does everyone go thru a fishing slump....

[ryan_ekubass]

i am just curious as to if everyone goes thru a slump in not catching any fish.... this has been goin on since last spring the year before i was having a stellar year and catchin fish on every lake i launched the ole ranger in and last spring all the symptoms started.... i would go to dale or norris and fish the same places i did the year before and not do as well or catch nearly the numbers... and its slowly got worse thru the summer and into the fall.... yeah i can catch fish and i throw a wide variety of bait till i get the right combo then i stick with it.... but like in the fall i done ok and all winter i had a great time fnf but now spring is rolling back around and i am doin the same stuff as always.. i fished the bfl on dale last week and my boater was a guide on the lake he lived on dale hollow and 0 i threw a zero on the lake i spend most of my fishing time... he did too and we fished shallow in the brush on secondary and primary points in the flats, mainlake structure and everything.... well with the week all warm and nice i went down there yesterday and 0 and i was in my boat goin to all my lm spots and they werent there or something..... its just disheartening to know i have all this knowledge and a average sized tackle store in my boat and i am ready to throw my rods in and sell the boat or drain the lake and make a subdivision... i dunno i just cant seem to get out of this slump.... i always do good when i am by myself fishing or if i go out with some people.. but i just dunno its really driving me nuts to the point that i dont care to fish i have the desire and want to but the goin to is fading when i think wow i am goin to spend 150 atleast in gas today and i might catch a fish who knows... my go to lake for confidence is no longer there either i used to go to laurel and get all mad cause i didnt catch fish and then go to dale and catch em all day or night.... ps laurel is not a confidence building lake.... its stinks... i grew up 15 miles from there and still cant do no good there.... but i just dont understand why i cant produce anymore....why thats all i want to know and how to fix the problem... its not like a diagnostic on my truck its way more complicated than that....can anyone help please.....

[BanditMan]

It's fishing pressure and or the conditions that has the biggest effect on your Slump. The fuel prices get in peoples heads before the trip starts and it effects them all day. Hang in there and the skunk will leave soon enough.

[DJD]

Yep I'll go through one just like anyone else and as Banditman said it's mental. IMO fishing is a mental game and once you let that slip your in for a slump. Go creek fishing or get with someone who is on their game and you should be on your way again. Good luck

[WacoWildcat]

Man I caught this dang drum at Kentucky lake on the last day of a trip down there this fall. Fishing was pretty good but that last day the bite was tough and that's the only thing I boated that day. When I got home I took a couple trips to Cumberland, zeroed, then took a trip to dale and caught another drum...all on jigs too. No bass. I was definetly in that same funk. This smell was worse than the no fish skunk too, it was drum. I think I was just trying to hard it seemed and getting frustrated. I kept at it though and went out with some good friends not worrying about catching fish just having fun and started whacking em again. Sorry to rub it in but this winter and early spring have been great for me...so give it time and stay at it. It will pass. I agree with DJD also, go hit up a good pond or a creek and that will get you going again.

[CTFSHWHISKER]

what they said..and forget your normal spots,i find if sometimes i don't worry where i have caught fish and just ride around and fish what i think looks good or what may be good i end up with some fish.alot of places i used to fish pretty much to myself on nolin now are take number spot,winter they always find my piles...and they do not produce near as well.

[LarryG]

My numbers this winter have been atrocious,but the fish I did catch were something else. A 7lbLMB at cumberland, a 6+ SMB at cumberland, one good striper, and a few SMB on the fly, but there is one thing I can say, the enjoyment was and is still there.Just keep on keeping on, it will come together. I know that if I went and bought 10 bucks worth of shiners every time I went, the numbers would probably be better, but why?I enjoy fishing like I want to. And that what fishing is to me, simple enjoyment, and filling tackle boxes with dreams.

[Cobra190]

Slump? Mental? Could explain alot. Is it possible for a slump to continue for thirty Years?

[kylakenitro]

Ryan, I think everyone goes through their slumps from time to time. I have had my share of slumps thats for sure. They say too many ppl get stuck fishing the past. So fish the moment and not the past, if old favorite spots arent working look for new ones.
So, Forget the past and fish the moment...

[ryan_ekubass]

thanks for all the info i hope it works.... i got a tourney on sunday at woodscreek but i am going to try and focus just on fishing and quit second guessing myself....

[Bobby Headrick]

Yes they do and sometimes it is due to not keeping in shape or trying new things. I blew the Bass fed nation Southern Div last week at Santee Cooper, only had 11 lbs in three days after slamming them prefishing. It was all my fault for not trying something different and having a lot of stuff on my mind other than fishing. Your mind is your biggest enemy, and also our old bodies. But it is the mental game that puts us in slumps as any negitive vibes hurt my fishing. Keep positive and things will change.

[Col Forbin]

I think I live in a slump, with the occassional good day thrown into the mix!

I know exactly what you are talking about. It has definitely helped me to try new things (lures and techniques) when you are having an extended period of bad luck. That way you don't lose confidence in things you are comfortable with, and your luck may turn around and you can gain confidence in new things. I am not saying you totally abandon what you have become confident in - just mix it up a little.

I am starting to experiment as well on the opposite end of the spectrum. I am starting to try new things when I am wearing them out as well. This is helping gain confidence in different lures and techniqes as well.

[smuckey41]

i fill the same way. i just fished the K.B.F.N. as a boater and did not way in a fish. my non-boater wayed in three. you just have to try to erase what happend and start fresh. i first seen the lake in a map book and from then it was all negitive thoughts. it was a deep lake where fish suspend and i am not good at fishing that way. i just need to keep on practicing on diffrent baits and the way i fish. even though i didnt way in a fish and other people did it shows me that fish can be cought and i just need to practice more. whith that said hang in there and dont give up on fishing because quiters never win and winners never give up. its so cleshay but true. i hope this advice helps you and me in or next tourny we fish.


thanks
chuck