thinking of giving up on fishing?

[TwainGang]

Who's quote is it that goes "many people fish all their life before they realize it isn't the fish they are after" -or words to that effect? Thoreau perhaps?

To me it is the challenge, the nature, the exercise, and the prize of fish caught and figuring out the puzzle. Also- getting away from the madding crowds!

[TacoBender]

I agree with all of what was said! I'm a guide so people expect to catch fish but sometimes it's slower than I would like for it to be. With that being said, we all started in the same place and sure in the begining there were times that I felt the same way, but I kept on studying and trying new things. So don't give up you'll figure it out. I think sometimes people are thinking and trying to hard, the key is if you're not catching fish then you're not on them you'll have to move. There are active fish in the lake you fish at all times you just have to find them. Usually crappie will hit your bait if you put it in front of them so keep looking for the ones that will hit. The last piece of advice is one some people don't want to hear but it's true. If you want to know where and how to catch fish quickly hire a guide on the lake you're fishing it wil give you the info you need to catch them yourself.
GoodLuck

[poppop]

fish wva....I know where you are coming from...I am afraid once the crappie spawn is over....my fishing is gonna go downhill fast. But I am trying to learn how to crappie fish like some of the members on crappie.com. I am in for the long haul...and I believe with time and patience, picking everyones brains, I will get the hang of it. Good luck.....

[snapper]

i know what you mean i live 15 minutes from lake fished it for 3 years have not figerd it out yet but i can drive 30 to 45 min away and catch fish it is very frustrating still going to lake 15 min away and still love it going to that lake tomorrow

[TacoBender]

Snapper , I know what you mean. I live 1 mile from the boat ramp on Joe Pool. Within the next couple of weeks I'll be driving 45min away to fish my other lakes because they are a lot better crappie lakes than JP. It's not always that you can't figure out a lake, some lakes are better than others at different times of the year and some are just better than others, period.
GoodLuck

[Locator79]

The most important thing is to enjoy your time on the water, relax, and have fun. We all would love to fill the cooler every time out.

[shipahoy41]

Remember the joy of just being outdoors and on the water. There is something peaceful about that to me. Many times I think about how my dad got me started and interested in fishing, or I remember just how blessed I am to be able to enjoy what God has created for us.

Many times I have been skunked and many times I have really had great catches...but not one time could I say I did not enjoy being on the water or the bank just fishing.

For those precious moments There was no demands on the job, no "Honey Do" chore to complete, no shopping to do, no lawn to manicure, no bills to pay, nothing but a calm moment of peace amist the storm of life we call living.

[skeetbum]

I take a different approach for several reasons. I get up very early weather I'm fishin or not. So I begin my day to be at the ramp when the sun arrives. Not sunup, first light. P**** the wife off but we survive. I fish til around noon and pack up and go have lunch with her. then clean fish, if I haven't given them away to freinds that don't get to fish. Now n then I start in the early afternoon and fish til almost full dark. Doing this eliminates the need to carry food, 'cept snax. a bottle of water or two will usually get you by. Also cuts down on the frustration when the wind/weather isn't working in your favor. Full day trips are cool, but they can also be a lot of work. You already figured out that even if there's no fish in the boat, it sure beats the alternatives so I won't go into that. Rooster Tails and beetle spins are good skunk busters. A 3lb smallmouth on a 4lb setup and a small spinner is one of the finer things in this life. Tight lines.

[joejv4]

I've had my share of slumps. I don't usually let them bother me. Like so many other folks have already said, the time on the water is why I'm there. For me, fishing is the ultimate stress-reliever.

From time to time, a slump will start to bother me a little, so I switch gears. My favorite fish to chase is crappie, and we know how they can make you nuts when they get finicky. When they start making me nuts, I give them the cold-shoulder and fish for something else.

One of the great things about fishing for fun and relaxation is that if one species seems to have lockjaw, there is almost always another species around that is a bit on the hungry side. If you have an itch to feel a fish on the other end of your line, changing things up can scratch that itch and let you settle back into enjoying your time on the water.

While crappie is my favorite, I fish for pretty much anything with fins. It goes a long way toward stopping a slump from bumming me out.

[fishwish]

While I don't know all of the circumstances surrounding fish-wva's lack of success, I'll throw in my two cents worth.

First of all, if it's crappie he's after, he may want to see if there is a guide in his area and go out with him 2 or 3 times. Observe everything the guide does and uses and ask a lot of questions. While it costs a little, you could learn a lot in a short period of time.

Second, consider going after other species. As for me, I'm primarily a bluegill and shellcracker fisherman. I don't crappie fish because, quite frankly, I ain't very good at it but I enjoy catching my bluegills and shellcrackers just as much as other folks on here enjoy catching slabs.

Get a telescopic pole with a cork and put a cricket on the end and pitch up next to some stumps or bushes.....the slump won't last very long. It may not be a crappie but it's still fishing!!