I'm basically a beginner bass fisherman. I've learned alot from this site, tv shows, and the few times I've been out.

Today was the first time on my own and I was skunked. I started shallow in timber on the eastern shore, working north and south. I then worked two points, I then moved to the south shore, which has rocks and good drop offs (guessing 5' to 25'+ depth in the matter of 20' off shore). I ended the day back on the two points.

Freeman Lake (roughly a 170 acre lake):

(http://www.trails.com/topo.aspx?lat=37.7153&lon=-85.8700&s=50&size=s&style=drgsr&name=Freeman%20Lake)

I threw everything from swimbaits, cranks (ranging from 4'-17'), c-rig, t-rig, whacky rig, jigs, spinnerbaits; an assortment of plastics, colors, variations of retrieves.

Nothing worked at all.

I see pics in the office from March to the present of nice sized bass: 3-6lbs; so I know they are in there.

Any suggestions?

I tend to try to slow down when I am in a skunk.  Sometimes I just throw it out and let it sit, then the bit comes.  Like they say if you think your fishing slow, go slower.

We all have those tough days regardless of our experience level so keep your chin up and go back after it  Most new fishermen will have a tendency to fish a little fast and often just slowing each of your presentations down a notch or two is the ticket to finding the combination.

Regardless of the time of year, most fish will relate to some type of bottom structure or cover. Once you find any given type the fish are holding in...it gets much easier to determine which bait presentation will be the most effective.

Alot of variables to consider and you might ask around your area to see what others are doing to be successful.

Big O

www.ragetail.com      

Hey don't feel bad. Today I was skunked for the first time at my "home pond" in a long time. The air temp was 86 by 8am and the water temp was just north of 80 degrees. The water was ultra calm and started the morning fishing a sammy and wake-baits slow. I then tried trick worms and wacky rigged senkos as sun peaked over the horizon. Then moved to jigs, cranks and even tried the drop-shotting.

My day consisted of 2 perch.

Two beast that will always plague the angler no matter what their experience level....the bait monkey and that darn skunk! 

Don't feel bad, we all have those days. I think the advice about slowing down is the best . Especially with the temps getting hotter.