Guys...I really suck at fishing. I'm fine with admitting it. I know a lot of the theory behind it, like time of day to fish, what color lures to use for certain types of water clarity, what types of lures certain fish like, etc.

But I can never seem to catch anything. The only thing I can think of is that my rod and line aren't right. I pretty much always use the same rod and line. I believe it's an 8-12 lb line and a pretty solid rod.

From my limited success, I know that I love to catch bass and northern. I like the fight, and don't much care to keep what I catch.

How does the line/reel/rod combo effect my success rates?

I'd put few, if any of my eggs in that line/rod basket looking for an anwer. Assuming you do have a handle on lure and lure color, time of day, etc., you're left with a fairly small chunk of possibles. If that lure isn't in front of fish, all bets are off. Location! Piece of water itself, then location within that piece of water. Also presentation. There are times and lures where chuck and wind will do it...spinnerbaits and plugs, at times are that way. Particularly with jigs and plastics, that's pretty much never going to be the case though.

I've seen line/rod/reel cause bad fishing, but it's mostly when the line is old, too heavy and there's not enough on the spool. These problems cause trouble with casting, and more time is spent on fixing than fishing. (Like that alliteration?) Old or bad reels and rods limit casting/retrieving and again, cause more trouble than they are worth. Eliminate these basic problems, and it's much more important where you fish and keeping a bait in the water. Good anglers always seem to make more casts, more accurately, with more confidence. Regardless of the equipment, in many cases.
Now, this is my direct answer, but you really need to be more specific. Are you getting any hits? Losing fish? Are others in the group catching fish? What is your specific experience?

I would think your rod/line are fine. Presentation and location are probably bigger factors. Pike aren't exactly picky eaters, so I'd go with location. Fishing in the middle of a lake will likely not result in much action. Trolling reefs, points, and other structure is a good idea. Casting shorelines and weedbeds is another good idea.

quote Goby: "I would think your rod/line are fine. Presentation and location are probably bigger factors. Pike aren't exactly picky eaters, so I'd go with location. Fishing in the middle of a lake will likely not result in much action. Trolling reefs, points, and other structure is a good idea. Casting shorelines and weedbeds is another good idea."

What he said. I'd also add this. If you want to catch fish, try using live bait (if fishing in the BWCA - can't if fishing in Q). I catch 10 times as many fish with live bait as with "lures". In the BWCA, I use leeches when available. They are tough as nails, easy to keep alive, and fish love them. You'll need a decent leech locker to make this work, but those can be had at most bait shops.

Ok, so how do I fish with bait? Just bobber fishing? Or should I put the bait on the lures? Or is that not something people do?

quote photograguide: "Ok, so how do I fish with bait? Just bobber fishing? Or should I put the bait on the lures? Or is that not something people do?"

Generally speaking, live bait doesn't go on a crankbait, spoon, or most other lures. Bobber fishing is one way to fish with live bait, the other common technique is drifting or trolling a jig head, or a plain hook with some type of weight a few feet up your line. Google "lindy rigging" or on this site search for "the TGO method" for tutorials on how to do the latter. Fishing with a jig head is easier than those methods, just tie on a jig head and hook your leech, minnow, or whatever else.

I'd suggest a medium light 6 1/2' spinning rod with a decent reel. Spool it with 6 or 8lb Trilene XL or Stren clear. Get some white, yellow and chartreuse 3" twister tails and some unpainted, barbed jig heads in 3/32oz, 1/8oz and maybe 1/4oz for those windy days. You can buy colored heads, but plain work just fine and it's easier to decide which color to use then. =)

Start simple. Shallow fish are easiest to catch. I rig mine so that the curly tail of the grub is opposite of the hook point (tail down rigging). You should be able to cast a 3/32oz head and 3" tail plenty far enough to catch fish.

Cast towards emergent weeds and downed trees. Fish like structure. Hold your rod at a 45 deg angle and wind slowly. If you drag bottom, speed up. If your lure is near the surface making a wake, slow down. Just use a basic straight retrieve. You can catch walleyes, bass and northerns doing this.

If you get nothing shallow (under 6'), then try the 1/8oz or 1/4oz head and try it a bit deeper. Same retrieve.

When you start to gain confidence in the jig, you can start casting deeper and letting it fall, and try hopping it back, etc. However, I believe the straight retrieve of a curly tail grub is fish on the stringer.

You can also use 4" grubs.

If I had to be stuck on an island in the BW with one lure it would be a jig and grub.

Location! Location! Location!

quote SoMpls: "

quote photograguide: "Ok, so how do I fish with bait? Just bobber fishing? Or should I put the bait on the lures? Or is that not something people do?"

Generally speaking, live bait doesn't go on a crankbait, spoon, or most other lures. Bobber fishing is one way to fish with live bait, the other common technique is drifting or trolling a jig head, or a plain hook with some type of weight a few feet up your line. Google "lindy rigging" or on this site search for "the TGO method" for tutorials on how to do the latter. Fishing with a jig head is easier than those methods, just tie on a jig head and hook your leech, minnow, or whatever else. "

Pretty much what he said. I catch most with a bottom bouncing set up (lindy rig). TGO's method is as easy as it gets - tie a hook to the end of you line, add a split shot weight about 18" above your hook, hook the leech (head end) and drop the line into the water. When the line stops, the weight has hit bottom. Give a turn or two on the reel and wait. You can do this while anchored or while drifting. Fish off points, in channels, near river inlets into the lake, submerged reefs, etc.

When you first started taking pictures, there was a lot you didn't know. Some of it you knew you didn't know, but some of it you didn't know you didn't know because of a lack of experience. Eventually, through persistence, you gained the experience (I assume.)
Same deal with fishing. Hire a couple guides, fish with other folks who have more experience, keep reading and trying different things, and after a while you'll begin to internalize stuff and it will seem like you always knew it. That's how it works with any skill, I guess.

quote lundojam: "When you first started taking pictures, there was a lot you didn't know. Some of it you knew you didn't know, but some of it you didn't know you didn't know because of a lack of experience. Eventually, through persistence, you gained the experience (I assume.)
Same deal with fishing. Hire a couple guides, fish with other folks who have more experience, keep reading and trying different things, and after a while you'll begin to internalize stuff and it will seem like you always knew it. That's how it works with any skill, I guess."

That's a pretty good point. I think I get frustrated more easily with fishing because I don't have nearly as much opportunity to get out and fish as I do to get out and take photos. This is all very helpful info. I'm heading up to a friend's cabin this weekend, so hopefully I can get out and fish!

Location..... Remember 90% of the fish are only in 10% of the lake....

I've had situations where my line was too heavy to get a bite in really clear water but you should be fine with 8-12lb most places. You don't mention where you fish or for how long but I think the biggest thing a beginner lacks is confidence. Confidence is extremely important in fishing - maybe the most important thing. You can catch fish on almost anything if you fish it confidently, in the right spots and for long enough.

Start small. Choose 1 or 2 techniques and work them until you start catching fish on a regular basis. Maybe it's leeches on a slip bobber. Maybe it's twister tails. Whatever it is, choose something simple and versatile. Something that will catch a variety of fish in a variety of conditions.

Now develop confidence. This is the tricky/simple part. To develop confidence, simply fish with intent . .and keep fishing with intent . .until you catch fish. By fishing with intent, I mean fish in a focused and systematic way. Don't just aimlessly cast around or make the same cast a hundred times.

Try casting a clock pattern, for example. If you're standing on shore and you're fishing a leech . .make a cast almost parallel to shore (3 o'clock). Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Make another cast a little farther out (2 o'clock) and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Repeat until you've gone around the clock and then move to a new spot.

Pay attention to things like rocks and logs sticking out of or just under the surface. Make sure you cast to any "good looking" spot. Doing this you will start to catch fish - I can just about guarantee it. When you do catch fish, make note of whatever you can - ie - water depth, lure/bait depth, how far from shore, rocky, grassy or sandy shore?, etc, etc. Pretty soon you will notice a pattern . .and then you'll catch a bunch. You'll think you got it figured out .. and then the pattern will totally change,lol.

Also try and go fishing with others and just do what they do. That's how a lot of us (myself for sure) learned.

quote AmarilloJim: "Location! Location! Location!"

And timing. I used to think I would never catch fish in the BW. Then I started tripping in June because the kids wanted to go and fishing got real easy real fast.