So I have been on a bad luck streak lately... and I dont mean only catch a few small fish here and there but not big ones... I mean a BAD luck streak... I cant remember the last time I caught a fish... yes seriously..

Now I know it probably isnt as much bad "luck" as it is just being in the wrong spots... I have been trying drifting lately and I havent caught a single fish doing it... I am going over tons of fish, at least my fishfinder says I am, and they are all concentrated right on the bottom or suspended right off the bottom... I am drifting fresh cut shad at Lake Somerville...

Maybe I just need to come up to Lewisville or Twak or something... I will hopefully be getting a guided trip soon for blue cats, so I know I will learn alot there...

I dont know, I get up early in the morning (5:30) and am soooo excited to get out to the lake, but then I get out there and spend 4 hours drifting what seem to be great locations and I dont even get a single bite!!!!!

What should I do?? I am DETERMINED to catch a blue while drifting... My goal is to catch a 20 pounder by the end of the year..

WW your more than welcome to give me a call and we can go to lewisville and try to catch some. i wouldnt even make you bring your new boat, we could make do with mine.

make sure you're going slow and letting out plenty...plenty of line.

you think your discouraged? try having to do it from the bank, on LOP to boot... i've resorted to telling all the dinks i catch, to kindly ask their big brothers and sisters to eat my bait instead of him and his lil buddies... :-/

WW, if you decide to get a guided trip, let me recommend http://trophycatfishadventures.com/ if you want a trophy. They're great guys and specialize in big blues. They are also great teachers and you will learn alot and shorten your learning curve by years. Just pester the hell out of them with questions and they'll answer them.
Also for learning I can recommend
http://www.creatorsguideservice.com/
http://www.bobby-catfishing.com/
http://www.lancesguideservice.com/
You cant go wrong with any of these guys and it will save you money in the longrun.
I was fishing for kittys for a couple of years before I landed my first 20lber. I had said I would be satisfied with a 20lber until I caught one. Turns out I lied to myself. You just keep wanting bigger. Biggest thing is just keep pluggin away at it. They'll be good days and bad days, it's all part of fishing. The longer you stay at it the more you learn.

hang in there WW it will get better.

Try to focus on finding fish hanging around structure some if you aren't having any luck drifting in open water. Get a good map and look for dropoffs, humps, or possibly some main lake points that the wind is coming into and really pay attention to your finder and mark some fish before you decide to fish an area. I know it is hard to drive around looking for fish sometimes when you could be fishing, but it pays off at times.

I bet you could have caught some fish today fishing shallow with the south wind we had and clouds. Try to find some spots that look like good (bass fishing looking) spots with shallow timber. Good luck to you out there, it will get better the more time you spend out on the water. Just keep trying different techniques till you find something that works... it will make you a better fisherman as well.

E

Hey WW let me ask u this how deep u been drifting? Whats the water temp on Somerville? Are u drifting wind blown points , or adjacent to some structure like timber? These r all big factors in your big cat quest.. It takes the lakes longer to cooldown in that part of the state than it does up here in the metromess.. Crappie terrorist is right watch your structure on your fish finder as well.. Find a pattern that works for u on that lake... Just keep on keeping on, it will happen! Im sure we will see a pic of u and a biggun soon!

15-18ft out on the main lake. Kinda a flat I guess no structure. Water temp was 78 ish I think.

Thanks guys!! I will definately keep at it!

Take two weeks off to get your boat all rigged up,buy you a big dipnet and a quality cast net and then go back on the 15 th of october and start putting in some time on the water. Fresh bait will pay off for you.

I've had my share of bad luck streaks throughout my life. Just keep at it, Whiskers!

Where on Somerville are you drifting? Are you concentrating on one area?

I ahve fresh bait. I have a nice dip net. And I can't wait to get back out there!!

Ya concentating on one main lake area. Kinda flat area from 15-17 ft. Marked a bunch of fish. I'm not sure what do to.

Maybe the fish you are marking are NOT cats? Not familiar with that lake but a clean clear flat area maybe you should try just drifting the outside edge where it drops off into deeper water? I would think the bigger fish would be cruising around the edges and having access to deeper water. I may be totally wrong I'm by far NO pro. I think it's just your "New Boat Curse" brother lol. I had the SAME problem. Hell I fished out of a 1961 V-Hull with NO FISHFINDER, NO TROLLING MOTOR and caught so many fish it wasn't funny lol. Then we bought our "New to US" Carolina Skiff and fished the EXACT same areas in the new boat and couldn't buy a bite lol. Hang in there bro. Take a cheap bottle of wine out and Christine her over your favorite old fishin hole and maybe the Fish Gods will be kind to you on your next outting



Rob

Are you holding onto your pole while drifting? My brother came out two weeks ago. I fish three rods, spool open, clicker on. His rod does not have a clicker. I outfished him 7 to 3 the first day. Sunday, he held onto his rod and outfished me 7 - 1. The bites that day were very subtle and by holding onto his rod, he caught more fish. My only fish came when I was holding my rod.