Baitfish, but no bites

[nofish]

Threw out just about everything at my favorite breachway but couldn't hookup at all. The most baitfish I've ever seen and schoolies were everywhere with a few keepers in the mix but no hookups. The fish were schoaling around practically everywhere. I tried bucktails, sandeel tins, small danny's all the while rotating different teasers with each pattern change. What is up with that? I surely thought I was in for a little fun with all the fish around but I was wrong again.

[Pete_G]

I've never found a magic bullet for situations like this. I don't think anyone ever will. Some days are just going to be frustrating when the bait is thick.

Sometimes I'll "match the hatch" but usually I do the opposite.

Coming back after dark can sometimes change the game too. Drop a live eel with a little weight in there, I bet you'll get some attention.

[Rob]

when there is mass feeding on small bait I found not matching the hatch is better try throwing some realy big plugs while you might not catch the most fish your offering will stand out and normal keep you from just catching school bass.

[Tattoo]

As mentioned, it's frustrating for sure. I usually scale down to the smallest bucktail jig I can throw, say a few hail mary's and hope for the best.

[nofish]

Thanks for the advise guys. I guess there isn't any quick fix for that situation. It's awful frustrating to be casting away at them especially when you can see how many there are out there and can't hook up. Damn I get tired of coming home with nofish.

[doyle007]

in situations like this, your offering can get lost in the millions of baitfish that are around. i like to stand out from the rest, either by going with a completely different color scheme on my fly or plug, by going with something much bigger than the bait, or by letting my "match the hatch" offering sink underneath of the school.

it's frustrating, but then again, it's good to see a lot of bait around. it surely beats the alternative of not having any bait.

[Dave]

This is a reoccuring theme up and down the coast. Best bet is to not match the hatch/bait that's available because your offering is just going to be lost in the massive bait ball. You could try and mimic a wounded baitfish on the surface or as mentioned try downsizing even smaller or going much larger to stand out.

[nofish]

Thanks guys,

I like the idea of not trying to match the hatch in cases like that and try to deliver a lure that will get to them, depending on where it is in the water column that they are feeding.

nofish

[thewaterfordstriper]

Just like doyle said, you blast the system by throwing say for example a giant jointed etc. Sometimes it works. When you match the hatch you are one in a million without smell or quite perfect natural movement.

[Dave]

This is around the time I tend to match and mimic the prevalent bait with success. I don't toss to get lost in the masses but use these offerings when I know they're present. I don't marry any plug or method, if it's working I stay with it, if it isn't I'll work and cycle through my plugs till I figure out what they're on.