Search and Follow-up Baits

[nieten7642]

Hey guys and gals!

I was interested in getting your thoughts on good follow up baits. I know often you want to slow them down a bit, but not necessarily always, right? What do you folks like to follow up with if you get a bump or "swim by"? I am just getting re-acquainted with bass fishing (since late last summer), and alot of what is buzzin' around in my head is still theory since I am waiting for my waters to thaw. Late last summer at Lake Michigan I was fishing a watermelon Chatterbait and got a swim by from a huge largie. Followed my Chatterbait right up to the boat. It was Laborday weekend, late evening (about an hour before dark). I didn't even know about follow-up baits then. What do you think I should have followed up with?

Thanks!

[CrazedL.IFisherman]

I personally feel whatever your best producing soft bait is, for me its almost any form of creature bait in natural colors, just drop it where the blow up or action occured and hang on, many times throwing the same lure back to the same spot works but when i have hard bait on my fishing buddy usually will have a soft bait on and ill have him toss for the bass and that usually works, hopefully that helps

[Shad_Master]

My thought is that I want something that is slow falling, like a Senko, "GULP!" Sinking Minnow or weightless T-rigged Brush Hog.  My theory is if that fish "bumped" my lure, he may be looking around for it and I want something will fall through the water column slowly so he can find it.

[ring fry]

Agree with what shad and crazed said.  Another thought is that what you are getting 'bumped' on might not be quite the right color they are looking for at the time.  Same lure, different color.  Have had this scenerio many times with cranks, jerkbaits, and spinner baits.  

[llPa1nll]

I agree with the previous posters its whatever you have the most confidence in. I would put a single tail GYCB grub or a tube and pitch it out there as well. The other scenario is that maybe it wasnt the right speed. I have had many blow ups on a zara spook. I kept working it faster and faster until I caught the bugger. I then changed to a prop bait and started to catch fish where I previously hadnt with the zara spook. So you might have got a bump on a chatterbait what about throwing a spinnerbait or a jerkbait. Just Ideas...

[BassBeat101]

I second the tube, with the weight placed inside of it - I like how it gives it a more "back and forth" fall, which I find perfect for a follow up bait - a tad too tantalizing for a bass, I would think.

Daryl

[Jimzee]

When ever I get a bump like that I always follow up with some form of plastic worm or creature bait.  Seems like I have more success with the plastic worm though.  

[Siebert Outdoors]

#1 follow up bait would be a senko.  Why,  it can double as a follow up for the previous cast.  Not many lures will imo.

[roadwarrior]

GMAN,

That's cheatin'

[Siebert Outdoors]

GMAN,

That's cheatin'

Yep, it sure is.  I guess I'm a cheater.  I bet you are too.  ;D I've done this 3x in a row on one fish before I caught the fish.  I love fishing clear water with a senko.

[.ghoti.]

A Senko or a tube would be my first choices, but, any soft plastic bait will do as long as you get it there ASAP, and get it there as quietly as possible. I've noticed this time and time again. If you can slip that bait into the water, with minimal splash, you'll catch that fish. The more disturbance you make, the lower your chances of catching the fish.

Cheers,

GK

[bugman]

Roll cast a Fat Ika, watch the line and set the hook.

[sal669]

Most of the times Mr. Senco does the job.

However, sometimes I like a 6-8" worm T-rigged with a 1/16 oz bullet weight (especially for LMB) or a tube (for SMB). Sometimes a fluke will work too (for blows on baits that immitate baitfish).

Experiment & have fun!

[WhiteMike1018]

Any type of soft plastic could probably be used as a follow up bait, when thinking logically. If the bass was active enough to hit the buzzbait theres no reason why he shouldnt be aggressive enough to hit almost any slow moving soft plastic or jig.

[Shakes]

In my opinion and experiences, the best search and follow up combination is a Spinnerbait and a Worm. Colors all depend on water clarity. If its clear water, a White or Transparent Double Willow Spinnerbait and a Watermelon Red Flake Zoom Trick Worm. If its stained water, a white/chartruese tandem willow spinnerbait (sillver col. and gold willow) and a Bubble Gum Zoom Trick Worm. If its dirty water, a perch colored (green, chartruese, and orange) with double gold colorado/indiana spinnerbait and a black Zoom Trick Worm. In these conditions, these have been the combinations for me. Good luck out there!

[FishTank]

When ever I get a bump and run on either a spinner or crank bait, I always go to the Senko.  I fish it T-rigged and slow.

[Brad_Coovert]

Depends on what I am doing.

A great follow up for a miss on a floating frog or buzzbait is to toss in a soft plastic frog like a Cane Toad and let it sink in the hole.

If I'm throwing a topwater and get a miss, a floating worm, Super Fluke, Senko or lightly weighted tube to the same spot usually works well.

I'f I'm cranking or spinnerbaiting, I will follow up with a jig, tube or creature.

Brad