My first post, although I have been reading these forums for quite sometime. I have found it very helpful!

A little about where I fish. I am in Boston metrowest area, and mostly fish in that area. I consider myself decent angler during summer and I feel I am quite productive then. However, spring is just not my time and I wonder if I am doing anything wrong. Here is what I have tried so far:

1. Fish at same spots where I have success in summer. I am not very familiar with how to identify structures under water, but usually look for spots with vegetation, overhanging trees, dead tree stumps showing through water etc. 

2. I have a kayak and have taken it out a few times, however most of my fishing this season has been from bank.

3. I have tried spinner bait, crankbait, jig, texas rigged senko. I usually (90%) fish with texas rigged senko during summer. I figured during spring fish aren't really looking for worm, and would prefer moving bait.

 

Thanks to all the helpful posts I think I am pretty good during summer time. I found the post about senko (with 30 seconds wait after drop and then 5 sec wait each time you reel in) extremely helpful and that flipped the switch for me. However I haven't had success with any other baits, and therefore (possibly, any other times but summer. I am happy to get something (fish finder?, although I don't do any deep lakes fishing) if that will help. Really looking for pointers/suggestions.

 

Thanks!

Shallow crank baits (lipless and squarebill) are great for me right now. Buzzbaits have been more productive than spinners. Shaky head and dropshot better than T rig. Carolina rig also better currently.  Even swimbaits and jigs have worked better than T rig all month. 

6 hours ago, huZZah said:

Shallow crank baits (lipless and squarebill) are great for me right now. Buzzbaits have been more productive than spinners. Shaky head and dropshot better than T rig. Carolina rig also better currently.  Even swimbaits and jigs have worked better than T rig all month. 

Thanks I have not tried buzzbaits and can try that next. Conditions might be more warmer in Texas I imagine? ?  It is getting warmer here in MA as well.

Maybe its to do with a lot of bank fishing and the fish just havent moved in yet.

I’m bank only. Yes it’s warmer, but everything but the buzzbait worked for me all winter. Especially the swim baits and cranks. 

We probably have a lot more guys here on BR who can pattern and catch fish in the hot summer than the spring. Springtime can be tough. I still have bad days in the spring. Hot weather fishing is usually more consistent.

On 5/30/2021 at 7:36 AM, Mobasser said:

We probably have a lot more guys here on BR who can pattern and catch fish in the hot summer than the spring. Springtime can be tough. I still have bad days in the spring. Hot weather fishing is usually more consistent.

Yes summer time just feels easier. I start getting anxious when folks I follow on youtube are catching bass, and I get skunked almost every time in spring ?

Maybe I am just senko/summer guy, and haven't yet put in the work to learn any other baits. 

I'm still seeing some bass on beds here. If the usual tactics such as hitting the shoreline and shallow structure, grass isn't working like it normally does, time to switch it up. Try fishing a little deeper water, particularly after the main spawn. Hit the 5 to 10 foot of water off gradual points or deeper flats. Throw a Texas rigged worm, creature, Ned or jig and you might have better luck. If you are seeing a lot of surface action out there throw top water too.

4 hours ago, Bubba 460 said:

I'm still seeing some bass on beds here. If the usual tactics such as hitting the shoreline and shallow structure, grass isn't working like it normally does, time to switch it up. Try fishing a little deeper water, particularly after the main spawn. Hit the 5 to 10 foot of water off gradual points or deeper flats. Throw a Texas rigged worm, creature, Ned or jig and you might have better luck. If you are seeing a lot of surface action out there throw top water too.

Thanks yes that is something I haven't yet tried (deeper waters). It might also help to be more accurate with depth and finding flats, points, and get a fish finder for my kayak ?

I think I just needed to spend more time + be on kayak ? We had a nice warm weekend and I had a couple of good outings! All with just senkos, but I am going to try weighted worm for heavy thick vegetation + plopper next!