What am I doing wrong?

[blackbrd]

I just got into fishing over the last month or so and I'm getting frustrated with the amount a fish I've been catching (2-3).Any tips recommendations,or help in any way.I live in virginia between washington and richmond.I dont have my own boat but I have been on friends or have rented boats.I've also tried fishing from the banks at a few ponds.I've used crank baits shallow,med and deep,spinner baits,worms,minnows..I just cant seem to catch more than a few fish at an outing...Maybe this is ok. maybe im not going to the right places,or using the wrong bait.A buddy was telling me that I need to wait for the fall.I dont know.I dont even care If I catch some trophy bass I would just like to catch more than 3 in 2-3 hours.

Thanks

[Uncle Leo]

That is not at all a bad catch rate for just starting out. Just pay attention what you are doing and keep doing it. The more you learn the more you will catch.

[Bankbeater]

Leo's right. A bass an hour isn't bad and your not getting skunked.

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

One bass per hour is way above average, even for smaller

fish.  What you usually hear about are big days when guys catch

some numbers. I'm after bigger bass, but I would estimated my

success at about one 5 lb+ bass every four hours. Now, that's just

a number I have in mind, I get skunked...a lot!

8-)

[rondef]

to the forum.

Welcome to Northern Virginia fishing.  All of the areas in Northern Virginia see a lot of fishing pressure, if you are catching a fish an hour in this area you are doing good.  There are days where I have caught only a single bass after fishing multiple hours or worse yet got skunked, it happens.  The only way you are going to catch large numbers of bass is to fish ponds and lakes that are bass crowded.  If you go to the VDGIF website you can find ponds like that and go fish those to catch numbers.  I personally would rather catch one hawg than a bunch of small bass.

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/FISHING/

[JShrock07]

Where is NOVA do you live??

[Marty]

I just got into fishing over the last month or so and I'm getting frustrated with the amount a fish I've been catching

I just got into fishing over the last 39 years or so and I'm getting frustrated with the amount of fish I've been catching.  :'(  

But like others have said, you're doing better than you think you're doing.

[A.Do?]

Where do you live? What's your SSN? JK! ;D

If you're in the area maybe we can go somewhere and figure it out. Just remember, two or three is better than none  

In in the Springfield/Alexandria area.  There are plenty of guys in the Southeast section of the forums that would be more than willing to put you on some fish.

[Andrew Coleman]

Well since nothing is working for you, send me all your tackle, i'll be glad to take it off your hands ;D

[Sam]

Blackbird,

Welcome to the forum if we have not welcomed you before.

Here are some suggestions to consider.

1.  Read.  And then read some more.  Check out the posts on this site and Woo Daves web site plus other pros.  Suscribe to Bassin' Magazine and you may want to consider joining B.A.S.S. for their web page and magazine.

2.  To learn the Virginia waters may I suggest considering joining a local bass club?  Don't worry about how well you do in club tournaments.  Your goal is to fish with as many guys as you can and see where to launch your future boat; where to fish; how to fish; and listen to what the guys say and watch what they do.

3.  Any golf courses around where you live?  Most courses are closed on Mondays and you can fish their ponds.  Some golf courses have fantastic ponds. You may want to ask permission or just fish it and see if you get thrown off the course.  ;D

4.  Check out "fall fishing" on this site and also what Woo Daves and others say.  But remember you are very limited when fishing from a bank, be it on a lake, river, creek or pond.  Also, critters start to move around now so be careful about what is above, below and around you when you are fishing.

5.  Make plans to attend the Richmond Fishing Expo at the end of January.  We will be putting posts about the event in the Southeast Fishing section of this forum.

6.  We have a lot of great guys in Northern Virginia so read their posts.  Maybe you can catch up with them and they can show you some places to fish.

7. Get the ADC Map Book of Northern Virginia or places you want to fish and look for all the blue water in your area. You will be surprised at the number of ponds and small lakes in residential and office parks that you can fish. Head out west towards Winchester and you will find other places to fish from the bank, too.

8.  As for baits and techniques, try a white spinnerbait; a Mann's Minus One; Senkos; and finesse worms.  And be patient.  You may do better with your Senkos, like greenpumpkin with black flake or a watermealon if the water is not stained. And be patient. Throw the Senko deep and along the bank and let it sit for about 30 seconds (a lifetime) and then bring it back to you, slowly, using the tip of your rod to bounce it off the bottom. Fish it Wacky style, too.

9.  Always bring pliers and sissors with you when you fish.  Bug spray may be necessary as the "no see 'um's" are around for some reason.

10.  Get a copy of the Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries' "Freshwater Fishing in Virginia" booklet. It is good through December 31st but the information does not change that much from year to year.  Wal-Mart or your local tackle shop has them.  Or check out www.huntfishva.com.  You can find places to fish and other information in the publication. A new booklet will come out in either January or February of next year.

11.  Talk to the guys in your area via a Personal Message on this site and ask for their input on local places you want to fish or other places you may want to fish.  Sometimes we do not want to spread our gospel of bass fishing information for everyone to read and we will give you a lot more information by PMing each other.

12.  Unless you use Nightcrawlers and live minnows, bass fishing is slow. This give you time to relax and to view the beauty of Mother Nature.  You will find your blood pressure will go down; your attitude about life improve; you will forget your troubles; and you will enjoy the company of the quiet and splendor of your surroundings plus the beauty of the fish you catch.

Of course, hook into a big bass and she gets off you will forget #12 above.  ;D   ;D   ;D

So read, read and read.

Take your time as it will take about a year to get a good grasp to the sport.

Ask questions.

And have fun.

Plus, if you are driving under 70 MPH on I-95 how about getting into the bumper lane???  ;D

[blackbrd]

Thanks for all the great advise...I have learned a lot and I know I have a lot to learn.Thanks again

[jvox]

A bass an hour? Thats pretty nice man. You aint doin anything wrong as far as Im concerned. Sometime I dont get a bass a week!!  :-[

[Ken_Allen]

A bass an hour? Thats pretty nice man. You aint doin anything wrong as far as Im concerned. Sometime I dont get a bass a week!! :-[

A month for me

[mayassa]

Just hang in there it will get better, and read up on what some people here are using this time of year.

[senile1]

Blackbird,

Welcome to the forum if we have not welcomed you before.

Here are some suggestions to consider.

1. Read. And then read some more. Check out the posts on this site and Woo Daves web site plus other pros. Suscribe to Bassin' Magazine and you may want to consider joining B.A.S.S. for their web page and magazine.

2. To learn the Virginia waters may I suggest considering joining a local bass club? Don't worry about how well you do in club tournaments. Your goal is to fish with as many guys as you can and see where to launch your future boat; where to fish; how to fish; and listen to what the guys say and watch what they do.

3. Any golf courses around where you live? Most courses are closed on Mondays and you can fish their ponds. Some golf courses have fantastic ponds. You may want to ask permission or just fish it and see if you get thrown off the course. ;D

4. Check out "fall fishing" on this site and also what Woo Daves and others say. But remember you are very limited when fishing from a bank, be it on a lake, river, creek or pond. Also, critters start to move around now so be careful about what is above, below and around you when you are fishing.

5. Make plans to attend the Richmond Fishing Expo at the end of January. We will be putting posts about the event in the Southeast Fishing section of this forum.

6. We have a lot of great guys in Northern Virginia so read their posts. Maybe you can catch up with them and they can show you some places to fish.

7. Get the ADC Map Book of Northern Virginia or places you want to fish and look for all the blue water in your area. You will be surprised at the number of ponds and small lakes in residential and office parks that you can fish. Head out west towards Winchester and you will find other places to fish from the bank, too.

8. As for baits and techniques, try a white spinnerbait; a Mann's Minus One; Senkos; and finesse worms. And be patient. You may do better with your Senkos, like greenpumpkin with black flake or a watermealon if the water is not stained. And be patient. Throw the Senko deep and along the bank and let it sit for about 30 seconds (a lifetime) and then bring it back to you, slowly, using the tip of your rod to bounce it off the bottom. Fish it Wacky style, too.

9. Always bring pliers and sissors with you when you fish. Bug spray may be necessary as the "no see 'um's" are around for some reason.

10. Get a copy of the Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries' "Freshwater Fishing in Virginia" booklet. It is good through December 31st but the information does not change that much from year to year. Wal-Mart or your local tackle shop has them. Or check out www.huntfishva.com. You can find places to fish and other information in the publication. A new booklet will come out in either January or February of next year.

11. Talk to the guys in your area via a Personal Message on this site and ask for their input on local places you want to fish or other places you may want to fish. Sometimes we do not want to spread our gospel of bass fishing information for everyone to read and we will give you a lot more information by PMing each other.

12. Unless you use Nightcrawlers and live minnows, bass fishing is slow. This give you time to relax and to view the beauty of Mother Nature. You will find your blood pressure will go down; your attitude about life improve; you will forget your troubles; and you will enjoy the company of the quiet and splendor of your surroundings plus the beauty of the fish you catch.

Of course, hook into a big bass and she gets off you will forget #12 above. ;D ;D ;D

So read, read and read.

Take your time as it will take about a year to get a good grasp to the sport.

Ask questions.

And have fun.

Plus, if you are driving under 70 MPH on I-95 how about getting into the bumper lane??? ;D

That's an excellent post, Sam.

[Bassnajr]

PM sent

[davectk]

Does not sound like you are doing bad.  Some ponds are better than others.  I live in Woodbridge and all my old ponds from when I grew up have very little bass left.  I'm finding a few that have been built in the last 10 or 15 years around some of the new housing development are full of fish.  25 fish days are not uncommon.  I'll give you a bank spot that is awesome in October.  Rt.1 crosses the Occoquan between Fairfax and Woodbridge.  Heading north on the Fairfax side, you can pull over by the railroad tracks.  Walk under railroad bridge down the hill.  Here you find some large rocks at your feet.  Cast just a few feet off the bank.  Stand back away and work the bait right into those rocks at you're feet.  They come out of the channel to feed here and can be real easy to catch at times.  I've caught 15" 5 fish limits here on my lunch break.  You can also fan cast crankbaits and catch some but when they on those rocks it can get crazy.  Good luck

[avid]

tie on a watermelon/black 5" senko.  fish it weightless and let it fall to the bottom on a semi slack line.  don't try to "feel" the fish.  Watch your line.  If it jumps, moves to the side, or does anything different, set the hook. I have been bass fishing for over 40 years.  I have seen alot of "hot" baits come and go, but the senko is the best bass catching lure I have ever come across.  You can catch fish of all sizes on the 5".  It will help you build confidence.  I always have a senko tied on.  It is a rare day indeed when this bait will not work.

[bigfruits]

i noticed 2 very important things missing from your arsenal

jig and senko

[farmpond1]

You're not holding your mouth right.

But seriously, your average doesn't sound that bad. It may not be outstanding but for someone new to the sport, it could be worse. As already mentioned, some bodies of water get hit pretty hard and catching large numbers of fish is difficult. What may work to your advantage there, however, is because you are new to the game, you may try things that other fishermen don't do (and the fish haven't seen before-fish become "immune" to certain baits after seeing them pass by 15 billion times).

One suggestion I might add (also already mentioned by someone else) is to fish waters that aren't already beaten to a froth. Become friendly with condo/home owners who have retention ponds on or adjoining their property. Offer to take them fishing with you if they will let you onto their property. Some golf courses, churches, businesses, etc. will have ponds you can fish. Or fish at night when there are far fewer other fishermen/boaters/jet skiiers.

[Joel W]

A fish per hour this time of year is darn good, especially for the NYC reservoirs I fish. Went out yesterday. Water in the low 70s, blue bird skies, and little wind. Went 3 hours of bottom bouncing before I got my 1st Bass. Ended the day with just 4 in the boat. Checked with several other res rats during the past week and that's about the average. It's tough out there right now. Go figure !

[joshuaryan]

I've been bass fishing for about a good 3-4 years now and would be happy catching bass at that rate.  

[memo43]

not bad at all for aq starter.

heck i went almost a whole month when i first started fishing bass before i even caught one, an when i did i side hook him.

but like every one  here says read, ask questions, talk to people in your area, other than that keep  at it, the bass are definetly in the water.

memo

[kikstand454]

dang.

cant wait till the water here gets in the 70s. its in the upper 80s. :-/

still doing alright though... about a bass an  hour c-rigging.

well.... i was....havet went in two weeks.....im frreakainng out man.

: :

[fishizzle]

after 15 years, all I throw is a senko