Thread: What am I doing wrong?

we have been fishing up above Fairfeild to where the lake almost turns to river(Avery Bottoms) and we are catching our fish only 1 to 4 ft down in the water column.you have to hold it still and they will tick it a couple of times but wait till they thump it or start to swim sideways with it and then set the hook.Look for the schools of shad covering the top of the water and start there.we caught fish in2 ft of water to 20 ft but the best bite was up real high ,some fish were caught deep but not very many.minnows and a cork set shallow was working for another boat there but we were using jigs,white was a good color but so was chart .hope this helps next trip.

Originally Posted by CallWhy816

So we leave Harrisonville a little after 6 to head down to Fairfield (nailed them down there in the Spring). So we figured we'd make the trip and see how the Summer fishing is down there.

First thing we noticed, water was 10 - 12' lower than it was in the Spring. Almost unrecognizable up river a little bit where the channel ends.

So we fish some of the timber in 12 - 15 fow, all we get are a tap or two, no fish. Now I don't stay at one tree to long, dip it a few times, flip it and let it come back to the boat, fish it deep and shallow and then move on. So we go up river a little bit, find some deeper water. There are some boats that are in simliar positions so we feel we're at least trying the right techniques. Didn't catch a thing, so about noon we load up and head back to Sparrowfoot.

As soon as we pull in the quarry, I pull in a keeper. Then we found a few more, and caught a total of about 6 or 7 in an hour or so. Thing is, they were all in the mouth of the quarry in 7 or 8 fow up by the banks. I'd flip towards the bank and let it come back to me and they were hitting it about halfway between the boat and the bank. Ended up just throwing them all back.

Just a weird, frustrating day.

Now I see some people come up to a tree and tie up and stay there for a half an hour or more. I tend to like to troll and stop at tree to tree, and not spend more than a few minutes there if nothing.

Is that a good strategy, or do most of you stay in a spot longer before moving on?

I just can not get this Summer fishing down with any consistancy. Either way, it's always good to get out with some friends on the water I guess is the main thing, but man pulling in some fish is even better.

I wish I could help you, however I generally do the same thing as you: pull up to stump and fish around it. If I catch something I'll stay until I don't catch anymore for a few drops etc. If I don't catch anything I'll move right away. I've never fished Fairfield, but on Truman it generally works for me. What gets me is that you can catch a lot of fish on one stump, move to the next one over and not catch anything and then move to the next and catch a bunch more!! Stinking fish, why can't they just bite the jig!! One thing I do know though is, if you are not in the right area, you can fish every stump within a mile and not catch a fish, just saying!! Good luck figuring those fish out!!

If you have never fished the tree before,do not stay there for more than 1 minute,people that tie to trees,like myself when fishn with the kidshave fished that tree before with good luck..if i fish a flat,dip 10 trees no fish,no bite,find another flat...