In a major funk....

[Bassboss]

Man.. I've been a major funk for the last week or three. I just can't get out of it. I've caught a few (5 or 6, lol) here there on wacky worms, and a popper. I've simplified things down to the basics, and still can't get a a grip. T-rigged worms, traps, spinnerbaits. No matter what, I can't seem to catch em consistently at all. I'm thinking it's just the hard fact of fishing a lake with limited shore access.. I just can't get to where the fish are.

I think need to find a pond, and fish it. lol.

Any tips/encouragement would be great guys... appreciate it.

[keithdog]

I've been there bud. Hang in there. The summer bite can be tough at times.

[mrmuskie5]

Drag a c-rig.... its slow, boring, the bite is less than exciting but it gets down deep and you can throw it a mile, bottom line it catches fish when nothing else does. Good luck man!

[AUFred]

or go ultralight and pray to catch dinks. At least you bend the rod and feel the thrill.

[Cavs1123]

Try a drop shot.

[Embrey]

been there all year. got a tourney tomorrow night and i can already smell the skunk.

[Bassboss]

Thanks guys. I'll try a drop shot, and a c-rig today.. I'll probably toss a texas rig beaver around too... it's cloudy too, so a might wanna try a frog or something like that.

[DaveW731]

If I read your post right, you are fishing from shore...? If so, is there a possibility of either wading, or of purchasing a float tube or even a cheap used little jon boat? Anything to increase your range. When the bite is slow, it is often one fish here, one fish there, so anything you can do to get access to more water would be a bonus.

[Backwater Charlie]

You having a tough time? This is one of the few times I'm actually doing good () been killing hooking up every trip on Spinnerbaits & Shallow Cranks.. had a 3LBE'r come un-buttoned yesterday on a big spinnerbait. i've been throwing any chartreuse spinnerbait as long as it has big blades, prefer colorado's but i hooked that one on a double willow. 3/8oz is a perfect size. for shallow cranks, crawdad color has been the key. my dad just caught a 15-incher on a shallow crank yesterday after I lost my big 'en..

if the bites slow, fish slow. a big worm, 8" thick bodied T-rigged with a 1/4oz weight dragged across the bottom. maybe you can coax those lazy fish into biting. before doing that, though, scope the area for active fish with a buzzbait or spinnerbait. always seems to work for me..

best of luck sammy.

[IowaBasser]

It could be worse... you could be moving across town and unable to fish for a month an a half due to packing, etc. - oh wait, that's me!!! ...If the move were only for a nicer house or something, but it's to a cheaper/smaller town home to save $$

I'm really looking forward to getting back on the water in the middle of August. I'm especially looking forward to getting back in the canoe to do some small-mouth fishing after a great outting the only time on the river this year. I can't ever remember catching 4 fish over 15 inches in one day on my favorite little river (one each 15, 16, 17 and 18 inches.) Five largemouth over 15 inches on a lake, yes - but not little river smallmouth which fight infinitely harder!

[rogatsby]

I'm experiencing the same thing. I'm thinking about throwing tiny 1 inch grubs to see if I can get some more bites.

[Embrey]

loading the boat now. im thinking id rather watch cars rust.

[MallenManson]

Originally Posted by DaveW731

If I read your post right, you are fishing from shore...? If so, is there a possibility of either wading, or of purchasing a float tube or even a cheap used little jon boat? Anything to increase your range. When the bite is slow, it is often one fish here, one fish there, so anything you can do to get access to more water would be a bonus.

Or a canoe, kayak or a little boat with a trolling motor. Getting off the shore is the first step to be sure.

[aikenyounggun]

You're approaching this all wrong, you need to start asking all your friends and everyone you meet if they live on a pond (a stocked pond). That will help, haha.

Just keep in there, welcome to summer fishing though. You either find them stacked up or not at all.

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by DaveW731

If I read your post right, you are fishing from shore...? If so, is there a possibility of either wading, or of purchasing a float tube or even a cheap used little jon boat? Anything to increase your range. When the bite is slow, it is often one fish here, one fish there, so anything you can do to get access to more water would be a bonus.

Nope, I wish I did though... I'm plum broke, lol. Might be able get a personal pontoon pretty soon... that would really help a lot. I saw a guys catch two nice bass day punching some mats 60 yards away from me!

[DaveW731]

Originally Posted by Bassboss

Nope, I wish I did though... I'm plum broke, lol. Might be able get a personal pontoon pretty soon... that would really help a lot. I saw a guys catch two nice bass day punching some mats 60 yards away from me!

OK, so if you are stuck with fishing the same lake from the same spot or two from shore, then I would look at this as a great opportunity to experiment with techniques that I don't know very well: instead of simplify, AMPLIFY . Make a list of approaches you have always wanted to try. Pick a "new tactic of the day" and try it out. Dropshot, maybe? Float a mini tube under a slip bobber? How good are you at using a walk the dog type bait? Any old baits you want to modify?

[lilmule]

Sometimes we just dont catch fish,its called fishing not catching and not catching and or trying to figure it out is why we attempt along with catching.
Often with the amount of fry available at times hard to get bit on larger offerings.
Naturally we enjoy our outings if we do succeed ,but just being out sometimes in an attempt is enough.
I got my cheerios this morning catching half a doz short smallies,(12 in)on small 3 1/2 glass minnows(slender fluke),while not keepers they were fun.Ps from the bank,last time out in the boat blanked.

[oglejust]

ive been catching them on a 10inch culprit worm and on a shallow crankbait.. also a few new-to-me tactics like shakey head and drop shot

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by DaveW731

OK, so if you are stuck with fishing the same lake from the same spot or two from shore, then I would look at this as a great opportunity to experiment with techniques that I don't know very well: instead of simplify, AMPLIFY . Make a list of approaches you have always wanted to try. Pick a "new tactic of the day" and try it out. Dropshot, maybe? Float a mini tube under a slip bobber? How good are you at using a walk the dog type bait? Any old baits you want to modify?

Sounds good. I definitely love throwing a spooks and such. I've never been much of a c-rig thrower.. might as well start now.

[oglejust]

Originally Posted by Bassboss

Sounds good. I definitely love throwing a spooks and such. I've never been much of a c-rig thrower.. might as well start now.

thats what ive been doin.. trying something new everytime, its the 1st step in being able to successfully use all lures.

[blaze1]

Originally Posted by aikenyounggun

You're approaching this all wrong, you need to start asking all your friends and everyone you meet if they live on a pond (a stocked pond). That will help, haha.

Just keep in there, welcome to summer fishing though. You either find them stacked up or not at all.

So true. I have a few friends with ponds and a few hidden ponds in tick alley those are the only places I've caught any bass. Go for the shade that's what I do. Friends with boats will always up the antee.