Have you ever felt the frustration of fishing without catching anything? It can be really tough. But, pro bass fisherman Rick Clunn has some tips to help. He says there are ways to get fish to bite even when they’re not interested in your usual bait.
Key Takeaways
- Recognize the significance of major and minor feeding periods tied to moon phases
- Observe visual cues in the environment to identify optimal feeding windows
- Utilize techniques like current generation and boat disturbances to create “artificial” feeding periods
- Experiment with a variety of live baits, artificial lures, and chumming strategies to trigger curious strikes
- Develop a flexible approach, switching up your presentation and location to find what works on a given day
Understanding Major and Minor Feeding Periods
Fishing success often depends on knowing the fish’s natural habits. Rick Clunn, a top angler, says it’s key to understand major and minor feeding times. These times match the moon’s position.
Role of Moon Phases and Feeding Patterns
When the moon is rising or setting, it makes fish feed a bit. But when it’s overhead or underfoot, they feed a lot. This helps anglers know when fish are most active.
Visual Indicators of Feeding Activity
Clunn tells anglers to watch wildlife for clues about feeding times. Birds, frogs, and cattle can show when fish are likely to bite. This helps anglers plan their fishing better.
But remember, moon phases aren’t the only thing that affects fish. Weather, current, and other things can change how and when fish feed. So, anglers need to stay alert and flexible.
“Paying attention to the behavior of wildlife around you, like birds, frogs, and even cattle, can serve as visual indicators of these active feeding times.”
bait for fish When Fish Aren’t Actively Feeding
When fish aren’t eating, look for the “outcasts”. These are fish that are hurt or sick and can’t wait for the best time to eat. They eat when they can find food.
Angler Rick Clunn says targeting these fish can help when fishing is slow. These “outcast” fish eat outside normal times because they can’t wait. By knowing their habits, you can use bait that gets their attention.
Identifying and Targeting the Outcasts
To find “outcast” fish, look for signs they’re different. This means:
- Fish swimming alone or in small groups, away from others
- Fish that seem slow or lost, maybe because they’re sick or hurt
- Fish eating even when others aren’t
Once you spot these “outcast” fish, change your bait and how you present it. Clunn says use small, real-looking baits that match what these fish usually eat. Big, flashy lures might scare them off.
“These ‘outcast’ fish don’t have the luxury of waiting for the perfect feeding window and are often forced to feed outside the normal patterns.”
By focusing on “outcasts” and using the right bait, you can catch fish even when they’re not eating much. Don’t give up on a spot just because the fish aren’t hungry. Look for the “outcasts” and they might bite.
| Bait for Inactive Fish | Characteristics of “Outcast” Fish |
|---|---|
| – Small, natural-looking baits – Mimic common forage |
– Separated from main school – Appearing sluggish or disoriented – Actively feeding when others are not |
Creating Artificial Feeding Periods
Anglers have found a smart way to make fish act even when they don’t usually do. They use current flow and water disturbances to their benefit. This helps them use fishing techniques better.
On lakes and rivers, changes in water flow can make fish hungry. For example, dams or boats moving by can do this. Pro angler Rick Clunn used to make waves by turning his boat fast. This made bass react by chasing after shad.
Leveraging Current Flow and Water Disturbances
Clunn’s trick shows how knowing about current flow and water disturbances helps. By making their own “feeding triggers,” anglers can beat the natural feeding times. This way, they can catch fish even when it’s tough.
| Technique | Effect |
|---|---|
| Tight Boat Turns | Disrupts the water, triggering a reaction from predatory fish |
| Strategically Placed Lures | Leverages current flow to attract and engage fish |
| Intentional Splashing | Creates artificial disturbances that pique the curiosity of nearby fish |
Anglers can use current flow and water disturbances to their benefit. This way, they can make fishing techniques work better. They can make fish bite even when it’s not their usual time.
Switching Up Your Presentation
When the fish aren’t biting, it’s time to get creative with your bait presentation. Try changing the lure selection, bait color and size, and fishing tactics. This can really help get the fish to bite.
Before you go fishing, check out the local fishing reports and conditions. This info will tell you what bait color and size the fish like, and how they’re eating. Talking to experienced anglers or the local bait shop can also give you great tips on what bait to use.
Once you’re on the water, be ready to try different lure selection and ways to present your bait. Use various bait color and size options to match what the fish eat naturally. Don’t hesitate to switch between soft plastics, crankbaits, jigs, and other lures to see what works best.
Being flexible is key to catching fish. By changing your bait presentation and fishing tactics as needed, you’ll have a better chance of finding what the fish want.
Staying Put or Moving Around
Anglers often wonder: should they stay put or move around when fishing is slow? Should they stick to one spot or quickly change locations to find active fish?
Rick Clunn, a top bass fishing expert, says both methods have their perks. Staying in one spot helps anglers learn how things like current flow affect fish. On the other hand, moving around uses fish curiosity to your advantage with a new boat or bait disturbance.
Benefits of Running and Gunning
The “running and gunning” method means moving fast to find active fish. It works well when fish aren’t hungry or not feeding. A new boat or bait can make them curious and lead to bites.
- Uses fish curiosity and bait disturbance to your advantage
- Helps cover more water to find where fish are active
- Good when fish aren’t interested in feeding
But, Clunn warns, don’t forget to be patient and watch in one spot too. Knowing when to move and when to wait is key to catching fish when they’re not biting.
Triggering Curiosity with Commotion
Anglers often try to get fish with the right bait or lure. But what if the secret is in the disturbance we make? Renowned bass fishing expert Rick Clunn says a boat or its movements can make bass curious. This can lead them to come closer and bite.
Clunn thinks a boat’s noise can mess with the normal life of baitfish. This makes them easy targets for bass. This prey distraction can make bass bold and ready to bite.
It’s not just the boat’s move that grabs bass. The bait disturbance from the boat gets the bass’s fish curiosity. They come to check out the strange activity. This makes them more likely to bite, even if they weren’t hungry.
So, if fish ignore your bait, try making some noise on the water. Using their curiosity and love for checking out disturbances can help you get their attention. This might just be the trick to getting those hard-to-catch strikes.
Bait Choices to Provoke Strikes
Rick Clunn, a pro angler, says using the right bait is key to getting bass to bite. He doesn’t pick a favorite lure. But, he says trying different baits can help find what works best in your area.
Clunn thinks about using baits that make small disturbances or look like injured prey. These bait selections and lure choices work well when bass aren’t looking for food.
Rick Clunn’s Favorite Lures
Clunn doesn’t share his top Clunn’s preferred baits. But, he says watch the water and change your bait selection and lure choice as needed. Using baits that look like injured prey can get bites even when bass aren’t hungry.
“You have to be willing to experiment to find what works best in your local waters. Focus on baits that can provoke a reaction, even if the fish aren’t actively searching for food.”
Clunn’s tip is to pay attention to what bass like and change your bait selection and lure choice to match. This way, you can get bites even when bass aren’t eating much.
Conclusion
This article shared tips from Rick Clunn on fishing when fish aren’t biting. He talked about major and minor feeding times, and how to spot fish signs. He also shared how to make fake food and use bass’s curiosity to your advantage.
He stressed the need to adapt and try new things when fishing is slow. Instead of giving up, try different bait for fish, fishing tactics, and ways to adapt to inactive fish. Being persistent and proactive can help you catch more fish.
This article gave a detailed guide on how to improve your fishing. It covered targeting “outcasts,” making fake feeding times, and using bass’s curiosity. By using these tips, anglers can get better at fishing and have more fun on the water.
FAQ
What bait should I use when the fish aren’t biting?
How do major and minor feeding periods affect fish behavior?
How can I target “outcast” fish when the main group isn’t biting?
What techniques can I use to create “artificial” feeding periods?
How should I adjust my bait presentation when the fish aren’t biting?
Should I stay put or move around when the fish aren’t biting?
How can I leverage the curious nature of bass to trigger strikes?
Source Links
- How to Catch Bass When They’re Not Biting – https://www.wired2fish.com/opinions-philosophies/how-to-catch-bass-when-theyre-not-biting
- 4 Reasons Why Fish Aren’t Biting (and What You Can Do About Them!) – https://baitium.com/blogs/news/why-fish-arent-biting
- fishing – Fish aren’t biting, how to get more bites? – The Great Outdoors Stack Exchange – https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/questions/19297/fish-arent-biting-how-to-get-more-bites