Everything is right. What am I doing wrong??????????????

[BassChump]

I've posted this type of thing before but it gets more frustrating over time. Please allow me to vent.

I've been fishing all year long with no success. I'm not talking just a few dinks here and there, I'm talking skunked EVERY TIME OUT. For most of the winter, I attributed it to cold waters and my inexperience.

I have a decent boat, the lakes are good, the water temps are in the mid 60's, a little chop on the water, cloudy, sunny, morning, noon and evening. T-rigged senkos, drop shot, a couple of jigs, buzzbait in the mornings and evenings, Rattletraps, I've thrown them all. Several lakes in the area. All decent bass lakes.

I've bought fishinders to help out (Hummingbird 565). Downed timber, thick weeds, weedlines, reeds, and under brush. Been there, done that.

The only thing I've caught is a cold. True story.

I'm extremely frustrated. I should, even by accident, catch something, sometime. At this point a dink would be a miricle.

I feel stupid that I can't put ANYTHING on the end of my line. I can't be THAT BAD of a fisherman could I??????

I didn't used to be until I got the bass bug. What the h--- could I be doing so wrong????

:'(

[Gatorbassman]

It sounds like you need to take somebody fishing. Find an experiance fishing partner that fishes that lake and take him out on your boat. Spend some time picking his brain and watching how he does things.

[NinjaFishin]

what setup are you using? what lures do you use the most and on average, how long do you fish them?

[burleytog]

Welcome to the club.  You get used to it after a while.  :-/

[Sam]

Oregon!

Really, Oregon?

Way up in the great Northwest?

Wow! There are actually bass in Oregon?

So, you can't catch anything, huh?  So as Burley said, in so many words, join the club.  It happens to us all.  Some of us just don't admit it.

A few observations for you to consider:

1.  What is the water temperature? Are they in their pre-spawn thought pattern or are they on their beds or is it post-spawn?  This will greatly influence the bass' appetite and you may be in the middle of the spawn and they just will not bite unless you aggravate them into biting.

If this is the case, throw a Mann's Minus One ripped over their beds.  Pulled really fast.  Make lots of waves and splashes.  Like a topwater.

2.  Have you scaled down the size of your baits?  The smaller the better.  You may consider throwing a Roostertail or a small grub.  Think small until you start to catch them and then go up in bait size.

3.  What is the forage in the water you are fishing?  Bream, bluegills, minnows, shad, crawfish, penquins, polar bears, etc.?  Match the forage and their colors.  Throw out some torn-up white bread slices in the water and see if they bream/bluegills strike it.  If not, then you know they are not there.

4. Try either watermealon or pumpkinseed/red flake for your plastics and see if that increases your strike ratio.  

5.  Have you lightened your tackle? In other words, when searching for bass you may do better using a light weight spinning set-up with 6 pound line fishing a finesse worm either Texas or Wacky style.

And have you thrown a drop-shot or split-shot rig?  Dynamite rigs. Give them a try.

6.  Have you thrown any topwaters?  Try a Zara Spook, Pop-R or a frog in additon to a small size buzzbait in the early AM or late evening.

7.  Have you considered calling the Oregon Department of Fish and Game (or whatever they call themselves) and ask about the fishing in the bodies of water you fish?  I have found these individuals to be very helpful and informative.

8.  Have you visited any local tackle shops to find out how the fishing is going in the bodies of water you fish?  Tackle shops hear it all and they usually will share their information and suggestions.

9. Before I forget, have you thrown any "moving" baits such as a crankbait, spinnerbaits or a Rat-L-Traps?  These are good search baits if the bass are in the area.

10.  Read, read and read the articles on this site and visit the sites of the B.A.S.S. pros, such as Woo Daves and Ike. They all have tips for you to consider.  Purchase a subscription to Bassin' Magazine.  It is excellent and you will learn a lot from each issue.

And have you posted any requests for information on this forum in the Oregon fishing section?  The guys from Oregon, all one or two of them, can give you some insight.

Now, Oregon.  I flew over Oregon once on my way back from the Orient in 1970 via Seattle down to San Francisco and then over to New Orleans.  It was at night so I did not see anything.

And we do kid around on this site (as you may have noticed) and we are all glad you are with us.

Keep on trying to find those fish and let us know how you do.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Great help Sam

[Sam]

P.S.  Yikes!  It forgot to include my favorite topwater...a pink trick worm.

Unweighted on 6 to 8 pound test with a straight shank hook.

Fish on top of the water and also let it sink and pull it slowly through the water.

What makes it so much fun to fish is that you can see it and know when the bass strike it.

Give it a try.  A pink trick worm.  It just doesn't get better than that!

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

the "visual" also works with white  (most waters)

[wickyman]

You are having the same issue I am, there, basschump.  I am a pretty experienced fisherman, and not catching the fish I need.  I don't understand what is happening on the lake I fish, clear lake ca., but it's irritating!  Who knows what the deal is?  It's pretty much due to the weird weather patterns we are having, lake conditions after our last tournaments, etc.  They say that after a tournament, on our lake, that the fishing is typically bad.....  it's a 140,000 acre lake!  lol  They couldn't have been fishing the whole thing, and not that hard!    Just relax, take the day to find the fish.

Sometimes the best fishing, is just spent "sight fishing".    You never know where they might be, especially with wind, rain, clouds, etc.  if you have a cloudy day, early in the morning, and the water is between 60-70 degrees, hit the shallows.  Usually bass will hold here and feed, in turn, making a top water great!  Same goes for cranks, and reverse that for evening!  gl with it, and remember, it's not about catching a ton of fish, it's catching those that get your heart pounding like it's going to burst from your chest!

[Catt]

Excellent Sam  

Sometimes it aint you, sometimes just the way thing are; last year I caught 11 double digit bass this year I aint broke 4 pounds.  

[Crestliner2008]

I think you may need to get back to the basics. Answer the following every time you set out.

1) What time of year is it? Spring, summer, fall, winter?

2) What species (of bass) is my target? Smallmouth, largemouth, spotted bass?

3) What is the water temperature? Am I fishing a lake, reservoir or river system?

4) What stage would the fish normally be at, at this time of the year: pre-spawn, post-spawn, summer, fall patterns?

5) What structures (structures are NOT logs or weed beds!) are most likely to hold this species, this time of the year? Points, deep drop offs, stream beds? What is the bottom content like on that structure: rock, muck, sand, weed?

6) What are they feeding on? Shad, smelt, perch or crayfish?

Once you answer these questions, then you need to find their food source on the appropriate type of structure and proceed to try various presentations which most likely replicate that food source, i.e.: Tubes represent crayfish; cranks represent baitfish; etc..

Join a local fishing forum like this, or join a local club. Above all, remember, patience is a virtue - especially in fishing!

[TheBeast]

See Burley it ain't just you.  

I agree with wickyman that the weird weather conditions everywhere this year with the hot/cold/hot/cold/hot/cold/hot/cold has alot to do with the fishing not being as good as years past.  Was tellin Burley the other day I went up to my pond and had to really work to get 3 and I can go up there and pull in 10-15 nearly anytime, even the standard lures weren't working had to wacky-rig a trick stick to even get a bite.

[Grey Wolf]

I've posted this type of thing before but it gets more frustrating over time. Please allow me to vent.

I've been fishing all year long with no success. I'm not talking just a few dinks here and there, I'm talking skunked EVERY TIME OUT. For most of the winter, I attributed it to cold waters and my inexperience.

I have a decent boat, the lakes are good, the water temps are in the mid 60's, a little chop on the water, cloudy, sunny, morning, noon and evening. T-rigged senkos, drop shot, a couple of jigs, buzzbait in the mornings and evenings, Rattletraps, I've thrown them all. Several lakes in the area. All decent bass lakes.

I've bought fishinders to help out (Hummingbird 565). Downed timber, thick weeds, weedlines, reeds, and under brush. Been there, done that.

The only thing I've caught is a cold. True story.

I'm extremely frustrated. I should, even by accident, catch something, sometime. At this point a dink would be a miricle.

I feel stupid that I can't put ANYTHING on the end of my line. I can't be THAT BAD of a fisherman could I??????

I didn't used to be until I got the bass bug. What the h--- could I be doing so wrong????

:'(

Hire yourself a guide if you don't have any good buddies that know what's goiing on and see if you can learn a few pointers from him.

[islandbass]

Oregon!

Really, Oregon?

Way up in the great Northwest?

Wow! There are actually bass in Oregon?

So, you can't catch anything, huh? So as Burley said, in so many words, join the club. It happens to us all. Some of us just don't admit it.

A few observations for you to consider:

1. What is the water temperature? Are they in their pre-spawn thought pattern or are they on their beds or is it post-spawn? This will greatly influence the bass' appetite and you may be in the middle of the spawn and they just will not bite unless you aggravate them into biting.

If this is the case, throw a Mann's Minus One ripped over their beds. Pulled really fast. Make lots of waves and splashes. Like a topwater.

2. Have you scaled down the size of your baits? The smaller the better. You may consider throwing a Roostertail or a small grub. Think small until you start to catch them and then go up in bait size.

3. What is the forage in the water you are fishing? Bream, bluegills, minnows, shad, crawfish, penquins, polar bears, etc.? Match the forage and their colors. Throw out some torn-up white bread slices in the water and see if they bream/bluegills strike it. If not, then you know they are not there.

4. Try either watermealon or pumpkinseed/red flake for your plastics and see if that increases your strike ratio.

5. Have you lightened your tackle? In other words, when searching for bass you may do better using a light weight spinning set-up with 6 pound line fishing a finesse worm either Texas or Wacky style.

And have you thrown a drop-shot or split-shot rig? Dynamite rigs. Give them a try.

6. Have you thrown any topwaters? Try a Zara Spook, Pop-R or a frog in additon to a small size buzzbait in the early AM or late evening.

7. Have you considered calling the Oregon Department of Fish and Game (or whatever they call themselves) and ask about the fishing in the bodies of water you fish? I have found these individuals to be very helpful and informative.

8. Have you visited any local tackle shops to find out how the fishing is going in the bodies of water you fish? Tackle shops hear it all and they usually will share their information and suggestions.

9. Before I forget, have you thrown any "moving" baits such as a crankbait, spinnerbaits or a Rat-L-Traps? These are good search baits if the bass are in the area.

10. Read, read and read the articles on this site and visit the sites of the B.A.S.S. pros, such as Woo Daves and Ike. They all have tips for you to consider. Purchase a subscription to Bassin' Magazine. It is excellent and you will learn a lot from each issue.

And have you posted any requests for information on this forum in the Oregon fishing section? The guys from Oregon, all one or two of them, can give you some insight.

Now, Oregon. I flew over Oregon once on my way back from the Orient in 1970 via Seattle down to San Francisco and then over to New Orleans. It was at night so I did not see anything.

And we do kid around on this site (as you may have noticed) and we are all glad you are with us.

Keep on trying to find those fish and let us know how you do.

I too am from the Pacific Northwest, and yes, we do have bass. ;D

Steelhead and Salmon rule, but that only means that there is more bass for a few others and me.

Here's the proof: 8-)

LMB

Smallie

Bass Chump, I can refer you to local forums where there are people who know our bass' preferences better than me. Send me a PM if you're interested. Also, one of the toughest things for me being shorebound is that I don't can't always get to them. I think one key for you is locating them first. That is half of the battle. Unless they're found, not even the sweetest loomis GLX and Chronarch Mg is going to help.

You are right. Bass fishing can be very tough. If you are in the Portland area, Hagg Lake seems the place to be or the Columbia River herself.

Best of luck.

-Alex

[Andrew Coleman]

i had this problem too this year, i had thrown everything i could think, so i stoped fishing for about 3 or 4 weeks and then started up agian, i started catching fish with th lures i had had no luck with.

What is the water clarity, is it really murky where you have only a 1ft of visability or can u see to the bottom?

[BassChump]

I still haven't caught anything but the weather here isn't cooperating lately either.

I have an old employee that worked for me for many years that was a pro bass guy a few years ago. He has fished all these lakes since he was a kid so he would know.

 I called him and he gave me some suggestions and we are going fishing next Saturday so hopefully I can get some on hands pointers from him.

He did tell me that my line is far to visible for the waters I'm fishing so I'm going to change that.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted on what happens next week. I'm hoping for a good day.

[SuskyDude]

I say you keep it simple: Weed beds and drop offs near the spawning flats. Fish the breaks by swimming a grub or an inline spinner (highly recommend a size 4-5 silver Mepps) along the breaks. If that doesn't do it, slow down with a T-rigged worm.

When things get tough, K.I.S.S= keep it simple silly!

Try that a few days, and if that doesn't do it (and I would be truly suprised if it doesn't), get out with someone who has experience. Probably the best way to learn anything is to have someone who is good at it show you how. Good Luck!

[BassChump]

It doesn't really matter at this point.

I called a friend of mine that fished all these lakes, he was a big tournament fisherman. Won lots of tournaments in Oregon and he grew up on all these lakes. He told me where to go, what to throw and when and still nothing.

He was planning to come up to my house this coming Friday night, getting up early on Saturday and going out on Tenmile Lake.

Unfortunately after fishing tonight, I stopped at Dairy Queen to get a burger. When I came back out, someone stole my trolling motor and the transducer to my BRAND NEW HUMMINGBIRD 565 fishfinder that I just hooked up YESTERDAY.

I haven't caught anything, I can't afford to buy a new trolling motor and fish finder soooooooooo

              I'M DONE.

I guess it just wasn't meant to be. Someone up there just doesn't like me.

[Little Luey]

It doesn't really matter at this point.

I called a friend of mine that fished all these lakes, he was a big tournament fisherman. Won lots of tournaments in Oregon and he grew up on all these lakes. He told me where to go, what to throw and when and still nothing.

He was planning to come up to my house this coming Friday night, getting up early on Saturday and going out on Tenmile Lake.

Unfortunately after fishing tonight, I stopped at Dairy Queen to get a burger. When I came back out, someone stole my trolling motor and the transducer to my BRAND NEW HUMMINGBIRD 565 fishfinder that I just hooked up YESTERDAY.

I haven't caught anything, I can't afford to buy a new trolling motor and fish finder soooooooooo

            I'M DONE.

I guess it just wasn't meant to be. Someone up there just doesn't like me.

I am sorry to hear this. All I can tell you is to hang in there man, don't let this stop you from fishing, who knows you may regret it later. I know times are difficult but just keep trying, you don't need to be in a boat to catch fish, try shore fishing or try for bluegills or catfish and get back in the swing of things.

Keep your head up!

[BadKarma42]

It doesn't really matter at this point.

I called a friend of mine that fished all these lakes, he was a big tournament fisherman. Won lots of tournaments in Oregon and he grew up on all these lakes. He told me where to go, what to throw and when and still nothing.

He was planning to come up to my house this coming Friday night, getting up early on Saturday and going out on Tenmile Lake.

Unfortunately after fishing tonight, I stopped at Dairy Queen to get a burger. When I came back out, someone stole my trolling motor and the transducer to my BRAND NEW HUMMINGBIRD 565 fishfinder that I just hooked up YESTERDAY.

I haven't caught anything, I can't afford to buy a new trolling motor and fish finder soooooooooo

            I'M DONE.

I guess it just wasn't meant to be. Someone up there just doesn't like me.

Sorry to hear that.  That really sucks.

When it rains it pours, I guess.