Bass fishing can be as simple, or as complicated as we want to make it.
I think we're all guilty of falling into the trap of overthinking, whether in fishing or our personal lives. You see someone catching bass when you're struggling and immediately think about what they're throwing and whether you should change your lure. I know for myself I fall into that category. I put way too much thought into the specifics of lures that probably mean very little to the bass.
That said, there is still some logic behind certain decisions we make as bass anglers - color and profile being a big one. The general rules are clear water = natural colors (greens, browns, etc.) and natural profiles (texas rigs, jerkbaits, etc.), while stained/dirty water = bold colors (blacks, blues, etc.) and more exaggerated profiles (big jigs, chatterbaits, etc.). This is obviously very general and can change based on conditions, what you're throwing, etc.
However, when local knowledge goes against this "logical approach", which do you put your faith in? As an example, I fish natural lakes in Canada that have decent visibility (6ft+ on average). I (like most everyone else on the lake) like to flip deep hydrilla and bulrush, and punch matted grass and lilypads. With the lake having clearer water, you would think that natural colors and smaller sleek profiles (craws and beavers) would work better when flipping and punching. But on these lakes; local guides, tournament winners, and all-around great anglers do almost the inverse of this. They all use the same lures. Primarily, a black 1/2oz flipping jig with either a black or sapphire blue chunk trailer.
Why is this? Is it just as simple as they are better anglers, so they can throw whatever and still have success? Are the bass in on it and know to only bite the lures when those guys throw themš
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Have you experienced anything similar to this and how do you get over the gut feeling of throwing the wrong lure no matter what it is?
