Like most everyone on TFF, I love fishing. Its not a hobby, its a passion. I look forward to fishing every weekend at Lake Alan Henry. I even fish storm water ponds in Lubbock sometimes during the evening just to get my fix. I know, I'm preaching to the choir. Today I got skunked, HARD. ONLY ONE BITE! Talked to one other guy on the lake...he was skunk city, too. I understand sh!t happens and we all get skunked sometime, but, in the past month, Ive got bigger better fish in the sh!t lakes of Lubbock than Alan Henry.

Guys, I really feel blessed that I can be on that beautiful lake as much as I am. But if just liked being on that lake and not catching fish I would buy a sail boat, and change my name to Jacque.

My question is, should I tough this slump out and continue fishing my hometown lake. Or should I quit going every weekend and save up to go to other lakes, 3 or 4 times a year. I know its a relative question, but our opinion would be greatly appreciated, especially if you've been in my shoes.

I would take it as a challenge.Finding ways to catch just a few more each season.Learn more about the lake and stick with it.If it wasn't for the fun of the hunt the kill wouldn't mean anything.

Ok. Do you think you could really quit fishing every weekend? Very doubtful. I know the feeling of a fat 0. We all do. This is just me but I wouldn't quit fishing my home lake formany reason. You say should I save up and go somewhere else 3 or 4 times a year. That would be fine but you still wouldn't be happy. Why not save up a little and take a guided trip on your home lake? It's all about learning and you will not get any better by only fishing 3 or 4 times a year. Like Jerry said make it a challenge. My partner and I went out yesterday. The only thing I caught was a gizzard shad and a stripper, while he boated a nice 5lber. That was not our best day by any means, it SUCKED! But I still had a good time being out on the lake. Sounds like you love being on the as well. Fish or not I'd rather be out on the Lake Vs. sitting on the couch. Suck it up and get back out there.

Take a break from AH and fish some of the sh!t lakes you referred to. You can't learn by catching nothing. Different lakes can be hot and cold in the same area. Looks like there are several lakes to choose from in your area without having to travel too far. Big name lakes don't always live up to their reputation.

Might try hiring one of the guides there and see if you can learn a little about the lake. I hear that Phillip Pool is good.

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger! Alan Henry makes me want to sell all my fishing gear and do something else! I joined local bass club in Lubbock so that would force myself to fish other lakes and it has been a blast! I completely understand how you feel........ Try some other lakes or hire P Pool, he seems to be the only person that ever catches fish on AH!

I have talked to Guy Adams a lot and he is doing some guiding at AH as well. He says it is a hard lake to figure out, but you can catch some fish in it. We fish AH 2 times a year in our bass club and it usually kicks our butts. I would try a different lake every once in a while just so you can broaden your skills. Stamford, Oak Creek, Hubbard Creek, Sweetwater are are some lakes fairly close that you might want to look into. I know if I fished AH all the time I would go insane, its a tough lake.

You may be in a rut try some new spots or just go fishing. I will get skunked on the pines, usually because I want them to bite where I want them and how. I will run to my SPOTS where they SHOULD be. There is allways the bent pole method.

You can quit; I have. Spending over $100 a day to get 5 bites for 30 years is a lot of money. Fishing tournaments, pre fishing for them and motels has added up to over $25K per year.
I am now taking that money and going to Mexico 5 or 6 times a year where we are catching 100 Bass per day with 50 over 5 lbs. per boat. It doesn't get any better than that.
Shoot me a PM anytime you would like to go with us.

You're not the only person at Alan Henry that gets skunked. I agree that Alan Henry is an extremely hard lake to figure out, as it took me almost two years of grinding it and with one or two fish a day before I learned how to somewhat consistently put fish in the boat. One of the ways I ended up learning a little about the lake is to get out of the spots you read about online on the guide reports and go exploring. Those guide reports just make you force a certain presentation because you are convinced that's what the hot bite is. Find a new spot that you have never fished, slow down and fish what you are comfortable throwing. If it doesn't work after a while, then move deeper and fish slower. There are points and creek channels all over that lake that I never see anyone at that hold good fish depending on the conditions.

I would try a different lake one in a while. The same lake would get boring to me after a while. If you are having a tough time finding fish look for new patterns and presentations until you find them. Grind it out!!

For the most part its not you... its the lake. Those fish are shut down most days this time of year. You read guide reports of them catching them one day, but you also have to understand they didnt catch much the other 5 days between reports. I still guide out there a little and let people know ahead of time what the results will likely be. Often times you can catch 10-15 fish if you arnt focused on size, and if you are focused on size, you can often catch few or no fish.

That lake has a few big fish in it, but it is not the lake that you hear stories about. It can drive you crazy to have a good day, think you got it figured out and then have 4-5 tough trips.

You can either go enough to be there on one of those good days, or learn to just enjoy a day out and not expect much.

I fish that lake much less than I use to because it is hard to find the value in spending time and money with the results that happen most days out there.

^^^^^
What he said!

I'd try some other lakes. Bottom line is Henry took a dive after all the spotted bass got introduced to the lake. The spots have all but wiped out the bait fish population and the largemouth cant out-compete them.

I guess just like any Lake LAH can be tough sometimes especially after an "Artic Blast". Even the best of the Local fishermen can have real tough days.
Other Days can be GREAT with monster Bass.
The Bass in LAH seem to stay suspended more than other lakes, in my opinon!