What would you do? Tough fishin..

[MattStrykul]

So yesterday my brother and I went out fishing from about 2-7pm. We were fishing a reservoir where we have to fish pretty deep to catch fish so thats what we were doing. We got quiet a few bites but it was more like the fish were just swiping at our baits. I was throwing a c-rigged Baby brush hog and my brother was throwing a 5 inch lizard c-rigged. He caught 2 on a shakey head but they were still swiping at that as well. We were fishing between 18-30 feet, and I don't think the depth is a problem because last week we were doing very well fishing that deep, and we did have alot of bites. What would you guys change to if they are just kinda smacking the bait??

Thanks alot

Matt Strykul

[Sam]

Some suggestions to consider:

1.  Did you try the drop shot rig?

2.  Did you consider scaling down your bait sizes?

3.  Do you think a 4 inch Senko on a Wacky Rig would get their attention?  Or a 5 inch Senko?

4.  Did you throw a Fat Ika? Rigged backwards?

5.  Did you all ever use a Mojo rig in place of a Carolina rig?  You use the Mojo sinkers like a Carolina rig either above the swivel or just by itself free-flowing along your line.

Sometimes when the bite gets tough it is a good idea to go smaller with the baits and different presentations.

By using the Shakey Head, Wacky Worm and Drop Shot rigs you will have your bait jumping all around in their faces and if they are not feeding you can aggravate them into striking.

I would think a Texas rigged Senko would be an interesting alternative, too.

Maybe a cold front moved through your area and they had already fed the day or night before you went fishing.

Who knows? But thats the fun and challenge of fishing. Every day is a new day!

[jdw174]

If you're getting strikes but no hookups, I'd use the same lure, but change color/retrieve for starters.

[MattStrykul]

Thanks guys.

Sam I would try those but really don't like throwin wacky rig in 25 feet of water. I tried a 5 inch senko on a carolina rig but that didn't get me any bites.,

[5bass]

Matt, are you talking about Gaston?

I'd stick with the carolina rig fishing that deep but I'd switch up baits until something happened. But if that didnt work, I'd have to break out a Mann's 20+ with super sticky hooks....but thats just me....I have a ton of confidence in deep cranks.

[Floridabassking352]

I would slow down my presentation a great deal. I recently had this same problem and slowing down seemed to work pretty well, although the conditions were different. Still, you might want to give it a shot next time; maybe it'll work.

[MattStrykul]

Matt, are you talking about Gaston?

I'd stick with the carolina rig fishing that deep but I'd switch up baits until something happened. But if that didnt work, I'd have to break out a Mann's 20+ with super sticky hooks....but thats just me....I have a ton of confidence in deep cranks.

Nah its actaully the occoquan reservoir up in Northern Va. We had a little luck on topwater at gaston but they were shortstriking BAD. Biggest fish was close to 3 pounds.

Thanks for the tip on the mann's 20+. I love throwing deep cranks.

[bigbill]

When that happens I seen to be trying too hard or in a rush.  After i try everything in my tacklebox I go a second time changing up my presentations. I slow them way down.  

Its very hard were i fish right now mainly because of fishing pressure.  Everyone wants to catch that free meal nowadays. I fish mainly from shore and its getting tougher and tougher every year it gets harder and harder with less fish. I need to find some new places.

[blackrose55x]

I would slow down quite a bit, then just alternate different retrieves to see what worked best. Other than that you may want to downsize your lures...

[bass109]

hooks not sharp enough :-? your saying you already had alot of bites, so your using the right stuff. Might just be the hooks.

[MattStrykul]

No, its definetly not the hooks, I didn't even have time to set the hook a few times. I was using Gamakatsu 4/0 EWG they're my favorite.