Thanks Thanks:  0
HaHa HaHa:  0
Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: First Chance. I struck Out

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    SC
    Posts
    314
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default First Chance. I struck Out


    i have finally retired and am living just a short walk from Lake Hartwell in October County, SC. We have been moving in and today was my first day to try to fish. For now, I am just bank fishing. Today was my first chance to fish. I fished for about 3hours, beginning shortly after daylight and threw everything in the tackle box, but never caught a fish. I used 1/32, 1/64 and 1/80 ounce jugs, small soft plastics from Northland, a grasshopper type lure, etc, the fish were there. I could see them. I could smell a bream bed; the fish were there but they had lockjaw. I tried suspending a jig under a bobber at different depths. I let it sit still, and I tried a slow retrieve with gentle erratic tugs, etc. Nothing worked. And bluegills aren’t supposed to be that hard to catch. I tried a drop shot rig. I exhausted all my tricks. I tried several different locations, I tried a fish attractant on the jigs, nothing. Any suggestions?
    Last edited by deathb4disco; 07-07-2018 at 11:13 AM. Reason: increased font size for readability

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    East Tennessee
    Posts
    3,403
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Crickets, Red worms, mealworms or night crawlers. Gills love live bait, and until you learn the lake and the hotspots, toss something lively and wiggly at them and hold on!


    Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
    Likes Eagle 1 LIKED above post

  3. #3
    Eagle 1's Avatar
    Eagle 1 is offline Crappie.com Legend and Mississippi Moderator * Crappie.com Supporter
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    New Albany, Mississippi
    Posts
    14,522
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Spend more time trying to catch those you can't see. Clear water is a game changer for me . Light line, clear floats , long cast, natural baits and a really s-l-o-w. presentation .Even then some days are not productive .
    Likes Cricketcage LIKED above post

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Choudrant,Louisiana
    Posts
    3,240
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    A few weeks ago Cats were still under boat houses guarding some nests even in this hot weather. But not now, they have moved into deeper water. at the boat houses Bream so small they could not take a cork under were present. I had to get in water 18 feet deep to find fish. Fishing 5 hours I managed 12 smaller fish, Four went back. the fish you saw could have been small bass or shad.. You have to get in deeper water in this heat
    Likes Eagle 1 LIKED above post

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Kensett, Arkansas
    Posts
    6,261
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    There are times they will not hit a thing. I’ve seen it a lot over the years. I’ve thrown crickets.....worms.....all kind of jigs in beds and they would not touch it.

    Regards


    Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
    Likes Eagle 1 LIKED above post

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    TEXAS
    Posts
    20,811
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Deeper waters in the heat of the summer is sometimes the ticket and in clearer waters it’s likely needed to get a summer fish to hit . The ones that’s you can see are typically the trickiest to try to ketch as well .
    Live bait in deeper water off a ledge would be my choice .
    sum kawl me tha outlaw ketchn whales

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

BACK TO TOP