Trouble Catching fish on my local lake

[whj812]

:-[

I am having problems even getting bass to strike now... I have went fishing the past 2 weekends without landing a single bass.  I have been using all of the same techniques that worked a few weeks back, without any luck.  

The lake here is really dropping fast, and the days have been long and hot providing pretty tough conditions.  I did however catch 4 bass 2 weeks ago using senkos, but since then nothing.....

I am still new to Bass fishing, but know that they do have patterns.  Because of the change in lake level and the nights are cooler, have the bass that were there just changed patterns/locations in preparation for fall?

Im stumped.....Im fishing again this weekend and am looking for some advice to take with me.

Thanks in advance!

[.ghoti.]

If the water level is dropping rapidly, all the fish will be in deeper water. This is, I believe, instinctual behavior. They don't want to get stranded. If it is really dropping they may not bite well until the level stabilizes, or the rate of level change slows. Find some deep structure, and fish it slowly.

Cheers,

GK

[Jayman139]

I would try something faster...maybe a Black worm (i love Culprit) texas rigged screw in weight...the bigger the weight the faster it goes....If you fish the same area alot with the same bait I believe the fish catch on...if you want something faster....rattle-trap never fails....

[whj812]

I normally hit some of the same structure each time, but it is highly fished.  There is usually a tournament each Friday night close to where I fish.  I am trying somewhere new this weekend, and hope to have some better luck.  

We are having cooler nights here bringing the water temp down in the lower 80s, so hopefully some better luck this weekend.

[moby bass]

I am having a similar problem at my local pond. Several weeks ago I was slaying them.  Now it's one now and again.  I don't know if they are too used to seeing the same stuff thrown at them, I do use plastic a lot and try new things all the time, or if it is just weather conditions. I've often wondered how long it takes before a bass forgets some of the stuff he's previously been caught on.  Anybody know??

[skunked_again]

its not odd thaT fishing change a lot when the summer heat comes. this makes bank fishing for bass very hard. very early and very late are the key times to fish.

[stilldontlikeyou]

I fished a small pond on a farm over the weekend, and the water level dropped about 3-4 inches since I was there about 3 weeks ago.  They haven't had rain in over a month.  Anyway, started fishing around 6pm, and just a couple nibbles, but nothing.  As the sun starting going down around 7pm, and those little bugs started hitting the water surface a lot of small bass were right near the edge in the weeds about 3-4 feet in front of us.  

The larger bass were closer to the middle about 10-20 feet from the shore.  A lot of them would hit it, but never take it.  I caught three bass in about 30 minutes, all a little over a pound or so.  Spinnerbaits weren't working, so I switched to a pumpkin colored worm, and got some action.  If was about 101 that day too.

[Rebbasser]

The problem is that during the dog days of summer the fish behave a lot like they do in the middle of winter-suspended deep.  This time of year we usually are on the water by 5 and come off at 11 or so.  Looking back over my fishing logs I have not caught a fish later than 9:30 since it got hot.

[whj812]

Ive been going late in the day and fishing until up in the night, or until I get fed up..... Then Ill drop my lights in the water and Crappie fish!!  LOL !

I have been doing pretty good, like i said, but since the slump hit....no luck at all.

Im trying to learn night fishing, but it seems like a completely different animal.  Ive not caught many bass at night.

Ill give the early morning a shot this weekend.

[roadwarrior]

Maybe this will help:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1180501296

[FishTank]

We have had a dry and hot past couple of months here in Indiana and a lot of place I usually fish have been sort of slow.  The fish have gone deep and lifeless.

I have had some luck with Fat Ikas bouncing them off the bottom, Hula Grubs and various deep, slow rolling crankbaits during the day and dark Senkos at night.

[bubbler]

IF UY GORT DROP OFFSD U GOT FISH.

i had the same problem the other day and i started fishing deep dropshoting bu cover on drop offs and instant bass.

hope this helps

[whj812]

Slump is Over!!!!!!  Finally got some Bass in the boat today.  

I took my younger brother out with me early this morning and we caught 6 Bass total.   5 Largemouth and 1 Spotted.   I missed a few other fish getting to anxious....LOL!   I had never really paid much attention to the patches on the tongues before this week.  I probably have caught spots before but mistaken them for largemouth.

Running med-deep Crank baits off of a steep rock face is how most of them were caught.  

I went to a different part of the lake today, that I normally dont ever go to, because it is so far away.  Going back out again in the morning to top off my holiday weekend!!!

Thanks again for all of the advice,  

The senkos worked btw!!!!!  Got 1 on a green pumpkinseed off of an underwater ledge.

whj812

[whj812]

Bite is back on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Caught some Nice Fish yesterday

[whj812]

and another

[whj812]

And another

2 Were caught on white flukes with tails dipped in Chartreuse garlic dye, and the other on a green pumpkin senko.