I tend to put everything I have into a spot that I know has fish, simply put, there just ain't a boat big enough to have at least one of everything.

Once I am satisfied that I know I did my best trying to figure them out, I'll move on and revisit on a later date that offers different conditions of weather and or water or both.

A few hours though is max, I'm still learning a lot of different things too and the last thing I want to do is lose confidence in a bait, a technique or in a place.

Dynamite

 

I get on BR to find out what I did wrong.

 

lol jk ill normally fish as long as possible to try and catch at least one. wife hates that.

Hmmmm,...Skunked? hasnt happened in a LOOOONG time. I carry so much tackle with me I have probably 2 or 3 dozen finesse type baits to try before i give up, I usually find the one they want,.But if it were to happen?.  it would be near the end of the day when i finally breakdown, pull out the ultralight rod, and a tiny beetle spin, and beat up on some bluegills or perch, whitebass, crappie, pumpkinseed etc. and im sure id eventually find a small bass mixed in there.

 This sometimes turns out to be a blast, big crappies on a 5'6" ultralight is alot of fun, as for the scenery and relaxation, I dont ever "avoid" that while fishing.,.,... I see that as just another part  of my bass fishing every outing.

or  or    Followed by going out and buying more gear that I don't need. And I have a lot of gear I don't need.

I go home, watch youtube videos, order more stuff from tackle warehouse, and plan my next attack...And complain. A lot of complaining.

 

I talk to my self about how much I hate the sport, and how I'm never gonna go fishing again. Then, I think about how much to sell all my gear for. Followed by me pondering what hobby to take up next. This cycle goes on for an hour or so, then I go out to the garage and get my stuff ready for next week.

Usually go home and drink beer

Most of the time for me, when it's a slow bite others I talk to at the ramp say the same thing. But every now and then I'll struggle and some guy will say "I crushed them on a red blah blah blah". Those days I usually  look back and think that I was trying to force feed them something they didn't want that day. Don't be afraid to change up what you're throwing. But, if I get skunked, I don't get too torn up  about it...lol

What does "get skunked" mean?!

If they're skunking me on a lake, I go try a river/stream... and vice versa. Change it up, even if that means smaller than average fish. When they're not active, sometimes I will put all my gear down and walk the shoreline looking for the natural forage and taking photos, learning is good.

 

Try taking a leak in the water.  Usually helps produce a "rally fish".

Everyone gets skunked that's just a fact of fishing life.   But three weeks is a long time.   I'm glad you asked if "Is it just me or the fish" Because of course it's you.  I doubt that it's your presentation, it's probably that your not locating the fish.  That is the first rule in all fishing "find the fish".....  You didn't say anything about how you fish, e.g. from a boat, etc.   I'm guessing that your fishing from shore and that always adds difficulty.   

You want to know what I would do you, so I'll tell you.    I would keep moving to different spots and fish an unweighted senko slowly.  then I would save my pennies and get a jon boat.   they can be bought cheap off craigs list.  

Crack a cold one and fish slower. Worst case I'll catch a buzz.

On 5/20/2016 at 11:48 AM, SemperBass said:

What does "get skunked" mean?!

I'm with this guy.

On May 19, 2016 at 5:43 PM, Keith "Hamma" Hatch said:

Hmmmm,...Skunked? hasnt happened in a LOOOONG time. I carry so much tackle with me I have probably 2 or 3 dozen finesse type baits to try before i give up, I usually find the one they want,.But if it were to happen?.  it would be near the end of the day when i finally breakdown, pull out the ultralight rod, and a tiny beetle spin, and beat up on some bluegills or perch, whitebass, crappie, pumpkinseed etc. and im sure id eventually find a small bass mixed in there.

 This sometimes turns out to be a blast, big crappies on a 5'6" ultralight is alot of fun, as for the scenery and relaxation, I dont ever "avoid" that while fishing.,.,... I see that as just another part  of my bass fishing every outing.

^ This!  I always have an ultralight rig or two in the boat and it's great fun to catch the panfish if the bass aren't cooperating.  Same goes for a light fly rod... I can always keep myself entertained on the water with it if there are panfish in the lake.

Tight lines,

Bob

On May 19, 2016 at 7:10 AM, Master Bait'r said:

I drink beer and play some Marley and just concentrate on enjoying the moment.  Even if you're having a crappy fishing day chances are it's still better than work!

And go back to work Monday and lie like a rug

I just keep downsizing. So many Redeye in my river its impossible to get skunked.

 

Yesterday I only caught two tiny guys at my local spot from my buddy's back seat. So I loaded up and went to another friend's pond. Caught 4 in about 45 minutes. Then I went up to his shop and had a beer with him.

3 weeks in a row. and id be looking for a lake.

when i get skunked i start thinking of the story im gonna tell. in all seriousness. i dont worry about it. just try and use the info i got from that trip to make a better plan next time

Downsize , I usually will put on a small grub on a jighead .. Can catch bass, crappie, perch etc.

Skunked, what's that? 

Hootie

Like everyone says................it happens.

I know my home lake very well, fish it over a 100 times a year, and every once in a while it will humble me with either a random skunking, or a very tough day for only a few bites.

I have not been 100% skunked in many many years.............that is I seem to always catch something.........a pike or two, some perch, other misc. fish, but once in a while I will have a bass-less day. It's mother natures way. Heck............if I smashed them good every time I went out it would be boring. I like the unknown, it's what keeps me coming back. 

I will say with 100% certainty that I have learned WAY WAY more from tough days on the water than i have from days when they are on fire. Anyone can catch them when they are on fire, it's when it's tough is when it separates the men from the boys. A fair number of the tournaments I have won on my little lake have been when everyone else is hauling water. In fact..............during the hog fest's, while I am usually competitive and in the money...........I rarely win.

When I get skuned I change as hard as it is to leave your comfort zone you have to if you want to catch fish.  I prefer to fish finesse when things are tough going