Not catching anything, I need some help.

[Jake Owen]

Hey guys, My name is Jay Cohen. I recently moved to Rutherford, I fish from the shore, no boat, no fishfinder. I catch and release, I pick up trash. I leave no footprints.

I used to fish a lot when I was younger, and am just getting back into it. Had to learn my baitcaster all over again. I use a Curado, and a Falcon Cranker. Mostly throw cranks, but learning other things. I have a little ultra light that I use for finesse under trees and things. Will soon pick up another rig for frogs and jigs.
I grew up next to the Swimming River Reservoir in Lincroft, and I knew every inch of that place, and I knew what the fish liked. I would love to go back there, but they used 9/11 as an excuse to keep people out.

I have been fishing a little bit in the Passaic, south of Dundee. I caught a little white perch, and three tiny smallies. I was there this evening in a little spot in a neighborhood in Wallington. Fish were jumping, and boiling up everywhere.I could'nt catch anything! I tried many lures, top water sammie, popper, a frog, a big fat slow crankbait, spinners, spoons, square bill, jerk baits, senko. Lost two good lures to a tree, then went home.

I have also been going up to the Ringwood area, and trying a few of the ponds and lakes up there. I caught two dinks in Green Turtle, before a bear scared me away. I caught two sunnies in the river that leads into Monksville. I know they call it Skunksville, but I thought I would give it a try. I would like to make the hike to the other side of where the timber is, just don't know if it would be worth the effort, and now I'm scared of bears. I would also like to fish off the dam, in the deep part. Not sure If I'm allowed? Probably no bears there.

So I don't know if all my lures suck, if I suck, if my locations suck. I am getting really frustrated. I just want to catch a fish.

I have been fishing for largemouth most of my life. I would love to catch a pike, a muskie or a Walleye, but a big bass would make me very happy.

Any words of encouragement? Iaconellis "Don't Give Up" has been resounding in my head.