What lures to use at what times..

[Vinny Chase]

I have been bass fishing for about 12 years now and i still havent mastered this part of fishing. I understand it is the hardest but i know in order to make the next step into tournaments this is something i need to understand. When i get ready to go out i usually tie up four rods which include a jig, crainkbait, frog or topwater, worm. There are so many different lures to throw at certain times, depths, and weather conditions that i never know what is best for that specific time.

So i am asking for any advice, articles, tips on what i can do to better understand what to throw at what time.

Thanks,

VC

[Scorcher214]

Ive been fishing for 3 years, so I may not know as much as the other guys, but I can offer this .There are SOOOOOOO many factors that play into what to use, when to use, what color, how to use it. Sure there is probably a time when bass will eat anything, but there are other times when they will only bite maybe on type of color and presentation. I would start reading the articles on here about weather. I think that could make a firm beginning on what, when, and where.

[Vinny Chase]

Ive been fishing for 3 years, so I may not know as much as the other guys, but I can offer this .There are SOOOOOOO many factors that play into what to use, when to use, what color, how to use it. Sure there is probably a time when bass will eat anything, but there are other times when they will only bite maybe on type of color and presentation. I would start reading the articles on here about weather. I think that could make a firm beginning on what, when, and where.

I think i one thing i have down pat is weather when it comes to color selection. From there i go with my gut on what to use but i always think there are other lures that i am not using that will produce more. I guess a lot of it is confidence as well

[Raul]

In your own words:

4 rods.-

1 ---> jig

1 ---> crankbait

1 ---> worm

1 ---> frog/topwater

Pretty much what I have rigged on my rods the only thing I would add is another rod with a spinnerbait to have a nice round of 5 setups, now if you limit me to those same four rods then I eliminate the frog/topwater and put on a spinnerbait.

The catch here is what type of bait ( weight/color/shape/size ) I 'm going to tie on each set-up, what bait I 'm going to choose or better said what variables come into play when I 'm going to tie depend upon conditions, coditions like weather, water temperature, water clarity, water color ( clarity and color are not the same thing ), cover type/density, structure n 'such.

Let 's put an example, let 's say that today I arrive at the lake, it has been raining for the past couple of weeks on a daily basis, so when I arrive at the lake and I look at the water the first thing I notice is that the water is muddy, muddy water is the first variable that 's going to steer me into selecting a baits that I know perform better on low visbilty conditions:

Strong vibration

Strong hydrodynamic signature

Flash

Strong sound

So let 's say that I 'm going to select a crank, I look at my T-box and search for the cranks that meet that criteria. So I 'll be looking for a fat crank ( strong hydrodynamic signature and vibration ), preferably with rattles ( strong sound ) and with a metallic finish.

I apply the same principle to the other baits.

[WanderLust]

In your own words:

4 rods.-

1 ---> jig

1 ---> crankbait

1 ---> worm

1 ---> frog/topwater

Pretty much what I have rigged on my rods the only thing I would add is another rod with a spinnerbait to have a nice round of 5 setups, now if you limit me to those same four rods then I eliminate the frog/topwater and put on a spinnerbait.

The catch here is what type of bait ( weight/color/shape/size ) I 'm going to tie on each set-up, what bait I 'm going to choose or better said what variables come into play when I 'm going to tie depend upon conditions, coditions like weather, water temperature, water clarity, water color ( clarity and color are not the same thing ), cover type/density, structure n 'such.

Let 's put an example, let 's say that today I arrive at the lake, it has been raining for the past couple of weeks on a daily basis, so when I arrive at the lake and I look at the water the first thing I notice is that the water is muddy, muddy water is the first variable that 's going to steer me into selecting a baits that I know perform better on low visbilty conditions:

Strong vibration

Strong hydrodynamic signature

Flash

Strong sound

So let 's say that I 'm going to select a crank, I look at my T-box and search for the cranks that meet that criteria. So I 'll be looking for a fat crank ( strong hydrodynamic signature and vibration ), preferably with rattles ( strong sound ) and with a metallic finish.

I apply the same principle to the other baits.

Well said.

I normally go with (3) setups...

1) Worm \ Tube

2) Jig

3) Crank or spinner

Soft plastics weighted and unweighted are numero uno for me. Color \ size \ weight I decide when seeing water conditions.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Whenever I go out for a real day of fishing I'll take five setups with me. What I'll rig at the house all hinges on the weather reports and the history of the body of water I'm going to.

1. Crankbait

2. T-rigged soft plastic or a jig

3. Flipping/Pitching bait

4. Frog - This is my multi purpose rod. If I know there are fish in the area, I'll usually put a second t-rigged bait on this, or a spinnerbait.  Lots of times I'll use something like a swimming senko.  I can double this lure up and use it like a spinnerbait, or a texas rigged bait.  Affords me a little more versatility.

5. Finesse rig like an unweighted worm, wacky, or a drop shot

Obviously what specific lure will depend on the conditions such as weather and present cover. I'm not going to toss my crank into a heavily grass laden area. Like Raul mentioned, if the water is dirtier than normal, I'll use something that has more of a vibration, flash, or other strong attracting quality. In clearer water, I'll do just the opposite. I'll base my color choice after I take a look at the weather and water conditions. The old standby rule of brighter day, lighter/brighter color is a good starting point for me. If I'm fishing deeper water with plastics or jigs, I like a darker color though to give a better silhouette.

As far as weight goes, that depends on the available cover and depth I'll be fishing.

[Raul]

Soft plastics weighted and unweighted are numero uno for me. Color \ size \ weight I decide when seeing water conditions.

Let 's do more, let 's suppose that I like him prefer soft plastics ( weighted and unweighted ) and let 's put them in those conditions I described, soft plastics but .... which ones ? cuz there 's a bunch of all sorts of soft plastics. Muddy water being the first variable to steer the decision, then in muddy water:

Strong vibration

Strong hydrodynamic signature

Flash

Strong sound

Strong vibration ---> C or G tail worms over straight / ribbontail worms ( ex, G-tail Ringer ), if I 'm going to fish creatures then creatures not only with multiple apendages but curved apendages. ( ex Rage Hog )

Strong hydrodynamic signature ---> bulky and texturized body over slim and smooth body

Flash ---> large chunks of metal flake over dust like metalflake or plain plastic

Sound ---> you can use worm rattles

Once I have selected the baits that fill that criteria then comes how to rig them, if let 's say I 'm going to fish a weighted T-rigged worm then I select a tungsten or stainless steel sinker over a lead sinker ( better acoustic properties ),then add some more, a glass bead ( to generate a clacking sound ) and so on, you compose by adding one thing to another.

It 's the conditions what determine with what you have better chances of success, and conditions also dicatate where and how you should fish.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I think in that example, Raul, I'd probably use something like a Rage Lobster.  Tungsten weight with the glass or brass bead.  Or if I'm really sticking to worms, something like a Zoom Ultravibe speed worm would fit the bill.

[roadwarrior]

I'm fishing deep structure at Pickwick this Saturday.

This is what I'm rigging:

BCR854 3/4 oz GMAN Mop jig/ Rage Tail Lobster

MBR844C Rage Tail Thumper

Dobyns 683C 3/8 oz GMAN jig/ Rage Tail Craw

EC70MHF 6" Spoon/ Mattlures Baby Bass/ 3/4 oz Ledgebuster

Lamiglas SR705R DT16/ DD22/ Mann's 20+

MBR842C Kut Tail on a 3/8 oz Shak-E2 jig head

ES70MF Dropshot: Slug-Go

I will start with the "moving" lures early, worms and jigs later.

8-)

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I'm fishing deep structure at Pickwick this Saturday.

This is what I'm rigging:

BCR854 3/4 oz GMAN Mop jig/ Rage Tail Lobster

MBR844C Rage Tail Thumper

Dobyns 683C 3/8 oz GMAN jig/ Rage Tail Craw

EC70MHF 6" Spoon/ Mattlures Baby Bass/ 3/4 oz Ledgebuster

Lamiglas SR705R DT16/ DD22/ Mann's 20+

MBR842C Kut Tail on a 3/8 oz Shak-E2 jig head

ES70MF Dropshot: Slug-Go

I will start with the "moving" lures early, worms and jigs later.

8-)

Your rods have all these funny letters and numbers in them!  It scares me that I actually recognize some of them.....

[Raul]

I think in that example, Raul, I'd probably use something like a Rage Lobster. Tungsten weight with the glass or brass bead. Or if I'm really sticking to worms, something like a Zoom Ultravibe speed worm would fit the bill.

The lobster would me my number 1 pick as my jig and spinnerbait trailer 

[Vinny Chase]

Thanks guys this really helps out!

[Vinny Chase]

I think in that example, Raul, I'd probably use something like a Rage Lobster. Tungsten weight with the glass or brass bead. Or if I'm really sticking to worms, something like a Zoom Ultravibe speed worm would fit the bill.

Got them but havent really used them to much. How do you usually fish them? Topwater? Weighted deep?

Thanks

[Fat-G]

Right now, I'm going with one setup:

Flippin' stick

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I think in that example, Raul, I'd probably use something like a Rage Lobster. Tungsten weight with the glass or brass bead. Or if I'm really sticking to worms, something like a Zoom Ultravibe speed worm would fit the bill.

Got them but havent really used them to much. How do you usually fish them? Topwater? Weighted deep?

Thanks

Can use them as a topwater.  Work fairly well.  The tail pops a good amount of water.  Sometimes I'll peg the sinker and just swim them back to the boat.  Other than that, a normal texas rig.

[Raul]

I think in that example, Raul, I'd probably use something like a Rage Lobster. Tungsten weight with the glass or brass bead. Or if I'm really sticking to worms, something like a Zoom Ultravibe speed worm would fit the bill.

Got them but havent really used them to much. How do you usually fish them? Topwater? Weighted deep?

Thanks

Sometimes topwater ( don 't do it unweighted with a spinning outfit ! it twists the line like crazy  ), other times classic T-rigged, sometimes weighted hook, actually it 's a matter of adjusting the rig to what you want the bait to do, the important part of the bait is what the tail does. ( lots of vibration )