Do any of you have any lake's that were once "hot" as far as catching bass and then just shut off? I have one, and the people who live on it say there have been no winterkill's etc? Where the heck do the bass go if they do or do they just get wise!!! Any ider's out there?? Thank's Junebugman

This is what makes it fun. The challenge is what its all about. Usually , the challenge is within you, and not the bass. The fish are there, but have been conditioned, or moved where you ain't. This is where you have to get out of your comfort zone. Had this happen to me this year, till I worked it out. My answer was a drop-shot. I don't know why, but feel the fish were suspended and wanted a different look(horizontal, and off bottom). Really know your lake, the ditches/contour/deep haunts/brush piles, and humps/points. Try different looks and baits that you read about, here, and you'll figure it out. Another thing is to follow the tournament weights at lakes you fish. Usually that tells you that someone is figuring it out.

I'm not sure if this is what's happened to your lake or not but this can happen on any lake in the postspawn period. The bite is hot and heavy during prespawn and spawn, then after the spawn the fish take a break and 'disappear' for a little while. Try fishing at night and see what happens.

my goto lake did that last year, I used to catch lots of good sized fish and the occasional muskie then last year I couldn't buy a bite it is a small lake too so there are only so many places they can go. I would spend hours working a craw tube or a worm in the areas that should and usually do hold fish and catch maybe 1-2 dinks. this year has been really good out there so far. I don't get it but I understand your frusteration.

The lake has been this way for a couple year's so it isn't post spawn or pre spawn condition, I used to catch fish there no matter the condition's were now they are just shut off, I guess i'll have to dig deeper!!! Junebugman