New baits & Techniques you want to try in 2011

[FD.]

Offshore, Offshore, and Offshore.

Oh, did I mention, Offshore.

[plymouthrockbass]

I wanna try using more cranks in deeper water. Also id like to get comfortable with fishing jigs. Im gonna get a few new jigs come springtime and spend some hours practicing.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I'm going to totally switch gears this year. I'm going slow way down and focus on stitching with big worms and also fishing big soft swimbaits.

In Kentucky, maybe?   

[BigEbass]

This year I am focusing on extremes - finess and ultra finess, but also bigger baits....

Learn the spoon

    Float n Fly - got my rod, line, and custome flies from   georgia tackle - watch out big spot!!

    Drop shot, shakey head, flick-shake

Going to be tossing 6 inch huddlestons, 7 inch triple trout, punker, oh man I want a wake bait but cannot decide which, and I want a bullshad 8 inch gizzard shad (hard to get right now), maybe a couple bbz-1 8 inchers as well - going to probe my waters with swimbaits this coming year - and I am going to do a few trips with hopefully a really good guide over in ATL - triton mike....hes whackin giant spot on these baits - I want a piece of that action    

   

[SPEEDBEAD.]

This year I am focusing on extremes - finess and ultra finess, but also bigger baits....

Learn the spoon

Float n Fly - got my rod, line, and custome flies from georgia tackle - watch out big spot!!

Drop shot, shakey head, flick-shake

Going to be tossing 6 inch huddlestons, 7 inch triple trout, punker, oh man I want a wake bait but cannot decide which, and I want a bullshad 8 inch gizzard shad (hard to get right now), maybe a couple bbz-1 8 inchers as well - going to probe my waters with swimbaits this coming year - and I am going to do a few trips with hopefully a really good guide over in ATL - triton mike....hes whackin giant spot on these baits - I want a piece of that action

Go with Randall on Varner or one of the other ATL lakes if you want to learn swimbaits or just how to catch big fish.

He is very knowledgeable and helpful. Makes a dam fine bait as well.

[NateFollmer]

Hard swimbaits... I don't use them much (if ever) and would really like to learn them.

Spoons also. I mean, I have used them, but I basically just cast them out reel a bit, let it drop, reel a bit, let it drop. I need to learn more techniques!

[Gangley]

Crank baits and spinner baits. 

Trying hard to learn the jerkbait this winter, but not having much success.

[NateFollmer]

Crank baits and spinner baits.

Trying hard to learn the jerkbait this winter, but not having much success.

Long pauses are key in cold water... 20+ seconds even - keep at it, you'll find the fishes 'groove'.

[GLoomis711]

Flipping in General, but actually flipping, Not Pitching.

Whether it be flipping 1/2 oz jigs to Treetops & Laydowns, or Flipping 1 1/2 oz weighted Sweet Beavers into Mats. 

Btw, I've NEVER caught a fish on a dropshot. 

Or caught a smallmouth  >

I'm gonna change that this year !

[Primus]

... and the meek shall inherit the earth( enter big power chords), 2112 is definetely my favorite Rush album.

I've never tried flipping with most of the lakes I fish having clear water I've gotten by with pitching. That said I know a lake or 2 by me where flipping would be a good option. I just might have to put that on my to do list as a fisherman. Follow-up if you catch any big ones with the flipping technique and good luck.

[catchnm]

I'm going to be Wacky Rigging, Shaky Head(ing), and fishing tubes more this year. Got a few swimbaits to wear out also.

[dh88hms]

For me it will be:

Swim Jigs

Creature Baits

[Blue Streak]

I found a couple of new baits from MindaLures that I want to try. The Spear Craw and the Spear worms. Both have interesting action and I have heard good things about them. And I am a sucker for new soft baits.

[lynyrdsky1]

Drop Shot

Cranking (succesfully)

Tubes

Wacky Rig (succesfully)

baits probably be anything from Megastrike and reaction innovation

[SirSnookalot]

Praying..............I've got everything else down pat.

[bassfisherjk]

I am going to try fishing Bass Pro Shops "egg" shallow crankbait.Also going to give the hollow body frog a shot,ordered Bass Pro Shops Kermy.We will see what happens.

[Scorcher214]

Ehh i think im gonna change mine. I wanna try flukes,  caught like 2 this past season and I think they could be a very versatile bait.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

jigs......and i'm gonna try the Slider too,...

[farmpond1]

Last year (2010) was so good for me, I can only hope to repeat my success.  Disclaimer:  I've seen lots of pictures of guys with much bigger bass than what I caught but compared to some pretty dismal years, 2010 was awesome for me (in both numbers and size).  But to address the question directly, I am hoping to learn drop- shotting better and to learn deep water bassin' away from the shore and relying on my fish finder.  And, finally, to actually catch a bass on a wacky rig.

[bilgerat]

Back to basics. Believe it or not, I have not thrown an old school worm (7" ribbontail) in about 3 years.

I have some new 1/16 oz mini jigs that I just know are gonna crush for me. Ever have that feeling about a bait ? It's been a long time, but these are it for me.   

[tnbassfisher]

Last year I made it "the year of the crankbait" for myself. However, I wasn't quite able to stay with this trend, as my lack of confidence would shortly send me towards another bait.

This year I'm hoping to really improve all aspects of my fishing, mostly finding structure and where fish are in general.

There aren't any particular new lures that I've seen that are really jumping out at me, however, I'm sure the bait monkey will change that as the year goes on.

[Hawghead]

Last year was the year of the Carolina Rig and Jig for me.

My favorite was sort of an altered Carolina Rig. I was simply crimp a split shot above the t-rigged plastic and let the bullet weight use that as the stopper. I did away with the beads and swivel. Made retying a lot faster.

This summer I would love to get more into spinnerbaits, dropshotting, and getting away from the shore. Paddletail swim baits will likely get their shot as well.

EDIT: Also last year I broke the ice and into baitcasters.  I got a Shimano Citica and put in on a BPS extreme Med 7' 6" rod.  It was my jig and craw trailer rod.  Did well at Lake of the Ozarks with it.

I need to get better with it so I can expand the list of of lures I can cast on it.

[frogflogger]

Since I moved back to brown bass country I want to try center pinning jigs for the giant smallies that inhabit the New River

[I.rar]

this past year wasnt about new techniques for me. i focused more on packing light and sharpening my skills on what i like to fish with and i feel that was a success. this year , i may be dipping back into ultra light and/or light tackle more. i get more enjoyment fishing that than i do casting heavier baits with heavy gear and the fights the fish give feel more of a challenge. i will still use my heavier gear , but i have a feeling the light stuff will be on the water more.

[GrundleLove]

Jigging. At all. I literally never use jigs. Where i am there are so many weeds and it just sucks. but i guess i'll try to this year since EVERYONE on this forum loves it. Is it sad i have literally never jig fished?