I can suck at times - but Lake Anna...

[dinger]

I can suck at times but Lake Anna really caused me a lot of frustration today.

The wind hur today, just not enough umph in the trolling motor at times. A lot of chop and some big nasty stuff from some of the boats.

I tried everything. I through some live bait around brish piles and bridge pilings and caught some dinky hybrids and one catfish about 18". I couldnt buy a crappie to save my life. I couldnt get anything under boat docks etc.

SO then I switched up and through finesse worms, jerk baits, spinner baits, chatter baits and more live bait. I missed a few hits but didnt see a freakin bass at all - none - zilch.

I used mega strike, and I couldnt have had the same results buy dipping stuff in the gas tank. My live bait sucked - I dont want to bad mouth anyone so dont take this that way. But, I bought a few dozen minnows from Highpoint. By the time a ran up to the right of the splits I already had about 4 dead ones. And nothing but the water from the bait tanks they were in.

As soon as I got rid of the water and used some lake water things seemed to get slightly better but still lost several very quickly - maybe because of the lake water but man I was losing them all ready - used a good bit of the minnow treatment stuff to ease the stress - the way they looked - coulda used the gas again instead.

SO whats the deal - any ideas? Was it the live well, the marinas quality of the bait, the roughness and jostling or all the above. Its too expensive to lose them so quickly.

And as for anything else, how do to guys that bass fish frequantly but not pros go all day in 72 degree water and get skunked? Did anyone else have issues today or is it just me?

Thanks guys hope someone got something.

[bill1wts]

I have had days like that - i solved the trolling motor problem with a 101 lb thrust 52" shaft 36 volt minn kota, I swear u could fight river current all day and still have juice left. I have a high casting deck so the long shaft keeps my prop in the water during big waves and wake.

I launch from high pt every weekend. I have had problems with their live bait. Sometimes it is good - sometimes not - I leave it in the bait tank water and add a little ice at a time from the time I get them. I have never used any live bait chemicals or whatever. And I love Martha to death but I have found the best minnows on the lake come from Hunters Landing. So if I am going to get a bunch for crappie or striper - that is where I go. Also sometimes Hunters has gold minnows for crappie. I don't know if they help but they look cool.

I have never had much luck catching crappie from bridges - lots of small ones but not many with much size. Best spots I have found are laydowns with the tops in about 12 - 15 feet of water. There are actually quite a few of these if you look around - try Plentiful Creek. And sometimes beaver huts - but they seem to be hit and miss more hit if there is deep water close to them.

As for bass I do most of my fishing (80%) down lake in clear water. If all else fails, go to the small islands across from the power dam (Thurman Island) there is usually people on them but if you drift live bait in the deep channels between these small islands you will catch some nice bass. Alot of bass fisherman won't use live bait - I am not above it if I can't put a pattern together. I know guys fishing events can't do that but I just fish for fun. And once the water warms up you can catch catfish anywhere on minnows.

well i hope my rambling helps some - I will let you all know how I make out tomorrow - I am hoping for a good day - should be plenty of bass.