This year has probably been my worst year as far as just fun fishing and tournament fishing has gone. Coincidentally I always bought a new boat. So far did way better out of my ragged old one lol. I live a little East of Paris and was thinking about going somewhere I’ve never been within a two hour drive like Holbrook. This is the first year I’ve tried to fish out deep and it’s been a struggle for me. I like shallow fishing, flipping docks and that kind of stuff. Any lake suggestions, advice, or encouragement lol? I go every week and love fishing, but as bad as it’s been for me this year it’s starting burn me out a little. What do you guys do when y’all get in a slump

Go find some private water its a nice breathe of fresh air, the public lakes have been hammered this year with the shut down and the fishing has been noticeably tougher. Tpwd has even taken notice and believes this year could have ripple effect for years to come not unlike drought years, many more fish harvested this year.

I've been fortunate enough to have several good "teachers" in my bass fishing "life". One of the biggest things that helped me become the weekend hack I am is them showing me several deep fishing techniques. Best advise I can give if you are truly trying to learn how to fish 15-25' of water is to look at a map of whatever lake you are thinking about heading to. I took a quick glance at Holbrook as I have never been there and that lake has numerous points with great contour that appear to have flooded timber on them. I would head out there and have a carolina rig, football jig and a drop shot and drag every one of those points with your boat sitting in whatever depth it takes for you to make casts to 10' and drag it out deeper. I'll bet money you find a decent school of fish somewhere if you stick with it.

Go fish the river running into Hugo lake. Fun shallow jig fishing in the summer.

If it offers any consolation, the fishing has been noticeably tougher for me this year than the the previous ones, especially as we've gotten into the dog days of summer. I know my local lakes have been hammered, even on weekdays, so that's probably a factor. But I also want to use these tougher times as an opportunity to get better and diversify the techniques that I am good at.

All that to say, maybe take a break then come back refreshed. Regardless, keep grinding and experimenting.

And if you want to come to my neck of the woods and beat our brains out together, come on!

You’re good enough.
You’re smart enough.
And dog gone it, people like you.

more tow. thats the real truth.

How ragged could the old one be, if you usually buy a new one each year!

I believe a boat has “mojo”. Maybe when you find the boat with the magic, keep it a while. JK.

This year has been a little tougher for a lot of anglers. The lakes have been getting pounded over and over. The lack of fishing tackle isn’t only due to Covid 19, as I read (somewhere) that fishing license sales are up almost 40% this year alone. That’s 40% more people trying to buy what they think will work. Also, up to 40% more folks trying to catch the fish you are after.

It’s gonna impact a lot of anglers successes.

Go to Athens, I hear if you can't catch em there you might as well sell it all

throw a black trick worm on a shakey head you cant not get bit with that

Go fishing at night

I think everyone gets in a rut every now and then. It's just human nature to rely on techniques and locations that have worked in the past. When I struggle it always goes back to a few things. Not covering enough water and getting stuck using the same few baits that "usually work". The other thing I always try to do when I am struggling is fish a few places on a given lake that I have never fished before. Some docks I never stop at, some points that I have never graphed, or even a section of the lake that for whatever reason I just don't go to much. Change it up and do some different things. It will pay off for you.

I amaze myself at how close minded I can be on a lake, in terms of areas to fish or techniques to use. And this happens DESPITE the fact that I tell myself to have an open mind.

I like your tip about fishing new water almost every time out. It can really help expand our mind even if it doesn't find us fish.

You may want to downsize your baits and stay with the regulars......small beaver, baby brush hog, small power worm, Zoom centipede, grande small rattlesnakes, etc.... Downsize your line, too, and try and concentrate in depths around 6-10ft. You will be targeting smaller fish in doing so, but I’d bet that it will help you catch more fish and build the confidence needed to go after the biggens. Stay with plastics in this extreme heat and fish them rather slow with lighter tungsten weights, too. These fish aren’t wanting to chase a meal right now cause it’s too frickin’ hot. GL2U!

I’m a younger guy this is only my 2nd boat. My first was actually bought by my parents a 5 years ago as I was graduating high school it was a 94 17ft ranger and I was having to put a lot of money into every month to keep the darn thing running. So I saved up the money and put a down payment on this one. That ranger needed a lot of things lol and no where to store the rods I needed the room, and stability of a bigger boat cause I take my wife with me a lot. She was not a fan of how rough it was lol. But you’re right maybe I should’ve kept that sucker lol