It's not you...the water is still too cold.

Are you fishing the same part of the lake you did well at last August and September ? Don't fall into the pattern of thinking "This is where the fish are in this lake". Fish move around for many reasons such as temperature, oxygen levels, food, etc. Try different spots before giving up.

like i said this lake isn't really known for it bass fishing I'm only fishing it cause its the only place that is not frozen right now and i did catch a couple of small mouth on live grass crabs like 2 years ago other than that i hate fishing this like but i just want to get out there and its the only place

like i said this lake isn't really known for it bass fishing I'm only fishing it cause its the only place that is not frozen right now and i did catch a couple of small mouth on live grass crabs like 2 years ago other than that i hate fishing this like but i just want to get out there and its the only place

If you're not sure just what you are going to catch there, or where they might be, you could try this. Suspend a 3" or 4" Senko, wacky rigged, under a slip bobber rig. Try this in various locations and don't leave any location until you've probed the various depths with it. If there are any quality fish in there, they will take this set-up. With the water this cold, you have to fish slow and fish with a lot of patience. Remember one thing, the fish may be lethargic, but they will eat if an easy meal is presented in their faces and kept there for several minutes.

when its still this cold you probably need live bait. Doubt the bass are going to eagerly chase a lure yet. or just fish really really really slow. Im sure they are still out too deep to get em from shore anyway.  ;D

If it were me I would try a strike king bitsy bug jig with a netbait chunk, a shaky head with a zoom finesse worm, and a suspending jerkbait. If those three don't work I don't know what will. Those are my coldwater /OH SH$T I'M IN TROUBLE baits.

Yeah, that same problem has been happening to me lately too. A lot of it may depend on the harshness of the winter. Last year in march I caught 20 bass over 5 lbs in my local honey hole, but that was rather unusual for them to move that early. This year i have yet to catch anything other than the occasional dink. I'm sure they will wake up eventually as the water warms.

I hope the pleasure I take from fishing doesn't depend on entirely on the cooperation of the fish

when It's cold, fish slower. If it usually takes you 15 seconds to retrieve your bait, take 30 to 45 seconds.