I have been fishing for a number of years but just last year I bought a boat and started to hit larger water. I had a very slow start since winter I had the good ole cabin fever and had to get the boat in the water as soon as it was warm enough to break the ice on the river. But I swear I threw everything in my tackle at these bass but I couldn't catch them. So i took a buddy of mine who knew the water more then I did and he showed me a few tricks that seemed to work on some of the fish. We would average maybe 3-4 fish a day. To some bass fishermen/women, that would be an okay day but not for me since we were only catching LMB about 1-2 lbs and not the hawgs I was after.

Once spring came in I started getting more bites and having more fun, but still not catching the numbers I think I owe myself.

So like anyone who really wants to learn more I joined a fishing club to help me learn, but they we no help whatsoever. They would catch the big 'ens and they wouldn't talk to anyone "new" in their club so I didn't learn anything.

Now I am a lover for topwater as well as many other anglers will say, so in mid june we fished another tournament in this club and we came in 2nd fishing strickly topwater. Only 8 boats weighed in and we just so happened to have a good day. When other people found out that we did so well when no one else could everyone wanted to talk to us and know what we used and where we fished. Now I don't know how the rest of ya'll feel about giving your spots out but I did just that. I like to help people as much as possible so when they asked I just figured what the hell why not.

Well I don't know everything let alone hardly ANYTHING about fishing apparently. I know that this time of year (Post-Spawn) the fishing is rather rough to catch any fish let alone big fish over 4lbs.

Now I cannot fish a jig to save my life nor can I fish a CR. I need as much help as possible.

I know having good electronics will help me out immensley in deeper water so I mainly fish shallower water where I feel like I know the depth and the areas pretty well. I like to fish grass mats since I know bass love vegetation and I fish standing and laying timber, docks and lily pads. I usaully have good luck with finesse worms and senkos, topwater frogs and lipless crank baits. But other then that I am not doing any good.

I have tried so hard to catch the bigger bass (over 4lbs) but I cannot seem to catch a bunch of smaller fish let alone that one big bass that I want. I need help guys. I really thought I was making progress but apparently I have just been fooling myself. I am tired of wasting my gas money to get the boat to the river and all that money I waste in tackle if I cannot catch some fish to get me in some money. Hell I would just be happy learning how to fish newer lures that I do already own just never throw because I have no faith in it.

So where I stand now is that I think I know more about bass fishing then what I actually do. I want to learn about how to fish but I have read about as much as I possibly can read, There is only so much you can pack into your head but experience is key. I want to learn while I am fishing so it will stick in my head.

Over all I just need some help with fishing in general. Now if there is anyone that could help me I really would appreciate any help I can get.

Thanks ahead of time for reading and hopefully helping me become a better angler.

-Joe

Joe,

I'm a little confused. Your signature lists a PB largemouth, 10.2 lbs.

How did that happen?

My best advice is to find a highly regarded guide to fish with for a day or two. You already have more than the basics and a little professional help at this point will do wonders. This is the best investment you could make to advance your fishing skills.

Good luck!

8-)

My pb was caught in a local pond, I do not fish ponds any more and I want to learn different areas around where I live (Larger bodies of water, rivers Large lakes etc)

I have even been fishing a local good sized lake that is private and I have been missing out on catching the numbers I did this same time last year.

I guess I should take off the pb because I don't like to claim fish that are so easily caught in ponds. I think pond fishing is sooooo much easier then river/lake fishing

I have thought about guides but they are so expensive and with my job I can barley afford to take my boat out. >

Find a local club.  If you can get in and spend a year or so you will learn more than you would by yourself in a decade.

Be patient and start fishing off shore a bit more than you are use to. Find the first drops, ledges and deeper points with sharp depth changes and concentrate on these. This style of fishing is productive year around and hold as many catchable fish as any other types of structure, plus they are easier areas to find on most bodys of water. Use Tx rigged soft plastics, Carolina rig, Jig and Craw trailer and deeper running crank baits in natural shad colors.

When you locate a group of fish with a crank bait, stay on em with it till no hits and go to the slower moving presentations. Load the Livewell    

Big O

www.ragetail.com

The saying around here is "when fishing the bank 90% of the fish are at your back". Move out and learn to fish deeper water.

The trick to fishing a C/R is to tye it on and cast it. Just drag it back to the boat in short pulls. You will get bit if you around fish.

You said you told your club members where you caught your fish. Not wise, it is great to tell them how you caught them but I would let them figure out the where on their own. good luck and good fishing.

From what I gathered from your post

#1: Loves top water bite

Problem although the top water bite is exciting you'll find it highly limits your success because you're fishing only 1/3 of the water column; learn to fish the other 2/3s of the water column.

#2: Stays on the bank due to lack of confidence in deeper water

Problem the greater majority of the bass will be located in or near deeper water which happens to be located offshore.

#3: Knows the lake contains vegetation standing/laying timber, docks and lily pads

Problem: Cannot fish a Jig-N-Craw or C-Rig both of which are necessary when fishing these types of cover and deeper offshore structure.

Solution: Do a whole more reading @ Bass Fishing Resource.com

FYI you're a member of the best fishing club in the world; one that will share information.

Catt,

Thanks for the reply and I cannot argue anything that you said. You nailed it, the reason I do not have the confidence in jig fishing is that it is hard to determine when your bait is touching the bottom. I have read alot on the jig fishing section but I'm still way too confused.

Another question... fishfordollars said that if fish are around you will get them to bite. Well I have fished with a CR many times my main problem is that I will get the weight all wrapped up in weeds and it gets so d**n aggervating that I just end up reeling it in really fast once I get the least little feel of grass and give up on it.

When I fish T-rigged worms I always fish with worms that "match the hatch" but how should I determine what type of worm to fish a CR??

I have always used a larger worm like a 10-12" worm when I CR it.

But when I TR it I use like a 6-8" worm.

Maybe I am just thinking way to much and just making myself disappointed every trip out.

Thanks

Nitroman, Try moving out and fishing the outer areas of the grass where it becomes scattered. All lakes will have an outside grassline determined by depth and water clarity. Try to fish the outer areas with the CR and you will not have such a problem. A lot of times the outer, scattered areas get less fishing pressure and generally hold larger bass. Just watch your depth finder as you move out and you will clearly see the area where the grass stops growing. Do a little searching and you will notice the smaller clumps that the area will hold. Good luck.