losing my touch ?

KWilliams · 06-27-2012, 09:40 AM

We just returned home to Pennsylvania from our 20th year in a row running. Perhaps it's just me but it sure seems like the bass fishery has been on a steady decline. To further confuse the issue, we caught a 22" rainbow trout on a topwater lure. Perhaps senility is finally setting in.

Jonas Pilot · 06-28-2012, 10:01 AM

I think the early spring caused the bass to go into their post spawn blues at an earlier time than usual.

Rangervx · 07-06-2012, 04:09 PM

i agree with Jonas, early June was my 46th year on winnie...and probably my 40th year fishing...and i had some mixed results. i can honestly say that the fishing was much better 20-25 years ago and the fish, in general, were bigger. the pressure doesn't help, but this year i think the weather played the biggest part.

Jonas Pilot · 07-06-2012, 04:20 PM

I think the early 90's through the early 2000's were unbelievable for quantity and quality. This is regarding smallmouth and largemouth bass. I think it was easier to catch a big salmon back then too. That said, there's nothing wrong with the fishing now. Nature goes in cycles so next year might be the best year ever!

Grant · 07-11-2012, 08:57 AM

I've had my best May-June-July ever for bass. I'm up over 20 so far -- all 2-3.5 pounds.

mhtranger · 07-11-2012, 11:10 AM

Wish I could say the same thing. Best May-June ever but July has been a major bust so far. Nothing over a pound for me and can't find them deep yet. Also having trouble setting up my Lowerance to see them.

FLAG! · 07-12-2012, 03:20 PM

I think the fishing is a little tougher than it was back in the early 90s. The fish are there and there are plenty of big ones. I think they've become pressured and are become used to certain patterns. If everything runs on a cycle, then start throwing stuff you havent thrown in 15+ years. Perhaps we're making it harder than it needs to be.

06-27-2012, 09:40 AM	#1
KWilliams Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 18 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	losing my touch ? We just returned home to Pennsylvania from our 20th year in a row running. Perhaps it's just me but it sure seems like the bass fishery has been on a steady decline. To further confuse the issue, we caught a 22" rainbow trout on a topwater lure. Perhaps senility is finally setting in.

06-28-2012, 10:01 AM	#2
Jonas Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is my home, 24-7-365 Posts: 1,686 Thanks: 1,047 Thanked 336 Times in 189 Posts	Post spawn. I think the early spring caused the bass to go into their post spawn blues at an earlier time than usual.

07-11-2012, 08:57 AM	#5
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,485 Thanks: 337 Thanked 212 Times in 116 Posts	I've had my best May-June-July ever for bass. I'm up over 20 so far -- all 2-3.5 pounds. __________________ "When I die, please don't let my wife sell my dive gear for what I told her I paid for it."

07-06-2012, 04:09 PM	#3
Rangervx Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: VIRGINIA / WINTER HARBOR Posts: 82 Thanks: 28 Thanked 28 Times in 15 Posts	i agree with Jonas, early June was my 46th year on winnie...and probably my 40th year fishing...and i had some mixed results. i can honestly say that the fishing was much better 20-25 years ago and the fish, in general, were bigger. the pressure doesn't help, but this year i think the weather played the biggest part.

07-06-2012, 04:20 PM	#4
Jonas Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is my home, 24-7-365 Posts: 1,686 Thanks: 1,047 Thanked 336 Times in 189 Posts	I think the early 90's through the early 2000's were unbelievable for quantity and quality. This is regarding smallmouth and largemouth bass. I think it was easier to catch a big salmon back then too. That said, there's nothing wrong with the fishing now. Nature goes in cycles so next year might be the best year ever!

07-11-2012, 11:10 AM	#6
mhtranger Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 127 Thanks: 310 Thanked 68 Times in 39 Posts	Wish I could say the same thing. Best May-June ever but July has been a major bust so far. Nothing over a pound for me and can't find them deep yet. Also having trouble setting up my Lowerance to see them.

07-12-2012, 03:20 PM	#7
FLAG! Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Upton, MA Posts: 112 Thanks: 44 Thanked 14 Times in 6 Posts	I think the fishing is a little tougher than it was back in the early 90s. The fish are there and there are plenty of big ones. I think they've become pressured and are become used to certain patterns. If everything runs on a cycle, then start throwing stuff you havent thrown in 15+ years. Perhaps we're making it harder than it needs to be.