Time and time again I go to the same spot on the Flint River, and fish off of the bank. I always go with friends, and they always catch fish. I spent 5 hours fishing today without a bite. My friend caught a giant Smallie, a couple other small ones, and a Northern Pike. I can use the same lure, and be at the same spot, but the fish just don't want to bite my lure. Am i doing something wrong? I know there's fish there because everyone else was catching fish and I never get any bites. Please help, these long fishing droughts are killing my morale. 

Have you tried asking the guys you see catching how they're doing it?

+1 for talking with your friends who are having success.  Ask them about what kind of retrieve they are using.  Even the same lure can be worked in different ways to either appeal to or not appeal to fish.  

 

And sometimes its just bad luck!  Either way keep at it and try new things until you find something that works.

TRD

If by any chance you are located in Michigan the flint river for me at least, can be challenging. The fish seem to move around a lot more due to more fluctuating in the water level and speed. The flint also gets decent pressure here as well. Also the line and overall way of working a bait could make a substantial difference.