Skunked on Swimbaits

[Lucas]

Headed out Saturday night for a few hours and fished a spot that has LM, SM and I'm almost positive it's got trout in there too. I told myself I was "going big or going home" and only took swimbaits. No spinnerbaits. No buzzbaits. Just me, a Wake Jr., a Slammer, a Huddleston, Matt Gill and some Smelly Jelly. I blanked yet again. I know I'm new to this and I know it will take some time but I thought it was going to be my night. This body of water doesn't receive a lot of pressure and I know it's got some decent fish in it. Where the heck were they? The water was down about 4-6 feet so I fished underwater points, creek channels and shallow flats. Nobody home. I know, I know, stick with it, but damn, I got a hitless streak going and it flat out stinks.

Thanks for letting me vent. My wife doesn't understand how upsetting a skunking (let alone a skunking streak) can be. LOL

[davej]

Headed out Saturday night for a few hours and fished a spot that has LM, SM and I'm almost positive it's got trout in there too. I told myself I was "going big or going home" and only took swimbaits. No spinnerbaits. No buzzbaits. Just me, a Wake Jr., a Slammer, a Huddleston, Matt Gill and some Smelly Jelly. I blanked yet again. I know I'm new to this and I know it will take some time but I thought it was going to be my night. This body of water doesn't receive a lot of pressure and I know it's got some decent fish in it. Where the heck were they? The water was down about 4-6 feet so I fished underwater points, creek channels and shallow flats. Nobody home. I know, I know, stick with it, but damn, I got a hitless streak going and it flat out stinks.

Thanks for letting me vent. My wife doesn't understand how upsetting a skunking (let alone a skunking streak) can be. LOL

Hey Bud... I respect your dedication of only taking the big baits.. In those situations I wonder if the other baits would have worked? the last few outings with Bill he was throwing the kitchen sink and only got two bites a smallie and Pickerel the whole day, so I kept throwing SB and ended up with only 2 fish as well.. if he was pounding them I would have switched up for sure.. my point being maybe it was an off night.. Did you try any of those huddleston shads? Do you have any of those Mighty or Mission fish? maybe they wanted something smaller or jigged off the bottom..

How were you working each bait.. How long were you at it for..

[Lucas]

Hey Bud... I respect your dedication of only taking the big baits.. In those situations I wonder if the other baits would have worked? the last few outings with Bill he was throwing the kitchen sink and only got two bites a smallie and Pickerel the whole day, so I kept throwing SB and ended up with only 2 fish as well.. if he was pounding them I would have switched up for sure.. my point being maybe it was an off night.. Did you try any of those huddleston shads? Do you have any of those Mighty or Mission fish? maybe they wanted something smaller or jigged off the bottom..

How were you working each bait.. How long were you at it for..

Yeah, I wonder too. I knew that if I brought a bunch of gear I would not have given the swimbaits a honest try. A couple of casts with nothing and I would've put them down. I was out for about 3 hours and just told myself to stick with it.

With the Wake Jr. and the Slammer, I would cast 'em out and let them sit for what seemed like an enternity. Then I would wake back real slow. I also tried various speeds and jerkin' them but slow and steady was the presentation I used the majority of the time. With the Hudds I used the ROF 12 and cast it out, let it sink on freespool, hopped it a couple times and then slowly reeled it in.

I do have a couple Mission Fish but I didn't throw them this time out.

I just keep tellin' myself that Friday's front shut 'em down. LOL

[davej]

Hey Bud... I respect your dedication of only taking the big baits.. In those situations I wonder if the other baits would have worked? the last few outings with Bill he was throwing the kitchen sink and only got two bites a smallie and Pickerel the whole day, so I kept throwing SB and ended up with only 2 fish as well.. if he was pounding them I would have switched up for sure.. my point being maybe it was an off night.. Did you try any of those huddleston shads? Do you have any of those Mighty or Mission fish? maybe they wanted something smaller or jigged off the bottom..

How were you working each bait.. How long were you at it for..

Yeah, I wonder too. I knew that if I brought a bunch of gear I would not have given the swimbaits a honest try. A couple of casts with nothing and I would've put them down. I was out for about 3 hours and just told myself to stick with it.

With the Wake Jr. and the Slammer, I would cast 'em out and let them sit for what seemed like an enternity. Then I would wake back real slow. I also tried various speeds and jerkin' them but slow and steady was the presentation I used the majority of the time. With the Hudds I used the ROF 12 and cast it out, let it sink on freespool, hopped it a couple times and then slowly reeled it in.

I do have a couple Mission Fish but I didn't throw them this time out.

I just keep tellin' myself that Friday's front shut 'em down. LOL

yeah those are the presentations I would have done with the Wake Bait jr.. try bringing some of those huddleston shads and mission fish next time as well..

It happens man.. I skunked on my buddies private lake where we usually end up with and average of 15 each.. the only thing that kept me from jumping overboard was Murphy only caught one on a chatter bait..

[Lightninrod]

It's the "nature of the beast" . Yes, it's frustrating but the future rewards are almost overwhelming!


Dan

[Lucas]

It happens man..

It's the "nature of the beast" . Yes, it's frustrating but the future rewards are almost overwhelming!

Yep, this fishless streak means I'm due for a HUGE fall bite.

...right?!

...right?!

[Lubina]

I also went skunked yestreday after 5 hours of casting swimbaits....not even the Gill worked.

First time got to use the Shellcraker, not very impressed....my arms are sore.......

[davej]

I also went skunked yestreday after 5 hours of casting swimbaits....not even the Gill worked.

First time got to use the Shellcraker, not very impressed....my arms are sore.......

I'm curious what you did not like about it? Please tell us why you are not impressed..

[Lubina]

I also went skunked yestreday after 5 hours of casting swimbaits....not even the Gill worked.

First time got to use the Shellcraker, not very impressed....my arms are sore.......

I'm curious what you did not like about it? Please tell us why you are not impressed..

Dave I don't want to take over this post....I started a new one

[leo33]

cast swimbait and repeat and repeat and repeat etc.i guarantee it will pay off.

[Lucas]

cast swimbait and repeat and repeat and repeat etc.i guarantee it will pay off.

you guarantee it? SWEET!! LOL thanks.

[SwimBaitGuy]

Just keep chucking it, it will pay off. Not everyone can land a double digit their first time out.

I blanked my first 6 times out throwing swimbaits, than things started clicking. My only problem so far is none have been over 4lbs, haha.

[Centipede]

I find it somewhat funny that just because you decided to throw a SB the fish should eat it. It is a tool and the conditions have to right for it.

[leo33]

your right the fish does not have to eat it,but the law of averages will fall into place.you keep throwing a swimbait and sooner or later a big fish will eat it.also do not get to hung up on conditions.fish do not read the books.