That cormorant swimming around you was probably a great sign that you were on the fish...sounds like you're on your way to figuring them out. Keep trying and good luck!
                                                                             

Never thought of it that way thought he was scaring my fish off.

Sorry Mo, I didn't see your post about Hula Poppers and Jitterbugs before I saw Dave's. I was just trying to contribute a little more to Dave's advice, didn't mean to sight you.

Not Actual fishing but scouting tips

A pair of binoculars can be used to observe from a distance and find fishing locations with out bothering other anglers or wild life buy invading there space .

During low water conditions, generally fall draw down . Scout the area and make mental notes of were structure is so when the water level returns to normal, generally in spring. You know were that spot on the spot is . You may even find fishing lures this way .

Thanks, the lake I fish only has a few places where you can actually fish from shore, the rest of it you need a kayak or small boat to reach. The spot I waded into was only a foot and half deep, the lake may rise after Hurricane Sandy goes through. There is one spot that you could find some lures and other fishing gear, two guys flipped their boat and lost all their gear. By now some of the old fisherman probably fished the stuff out. I hope to at least get a few more fishing trips in before the end of the year when my license runs out. And I plan on investing in chest waders for the opening of trout season.
The most awesome thing to see at our lake is the Bald Eagle and the pair of Ospreys when they swope down and catch fish, they make it look easy, I have caught a some bass this year, two out of season I released and one a couple of weeks ago, when testing a new lure pack. I released it was only 13" not aloud to keep any under 15".
But I do appreciate everyones advise, I am still rebuilding my tackle box. All my Dad's and my stuff was stolen when I lived in NC by some boys I knew who helped my family move. So I only tried fishing a few times since I moved back in 2001, so it is a slow process rebuilding my tackle box, cause things are a little different since I went fishing with Dad. I am hoping to find a companion to do things with like fishing, movies, and just taking walks.

I left my tackle box behind once cause i fished between jobs one day and two hrs later went back to find it gone so i started over with jigs and plastics
cheap way to start over and they will catch any species of fish .

My Mom had fun at the beginning of the season in March when Walmart had fishing stuff on clearance. She found me football jigs, rapala minnows, poppers, and a strike king frog. And I got some new jigs and different size plastics. Recently I tested the Kandi Speedbug and I hooked it up with my weedless football jig and I caught a nice bass with it. Fishing just seems different from shore from my youth when Dad and I would take the boat out on the Susquehanna River, it makes it all new to me. But I like the challenge, and it is one way of having a peaceful day that just passes by sometimes to quickly.