bait monkey anonymous.

[farmpond1]

Hi, my avatar is farmpond1, and I'm a lureaholic.

Unless you are in denial, you know who the baitmonkey is and that you are powerless against him. What I want to know is when the baitmonkey first climbed on your back? What were the circumstances around your addiction? Were you hooked immediately or did the addiction take some time?

[Ima Bass Ninja]

Hi! My name Is Ima bass ninja and i'm a lureaholic   For me it took a little time. If i was to guess i would say i was at least 6 months to a year for the bait monkey to fully climb on my back and whisper in my ear on a constant basis. Although i know there is no cure, through modern medicine i hope that one day there will be a powerful enough drug to quiet the monkey ever so slightly. ;D ;D

[Goose52]

I first became acquainted with the baitmonkey in the mid-1960s. For a few years before then, I had bought some of the popular, effective baits of the day (Jitterbug, Hula Popper, River Runt, Super Sonic, Rapala floater, etc.) using my meager earnings from chores and yard work. These were my decisions, no baitmonkey involvement. Then, I discovered MirrOLures - the first bait that "caught me" long before they caught a fish. Regardless of their effectiveness on the water, I bought MirrOLures because they looked cool and the baitmonkey told me to. The baitmonkey still pays me a visit from time to time ... but this is where it started.

The photo below shows my remaining MirrOLures, all about 45 years old...

EDIT: Had to insert a new photo - I forgot to include the 3 ultra-light MirrOLures that I still have... ;D

[brushhoggin]

    When i started bass fishing avidly, i, with the help of a small annoying primate, bought a little bit of everything in every color, size, and weight. Now it's been whittled down to what i know works best where i fish, which are the same places every time. I never really get a chance to travel and fish new places, which is where i would probably need the other things I bought that i never use. Hence the bait monkey is starving. This sketchy lure swap will be a temporary satisfaction for him.

[bait__Monkey]

so sory guys, ben busi hepin sum otter fishiesmen

    MERRY CHRISTMAS!

used guys need mi hep?  R-right...lets luk at Br sponsors

first...den we be talkin sum specifics. what ever u wat, i hep!

Good?

I  hep...

[Fish Chris]

I guess at one point waaay back... like 25 or 30 years ago, I used to like to buy a bunch of fancy, flashy lures. You know, the ones that catch fishermen better than they do fish 

But for the last 20 years at least, I've used fewer and fewer different types of lures. I know what works for me, and what doesn't. Simple as that.

That said, if I'm throwing swimbaits, I throw an 8" Hud..... and I have a bunch of them already.

If I'm throwing a wake bait, it will be a 9" MS Slammer. I only have two of them, but they are top water baits, made out of wood, so they will last forever, and would be really hard to lose. So I don't need any more of those either.

Soft plastics ? For my sight fishing, sure. I use Basstrix Bluegills, and Huddlebugs, both of which I have a bunch of, and really don't need any more of.... for at least a few more years anyway.

And hooks ? I have a connection with Owner, so I have a 1 gallon ziplock bag in my dresser, with about a 3 year supply.

I've got enough braided line of all the lb tests that I use, to last at least 10 years.

My poles are all fine.

About the only thing I'd like to get, would be a few reels, and that's just to try something new.... otherwise, I could just send a bunch of my Okumas in, and get them all rebuilt.

Basically, if it were up to me, the baitmonkey would probably starve to death.

All that matters to me is catching fish. I'm just not taken in by all the flashy tackle.

Peace,

Fish

[lynyrdsky1]

I guess last year when I spent 400 bucks on a trip to bass pro. Oh and did I mention that I go to Bass Pro pretty much every week and am never able to leave with out spending 20 or more?

[brushhoggin]

The first step is realizing u have a problem. Very good lynard.

[Carrington]

he had me for a while but latly ive come to the conclusion that i have pretty much every lure i would ever need, When i goto the stores now, i cant find a bait that i want unless its brand new and different.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

so sory guys, ben busi hepin sum otter fishiesmen

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

used guys need mi hep? R-right...lets luk at Br sponsors

first...den we be talkin sum specifics. what ever u wat, i hep!

Good?

I hep...

Noooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!! 

stay back!!

[Bankbeater]

It started off with gift cards from BPS. Then one day I saw a lure that I wanted and paid cash. Then I started hitting the bargain bins just to buy something. I thought I had it under control a couple of years ago until the Cabela's opened up that is right on my way to work....

[Goose52]

......All that matters to me is catching fish. I'm just not taken in by all the flashy tackle.

Peace,

Fish

Now those are words to live by!

Before buying something, I try to ask myself: how does (that smooooth [and expensive] reel, expensive bait, excessive baits, etc.) put more fish in the boat (or on the bank). If the answer is that it doesn't, I can usually break the bond of the bait monkey. If you don't ask that question, or if you ask the question but ignore the answer, then you are a confirmed tackle junkie ! And that's OK.... ;D

[Ima Bass Ninja]

......All that matters to me is catching fish. I'm just not taken in by all the flashy tackle.

Peace,

Fish

Now those are words to live by!

Before buying something, I try to ask myself: how does (that smooooth [and expensive] reel, expensive bait, excessive baits, etc.) put more fish in the boat (or on the bank). If the answer is that it doesn't, I can usually break the bond of the bait monkey. If you don't ask that question, or if you ask the question but ignore the answer, then you are a confirmed tackle junkie ! And that's OK.... ;D

Oh but Goose that's where the bait monkey starts whispering "how do you know it want catch you more fish unless you buy it and try it ?"  and thats what gets me everytime

[farmpond1]

My addiction began simply enough.  First it was just a harmless beetlespin or roostertail.  Later, rather than attributing my general lack of my success to inexperience and inability, I blamed it on my rather meager lure collection.  I found I couldn't drive past a sporting goods store without stopping in to take a peek.  Oh!  Those flashy lures and the scent of powerbait and gulp was simply too much!  I rarely left without something in a bag.  My score card at Dicks was mounting up faster than a bingo card at the local retirement center!  Then I began to hit the hard stuff-crankbaits.  And with all those treble hooks...well, it's even easier to get hooked.  Finally, my addiction became almost indiscriminate-buying anything that could get me a fix.  Flying lures, helicopter lures, banjo minnows, storm swimbaits, you name it.  I had sunk to new lows.  My tackle boxes became such a burden I could hardly carry them.  I needed a pack animal just to lug it all around.  But rather than admit I had a problem, I bought a boat to carry it.

Then one day, while out on my boat, tying on lure after lure (I suppose to justify my addiction), I spied a man in one of those float tubes.  He carried only one rod and small plastic tacklebox-the kind that jutted out like parapets from my numerous tackle boxes.  I smirked, alternating feeling superior and pity for his inadequate, diminutive collection.  But then, suddenly, he reared back with his rod.  Fish on!  Hiding behind a soft box with more zippers than a pair of 80's era cargo pants, I watched him play it out.  It was a nice bass too.  Then, a few minutes later, he caught another!  I was stunned.  I hadn't caught a fish all day!  With all the lures I had amassed, I was fishless while this fellow looked to be about to limit out!  Who was the fool here, I thought!  Realizing suddenly how Icaris must have felt on his descent down from the heavens, I fell down to my knees and I sobbed and I sobbed!

Later, that evening, on my way back from the lake, I picked up two more bags of Chiggercraws and a Shad Rap in one of the new colors.

[bigfruits]

the baitmonkey took it easy on me at first. took many yrs to upgrade from $30 rods to $100 ones and from $100 rods to avids. i discovered this site a few yrs ago and have spent probably close to 3 or 4k on tackle and rods. add another 2k for kayaks with rudders (not blaming BR for this purchase).

[Fish Chris]

"how do you know it won't catch you more fish unless you buy it and try it ?"

Well, I'm not Goose, but for myself, the answer would be, from all the experiences of my earlier years.

IMPO, anglers tend to put WAAAAY too much emphasis on the the exact "lure" believing that, if they aren't biting, it must be the size of the lure, the color, the weight, etc, etc.....

But in reality, the lure is often of the least importance, with some much more important things being, the presentation of your lure or bait, the location of the fish, and the activity level of the fish.

BTW, we had a new Bass Pro Shops open up about 1 1/2 hours from me, a couple years ago. I've been their twice. Cool place to walk through. Great aquariums, fish mounts, etc. But I don't think I spent $20 total there, in both trips.

I also went to the Cabelas in Reno once too. 3 hours one way, and I don't think I even opened up my wallet. Again, it's a beautiful place, but they just really don't have anything I need, to catch more fish than I already do.

Peace,

Fish

[senile1]

My addiction began simply enough. First it was just a harmless beetlespin or roostertail. Later, rather than attributing my general lack of my success to inexperience and inability, I blamed it on my rather meager lure collection. I found I couldn't drive past a sporting goods store without stopping in to take a peek. Oh! Those flashy lures and the scent of powerbait and gulp was simply too much! I rarely left without something in a bag. My score card at Dicks was mounting up faster than a bingo card at the local retirement center! Then I began to hit the hard stuff-crankbaits. And with all those treble hooks...well, it's even easier to get hooked. Finally, my addiction became almost indiscriminate-buying anything that could get me a fix. Flying lures, helicopter lures, banjo minnows, storm swimbaits, you name it. I had sunk to new lows. My tackle boxes became such a burden I could hardly carry them. I needed a pack animal just to lug it all around. But rather than admit I had a problem, I bought a boat to carry it.

Then one day, while out on my boat, tying on lure after lure (I suppose to justify my addiction), I spied a man in one of those float tubes. He carried only one rod and small plastic tacklebox-the kind that jutted out like parapets from my numerous tackle boxes. I smirked, alternating feeling superior and pity for his inadequate, diminutive collection. But then, suddenly, he reared back with his rod. Fish on! Hiding behind a soft box with more zippers than a pair of 80's era cargo pants, I watched him play it out. It was a nice bass too. Then, a few minutes later, he caught another! I was stunned. I hadn't caught a fish all day! With all the lures I had amassed, I was fishless while this fellow looked to be about to limit out! Who was the fool here, I thought! Realizing suddenly how Icaris must have felt on his descent down from the heavens, I fell down to my knees and I sobbed and I sobbed!

Later, that evening, on my way back from the lake, I picked up two more bags of Chiggercraws and a Shad Rap in one of the new colors.

;D  That's  funny, Farmpond1.  For all you new anglers out there, stay away from those gateway drugs . . . . er, lures I mean. 

[Goose52]

"how do you know it won't catch you more fish unless you buy it and try it ?"

Well, I'm not Goose, but for myself, the answer would be, from all the experiences of my earlier years.

Peace,

Fish

And FOR SURE, I ain't Fish Chris, but I've tried to do some book-learnin', learning on this forum, and my own experience on the water, and I'm darn frugal enough, to apply all of that experience and personal traits to only buy cost-effective gear, and to not over-buy, or become a "lure collector." I too have found that color, while it may occasionally make a big difference, more often it doesn't. I buy baits to cover basic needs (type of bait, depth rating, other characteristics) but I don't try to "collect the set." I bought 3600 boxes instead of 3700 boxes, to try to limit the bait accumulation.

I know this thread is supposed to be just for fun, but I too believe that we get too wrapped up in the tackle, and not the fishing...

But dang it, I still get the urge to buy more cranks, they just look so purty...but I can resist...usually... ;D

[Goose52]

My addiction began simply enough. First it was just a harmless beetlespin or roostertail. Later, rather than attributing my general lack of my success to inexperience and inability, I blamed it on my rather meager lure collection. I found I couldn't drive past a sporting goods store without stopping in to take a peek. Oh! Those flashy lures and the scent of powerbait and gulp was simply too much! I rarely left without something in a bag. My score card at Dicks was mounting up faster than a bingo card at the local retirement center! Then I began to hit the hard stuff-crankbaits. And with all those treble hooks...well, it's even easier to get hooked. Finally, my addiction became almost indiscriminate-buying anything that could get me a fix. Flying lures, helicopter lures, banjo minnows, storm swimbaits, you name it. I had sunk to new lows. My tackle boxes became such a burden I could hardly carry them. I needed a pack animal just to lug it all around. But rather than admit I had a problem, I bought a boat to carry it.

Then one day, while out on my boat, tying on lure after lure (I suppose to justify my addiction), I spied a man in one of those float tubes.  He carried only one rod and small plastic tacklebox-the kind that jutted out like parapets from my numerous tackle boxes. I smirked, alternating feeling superior and pity for his inadequate, diminutive collection. But then, suddenly, he reared back with his rod. Fish on! Hiding behind a soft box with more zippers than a pair of 80's era cargo pants, I watched him play it out. It was a nice bass too. Then, a few minutes later, he caught another! I was stunned. I hadn't caught a fish all day! With all the lures I had amassed, I was fishless while this fellow looked to be about to limit out! Who was the fool here, I thought! Realizing suddenly how Icaris must have felt on his descent down from the heavens, I fell down to my knees and I sobbed and I sobbed!

Later, that evening, on my way back from the lake, I picked up two more bags of Chiggercraws and a Shad Rap in one of the new colors.

This was a GREAT story!  On the one little tackle box, I'm gonna start a thread on something like that in a few minutes...

[Kevinator1]

Hi my name is Kevin and I have a lure buying problem. OK, rods and reels too. Just when I think I have everything, I see something else I must have. Now that it is winter, I have been looking through all of my stuff and I believe I have enough gear for 20 hardcore bass fisherman to use for the next 30 years. What is that about. But as soon as the new BPS catalog comes out I will be drooling again. I can't stop myself. Help!!!! Ahh, its the only habit I have so its not that bad. Is it?

[mikeeasttn]

I started fishing in the early 80's and due to professional obligations I had to stop in the middle 90's.  I retired in 2008 and started fisning again.  Started using my grandsons computer in July this year and found this site.   I read it daily and when a bait is reccommended more than 3 or 4 times I usually buy it.  The bait monkey sits on my shoulder 24/7 now and this month I have spent a small fortune on fishing equipment for myself and grandson.   If I had to stop buying baits now I would have the withdrawal symptons that would require medication.