Tough fishing 2024
Benjamin New reply :
I do alot of fishing. At least five days a week and I generally know where I can definitely catch em. lately though, I have been fishing spots I know are tough. like they can be caught but it takes a little extra if you know what I mean. I have enjoyed it alot. Every fish comes with excitement and a feeling of accomplishment. Am I the only guy who purposely fishes tough spots or does anyone else practice such behavior.
Scott F reply :
I am the very opposite. I will very seldom even leave the house to fish if I think fishing is going to be tough. I do a lot of road trips to fish so I plan my trips to be on the water during "prime time". During the summer, I fish rivers almost exclusively because I know the fishing will be much easier than lakes would be. I fish because I like catching. I spent a lot of money on boats and tackle to catch bass. Not catching isn't nearly as much fun.
Mike L reply :
I do, especially when I want to try something new. I have spots in a few local canals and ponds that are close by that I know where, when and how to catch a fish or two. But when I buy something new I will go to places Ive never been to just to see what happens and then follow that up to those places I know and throw the same thing to see if they'll bite and make a mental note of the results.
I've eliminated a lot of second guessing and saved money on baits doin it this way.
Mike
everythingthatswims reply :
Oh definitely, I like proving people wrong.
"Too cold/rainy/windy"
"They aren't supposed to do that this time of year"
Turtle135 reply :
The progression of the angler (any fish, many fish, big fish, hard fish). Nothing better to me personally than pulling a lunker out of pressured water.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 12/5/2016 at 11:51 PM, everythingthatswims said:Oh definitely, I like proving people wrong.
"Too cold/rainy/windy"
"They aren't supposed to do that this time of year"
I think the bass sometimes forget to read the books written about bass hahahah
MassYak85 reply :
I like fishing tough weather, but I'm also not going to purposely fish spots I know will not be as productive. I get enough satisfaction out of finding a pattern and finding the productive spots.
Raul reply :
High winds will keep me home, you don't want to be in my everyday lake in a 12 ft jonboat with high winds.
scaleface reply :
Not me . I try to pick my days and spots to catch the maximum amount of fish .
OCdockskipper reply :
For weather, I want want easy - overcast days with occasional sprinkles. Not only does it tend to make the fish more active, it keeps a majority of people off the water.
For location, I will pass up an easier, high pressured lake for a slightly tougher one with less folks around. I'm not looking for a challenge, just the opportunity to fish someplace without rubbing elbows with other anglers.
I know it sounds like I am anti-social, but I live in a county that is 948 square miles with a population over 3.1 million people. Do the math, that is over 3000 people per square mile. I interact with people all the time, part of my fishing enjoyment is having at least a little solitude.
CybrSlydr reply :
Personally, I've not been at this long enough or consider myself experienced or "good" enough to purposely make catching fish difficult.
You can see all my posts in the fishing report forums and 95% of them I came up empty.
Once I can consistently go out and catch fish then perhaps - but for now, I just want to catch something and to make it purposely more difficult might just kill it for me entirely.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I like trying to find them in overlooked places, which often leads to tough fishing until the fish are located. Finding tough fish is one of my preferred tournament strategies also because I know most guys won't bother with them. As long as I feel like I can get enough bites each day, I'm good.
davecon reply :
Easy choice for me. I just go whenever I can. Choose location based on water conditions and tides. That doesn't guarantee success but I see no sense in beating my head against the wall. I'm only interested in snook and LM over 5 so that changes things.
Yakalong reply :
On 12/6/2016 at 2:35 PM, davecon said:Easy choice for me. I just go whenever I can. Choose location based on water conditions and tides. That doesn't guarantee success but I see no sense in beating my head against the wall. I'm only interested in snook and LM over 5 so that changes things.
This is like me, I go when I can. Depending on the weather will usually dictate where and how I fish.
frogflogger reply :
For years I just wanted to catch a bunch of fish - I now enjoy "difficult lakes and times" the challenge to figure something out has its rewards - or as my old mentor said "When the fishing is easy anyone can catch fish, and that isn't a bad thing but it's more fun to catch when it's tough"
"hamma" reply :
Tough for me to fish? weatherwise or fishwise doesnt really matter to me. Weather never really deterred me unless the winds are whipping to hard to launch,(love my deep-v hull) or lightning is about. As for fishing tougher fish to catch? Thats just another challenge, I do my best to overcome. I dont really seek those fish out, but if thats whats presented, thats what I attack with even more vigor. BUT,........
If Im fishing a known lake, the fish are agreeable, and Im on track for a 100 fish day, I will seek out a tougher area or situations/presentations that are more of a challenge. I dont want to "slay" them, I respect my quarry, and would prefer to learn a "new" tactic, or technique, than to beat up one I already am experienced in.
Hence why I bought a dropshot setup this last spring, was out 6 times this year but didnt get to use it successfully yet.,...lol,... the old heinz ketchup add,.."ANNNN-TI-CI--PA-AAA-TION,... is making me wait",.."keeping me waa-ait-ing". So,.next year? Im seeking that day to break it in on some deeper, fat, healthy, smallies to rival A-Jays late season pics.,...yeah, they were some beauties!
BassWhole! reply :
I don't mind fishing when the fishing is tough, but I'm not seeking it out. I go fishing to catch fish, not to feel fuzzy between the ears. To each his own, but I think arbitrarily setting boundaries or limits is silly.
Ratherbfishing reply :
Tough fishing occurs often enough for me that I never have to look for it.
Benjamin New reply :
I live in Central Florida my home lake is west lake toho. I've been fishing it my entire life and rarely go home dissapointed. Hell I fish the bank during sun down almost daily and catch 2-3 in an hour depending on the technique. Lately though I've been hiking through alot of woods to fish the back of a shallow creek. The fishing is tough back there but when I catch em it feels nice.
Catt reply :
Why certainly 
I purposely fish areas not known for big bass just to see if I can catch the biggest bass around!
Some areas I hold the record & one area my grandson does.
The picture below is from a pond that many believed hold nothing over 6#.
WRB reply :
My goal is to catch big bass wherever they maybe located and legal to fish at. The location overlooked most is in plain sight.
Tom
scaleface reply :
If I could fish a lot more, I would entertain the idea of purposefully making it tough . I dont get to fish as much as I like so I'm not gong to make it anymore difficult . That doesnt mean that I'm stuck in a rut , I do try new things and places .
If I wanted tough fishing I'd visit the Mississippi river under flood conditions .
Team9nine reply :
For 25 years I paid good money (entry fees) to get the opportunity to fish in tourneys where I had NO control over the quality of the fishery, the status of the water conditions, or the state of the weather. As such, I've had more than my fair share of time on crappy fisheries, at bad times, during major floods and droughts, fishing in both frigid cold temps and snow, as well as thunderstorms and tornados, along with blazing hot heat and no wind in the back of some Ohio River creek with the smell of paper factories filling the air all day....and everything in between.
So now days, I don't go looking for tough fishing - I fish when I want, where I want 
-T9
TyF reply :
I fish whenever I have free time whether it is an hour or 6 hours doesn't matter. The only weather that can stop me is high winds and lightning. For me, I fish smaller ponds most of the time and know what ponds are best for what times of year. I also know where I have caught fish in each pond on what for each time of year. If I have a long time to fish I will generally go somewhere where I know I can catch fish if conditions are just right but it isn't guaranteed and then if that doesn't work I head to my honey holes where I know exactly what they are biting and where. I like to start out with a challenge to see if I can find something different knowing that I have a back up plan if that doesn't work out.
gulfcaptain reply :
I have to say, anywhere close to where I'm at is tough fishing. But then those tough places let you learn how to fish pressured fish and let you try new things as well. So when you head out and fish a great fishery and the bite is tough you make the changes to have good days on the water and move to more productive areas or patterns. Tough fish and tough fishing conditions lend themselves to making someone a better fisherman then someone that has it easy most of the time. When fishing gets tough, the better fisherman will shine when the average fisherman struggles and wines.
fishwizzard reply :
On 12/6/2016 at 12:57 AM, Turtle135 said:The progression of the angler (any fish, many fish, big fish, hard fish). Nothing better to me personally than pulling a lunker out of pressured water.
Hah, well, show me all your tricks and I promise to fish right on top of you whenever you need a little more pressure. 
gimruis reply :
On 12/6/2016 at 10:25 AM, OCdockskipper said:For weather, I want want easy - overcast days with occasional sprinkles. Not only does it tend to make the fish more active, it keeps a majority of people off the water.
For location, I will pass up an easier, high pressured lake for a slightly tougher one with less folks around. I'm not looking for a challenge, just the opportunity to fish someplace without rubbing elbows with other anglers.
I know it sounds like I am anti-social, but I live in a county that is 948 square miles with a population over 3.1 million people. Do the math, that is over 3000 people per square mile. I interact with people all the time, part of my fishing enjoyment is having at least a little solitude.
This pattern is almost exactly what I follow on a regular basis. I try to target days with inclement weather like rain because the fishing tends to be better and there's less people. I also prefer less pressure and less boats so I opt for more secluded lakes, rivers, or areas of either with less people. And although I don't live in such a high density area like southern California, I generally get sick of people pretty quick so sometimes fishing helps me avoid them at least for a short period of time. When I REALLY wanna get away from mankind I go deer hunting in the wilderness for a week.
Turtle135 reply :
On 12/8/2016 at 8:32 AM, Bunnielab said:Hah, well, show me all your tricks and I promise to fish right on top of you whenever you need a little more pressure.
Ha right back at you! You fish in Maryland too, many of the waters you and I fish get pounded! 
fishwizzard reply :
That is why I spend all summer covered in ticks, mosquito bites, and cuts. If I just push through one more mile of our lovely Maryland wetlands then the next guy, I can find a spot that no one else goes too.
soflabasser reply :
On 12/6/2016 at 12:57 AM, Turtle135 said:The progression of the angler (any fish, many fish, big fish, hard fish). Nothing better to me personally than pulling a lunker out of pressured water.
^this^
Out of all the big bass I have caught the one that I am most proud of is a +10 pounder I caught from the shore in a extremely pressured body of water.This place gets hit hard by hundreds(if not thousands) of fishermen every year,so the big bass have learned to avoid most fishermen.This is a place where most think there's no big bass, so never underestimate the potential size of bass in public waters.
On 12/9/2016 at 6:39 AM, Bunnielab said:That is why I spend all summer covered in ticks, mosquito bites, and cuts. If I just push through one more mile of our lovely Maryland wetlands then the next guy, I can find a spot that no one else goes too.
Those who are willing to go the extra mile are usually the ones who are most consistent in bass fishing.
On 12/8/2016 at 9:12 AM, gimruis said:I try to target days with inclement weather like rain because the fishing tends to be better and there's less people. I also prefer less pressure and less boats so I opt for more secluded lakes, rivers, or areas of either with less people.
I also go bass fishing to relax and not socialize with random fishermen on the water.The times I am fishing with someone else is most likely with my better half,family, and close friends.
GTHenson reply :
I fish wherever the fish are, wether they are tough to catch or easy to catch. I am shooting for a paycheck or trying to figure out a place to fish to win a paycheck when I'm on the water. If there are fish in a spot and I feel that they have enough weight to bring home some cabbage I will fish for them, But I'm not going to be stubborn and take a beating on the water just because I want to catch fish that are being hard headed and not biting that day.
Like this post, Check out my page and throw me a follow. Your support is greatly appreciated. Good Fishing and God Bless.
fishwizzard reply :
On 12/9/2016 at 9:17 AM, soflabasser said:I also go bass fishing to relax and not socialize with random fishermen on the water.The times I am fishing with someone else is most likely with my better half,family, and close friends.
Oh man I love running into someone else fishing when I am out in the boonies. It gives me hope that there might actually be fish there!
Also then we can pick ticks off each other's heads.
soflabasser reply :
On 12/9/2016 at 12:24 PM, Bunnielab said:Oh man I love running into someone else fishing when I am out in the boonies. It gives me hope that there might actually be fish there!
Also then we can pick ticks off each other's heads.
Where's the boonies?You mean places that are in the middle of nowhere?Those places can be quite good,especially when the bite is on.
fishwizzard reply :
On 12/9/2016 at 12:35 PM, soflabasser said:Where's the boonies?You mean places that are in the middle of nowhere?Those places can be quite good,especially when the bite is on.
Central Maryland is very very built up with little sizable open space, but there are some hidden gems. I have a great one I found over the summer, it's a gorgeous pond that is a 4 mile round trip hike from any legal parking. The illegal option involves some advanced off-roading or a pretty awful rail crossing up a thorny bank. I am so excited for spring.
JRammit reply :
I can say get more motivated when I DONT catch fish than when I do... I feel like I've left unfinished business and have to go back and prove myself!
I have a spot I fish occasionally that I consider tough... It's a flood prevention pond, about 30 or 40 acres... Zero structure, and featureless other than one creek channel and one off shore hump.... Add to that muddy water with about 3"-4" of visibility and you practically have a bass fishermans nightmare
I only go there because it's close.. About 5 miles from my house.. Easy short trip if I get off work early and only have a couple hours to spare..... Most of the time I get skunked, but when I do catch a couple it feels like quite the accomplishment!.. It's the only place I'm proud of a 10" bass
Ive been fishing it 5 years and only caught one worth bragging about... 4 lbs, off the hump, jigging a 4" Berkley Gulp minnow
soflabasser reply :
On 12/9/2016 at 12:52 PM, Bunnielab said:Central Maryland is very very built up with little sizable open space, but there are some hidden gems. I have a great one I found over the summer, it's a gorgeous pond that is a 4 mile round trip hike from any legal parking.
Nice, how's the hiking in that area,do you have to hike up a hill or mountainside? South Florida is mostly flat so most of the hiking I do is in areas where there is no real road with trees growing everywhere in the path.
fishwizzard reply :
It is all pretty flat here in the coastal areas. Mostly you have thorns and ticks, so so many ticks. It is too built up for to allow enough hunting to keep the deer populations under control so I go through like $25 worth of spray per month and still get hit bad once or twice a season. We also have bad erosions problems so a lot of the rivers have steep and muddy banks, so most people stick to the more easy to access spots.
The first time I went to Colorado and walked right down to a river without dealing with thorns or a slick bank I thought I was on another planet.
scaleface reply :
I catch a boatload of bass and then hear others complain that they cant catch bass on that lake . I'm having a lot more fun than them .
"hamma" reply :
On 12/9/2016 at 9:17 PM, scaleface said:I catch a boatload of bass and then hear others complain that they cant catch bass on that lake . I'm having a lot more fun than them .
LMAO<.... thats awesome!
And I totally agree, but whats even better is when you fish a big lake, off your smaller "bass raider" plastic rig, and hear those two guys who were fishing off the huge ranger that kept trying to swamp you all day, complaining the same,...I tell them, "I had a 100 fish day, whatchutalkinbout Willis?",....lol, talk about some evil double take looks.
soflabasser reply :
On 12/9/2016 at 9:17 PM, scaleface said:I catch a boatload of bass and then hear others complain that they cant catch bass on that lake . I'm having a lot more fun than them .
Sounds a lot like the public parks I fish. Most people complain that the fishing isn't good,yet somehow I catch lots of quality to big sized bass in these parks.
Willbroberg reply :
On 12/6/2016 at 12:57 AM, Turtle135 said:The progression of the angler (any fish, many fish, big fish, hard fish). Nothing better to me personally than pulling a lunker out of pressured water.
currently on the any fish stage HAHA
Jeff H reply :
On 12/8/2016 at 2:20 AM, Team9nine said:For 25 years I paid good money (entry fees) to get the opportunity to fish in tourneys where I had NO control over the quality of the fishery, the status of the water conditions, or the state of the weather. As such, I've had more than my fair share of time on crappy fisheries, at bad times, during major floods and droughts, fishing in both frigid cold temps and snow, as well as thunderstorms and tornados, along with blazing hot heat and no wind in the back of some Ohio River creek with the smell of paper factories filling the air all day....and everything in between.
So now days, I don't go looking for tough fishing - I fish when I want, where I want
-T9
Same here, except I only put 10 yrs into the tourney scene. I do like to fish those brutally nice days post front though. That's about as far as I like to push it these days.
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