FRUSTRATED!

[LazyKB]

As I said in my introduction a couple of days ago, I am no fisherman. But I am not incapable. I have come home with 8-10 crappie once or twice. I have brought home 3-4 walleye from Lake Seneca in Ohio three or for times. But I will be danged if I can catch one now. I have been going out at least twice a week the last four weeks. When I started the water temp was 45, today in the southernmost lake I fish it was 65. I am fishing three small electric only lakes that I have never fished before, so am spending a lot of time prospecting. I am beginning to see fish on the sonar. Twice in two different lakes I have found them in the same downed tree or standing timber. They just do not want what I am throwing. What I have been doing is cruising around likely looking areas. When I see fish on the screen I toss out a buoy where the transducer is located on the boat. I then circle around and let out two anchors, one front, one rear, close to the buoy. I then fish under a slip float, or drop a minnow on a hook and split shot, or vertical jig a curly tail, or Bobby Garland, or a Sassy Shad jig. Sometimes I anchor away and cast a float or jig to the buoy. They don't want it. I have caught two in four weeks. One when it was cold, in ten feet of water. Why it bit I don't know. The other was in timber last week. I cast a minnow past the tree in 23 feet of water and caught a nice 11 inch black. I thought boy I am on them now, I am going to fill the boat. You know how that ended. Today was no different. They were there but lock jawed.

To make matters worse I had a problem on the trailer coming home. Tooling down the interstate, enjoying the radio and sunshine. I get off, turned the radio down and think I hear something new. (I can't hear in one ear and wear a hearing aid in the other.) I get out to look for a flat but I don't have one. I don't even have a tire on the right side! Lord only knows how long I had been dragging that thing up the road. I don't get it. I bought that rig in 87, its an 84 model, and it has been garage kept ever since. I told you I didn't fish much, you would have thought it would have held up better, It is a wonder she ever lets me out of her sight.

[BuckeyeCrappie]

I go through days like this and then all of a sudden it’s like a light switch flips. Jig colors combined with presentation can make all the difference. My go to colors are chartreuse and white or any combination containing those colors. I also right double rigs with minnows on one hook and a jig on the other. I also use Crappie Nibbles and of course SLAB and G SAUCE.

I am sorry you had trailer trouble. Every spring in give my trailer hubs a servicing and check everything over but things happen. Hopefully you didn’t damage your boat and can get back on the road soon.

[catchNgrease]

This is tough stretch for crappie fisherman. They feed heavily getting ready for the spawn. Then they don't for a period getting ready for the spawn. Then they feed heavily as they spawn sometimes for food but mostly as defense mechanism. Then they feed heavily after the spawn to recoup and then disappear. Visible with the naked eye only to those brave enough to fish with 125ft of line out and 5$ baits at a speed of Mach 2 or 1.2 mph whichever comes first. Tight lines and stay after them and maybe you'll stumble upon the elusive spawn. Then promptly stuff a minnow in their mouths spank their bottoms and put them back to finish their god given duty to replenish the waters.

Sent from my E6910 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

["D"]

Great story barbouka and welcome to the sight. I needed that laugh.

[pipeliner345]

Come to east texas!Attachment 398173Attachment 398174Attachment 398175

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[skeetbum]

First, welcome to you and pipeliner from Central Florida. I was in your shoes when I first joined the site in ‘07, had to buy my fish at the grocer. Persistence will give you results. The time willing come when you figure out what it takes to get it done where and how you fish. I will add that when it gets tough, I downsize both weight and profile. The ultralight bug it me in the early 80’s, maybe before that, and I catch fish on days when others are packed up and gone home. 1/32 and down to 1/64 with 1” bodies on 4lb line. Keep after it and you’ll succeed, let us know when you do.

[Micanopy]

I know a few fellers that can catch fish in mud puddles, in their driveway, or so it would seem. Some are just plain old lucky. I am not lucky when it comes to fishing, and have to work a little harder to appear successful. Afraid so. All my luck was always slanted towards the girls, and no I would not trade with them other fellers for nothing. Maybe you are like me and just have to work a little harder. As the water warms and the ecosphere under your boat transitions, opportunities are bound to arise.

I like trolling for fish because it seems I am being productive even when the fish aren’t coming aboard. Looks like I am catching. Looks like I am serious. I got my speaker system playing music. Got my favorite tennis shoes on and usually an awkwardly over bright shirt of some sort. I like chartreuse even if it does look like I am on a road crew of some sort. Point being you must get out there, hopefully with new tires, and try to look like you got your act together. I have spent months catching four a day, or even one a day. So I take a lot of pictures and experiment and imagine what a stupid little fish might expect me to offer.

You can do this. Anyone that can drag a boat down the highway, completely oblivious to the showers of sparks, the median strips catching on fire, the cars desperately honking while they hang out the window waving at you....... well that makes you special. You can do anything you really want to do. I want to encourage you to get out there and just try to enjoy yourself first and foremost. Just try to have a good time. The fish will come later, they aways do.

We all have our moments, why just last week I put the plug into the live well drain hole and secured it very carefully. Didn’t stop me from getting right back out there yesterday. I saw alligators and birds of prey and caught 16 fish. Yup sure did. So stick around and read some of what was written years ago and found in the search feature.

Richard Gene the Fishing Machine ( YouTube guy ) said that it is OK to make noises while fishing, it is the banging around on the bottom of the boat that scares the fish away. So turn the music up and troll around the lake some.

[GreenLine]

Don’t give up , I’d be prospecting the shallow brush if your water temps are in the mid 60s.
You might also find someone that has fished the area successfully and try to learn from them.
Good luck
“A bad day fishing beats a good day at work “


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[BobC]

Good advice and stick with it, Barbouka. Try some of the things suggested above. Eventually the switch will be turned on. Sorry to hear about the trailer. Hopefully no serious damage.
Bob

[Ketchn]

I sometimes walk away from a spot going hmmmmm
wonder what I did wrong ?
heck sometimes I even trip over things trying to get out of said spot leaving in a hurry because i stayed longer than i should have trying to un frustrate myself .
the one thing I can tell you is this , there are several spots here this year that duplicate your scenario more often than not .
and in the end just yesterday a fella told me you should have been here yesterday ,the bite was great !
stay vigilant and nose into the wind and to be sure your "luck" will change sir ...
welcome aboard