Advice.

 

 

 

But 'put more work in' isn't the most insightful advice. lol

 

 

 

That's like saying, "What's the best technique for the fall" and the answer being, "Fish more".  lol. Not too helpful.

NOTHING in this thread will help you put fish in the boat. In fact, if you try everything, chances are you'll spend more time trying to figure it out. You've fished this leaked for a long time, get on the water and own that place. Don't get fancy, throw what you know, works from top to bottom, shallow to deep. This is basic stuff, really. If I told you to fish a whatchimallit on this thingy rod, and you caught something, would that have been better advice than get on the water? Pattern fishing for bass is a use it or lose it game. Or you can be lucky. That's my take on it, it's not meant to offend, but unless there's a specific problem that can solved, guys that aren't on your lake regularly are grasping at straws for the solution you seek. Big fish take time on the water. The only shortcut is getting lucky.

Gotta agree with Francho above

if you wanna consistently catch fish and bigger fish all-season all-condition, you gotta own yer home lakes.. know it like the back of your hand.. pay attention to whats going on.. figure out whats going on.. experiment some based on knowledge.. make note

not just realy on getting lucky and throwin this or that bait here or there.. that is luck

thats why its tough to outfish a good fisherman on his home waters

J Francho gave you the only viable answer!

2 hours of fishing in 7 months is your problem!

Your answer is fish more

Fish more and don't fish "angry".  What the hell does that mean?  It means have some dedicated time to actually do some quality fishing.  I've noticed that for the first hour or so when I'm on the water, I rarely catch much.  I'm fishing "angry".  I'm tense, I'm fiddling with my gear, I'm paying attention to the other "idiots" on the water, etc.  I'm NOT focused on fishing.  And then the magic happens..the reason we all do this.  I focus.  My breathing slows down...I'm FISHING.  I'm paying attention to patterns, dialing in my tackle, tuning out the troubles of the outside world.  I'm not thinking about jobs, or mortgages, or rental properties.  THAT is when I start catching quality fish.  I'm lucky that I have a wife that knows I MUST have this time.  It is not optional.  Fishing to me is as important as oxygen.  It keeps me sane and grounded.  Without it, I get pretty twitchy pretty fast.  

 

Allow yourself the time to spend some quality time on the water.  All that other stuff will still be there.  those long summer days on the water are fleeting.  Cherish them.  I almost guarantee that if you do this, you will catch quality fish...unless you just suck.  

"What Happened To All The Big Bass?"

 

Just filleted the last batch this evening.....I'm exhausted