Super User Catt Posted February 16 Author Super User Share Posted February 16 2 hours ago, Zcoker said: I've seen lotta guys in some of these big tournaments coming back to the weigh-in empty handed. Last Tuesday I had 2 bites all day, the first was about 30 minutes after daylight & I missed it. The second was around 3°clock & I stuck that one. Jacob Wheeler was fishing the same area that day & only had one bite all day, which he caught. The difference was mine weighed 8 oz, his weighed 8 lbs. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zcoker Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 13 minutes ago, Catt said: Last Tuesday I had 2 bites all day, the first was about 30 minutes after daylight & I missed it. The second was around 3°clock & I stuck that one. Jacob Wheeler was fishing the same area that day & only had one bite all day, which he caught. The difference was mine weighed 8 oz, his weighed 8 lbs. Could've also been reversed, Wheeler 8oz and you 8lbs. I know when I'm gunning for trophy sized fish, I don't care if I catch only one fish a day as long as it's big, I'm good. Being armed and ready is what it's all about for them gals. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Catt Posted February 16 Author Super User Share Posted February 16 5 hours ago, Zcoker said: Being armed and ready is what it's all about for them gals. Location Timing Being Cocked, Locked, & Ready to Rock! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted February 17 Global Moderator Share Posted February 17 On 2/15/2024 at 11:18 AM, Bird said: If you haven't taken a skunk you're not fishing enough. Or trapping 😂 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Bird Posted February 17 Super User Share Posted February 17 56 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said: Or trapping 😂 Exactly why I got out of trapping, nothing but skunks while my brother had foxes.....true story. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrb772 Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 As many have already stated, I struggle some days but I always take some lesson from it. I appreciate people being honest, not everyday is great. I would rather get go through those tough days on the water than be at work wondering if they are biting.... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User ol'crickety Posted February 17 Super User Share Posted February 17 On 2/15/2024 at 11:22 AM, WRB said: The transition from cold winter water to slightly warmer pre Spawn is a crap shoot at best. Three times, I caught one bass last April and May and I felt no shame in sharing the details of my near skunks. One of those three times, I was skunked and about to pull my canoe out of the water when I heard current around the corner, for the bog was high and water was roaring through a pipe under the road. So, I cast a wacky worm into a tree trembling in the current, felt a tug, and we tussled. I was fighting the current as she was using the current and I was trying to avoid being swept into the tree as she wrapped around the tree. She was 17.5" with a back as black as charcoal. I remember the details of that fight as clearly as if it were this morning because that bass was so hard to catch. And when I read about other anglers who were skunked or nearly skunked, I say, "Brother." I loved reading this thread. So many great comments. @RipzLipz is right. When we're not catching, we can get busy appreciating everything else that's in, around, and above water. Another one of my one-fish days was a great day to just witness with gratitude because I wasn't busy with bass. And @WRB is right about cold water clamping mouths. Thanks, @Catt, for starting this thread. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thediscochef Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 three days blank, but I saw a blowup for the first time this year and a cormorant for the first time in many days. I'd be shocked if there weren't beds happening in about 10 days. My time is approaching. Just wish I could shake the sore throats, this is the third one this year and I'm starting to feel like I wanna speak to the manager 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RipzLipz Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 @thediscochef Get on some of this to help prevent it from turning into something worse if you haven’t already. I get ear & sinus infections if the sun rises or sets & this stuff helps keep it at bay or recover much faster more often than not. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Bankbeater Posted February 17 Super User Share Posted February 17 This time of year I'm happy if there is no ice and it's warm enough to wet a line. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgasr63 Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 9 hours ago, RipzLipz said: @thediscochef Get on some of this to help prevent it from turning into something worse if you haven’t already. I get ear & sinus infections if the sun rises or sets & this stuff helps keep it at bay or recover much faster more often than not. Wow most of the time when I get skunked I tell people that I couldn't even catch a cold lol. @thediscochef hope you feel better 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted February 17 Global Moderator Share Posted February 17 13 hours ago, ol'crickety said: Three times, I caught one bass last April and May and I felt no shame in sharing the details of my near skunks. One of those three times, I was skunked and about to pull my canoe out of the water when I heard current around the corner, for the bog was high and water was roaring through a pipe under the road. So, I cast a wacky worm into a tree trembling in the current, felt a tug, and we tussled. I was fighting the current as she was using the current and I was trying to avoid being swept into the tree as she wrapped around the tree. She was 17.5" with a back as black as charcoal. I remember the details of that fight as clearly as if it were this morning because that bass was so hard to catch. And when I read about other anglers who were skunked or nearly skunked, I say, "Brother." I loved reading this thread. So many great comments. @RipzLipz is right. When we're not catching, we can get busy appreciating everything else that's in, around, and above water. Another one of my one-fish days was a great day to just witness with gratitude because I wasn't busy with bass. And @WRB is right about cold water clamping mouths. Thanks, @Catt, for starting this thread. Easy to post for she who is never skunked ! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zcoker Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 On 2/16/2024 at 4:46 PM, Catt said: Location Timing Being Cocked, Locked, & Ready to Rock! If I could say anything, no matter the situation, even if there's no bites ALL day, is to be cocked and ready at all times. Letting that guard down is when those big bites come, almost as if they know lol It's hard to say or even hard to do when time goes on empty handed to be so keen. I've missed some DD's fish laid back, frustrated, with the 'whatever attitude". Learned this lesson very well! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btoups Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 Happens to all of us, just some people won't post about it. Lol. I fished a local bass tournament this past Saturday and only caught one keeper bass and finished next to last place. The guy who won the tournament fished a canal that I had just come out of with the same bait that I was using and caught a 6lb bass. For me, it's all about learning and trying to get better every time out. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User WRB Posted February 19 Super User Share Posted February 19 If you enjoy being skunked come and fish lake Casitas, I don't know of a keeper caught this year! Tom 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User ol'crickety Posted February 19 Super User Share Posted February 19 1 hour ago, WRB said: If you enjoy being skunked come and fish lake Casitas, I don't know of a keeper caught this year! Tom Are the huge bass still there, Tom, and if so, do you think they're too wise to be caught? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User WRB Posted February 19 Super User Share Posted February 19 No the giants have disappeared for over 5 years now. Casitas was very low pool about 30% full for several years and when the rains came last year the run off was toxic from fire retardants used during the drought period. Castiac isn’t much better off but it still produces adult size bass but no giants for several years now. Tom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woody B Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 I struggled and skunked Saturday. I'm not ashamed of it. Winter....... water under 55 degrees per my transducer tends to lower my numbers a BUNCH. In my previous fishing life I never fished during the Winter. When I bought my boat (Dec 2021) I struggled until March. I blamed it on not having a spot lock trolling motor.(I got one in March, and started catching Bass) Last Winter I struggled. My (spot lock) trolling motor was noisy, so I blamed my struggles on that. I changed to a trolling motor that wasn't noisy in March, and started catching more. This year it's just me....but at least I've learned enough to realize that. I need to get better in colder water. I struggle, but the Bass I catch are usually decent size. There were 2 tournaments Saturday (that I know of) at the lake I fished. One tournament, with 15 boats had a winner with a 19 pound bag. Only 4 boats out of 15 weighed in. That's not an excuse for me. A boat had 19 pounds, there were Bass to be caught. The other tournament was a club tournament out of the landing I launched at. I'd guess 10 to 15 boats in it. When I was loading my boat I saw a guy carrying a HEAVY bag of Bass back to the lake. I said "That looks like a heavy bag". He said "It's everyones fish in one bag". I don't know how many caught Bass or what the weights were. However, some of them caught Bass, I feel like I should have. I didn't go Sunday. I've been having really sore legs after a couple days of fishing. I finally took the time to install a recessed tray for my trolling motor pedal. Basically hopping around on one foot while operating the trolling motor wasn't keeping me from catching fish, but I believe the level pedal will make me feel better while and after I catch some Bass. I'll be back out this weekend, probably struggling, but I'll have fun, and learn things. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Koz Posted February 22 Super User Share Posted February 22 We all go fishing with the idea that we'll catch a bunch or catch a big one every time we go out, so it's definitely disappointing when we come up empty. And while I myself am disappointed when those days happen, I've watched MLF BPT events where pros get skunked for the day - and those guys are fishing for a paycheck. Winter fishing has been brutal for me, but I also don't spend 6 or 8 hours a day on the water in winter. But the days are getting warmer with temperatures getting into the 60's, I know good fishing is right around the corner. Now we just need to get rid of those 30 degree nights, 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgasr63 Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 For most everyone out here there are ups and downs. @Zcoker is spot on about not just letting your guard down. 3 fish in January and 3 fish in the beginning of February and you could say to yourself "sit out till the weather gets better." But then you would miss out on that next time when you catch a 5lber and as many fish as you have caught all year in a hour and a half. Every time you get to go is a opportunity. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User ol'crickety Posted February 22 Super User Share Posted February 22 10 hours ago, Koz said: Now we just need to get rid of those 30 degree nights, Everything is relative. We've had a lot of nights in the teens, so when I looked at the weather forecast and saw a coming night where the low was just thirty degrees, I was excited. When we string a few daytime highs in the low forties and the nighttime low is only thirty, water starts to thaw. 1 hour ago, rgasr63 said: Every time you get to go is a opportunity. So true. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padon Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 for me ironically i think the bad days are what keep me coming back. its the asking myself why? and what could i have done differently that are thr great mystery. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted February 22 Global Moderator Share Posted February 22 People catch fish thru a hole in the ice, you don’t have to wait for it to warm up to get a bite. You are trying to satisfy your human needs but the bass don’t care 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted February 22 Super User Share Posted February 22 58 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said: People catch fish thru a hole in the ice, you don’t have to wait for it to warm up to get a bite. You are trying to satisfy your human needs but the bass don’t care How about we just keep that little nuggets to ourselves there Mr. Helper . . . . 🤓 A-Jay 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User ol'crickety Posted February 22 Super User Share Posted February 22 54 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said: People catch fish thru a hole in the ice, you don’t have to wait for it to warm up to get a bite. You are trying to satisfy your human needs but the bass don’t care I tried it once and it didn't feel like fishing to me. No floating, no paddling, no casting, and no fighting. Cold water takes all the fight out of fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.thumb.jpg.df52404fc648bc17a641a50eb4c9dac9.jpg)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.