The $1,000,000---What to Do When They're Not Biting!

[gotarheelz14]

When fish are actively feeding and very aggressive, I have no problems drawing strikes. Sometimes they will be so active that I can throw them faster moving stuff like spinnerbaits and crankbaits and they will move a ways to hit it. Other times, they won't hit moving stuff but they will gladly strike at an opportune target like a jig, or a soft plastic.

But, what do I do in those days that they just won't hit anything? I am a bit puzzled as what to do. I try to work very slowly with worms and such but they just won't hit anything.

What do I do in these types of situations?

[InLikeFinz]

Ah a local in the house! What's up. PM me the lakes you are fishing and I'll try to help you out. Chances are I've struggled on the exact same lakes.

Jason

[Scorcher214]

Try downsizing your tackle, smaller worms, weights, jigs. Try a splitshot rig.

[Raul]

But, what do I do in those days that they just won't hit anything? I am a bit puzzled as what to do. I try to work very slowly with worms and such but they just won't hit anything.

What do I do in these types of situations?

First of all R ...E ...L...A..X

Second, leave your gear, take a cigarrette, light it and puff

Third, grab a beer

Fouth, while you are relaxing, puffing and drinking beer rethink your strategy, are you shure you fishing the right spots ? are you shure you are fishing with the right tools, are you shure you are fsihing at the right speed ?

You are not shure of anything, keep on drinkig beer, eat a sandwich and R...E...L....A....X

Things get a lot clearer when apparently they are "not biting".

[bigbill]

Don't lose it yet, stay calm and regroup. I tend to calm down and start throwing stuff i usually don't use. Plus i will practice my presentations during the slow times too with different baits. This is a time to expand and learn more presentations and new baits. I always do this and a bass will interupt me when i get it right.

One key thing could be the PH of the water were your fishing too.

[bobbyc]

Take leader line, straight. Twenty pound test. Thirty six inches will do. Run a walker sinker through one end, (a slip sinker will work) then tie a number five barrel swivel to that end. To the other end, tie on a number two Gammy (my preference) octopus hook. Tie this rig to your main and soak a live minnow. If you do not get any bites with this, it is not a good fishing day. Good luck. (when running the hook under the minnows mouth, make sure the point comes out below the eyes, insuring longer life to your bait, and it will allow it to swim more freely)

[Hook Set]

Whenever I have to force feed them like that, it's mighty hard to beat a drop shot. If you KNOW they are there and dangle a small Robo worm in front of their face, they usually can't stand it for too long.

Bigbill had a great suggestion also. that would in fact be a great time to try presentations you have wanted to practice, I think I may take that advice myself!

[Catt]

Remember the bass are biting somewhere, are you looking for that somewhere.

I've never been in a tournament or heard of a tournament regardless of conditions where no one caught anything.

99.95 % of the time it was about location

[Red Bear]

when i cant buy a bite on artificial, i will throw live bait. usually nose hook a night crawler throught he fat part of it and toss that out. works especially well if you can see the bass there....

[bear7625]

The 1st thing I would do is size down. Small inline spinners like a panther-martin or a beetle spin. Use a lighter jig with a smaller worm, etc. Think about location. Maybe it's the wrong location on that particular day. If that fails, listen to Raul, kick back and have a beer. 

[NateFollmer]

3 words:

Drop shot (maybe that's 1) and Finesse (Technically thats 4, but don't count the 'and').

I was never very confident in the drop shot, but I have to say, it's a deadly technique in this heat. If they do happen to be holding really tight to the bottom, throw them a small worm (I like a purple or blue 4 inch curly tail worm).

I throw both of these on an ultralight (YES, I said ultralight) and 6 lb. test. The bites are few and far between but the fight is GREAT on such light tackle. Surprisingly, it produces decent sized fish too.

[gobig]

Remember the bass are biting somewhere, are you looking for that somewhere. Smiley

I've never been in a tournament or heard of a tournament regardless of conditions where no one caught anything.

99.95 % of the time it was about location

Location + timing. I recently fished a turny where we found a good number of fish on a spot. We pulled about 25lbs off it in the first 3hrs. Went back the next day and only caught one in the same time frame. We knew the spot was still holding a fair number of fish because we were still graphing them. We left to give some other water a try. Hit the spot again later in the day and bam! They must have skipped breakfast that day. The fish were still there, all that changed was the time they fed.

[Grey Wolf]

Remember the bass are biting somewhere, are you looking for that somewhere.

I've never been in a tournament or heard of a tournament regardless of conditions where no one caught anything.

99.95 % of the time it was about location

THE TRUTH BE TOLD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Catt]

I was told years ago by an ole guide that if you catch em biting today at 8:00 am then tomorrow they will bite an hour or so later. His theory being that the sun/moon/tide rise & set later with each passing day.

Some times it worked and some times it don't. 

[gobig]

I was told years ago by an ole guide that if you catch em biting today at 8:00 am then tomorrow they will bite an hour or so later. His theory being that the sun/moon/tide rise & set later with each passing day.

Some times it worked and some times it don't.  Wink

Interesting. I am going to pay attention to that one. That could help determine where to start the day. Especially after a pre-fish several days earlier.

[Bass_Akwards]

I was told years ago by an ole guide that if you catch em biting today at 8:00 am then tomorrow they will bite an hour or so later. His theory being that the sun/moon/tide rise & set later with each passing day.

Some times it worked and some times it don't. Wink

Interesting. I am going to pay attention to that one. That could help determine where to start the day. Especially after a pre-fish several days earlier.

LOL! Good 1 Catt! Classically hilarious honestly! Bordering on genius in fact.