10-23-2008, 12:47 PM
Frog-colored hand grenades. [angelic]
Seriously, although there have been some good suggestions made, I take a diffrerent tack.
It isn't the lure, per se. It's knowning how to use, when, and where.
One year, as I've detailed in a story at my outdoor sports advisor page about minnow baits, all I fished on one lake was a black & silver minnow bait. Could have been anything, but that's what I choose. I caught more fish, and bigger fish, that year than anytime before or since. Why? Because I was forced to learn the water thoroughly, learn when and why the bait was successful, and explore all the nuances inherent with the use of that bait.
So, learn a little more about the bass you're chasing. When and why are they likely to hit? Are they feeding on the bottom? Chasing shad on top? Suspended? Do they pattern a particular way on the lakes you fish? Relate to certain structure at particular times or weather conditions. Etc.
Do that and the trophies will start to show up.
Let me conclude with two bits of advice. First, if you're fishing tournament style, it is not condusive to big fish, cuz you're fishing too fast. Second, nowadays, most fishermen say if they had to be confined to just one bait it would be either a jig or a spinnerbait, because they're the most versatile. I believe that, and would opt for a spinnerbait myself.
[signature]
Seriously, although there have been some good suggestions made, I take a diffrerent tack.
It isn't the lure, per se. It's knowning how to use, when, and where.
One year, as I've detailed in a story at my outdoor sports advisor page about minnow baits, all I fished on one lake was a black & silver minnow bait. Could have been anything, but that's what I choose. I caught more fish, and bigger fish, that year than anytime before or since. Why? Because I was forced to learn the water thoroughly, learn when and why the bait was successful, and explore all the nuances inherent with the use of that bait.
So, learn a little more about the bass you're chasing. When and why are they likely to hit? Are they feeding on the bottom? Chasing shad on top? Suspended? Do they pattern a particular way on the lakes you fish? Relate to certain structure at particular times or weather conditions. Etc.
Do that and the trophies will start to show up.
Let me conclude with two bits of advice. First, if you're fishing tournament style, it is not condusive to big fish, cuz you're fishing too fast. Second, nowadays, most fishermen say if they had to be confined to just one bait it would be either a jig or a spinnerbait, because they're the most versatile. I believe that, and would opt for a spinnerbait myself.
[signature]