Sell boat or fish tomorrow? - the saga continues

[fozzype]

Don't know what to do anymore...I am absolutely  getting killed on this pond lately...

Fished 4 derbies the last two weeks...with only 6 keepers. Bottom line is I stink!  Need a boost of confidence or I might just hang it up and sell out. Blessed to be healthy, have a great family, and good fishing buddies.  However, the lack of catching lately is really getting to me.  Also, I know guys are catching them and that even bugs me more.

 Fished Mill Creek last night and made a "milk run "  that I have done for spawn pre spawn stuff for 20 years...one stinking  keeper!  Fished tubes, stick worms, jigs (hopped it, drug it, swam it), and SB slow rolled.  Fished pockets adjacent to channel banks, secondary points with pockets, docks on spawning flats, etc... caught several shorts with only one 3.5 keeper.  They are prime, proven areas that hold fish this time of year regardless of where we are in the spawn.

Thought I had been fishing too fast recently but slowed down on my best stuff and still no results.

Went to Stockton  last saturday and caught 22.6 lbs ...I think I can catch em on the rock...however lately I just don't know what to think...

 

HELP PLEASE 

 

 

[Ketchup]

Man, we ALL have those days.  Your fishing experience doesn't seem to be the issue, as Stockton treated you very well.  I have fished the Rock the past 2 years, well 2 1/2 years, and HATED the lake. I could catch fish from Ohio to Oklahoma, but would not catch the quality or quantity on TR that I would everywhere else.  This past fall I caught numbers and good fish. Started fishing it more and have been doing pretty well....Well, except for tourney days. 

 

Camped at Pomme yesterday, just got back, and from 5pm to dark yesterday I caught over 40 fish, with all but 6 being a 13" keeper or better.  Same deal this morning from 5:30 until breakfast over the fire at 8, just flat tore them up.  

 

You know how to fish.  Stick with what ya know and it will happen. 

[MOPanfisher]

Ketchup, I hope you sore mouthed them things on Pomme, they have been driving me crazy while crappie fishing.  Between then and little white bass sometimes it's hard for a feller to crappie fish.  But I guess that is a good problem to have.  Fozzyrype, trust me I understand, I have gone some long stretches thinking I had forgotten how to fish, then that one day rolls around, or you change something up and wade a creek, and it all falls back into place and you think you are star material again.  Keep fishing, heck throw a Ned or crappie jig, bass hate a crappie jig.

[Quillback]

The Rock has been relatively tough this spring, yeah some guys are getting them good of course, but it is not an easy deal out there.  You might want to take a break from the tourneys, just get out there and fish and not have to worry about getting enough to weigh in.  Experiment with some different stuff and just have fun.  I have heard this story before - guys get into the tournament grind, get burned out and quit fishing.  Get out and just have fun.

[Old plug]

Tournament fishing adds pressure element to what isa wonderful pasttime. Thats why I do not do it. 

[dtrs5kprs]

Ned.

[dtrs5kprs]

In all seriousness, the one bait and technique left out of your laundry list was the little guy. Fish are surprisingly shallow, even at noon with sun and no wind. Old reliable will catch them.

[Hammer time]

C-rig lizard or baby brush hog. I catch fish on almost year round. Or split shot green pumpkin fish doctor if really tuff. Fish 8-20fow and you'll get bit!

[Champ188]

Hang in there, Fozzype. I feel your pain and have known it personally way more often than I'd like to admit. There are some very good suggestions above. Four tournaments in two weekends is a lot for anyone. Might want to slow down a bit on those, get back to the basics and enjoy God's handiwork all around you. I bet things will fall in place sooner than later.

[Nitro 750]

It seems like this spring has extra tough.  Just keep after them and the fish will be there!!!!!