What do you do when the bass don't bite?

[Mike Cork]

What does everyone do to keep their fishy senses sharp?

Whether it's a seasonal thing or maybe it's illegal because the bass fishing season is closed. For me it's a winter thing. But there are times when bass just don't bite. Instead of hanging it up completely I switch to crappie fishing to keep my drive going. I still bass fish when the weather is perfect and the bass should be chomping but if I have a free day and I know the bass fishing will be tough, I break out the crappie rods and go meat hunting...

The like tap of a crappie in cold water really makes you concentrate. All the variables that go into crappie fishing help me when the spring comes and bass get fickle because of all the pressure. I just wrote a blog entry going into further detail but I wanted to see what everyone else does before it goes live tomorrow at [ur=https://ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing/bass-fishing-blogs/get-the-net/] Get The Net [/url] , you can also find it as the lead story on www.ultimatebass.com

[big g]

When the bass don't bite, I slow way down, and usually down size.  These two things will usually produce a few!

[Capt. BassinLou]

I just switch and fish for peacocks.   

[Oldfart9999]

In the winter I spend time here and also watch some videos. Gotta do something, I'm crying right now, first time in over 25 years I look out at the driveway and there's no boat.
Rodney

[coldfront]

What does everyone do to keep their fishy senses sharp?

just get out on the water for 6-8 hours minimum each week?  (i know:  I'm being insensitive    )

it's not the light bites that are tough to 'feel'... it's those bites where they just mouth it and move along with the bait...  that 'nothings there' sensation...

[Hobious]

where I live they seem to be cooperative for the most part. 

but when it gets tough, I go with smaller baits and I fish way slow.  some days you just need luck and land a bait on their heads.

[FlatsNBay]

C'mon Mike, the bass are always biting somewhere!! Fortunately in Florida, we have very few days when they aren't.

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[bigjim5589]

Tie some flies, make some lures, or see if the catfish will cooperate. 

When I do give the catfish a try, I usually head for my neighbors pier, and set out two lines with baits under a float, so I can keep an eye on them. I often take along a rod set up for panfish or bass too, and still make some casts.  Can't know what might also bite if you're not fishing for them. 

Many times it ends up as casting practice, but that's OK, at least I'm there and fishing. 

[Smallie_Stalker]

If possible I like to have a rod and small tackle selection for panfish on hand. If I can get the panfish bite going that will sometimes fire up the bass since they are usually close by.

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[Donald Garner]

I stop fishing and park the boat and eat lunch.  Put all my gear away and re-rig my flipping and pitching sticks.  I usually go back to some of the better looking areas and SLOW Down and pick apart those better looking places.

Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't   

[bassjiggin1955]

[bassjiggin1955]

Down size with smaller type jigs and trailers

[Oldfart9999]

There is a major bridge that crosses my home waters, too tall for shade but with big concrete footings with funny shapes. I would occasionally gear up for panfish and tie up to one of them. I would walk around the edge with a line about 15 foot down, the numbers of bluegills with many a good size along with crappie and the occasional bass and catfish tuned up the feel for bites. I found that when I was back bass fishing I set the hook with positive results a lot more often. I found the light bite of the panfish was a good tune up for light bites from bass.
Rodney

[JDDogs]

I stop fishing and park the boat and eat lunch.  Put all my gear away and re-rig my flipping and pitching sticks.  I usually go back to some of the better looking areas and SLOW Down and pick apart those better looking places.

I am learning to do the same.

Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't