Do you ever get back from a fishing trip and really not know what else you could have tried/what you did wrong that day? Im normally good at reflecting on what happened and then coming up with ideas of what I should have tried if it didn’t go great.  But on the days I can’t do this it’s super frustrating not knowing what you did wrong or not feeling like there was something you could have tried. Seems like I tried everything, everywhere, every way I could but they still stumped me for the most part yesterday. I fished 1”-6” baits in 1-25ft in numerous locations but I never got on any pattern or anything I could even build off of. 

yup.

Interesting question.  I typically fish on lakes so big I couldn't never come close to fishing all of it.  Then there are endless techniques and baits that I could try in each location.  So there are unlimited things to try in the limited time I have.  The challenge is selecting the best things to try.   If I'm unsuccessful,  I know I tried the wrong things.

 

If you're fishing from the bank or in a small body of water with a small tackle box,  I can see where you might feel like you tried everything...maybe.

1 hour ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

I fished 1”-6” baits in 1-25ft in numerous locations but I never got on any pattern or anything I could even build off of. 

Perhaps your issue is you're trying to do too much in too little time and not giving yourself the chance to actually figure out one pattern? 

You just ran out of time. How many days were you there?

It’s usually a timing issue and lure presentation, you can’t make bass bite if they are not active when you are there.

Tom

This is one of the reasons I love fishing local tournaments. Usually guys are willing to give you the general info for where you went wrong. That said, it's extra maddening when you find out you were in the same area, using the same baits as someone who did well. 

My favorites bodies of water are decent size, insert big.  When I am fishing in an area that has no bass and or at a time when they are totally not feeding, never really matters what presentation I choose. 

I am rarely putting the bass I am looking for in the net. I will admit that I too will 'reflect' on past fishing days.  The should have, could have, would have mentality after total skunk days is a double edged sword for me.   I can and do learn and gain more confidence for the next or subsequent trips when I've managed to get a few.  Total skunk days are just part of it and I don't beat myself up over them. Only takes one or two Banner trips help wash the stink off.

Fish Hard.

A-Jay 

 

I always ask myself why I came home.

I don’t normally let it bother me too much. I have more good days than bad, and I’d rather have spent the day on the water than at the house watching TV. 
 

Was the issue you couldn't find fish or you found some and you couldnt get them to bite?

I am sure we can all relate. As a shore angler, there is no pattern. If I catch one bass on lure A, lure A 99% of the time will not catch another bass. 
 

It’s as if the bass that was caught released some chemical that warned the other bass to steer clear, islandbass is fishing here, lol. 😂 
 

 

I would just ask my wife. She always tells me what I do wrong 😂😂

 

seriously some days you just don’t catch ‘em. It happens to everyone multiple times a year. Do not beat yourself up just go out next time with a clear head. Better yet go somewhere you’ve never been or do not go often and crush it! That will be a confidence boost.

I try not to think about it too much, but sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had used a different style or color of bait.  Hindsight is 20/20.

Sometimes you didn’t really do anything wrong it’s just that the fish weren’t feeding while you were fishing. Just like days when it seems like you’re getting bit on every cast, it’s not that I was doing anything special, but the fish were just hungry that day. 

nope.    I'm not one of those, "a bad day of fishing is better than a day of work" people.  But I dont sweat the details...sometimes the fish just act sucky towards me.  hahah.

 

I've had some awesome work days.  hahaha..

Ain’t so bad asking yourself those questions. Helps you change your tune. Helps you become proficient. Even if I had a good day, I still reflect to see if there was something that I could’ve done differently. Nothing wrong with your thoughts. In the grand scheme of things, one could’ve done anything differently add infinitum. Living the moments no matter the outcome is fundamentally living your life the best you can. 

On 7/18/2025 at 3:05 PM, king fisher said:

I always ask myself why I came home.

 

Same, except normally it's my wife asking.