Hi I’m new to this forum and I thought I’d try to ask and see if anyone can help. I’ve fished like 5 times in April and I haven’t even gotten a bite yet. I’ve tried green pumpkin, watermelon red flake and white fluke senkos. I’ve tried 2 different whopper ploppers and various other baits. I’ve also tried shiners and worms. Just wondering what I’m doing wrong. 

 

Pretty vague question. More than likely the bass are not located in the areas you are fishing.

Without knowing your general location and type of water , we don't know where the bass should be located in april.

 

Sorry I’m in south shore mass. Tried Hanson, pembroke, Halifax and Hanover. Pretty dark water I’d say.

It is probably really cold water temps there. I would imagine those fish being out a bit deeper still.

 

Assuming your bank fishing, I would try to throw a 3/8 oz jig with a craw trailer and slowly drag it across the bottom. The fish may still be a bit lethargic up there. 

That sounds like a good idea. I think that’s the only thing I haven’t tried thanks!

Location is the biggest factor in your success right now. The lure choice is important, but not enough emphasis is put on where bass live right at ice out, and shortly after. Most informational articles, and videos talk about pre-spawn, spawn, and post spawn, but in my opinion, a lot more information needs to be shared about winter/ice out bass fishing because it really is different than pre spawn, when fish are feeding heavily to prepare for the spawn. In Maine, it's not uncommon to find smallmouth in 40ft right after ice out, largemouth can be in 20-30 ft also. It doesn't mean that there aren't fish shallow, but for the most part, they spend time in deeper water until consistent warm days are happening. If you are on the bank, and your farthest cast is only reaching 8-10ft of water, you aren't hitting a high percentage area, therefor you are getting little to no bites. That is likely out of your control if you are bank fishing. As far as lures go, the bigger moving baits are a little much based on the water temps if they are in the 40s like they are in Maine. From the bank in cold water, I would rotate through double colorado spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, jigs, squarebills, chatterbaits, lipless, and paddletails to get bites. All of those work well right up until the spawn, but they are useless if you are fishing areas that don't hold fish. Good luck!

Thanks! I guess I’m not sure how far to cast out because I’m used to fishing closer to shore and I don’t usually start fishing this early in the year. I also don’t really know how deep the lakes and ponds are that I’m at. Can’t wait to try some of these suggestions and get out there again!