & tackle and start hanging out, meet people, and ask questions...make friends there.  

It won't be long until you may be the guy in the tackle shop offering info and giving us all tips on this site.

Beware...you will soon be an ADDICT.

[fishinfool]

I had the same problem once i finally got my boat and started hitting bigger water. I probably didn't catch anything the first 5 times I went out. It's a game of trial and errror, just keep chucking that bait around and you'll find them soon enough. Oh, nice boat by the way!  8-)

[dodgeguy]

first of all 3.5 hours is nothing.pros can go all day with no bites and then catch 5 in 20 minutes.you just may be going at the worst time.if you went 5 times for 8 hours each and got skunked every time i would think you have a problem.try fishing longer and try fishing smaller waters.progress up to larger waters gradually.

[RoLo]

Since you and your dad have already tried many different presentations,

I have a hunch that you may be dealing with a "location" issue.

Unless you're a tournament fisherman, location begins with Lake Selection.

When I lived in New Jersey the Fish and Game Commission rated the bass population

of all state waters as follows: Abundant - Good - Fair - Poor - Absent

An average fisherman could do great in waters rated "Abundant", while an above-average fisherman

would usually do poorly in waters rated "Poor".

If you're an obsessive-type like myself (God forbid), you might want to purchase the hydrographic

and topographic charts of "all" state waters with GPS coordinates that have an abundant bass population.

In this manner, you'll have all year to pre-select trial sites in the comfort of your home.

Maybe I'm a little crazy, but catching bass on a trial site selected at home is probably my greatest joy

of fishing, where the catching itself has become somewhat anticlimatic

In any event, the best of luck to you and your dad in that beautiful new rig 8-)

Roger