Getting Burned out 2024

airborne_angler reply :

I go fishing just about everyday. Lately I have been trying different techniques. Normally I throw Senkos,but tried Dropshotting and was pretty successful with dinks. Now the whole Dink thing is getting old. I just dont have the charisma I used to. I havent caught a fish that got my adrenaline pumping in such a long time that fishing is getting boring. I normally fish a deep part of the lake,its at a dam,lots of rocks--rip rap and climbing the rocks to get to another location on the dam is difficult. The walk to the dam is a whole other story,its at least a 25 minute walk one way and in the heat its a killer. Think I should lay off wetting the line for a little bit ?

senko_77 reply :

Absolutly not!!! your just going through a dink spell. First off, alot of fisherman would love to go out and just consistently catch fish, regardless of size. And second, before I hooked into my 14.7, I had caught constant dinks for like a month and a half. I'm talkin nothing over 2lbs. Then boom, my lure gets placed in front of a big one and my dink spell is over. Keep fishing, and eventually you will come across a big one. Why dont you try some techniques that are more geared toward better size fish, like an upsized senko, jig, ledgebuster spinnerbait, or 10in. or greater worms. These will elimate most of the bites from smaller fish and will up your odds at a bigger one.

Hope this helps

airborne_angler reply :

I wish the fish I was catching were at least 1 lb. Atleast a "keeper" in tournament standards,but these fish are tiny. Mostly no bigger than 8 inches. Its not much a challenge anymore catching those. Im fishing the deepest part of the lake . Its hot so Im under the impression thats where the biguns are gonna be. In the last 2 weeks I have only hooked into 2 decent fish(between 1.5 and 3 lbs each). Just wish things were more consistent and I could catch more that size. I guess I just want more of a fight. I was pumped when I finally caught those. But they werent caught on the same day.

senko_77 reply :

Well keep workin at it and keep chunkin it out there. You will eventually get a good one. But like I said, really look into upgrading the size of your presentation to eliminate alot of the smaller bites. It seems like you are locked on to catchin a bigger fish, so I think you have the patience for fishing for that "one bite"

KU_Bassmaster. reply :

If you are not having fun fishing, then by all means take a break. Fishing shouldn't be something you have to struggle to get up and do.

airborne_angler reply :

I just hate the long drive,the long walk in the heat to get to the spot I wanna fish . Maybe next time ill try a different spot on the lake and see what that produces. Im sure im not the only one who suffers in the wallet with the price of gas!!!

stroz reply :

I agree with senko, But I would add going at dawn and dusk with topwater lures. Spooks, frogs, torpedos. pop R'S. If watching a fish explode on topwater doesn't get the blood pumpin' you better get a bodybag ;D hope this helps.

Stroz

Windknot51 reply :

Fishnaz,

Like yourself, I too was finding myself in a dink spell. I had been fishing NY's Susquehanna River till things started to dry up. Then 3 weeks ago we were hit with major flooding that took out whole towns. Needless to say the sewage treatment plants were also destroyed and are now dumping only moderatly treated sewage into my river. Warnings are now out to stay off the water for any recreational purposes. It will be some time before it's safe from bacteria.

So I will return to my earliest roots..... break out the ultra light and do some stream fishing.

Take a break if you need to but perhaps you could try someting different. Should you go for larger of smaller species.... it matters little. There is always a learning curve that will serve to make you a better fisherman.

Tight Lines!

roadwarrior reply :

#1 Quit fishing that "spot". What's that about anyhow? I NEVER fish "spots" that don't produce quality bass.

#2 Start fishing a tube, T-Rigged and deeper. I guarantee you won't keep catching a bunch of dinks, you may not catch anything at all; but if you do, they will be better fish. If you don't, stick with the lure and move on. Tubes are my #1 summertime bait.

It's not about where I live and fish, tubes catch bass everywhere, period!

Windknot51 reply :

Roadwarrior....... I do wish I could agree with you, but having you lived through a flood where the rivers and ponds and lakes have been contaminated, you would be seeing things differently. Not only was the Susquehanna contaminated but so too were the ponds and lakes nearby. what are we to do? Fish in biologically unsafe waters. It is obvious that many of you don't realize the extent the damage these floods have done to both rivers, lakes and ponds. This area is in an ecologically disaster area...... thank god you are not yet infected.

So given this..... are we to ignore the warnings and wet wade in hope we don't contract one of the dozen diseases thought this water harbours?

I think not and time to learn to fish our safer waqters

Bass fishing is great..... but if dis allowed we need to learn other safer species in safer waters.

Shall we die in our passion?, I say learn your water and be healthy.

mudcatwilly reply :

I've had spells like that. The thing that got me out of it was to go to someplace I'd never fished before and then pound the banks till I got a decent fish on. After that, I went back to my home lake and had success catching quality bass with the same baits that were previously catching only dinks. It's 75 percent mental. What's the difference between catching a 1 pound bass and a 10 pound bass? A few feet of water? A different color bait? A different presentation? It's all of the above or none of the above. Reread that last sentence and ponder it for a moment. If you are pitching baits to a location that holds bass, then there is the potential for you to hook a big bass. Not always, but sometimes. Keep in mind that it's summer and the bass bite can get sluggish unless you are fishing deeper water. Keep throwing the same baits, but increase the size. Bigger bass don't want to waste the energy going after a small meal, especially when the water temp is above 77-80 degrees. There is going to be a trade off. If you want larger fish, you will get fewer bites, but better fish. Dinks wont mess with a 10-inch swimbait, but a 10 pounder will. There are far fewer 10 plus pounders in any lake than dinks. It's simple math. The cool thing is that sometimes, a big bass will bite a small bait. Stay patient and keep fishing. When things go bad for me, I target a different species just to renew my love of fishing. Salmon fishing is hot in the SF Bay area right now. I went out last weekend and had a blast fishing for salmon, but catching sharks.

bassmasta7 reply :

I got burned out recently. I was fishing on my boat all day every other day since school was out. It was exhausting. Not to mention i wasnt catching much. Then I got skunked for the first time this year. I took about 3 weeks off. I went fishing for the first time a couple of days ago and i was hooked again. I am now obsessed again. I enjoyed the break and now i have the drive. My second day out I hooked up with what was probably a new personal best but i didnt land it. I am now determined and want to go every day. If I were you I would take a week or two off then go back out there. You will be more determined and the confidence may help you get off the dink streak.

senile1 reply :

Quote
Roadwarrior....... I do wish I could agree with you, but having you lived through a flood where the rivers and ponds and lakes have been contaminated, you would be seeing things differently. Not only was the Susquehanna contaminated but so too were the ponds and lakes nearby. what are we to do? Fish in biologically unsafe waters. It is obvious that many of you don't realize the extent the damage these floods have done to both rivers, lakes and ponds. This area is in an ecologically disaster area...... thank god you are not yet infected.
So given this..... are we to ignore the warnings and wet wade in hope we don't contract one of the dozen diseases thought this water harbours?

I think not and time to learn to fish our safer waqters

Bass fishing is great..... but if dis allowed we need to learn other safer species in safer waters.

Shall we die in our passion?, I say learn your water and be healthy.

Hmm . . . . RoadWarrior's profile shows that he is from Germantown, Tennessee which I believe is either a suburb, or is on the outskirts of Memphis. He is also 53 years old. The Mississippi River has had two "once in a lifetime" floods in my lifetime, 1973 and 1993, not to mention "minor" flooding in other years. I would bet that RW has experienced his share of flooding living so close to the Mississippi. I know I grew up near the Mississippi and live near the Missouri river now and I've experienced flooding. I think RW's advice still rings true.

Siebert Outdoors reply :

Quote
I wish the fish I was catching were at least 1 lb. Atleast a "keeper" in tournament standards,but these fish are tiny. .

I see this as the problem. Your focusing to much on the "Atleast a "keeper" in tournament standards" fish. From reading your posts it sounds like you have lost the enjoyment in it. It might be the smaller fish, the heat, maybe something else. You need to get the enjoyment back into the fishing then the bigger fish will come.

Relax and have fun its the only way to fish. I see to many people or posts who put to much focus on this "NEW" tournement push. In some it sucks the fun right out of fishing. Me being a prime example. Couple years ago I made the desicion to fish maybe one or two small tourneys a year but mostly focus of fishing to relax and have a good time with family or friends. I have to admit the last 2 years have been the best fishing years I have ever had. Wish you the best and it I hope you catch that lunker soon.

Matt Fly reply :

I can feel your pain. I have lived in areas that just didn't kick out nice bass consistently. You know, for ever 1 keeper, you had to catch 100 dinks and it just got old. maybe a 5 pounder ever 200 dinks.

Thats when I usually put the plugs down and go fishing for supper. Crappie, perch, cats, or just plain old carp fishing (not for supper). If your burn out, by all means, take a brake from that spot and find another.

The burn out is not from fishing most likely, but hitting the same old water with the same results.

Hookem

matt.

Alpster reply :

Git youself a big ole 3/4 oz 'Arkie' or a BooYah jig and a 9" 'Uncle Josh' black widow eel pork trailer. Find out where there are a few stumps in that deep water. Try your best to get snagged on those stumps and you will pull out a big bass. This takes time and a few lost lures, but if you stick with it, you WILL catch a big fish. I have never had a dink take this big ugly offering (over an ounce total weight and 12" long). Best fished with a heavy flippin stick and at least 20 lb line (I use 50 lb 'power pro' braid) . My top 3 PB all caught with this rig. JMHE

Ronnie

cart7t reply :

Quote
Roadwarrior....... I do wish I could agree with you, but having you lived through a flood where the rivers and ponds and lakes have been contaminated, you would be seeing things differently. Not only was the Susquehanna contaminated but so too were the ponds and lakes nearby. what are we to do? Fish in biologically unsafe waters. It is obvious that many of you don't realize the extent the damage these floods have done to both rivers, lakes and ponds. This area is in an ecologically disaster area...... thank god you are not yet infected.
So given this..... are we to ignore the warnings and wet wade in hope we don't contract one of the dozen diseases thought this water harbours?

I think not and time to learn to fish our safer waqters

Bass fishing is great..... but if dis allowed we need to learn other safer species in safer waters.

Shall we die in our passion?, I say learn your water and be healthy.

uhh.... My house sat in about 4 feet of water in the flood of 1993. Yep, there was sewage back up but guess what? Sewage won't penetrate rubber boots or waders and unless you're going to fill a canteen up and drink it, I'm not sure what you're going to be doing fishing that would jeapordize your life fishing in water that may have contaminants in it. If the fish are still in the water alive and kicking I'd say it's more than safe to fish. Just don't go swimming and keep any open wounds covered and above the water. I remember wading through my yard and seeing schools of LM bass swimming around. I never knew the Meramec river had that many bass in it before.

George Welcome reply :

If you make your goal the fish you catch, you will burn out on fishing. The fish you do catch should be a bonus to the outdoor experiences that you are having.

Unless the lake you are fishing only has stunted bass you should be able to find bigger bass mixed in. Change up on the offerings.

Fish Chris reply :

> The burn out is not from fishing most likely, but hitting the same old water with the same results. <

As much as I love Bass fishing, by about June, I'm looking forward to the Bodega Bay Halibut, or Clear Lk. Sunfish, etc. Then it late October, it's time for the Dino-fish (Sturgeon) and Stripers. Might do a few bass trips in the Fall too, just to keep from getting rusty, while waiting for late Winter / Spring.

And here's another train of thought fishinaz; I once heard it said, that the natural progression for most anglers is to first, "catch a fish". Then, when that gets easy, "to catch a lot of fish". And finally, "to catch the biggest fish".

This was certainly the case for me. I had gotten to a point, several years back, when catching a bunch of small to medium sized fish was simply no longer a challenge. It kind of felt like I was just going through the motions. It was just like you said, "No adrenalin rush".

That is when I started getting hyped about BIG fish !

Now, I don't know how big the bass get in your immediate area, but however big that is, you can be the one who is consistently catching them ! My suggestion (for starters) would be to forget about the numbers thing. You have already been there, and done that. Now its time to step up to the plate ! Start searching around for an angler, or several, who have been catching the biggest fish in your area. Try to get to know them. Find out what they are doing to catch those fish. Start trying new "big fish" stuff.

And when the urge to fall back to your small fish / numbers techniques hits you, just remind yourself that even if you did go back to that, you would just be spinning your wheels anyway.

Monster fish = Pure adrenalin !!!

....and you can do it just as well as anybody !

Peace,

Fish

RandySBreth reply :

This may sound like sour grapes, but I am sitting here w/ my foot in a cast until mid august after getting my left achilles tendon repaired.

I will try to get burned out when I get the o.k. to put weight on it, but I doubt that will happen. ;D

Seriously, I lived in the Wichita, KS area and though the fishing wasn't bad, I moved to the Ozarks when I got old enough to make my own life.

Big trout, smallies, spots, largemouths, crappie, walleyes, hybrids, whites and stripers in the lakes, and smallmouth float streams everywhere.

Sorry, I'll stop now, but if you do get sick of where you are at, move.

Windknot51 reply :

As for fishing contaminated water, it may not take too much for you too to become contaminated. Yes rubber waders will protect you, but concider this.... handling a fish in this water, a hot day and you wipe the sweat from your brow, take a leak nearby etc., and you may well have contracted ecoli. I would rather play this one safe.

guest reply :

I agree wit h KU basser. Fishing is supposed to be fun not a chore. I see you live in Arizona. Like Florida it can warm enough to fish all year long. What happens to guys like us sometimes is that the lack of an off season can make fishing a routine ho-hum sort of thing. I remember when I lived up in NY. I would pine away all winter untill I could get back on the water.

My solution? I have created a self imposed "off season". Now it just so happens that I have overfished myself into some serious shoulder and elbow injuries. But I didn't "back off" I stopped. Haven't fished Since May, and I'm missing it something terrible. I won't be able to get back out untill the end of August. this lay off has gotten my juices flowing. I'll take a month or two off every year. Probably June and July. too hot anyway.

Vekol reply :

Fishinaz,

From your profile I noticed that you live in Cochise county. I lived in Tucson most of my life (30 years.) So I would guess from the description of the lake you are talking about Parker Canyon. I also know that getting to decent fishing in southeastern AZ is difficult--there is really not much to choose from. (One of the good things about moving to Virginia.) If you can get the money together for gas you might want to try Pena Blanca lake northwest of Nogales. Since the mercury advisory there it hasn't had a lot of fishing pressure during the summer, and when I was there the bass fishing was good. There is considerable shoreline access with a foot trail that I think pretty much goes around the lake. If you can get a small boat on the water (maybe even a float tube) I think you could do pretty well. The only potential problem is that it gets pretty weedy as the summer progresses. If you're interested in going there, PM me and I'll tell you about a spot that consistently produced bass, as well as crappie and panfish. Just be careful about night fishing--too much narcotics trafficking/illegals/Border Patrol activity in that area.

Patagonia is also an option, it does have rental boats (at least it did when I was there), but the navigation and fishing can be pretty difficult on the weekends with all the pleasure boaters going in circles at wide open throttle. Recommend the northern arm of the lake which is no-wake. I never really had much luck bass fishing at Patagonia though.

Not too far from Safford are the ponds on Cluff Ranch. Shoreline access to these can be somewhat difficult as well due to weeds, and they are rather small. There are bass in these ponds. The few times I was there we were mainly concentrating on panfish though. I seem to remember fishing a topwater and getting a decent size bass to bust up at the lure (a black Hula Popper I believe), but that was almost 20 years ago. Things might have changed.

BassKing813 reply :

Keep fishing. Everyone hits a plateau sometimes. In time you will come out of it and start catching bass again. Don't stop.

ernel reply :

As far as the heat goes, fish at night. I have better success after dark in the summertime anyway. Just make sure that you tell someone where you will be, and when to expect you back. Take precautions for hiking safely to and from your spot. Take someone with you. Take more than one light, extra batteries, cell phone, first aid kit, extra snacks, a warm jacket, shoes with good traction and ankle support. It is very easy to roll your ankle on a mis-step after dark. If that happens, then the warmer clothing and extra food will come in handy if you have to be stationary due to injury.

Just try something that is very different from what you are doing now. Go someplace different. The closest lake to where I live is 70 miles. I do however travel over 150 miles to get to some different lakes at different times of the year. It not only helps me to stay on fish that are active close to year round, but changes the veiw.

Take someone that knows some different techniques that can teach you . Take someone that you can teach.

I guess you could also say that your signature says it all.

stratoscaster reply :

As Avid said we fish year round in FL. During the months of July, Aug and Dec, Jan I may only fish once a week as oppossed to two or three times a week. After a week of no fishing I'm ready to go.

Keithscatch reply :

I have to echo what George said. Take a break and get reaquainted with nature that God has blessed you with in your area. Take time out to notice things around you and be thankful for what you have. That is the key in my opinion. Complaining about the size of fish only compounds the problem. Giving thanks for what you have means your enjoyment comes from within and not from what is outside of you which you cannot control.

Personally I think tournament fishing is to blame for allot of the problems you are exhibiting. I used to suffer from that too and one day in particular I was fishing in the summer when it is hot in Texas. I was upset because I was snagging timber and having trouble with my reels backlashing and seemingly everything that could go wrong was. Wind was forcing my lure onto stumps and of course they were hopelessly snagged etc. While I was complaining and sweating and getting worked up here came 2 guys in a small plastic bass buster boat. They were making all sorts of racket and where laughing and having a ball. They were also catching fish on top water and as I starred at them the Lord spoke to me and said that is how fishing is suppossed to be.

I used to tournament fish back then and so I decided to stop "competing" in tournaments and to just enjoy myself and take the pressure off. Fishing became fun again for me.

I have been so blessed and I thank God all the time for what he has allowed me to do and where he has allowed me to fish. I have seen wondorous things while fishing and that part never gets old. I always have a good time when I fish regardless if I catch fish or not. I just like the solitude if I am alone and the company if I am with someone and of course always the nature and time with God.

Good luck to you and hopefully you will get the fun back in fishing.

airborne_angler reply :

I have never fished in a tournament,I just dont think im that good. I was watching the Bassmasters Classic and my Girlfriend kept saying the fish were tiny. Yeah they were small but they were nice compared to what I have been catching. Thats why I said I would like to catch some "Keepers" based on tornament guidelines. I think if I could get into a bunch of fish like that for a while I would be much happier. Ill try alot of the different things you all posted. Im gonna start fishing the opposite side of the lake and see how I do there.

Koikus reply :

Back in the days when I was limited to bank fishing, if I was consistantly not doing any good, I would try other lures, even some I had no confidence in whatsoever. I've found when I get locked into only a few certain baits, I am limiting myself in good catches. By expanding my horizons and talking with other fishermen, I was amazed at what I learned....and still continue to. Granted, I have my favorite lures (confidence factor is high), but the only way I've been able to catch more fish during slow times (we ALL have them) is to start trying new and different baits...and don't be shy about asking others what's been working for them lately.

burleytog reply :

Quote
If you are not having fun fishing, then by all means take a break. Fishing shouldn't be something you have to struggle to get up and do.

Exactly. I find myself getting a little too hopped up if I spend more than 2 or 3 days straight on the water at a time. Have to take a break and mellow out every now and then.

Plus the fish need their rest.

Windknot51 reply :

Good Advise Ernl, Just keep fishing! Night fishing is alot better in my opionion as the cooler waters create activity. Nothing worse in my opinion than the sun on the water.

Recently on a fly fishing forum the I asked opinions of carrying a cell phone..... boy did I ever catch some flack!

My phone is with me for emergencies only and I have the numbers for local and state police and DEC for the areas I fish programed in, not to mention if I am needed at home. Those of you who can completely shut out the world....... you have my blessings! There will always be some of us that need to maintain contact.

For me, it's my 17 year old daughter that is and will always be paramount, therefore my cell phone will be along with me.... be it fishing, hiking, camping etc.

dwhite reply :

Quote
I wish the fish I was catching were at least 1 lb. Atleast a "keeper" in tournament standards,but these fish are tiny. Mostly no bigger than 8 inches. Its not much a challenge anymore catching those. Im fishing the deepest part of the lake . Its hot so Im under the impression thats where the biguns are gonna be. In the last 2 weeks I have only hooked into 2 decent fish(between 1.5 and 3 lbs each). Just wish things were more consistent and I could catch more that size. I guess I just want more of a fight. I was pumped when I finally caught those. But they werent caught on the same day.

I was in the same boat about june last year..

I saved up got a small canoe, trolling motor, fish finder and the required other stuff,

I slap the canoe on top of my car and away I go

It is not huge bass boat

but it took my spell ( same as you are having) right away all for under 700$

I can get into places the big boats cant and we have landed loads of nice fish

I have been taking time off tournaments and just learning to use my own fish finder and finding fish, areas on lakes i never knew were there ( because i was always on someone elese boat and they chose the spots) and it has been a blast

I do not know what your budget is but let me say it has opened up a whole new world for myself and my son

and we enjoy the heck out of it

here is a small gallery i tossed up

http://www.handgunplace.com/images/2005_canoe_trips/index.htm

believe me it beats shore fishing

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Getting Burned out 2024

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