APR 05 = 98 bass.. APR 06 = 21 bass - What am I doing wrong??

[juicy]

I saved my records from last year: temperatures, what and where I caught etc. what they wanted<plastics/spinnerbaits/etc>
do you suppose something is /has killed the fish in this lake i fished/fish in?
I can't believe this year I have caught only 2/3rds of what I caught last April???? I am in the St Louis area and fish a lake called "Fountain lake" Hwy 370 and Elm.. ST Charles, Mo.

[nb1226]

Has anything changed on the lake? Water level, position of baitfish, etc. There could be something going on with your lake that has moved the fish.

[NCYankee]

Pollution? It only takes one spill or leak. Recently, I've had the same problem. In my area we are at a deficit on rain, -6 inches for the year. Plus, one of the lakes I fish was lowered intentially. That was stupid.

[dodgeguy]

weather could be a factor.maybe they are used to your baits and presentations.the same techniques don't work every year.i fish one lake with extreme regularity and i can tell you some years certain lures don't catch squat and others they shine.mix it up dude!!!

[Marty]

Originally Posted by juicy

I can't believe this year I have caught only 2/3rds of what I caught last April????

"APR 05 = 98 bass.. APR 06 = 21 bass - What am I doing wrong??"

I don't know about your fishing problems, but the math leaves a little to be desired. 21/98 is somewhat short of 2/3.

[cullin8s]

The only thing constant in bass fishing is change

[George_Welcome]

4/29/2005 = over 60
4/29/2006 = less than 1

So many variables -

[Gunny BBS]

I would say look back at your notes, check the water temp from a year ago todate. Weather has a large effect on fish, what is the air temp compared to last year, also what moon phase were you fishing last year compared to this. Also, has the pressure on this lake gone up since last year. Reports for catching alot of fish on a certain body of water can get around fast, and that will increase the amount of pressure the fish receive. Our weather here in VA has been very strange, fish have came up, went back down, came up again and went back down. Check your notes for the presece of bait fish this year compared to last year. Wind direction will cause bait fish to be in a different area from year to year. When I take notes I am very very precise with what I record, from wind direction to temps, water clarity an everything I mentioned earlier.

[WTL]

Looking at my books I have similar stretches and I don't know what causes them. Right now numbers wise I'm having my best year ever and I've probably fished less hours than since I've been keeping a log. Last year it was super slow.

[FlyRod]

Juicy,
I checked the parks and recreation site for St. Lou and there was a mention of an "Angel Fountain Lake", one acre. Is that what you are referring to?
If so, fishing pressure + people keeping everything they catch, legal or otherwise, may be the cause of the downturn in your catches.
Apparently, your P&W folks stock some of these little lakes and maybe AFL is due for some boost.

F.Rod