To Use Or Not Use "searchbaits"

[WRB]

I rarely blindly use any lure looking for bass. The best search tool in the boat is your sonar unit and the stuff between your ears.

During the winter or cold water period bass should be deep water near baitfish or tight to structure, perfect for sonar. Bass being cold blooded in cold water aren't going to be active or willing to chase down fast moving lures often. As the water warms above 50 degrees they become more active and willing to move up in the water column and may chase slower moving lures a few feet, but not very often. If you are casting and cranking hoping to find a few active bass, plan on hauling a lot of empty water.

As the water warms above 55 degrees everything changes, it's pre spawn time, the bass are up in the water column and looking for food, crawdads are moving and bass are feeding on them. Lakes that have shad the bass may target them, now crank baits, spinning baits can work....your sonar unit is still your best search tool.

During the colder water periods vertical lures like structure spoons, jigs, drop shot soft plastics out perform horizontal reaction type faster moving lures. Pre spawn lipless cranks, deep divers and jerk baits out perform spinnerbaits. Swimbaits can be excellent during winter to pre spawn transition and continue to work through the spawn.

Spinnerbaits and top water come into play as the water approaches 70 degrees, post spawn to summer, now you can put the trolling on high and beat the bank with that spinnerbait.

Keep in mind that the lakes population of bass are not on the same activity level, they are individual fish with individual activity levels ranging from inactive to very active, the active level is about 10% of the time during a 24 hour period, less in cold water, more in warmer water. Bass will group up or school to feed on schools of baitfish, otherwise they hunt in small groups.

Tom

[lmbfisherman]

I don't understand why you would limit yourself really? and technically like others have stated a search bait can be any technique really.  I mean you're trying to search for fish, find and catch them. 

[Hooked_On_Bass]

Search baits are just that:  Baits that allow you to cover water more quickly, and pick up those active fish.  If you don't use them, you're missing fish that are more easily caught.  It, generally, will also allow you to learn what fish are doing in terms of location and activity level.  A search bait can be a swim jig to a crank, a spinnerbait to a jerkbait.  There are only a few times that I consider bottom contact plastics to be search baits, and those are in very specific conditions. 

There's never a situation that I discount a search pattern, never.  #1 those baits target more active fish, more aggressive fish.  More active, aggressive fish generally lead to being bigger than others. #2 anything that I can do to speed my way to five fish, be it one or five, is making better use of my time on the water.  If I'm fun fishing- the more and bigger fish I catch the more fun I'm having. 

After I've really pummeled an area with a search technique, I may or may not go back through more slowly.  The secondary aspect of a search, or fast moving technique, is that it allows me to pay very close attention to the 'Bird in the front of the boat.  It allows me to pay attention to the moods of the fish, where they are in relation to structure, where they are in relation to wood or submerged vegetation.  If I see fish that are placed in a specific way, I'll go back through and fish thoroughly with one of any number of techniques, but generally, it's going to be something very specific that I'm looking for when I do that.  That's what a search pattern tells me, above all else.

My approach is similar.

Well said.

[flippin and pitchin]

For smallmouth the saying goes, Find them with crankbaits and catch them with plastics.

[Bankbeater]

It depends on where I am fishing, and what my gut tells me.

[RoLo]

I rarely blindly use any lure looking for bass. The best search tool in the boat is your sonar unit and the stuff between your ears.

 

Bingo!

[Ratherbfishing]

I don't see search baits as those baits which you start with and then, afterwards, slow down.  Search baits are those baits which move quickly, cover a lot of water, and intice bites from the aggressive, actively striking fish.  Trolling is probably the oldest, most classic search approach..  If/once I begin catching them with a search bait, I'll continue to use this pattern as long as it holds out-assuming the fish are large enough to merit it.  I don't simply start with search baits only to switch to a slower moving bait. And I don't always start with a search bait.  Time of year, water and weather conditions, the body of water, mood of the fish, etc. will determine how I begin and if I change tactics.

[jhoffman]

If you stick to everything you read about then youll find out real quick that most of it was just something for someone to write about. KVD's number one tactic at ice out is throwing crankbaits when most guys are thinking you must dead stick a jerkbait. Some people think a jerkbait is only useful in spring and dont even bother trying it in summer. Hair jigs... cold water right?

 

Keep fishing like the people in magazines and books tell you to fish instead of thinking for yourself and youll get every day results.

 

If the fish want a spinnerbait as fast as I can crank it in 40 degree water, thats what theyll get. If they want a shakey head theyll get that. Locate fish then pound on em till they eat.

[Hooligan]

Locate fish then pound on em till they eat.

Lead a horse to water and force him to drink, while you're at it.

[719BassFishing]

During spawn/Post-spawn, searchbaits are great for finding fish but when you find them, you might have to slow it down with something like a jig to pick up the bigger bass. In early spring i feel like you have to fish slow the whole time to find the bass. The fish will be more lethargic and wanting an easy meal. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits will still be god for finding fish, but slowing down the retrieve is key.

[Maico1]

Along with the others mentioned I like this one as well JDM Lucky Craft Bull............

 

[jeremyryanwebb]

I always start with a search bait.  Our water is pretty murky in these parts so i like to start with either somethin loud or flashy. Lipless cranks and Spinners are my go to, Id love to throw a spook more often but the gators down here seem to be quite attracted to topwater lures.  After I have found the fish I will usually slow it down somewhat with a jig or senko.