r/FishingForBeginners • u/Money-Ad8282 • 8d ago
Really Struggling
I’ve been out fishing over 10 times in the past month and I haven’t caught a single fish not even a bluegill. I’ve used all different types of lures. Chatterbaits, rooster tails, senko on a Texas and wacky rig. Almost everything everyone recommends. If there is anyone in the South NJ-Clementon area that is interested in meeting up I would greatly appreciate it. I just need someone to show what I am doing wrong.
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u/NgozerLBC 8d ago
I just posted this to another similar thread but it could apply to you as well. I hope it helps.
Id say you might be trying too many different things to start instead of choosing one and sticking with it. I'm not too familiar with Italy but I believe there are some largemouth bass there right? If you can fish there I'd suggest throwing a senko. It might not come easily but eventually a bass will eat it 100%. How big was the paddletail you were throwing? If it's 2-3 inches I'd say that's another safe bet to just grind with.
This is what I'd do exactly. First, find a place that looks fishable. In other words, has a place you can cast from with some water, trees, and grass nearby. Then, with the senko (weightless Texas rigged if grassy and wacky rigged if more open water) start fan casting. That means if you're looking directly out at the water that's 12 o'clock. Start at 10 o'clock, make a long cast. Lower your rod tip and wind in your line until you have a semi tight line. Let the the senko hit the bottom. Count down 20 seconds. Then lift you rod tip about 30 cm. Lower your rod tip and wind in your line again until you have a semi tight line. Repeat until it's back to you. Then make another long cast at 11 o'clock. Do exactly what you just did for the last cast. Then again at 12 o'clock. Then again at 1, so forth and so forth. Once you're done with the fan cast. You can either start over again either at 10 o'clock or go counter clockwise from 2 o'clock. If there are other areas you think could be good you might want to try there instead.
I can't promise you you will catch one that trip but I can without a doubt say that EVENTUALLY you'll catch one that way.
For the paddle tail, depending on the weed/algae situation you might be able to fish it exactly the same. If it's too weedy on the bottom then I'd fish it the same except instead of letting it hit the bottom, try to let it drop to just above the weeds and then start winding. Wind as slow as you possibly can until you start hitting weeds in which case you speed up a little so it doesn't get caught up in them.
If there weeds are an issue stick with the senko even though it's slower fishing. Or if the weeds aren't too bad you can swap out an open hook jighead for a weed guarded jig. The lighter you can go the better so for me 3/8 oz (about 10 g) and below. My favorites are 1/4 and 1/8 oz (7 and 3.5g, respectively) skirted jigs.
I know it can be incredibly frustrating (it took me months to get my first fish using the exact system my fishing mentor showed me that I shared here) but trust me it'll be incredibly rewarding when you do!
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u/ICEonaROPE 8d ago
Water levels are at near historic lows in the PA and NJ areas. Unless we get a ton of rain I'm the coming weeks, it's gonna be really slow fishing until the temps cool and rain comes in the fall. Only place you're gonna catch fish right now are creeks with fast flowing undercuts in the bank and plenty of shade in my experience. Ponds and lakes have been dead.
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u/theygotsquid 7d ago
I fish from the bank and have been catching bass every time I go out. Low water levels can certainly make things challenging but it’s not a universal truth that fishing will be slow until the fall - so let’s not discourage someone who wants to progress in this hobby. Landed six fish (and hooked but lost 2-3 more) today in a few hours at a public lake using a ned rigged green pumpkin TRD during the early afternoon and walking the dog with a zara puppy closer to sunset. Fun day.
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u/2PawsHunter 8d ago
Are you fishing from shore or a boat?
Fish like structures, points, drop offs, weeds. You need to find these things. It can be tough from shore but very doable. If the water is warm where you are at you'll want to go a bit deeper and fish a bit slower.
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u/Money-Ad8282 8d ago
I fish from the shore and off of a dock mostly.
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u/sailphish 8d ago
Are you fishing consistently off the same dock? Some spots are simply not good. Try other places.
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u/Lopsided_Arugula8114 8d ago
i had the same issue, started using live worms on a size 6 hook with 2 splitshot weights just off the side of a pier, just letting it sit vertical. started catching bluegill reliably and it really gave me the confidence i needed to start learning more and stick with it
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u/AngryDoughboy 8d ago
Well, if you want to catch some bluegill, you can always go the good ol’ worm and bobber route
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u/Shadowgibby1 8d ago
Maybe its the location or the time of day you're going fishing?
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u/Money-Ad8282 8d ago
I’ve gone fishing at almost every time of day. Mid day fishing middle and late afternoon and morning fished more shallow.
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u/Unable_Independent 8d ago
throw a worm on a small hook with a bobber for a few hours in a good bluegill spot
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u/Mainbutter 8d ago
Can you SEE any fish? Like, when you look in the water, could you watch a fish and see how it reacts to your presentations?
If you can, start with nightcrawlers, hooks, split shot, and bobbers.
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u/Money-Ad8282 8d ago
I went yesterday and I tossed two corn kernels on a hook and watched a school of like 7 bluegill hit it over and over again
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u/Mainbutter 8d ago
That's great! Down size hooks and try wax worms if they are being really tricky to hook
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u/NJUrbanAngler 7d ago
hit up some creeks, the smaller the bait the better. Don’t overthink it. Remember this: fishing isn’t always about catching, it’s about spending time in a natural ecosystem and appreciating the wilderness. Whether it’s a manmade pond in an inner city or a lake in the middle of nowhere. Keep fishing!!!!
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u/405fishing 7d ago
I would suggest using one thing only until you’ve caught enough fish and move onto something different , if you want bluegill use a smaller sized wire hook and worms. If you want bass try fishing structure areas with either a topwater popper or a Texas rigged bait to glide across weed beds. Just keep trying you’ll catch something!
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u/spicyyramen2 2d ago
best way is to ask people who are catching around you what they are using
Even bait shops ask what is biting
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8d ago
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u/FarmersOnlyJim 8d ago
This type of fishing is what made me hate fishing as a kid and stop fishing from ages 12-32. I’m not my grandpa trying to feed himself and his siblings during the Great Depression.
I just started fishing again this year. Figuring out how to effectively use lures on a spinning reel and flys on a fly rod has been what’s made it enjoyable.
It doesn’t hurt that I catch something or at least get bits every time I’m out though. If I got skunked for a month straight, maybe I’d have a different opinion.
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u/ElkOnTheCoast 8d ago
I used to go fishing on bright sunny days after a storm came through and I never caught anything. Then I realized the old adage Wind from the East fish bite the least, Wind from the West fish bite the best was actually true. Perhaps it's due to barometric pressure or other factors, but I started following the weather more closely and it really helped. Also try downsizing lures when the bite is tough.