Forth time out; forth time skunked. I was even able to watch three bass, one was decent, swimming around near shore, watch every lure/worm that came their way, and disregard it, swimming away. I'm really not sure what I'm doing wrong.

Everyone says I'm probably fishing too fast. So today I had a stopwatch going. While varying my retrieves, when reeling slow, it would take me anywhere between 4 to 7:30 minutes for my retrieve. And I'm fishing from a shallow shore, so it's not like I'm way out there. And I am changing my retrieve styles. So I just don't know what to do.

Any help?

Hmm, usually slowing down is the deal. Sounds like you have thrown all different types of colors and lure presentations. Perhaps burning the lure, like a lipless crank. Maybe try adding a scent? Or try senkos when all else fails.

Well I don't have a solution but I feel your pain.  I was going through pics from last year and I was absolutely slaying them this time of year.  This summer has been the exact opposite.  So far it has been the worst summer I can recall since I started bass fishing.

Try going about an hour before sundown and fish into the dark. When the heat is on full blast, this can work well.

Put the stopwatch away and just twitch your plastics along slowly. At least up here, the bites are not aggresive at all this part of the season. Keep just enough tension on your line to feel the slightest tap. You may have had fish on and not noticed.

give me some more info helms. water temp., clarity, fishing from shore, boat, lures, line, depth, cover, structure? No pro here, but help us all out with some more info and I am sure someone can help.

The pond I shore fish:

Shallow, can see bottom 20-30 feet from shore (is this clear water)

A few fallen tree limbs, but virtually no structure

Mud bottom, with scattered rocks

Some deeper sections that appear to be stained (at least can't see bottom like the shallower areas)

Would guess water temp about 80-85

Used weightless flukes different colors, different shallow crankbaits and colors, spinner baits of different colors, different buzz baits, jigs with rage tail and different trailers, c-rig/t-rig with different worms (to include senkos) and different colors (even wacky rigged), and different topwaters.

The Lake I fish from boat:

Stained, shallow timber, rip-rap sections, a few points, and some deeper sections

Mud bottom, with scattered rock bottoms

Would guess water temp about 80-85

Used weightless flukes different colors, different shallow crankbaits and colors, spinner baits of different colors, different buzz baits, jigs with rage tail and different trailers, c-rig/t-rig with different worms (to include senkos) and different colors (even wacky rigged), and different topwaters.

You did say that you could see the bass swiming around..? well, if you can see them, they can see you, which doesn't help. Try backing away from the shore, and cast at angles, instead of straight out.

I would try a 6" roboworm t rigged with the lightest weight you can get away with, and SLowly retrieve it with a twitch every couple of feet.

I've known a few guys that will Lay down on shore so they aren't in view of the fish, and yeah, it works sometimes. Above all, don't give up..

feel your pain. this year i've been skunked way too many times than i'd like to admit.

Throw out a pop-r and just leave it set as long as you can stand. After awhile twitch it along varrying your retrieve.  Try any type of walking bait and a lipless crank or a jerk bait with a slower retrieve.

This may help. It's some info I got from a friend about fishing water that's extremely clear. Worth a try anyway.

Twister tail grubs, small fluke or small bass assassins in CLEAR. Not smoke, not grey, but clear. If that does not work, cut the tail off one of the grubs and make it look like a jerkbait. Thread it on a light wire aberdeen hook and work it like a fluke jerkbait. Try to use the lightest line you feel comfortable with.

I would also add some Megastrike for good measure. I never leave home without it.....at least when I'm fishing. 

Jason

getting skunked is part of the game.  You see you gain experience each and every time you get skunked.  But here's my take on this I agree that you have to slow down when working your lures, and as already mentioned don't let the bass see you.  Here's my favorite technique for bass that you can see: wacky rig a senko.  Cast it out about 5 feet ahead of the bass and keep shaking the senko as you slowly reel it in.  Something about this drives bass crazy.

Finally don't give up even when the bite is tough.  I live in southern california and trust me our local lakes are highly pressured and sometimes you just gotta get skunked in order to become a better fisherman

Don't read anymore into it than just a slow bite this time of the year, I'm experiencing the same thing..........try live bait.