No Luck With Plastics.

[FrankW]

I usually don't use plastics but when I do I try to use a Texas rig. The depth is anywhere from 2-11 feet because it's a marina. I use a 1/4 bullet weight, ewg hook. Size depends on what bait I pick. And I usually try powerbait worms or a Texas rigged senko-weightless. The bottom is somewhat weedy with some rocks. And my buddy that I fish with uses mainly spinnerbaits. It's a confidence bait for us. And lastly I cannot afford a guide mainly because I'm a highschool student working like 10 hours a week.

Hi Jdm219,

Your comments make more sense now. I assume you don't have a boat and that is why you are fishing the Marina. The Spinnerbait is a searching bait that allows you to cover a lot of water. When you hook a fish it is sometimes hard to tell where the fish came from. Most plastics like worms or creature baits are a targeted lure that you toss to a specific target. Once you learn where the fish are laying around the docks this will help you target your fish with a worm, creature bait or Jig. If I was fishing a Marina my first choice would be a Jig with a plastic trailer. You should also consider fishing plastic jerk baits. They will cover a lot of ground like the spinner bait. If you are using spinning gear then I suggest you try a black Zoom Trick Worm with a pegged, 1/16th bullet weight. Learn to back hand flip it and you can be pretty accurate with it. If you don't get a bite on the fall let it set in the rocks and grass. Just barley drag it over the rocks and grass. Each time you move over or pull through some grass you have the chance at a bite.

If there is a local Bass Shop in your area I would go there and ask them to show you how to fish a worm. If it is a good shop, they will help you out.

I just noticed you are in Indiana. Are you fishing Smallmouth. My comments are about Largemouth.

Frank

[sparky241]

I finally got one, on a black w/ red flake swim bait at wolf lake in whiting, ind

[Jdm219]

Hi Jdm219,Your comments make more sense now. I assume you don't have a boat and that is why you are fishing the Marina. The Spinnerbait is a searching bait that allows you to cover a lot of water. When you hook a fish it is sometimes hard to tell where the fish came from. Most plastics like worms or creature baits are a targeted lure that you toss to a specific target. Once you learn where the fish are laying around the docks this will help you target your fish with a worm, creature bait or Jig. If I was fishing a Marina my first choice would be a Jig with a plastic trailer. You should also consider fishing plastic jerk baits. They will cover a lot of ground like the spinner bait. If you are using spinning gear then I suggest you try a black Zoom Trick Worm with a pegged, 1/16th bullet weight. Learn to back hand flip it and you can be pretty accurate with it. If you don't get a bite on the fall let it set in the rocks and grass. Just barley drag it over the rocks and grass. Each time you move over or pull through some grass you have the chance at a bite.If there is a local Bass Shop in your area I would go there and ask them to show you how to fish a worm. If it is a good shop, they will help you out.I just noticed you are in Indiana. Are you fishing Smallmouth. My comments are about Largemouth.Frank

Well. I know how to back hand flip. I've mainly been using hard baits. So when I finally do get a chance to go back I will be trying a jig and trailer to drag through the grass and rocks. I can somewhat pinpoint where they're hiding so that gives me an advantage. I'm also going to try some flukes. Another answer to one of your questions; I do not have a boat at the moment. I'm actually saving for a kayak. Today I picked up some yum dingers in natural colors I see in the marina. Like silver and baby bass. Hopefully I have some luck with the Texas rig. I have some confidence in it after discussing this with you.

[Jdm219]

I finally got one, on a black w/ red flake swim bait at wolf lake in whiting, ind

Oh god. Wolf lake is sketchy. I've been fishing Lake Michigan and the rivers/tributaries off of it. Marinas are usually spot on.

[sparky241]

There is a park on 119th off calumet, go in their and try, its just behind cargil and unilever

[PersicoTrotaVA]

Try June bug in clear water and the pumpkinseed and watermelon in the dingy spots.

 

As far as techniques, you can go through every one of them.  If you really want to catch fish easily, t-rig with a 1/8 oz or 1/4oz tungsten bullet weight, a red glass bead and a 4/0 hook.  Put on something with a tail.  Cast it out and start reeling slow with the rod tip down pointed at the water, stopping if you feel a bump.  Watch your line, if it starts moving, reel in the slack and set the hook.  If it doesn't, its probably structure so start reeling slow again.  Sometimes fish will thump it, give it a second or 2, reel in the slack and set the hook.  Sometimes its a tick tick, sometimes your line will go slack.  You have to pay attention and really concentrate when fishing plastics.  Hope this helps.

[Jdm219]

There is a park on 119th off calumet, go in their and try, its just behind cargil and unilever

  

Try June bug in clear water and the pumpkinseed and watermelon in the dingy spots.

 

As far as techniques, you can go through every one of them.  If you really want to catch fish easily, t-rig with a 1/8 oz or 1/4oz tungsten bullet weight, a red glass bead and a 4/0 hook.  Put on something with a tail.  Cast it out and start reeling slow with the rod tip down pointed at the water, stopping if you feel a bump.  Watch your line, if it starts moving, reel in the slack and set the hook.  If it doesn't, its probably structure so start reeling slow again.  Sometimes fish will thump it, give it a second or 2, reel in the slack and set the hook.  Sometimes its a tick tick, sometimes your line will go slack.  You have to pay attention and really concentrate when fishing plastics.  Hope this helps.

Sparky- I will have to try that place when I get a chance.

Persico- Texas rig will be the first thing I throw when I finally am able to get out on the water.

[Vavatron]

In my opinion the key to any new bait you are struggling with is to limit yourself to fishing it until you start catching fish on it. When doing this you have two options: 1)If you are the kind of person who has the will power to take your entire tackle box but not throw anything but soft plastics, then do so. 2) You are like me, and I don't trust myself not to change. I would take only terminal tackle and soft plastics. I even do this when I just want to get better with a particular technique/lure. Last year I spent several weeks fishing almost every day with jigs. Starting this weekend I a going to do the same thing with Senkos and Flukes. Use them until I develop confidence. The past several weeks I have done this with another type of bait, but it is a secret used primarily in Missouri and Kansas. ;-)

[shawnFL]

I have a lot of success on Culprit worms. If the water visibility is bad, I do the purples. When I first started doing plastics, my biggest fault was going for the hookset too early. Sometimes the bass needs to get the entire thing chowed down. I'm a firm believer that with plastics (talking statistics here) any retrieve will catch a fish; however, my greater success rates are after bouncing it back up and just letting it sink back down on its own. Usually do a 1/8 ounce weight, Texas rigged.

 

Another tip, use a shorter worm. This helped calm down my habit of hooksetting before the bass actually had it. Obviously easier for him to swallow a 6" inch worm than a 7 1/2".

 

Superstition or whatever, green worms never catch me fish? Who knows.

 

Senkos, just throw it in the water and profit.

[Jdm219]

In my opinion the key to any new bait you are struggling with is to limit yourself to fishing it until you start catching fish on it. When doing this you have two options: 1)If you are the kind of person who has the will power to take your entire tackle box but not throw anything but soft plastics, then do so. 2) You are like me, and I don't trust myself not to change. I would take only terminal tackle and soft plastics. I even do this when I just want to get better with a particular technique/lure. Last year I spent several weeks fishing almost every day with jigs. Starting this weekend I a going to do the same thing with Senkos and Flukes. Use them until I develop confidence. The past several weeks I have done this with another type of bait, but it is a secret used primarily in Missouri and Kansas. ;-)

  

I have a lot of success on Culprit worms. If the water visibility is bad, I do the purples. When I first started doing plastics, my biggest fault was going for the hookset too early. Sometimes the bass needs to get the entire thing chowed down. I'm a firm believer that with plastics (talking statistics here) any retrieve will catch a fish; however, my greater success rates are after bouncing it back up and just letting it sink back down on its own. Usually do a 1/8 ounce weight, Texas rigged.

 

Another tip, use a shorter worm. This helped calm down my habit of hooksetting before the bass actually had it. Obviously easier for him to swallow a 6" inch worm than a 7 1/2".

 

Superstition or whatever, green worms never catch me fish? Who knows.

 

Senkos, just throw it in the water and profit.

If I take all my gear, I'll end up just taking the plastics off and putting on a spinnerbait. It's just how I am. So all the hard lures will be staying in the car next time.

And Shawn, I've had the same problem when I tried to fishing plastics. I'm so use to cranks and spinnerbaits that I try to set the hook as soon as I get something.

[shawnFL]

  

If I take all my gear, I'll end up just taking the plastics off and putting on a spinnerbait. It's just how I am. So all the hard lures will be staying in the car next time.

And Shawn, I've had the same problem when I tried to fishing plastics. I'm so use to cranks and spinnerbaits that I try to set the hook as soon as I get something.

 

My older brother broke me of this. He pinched the tail down of my worm, then easily showed me how tricked you can be into thinking the bass has it by pulling it and bending my rod down. I've even had a big bass bite down on a longer worm and split it clean in half, completely missing the hook (lol.) When I feel the very typical 'tap tap' I now have trained myself to be composed. I usually bring my rod tip down toward the water, prepared to reel in any slack, then blast a heavy hookset to the point where you can hear my rod cutting the air. I can't tell you how much more I catch on plastics being a patient striker.

 

In my experience, nothing out fishes a worm. I can tell you stories of how I've missed a hookset on one, and when it landed back in the water another instantly destroyed it. I've had bass take it right as I was about to pull it out of the water to throw it again. I've just seen some of the wildest things from worms. I'll admit it's a lot easier to hook up on a crank, but it's a lot easier to attract with a worm.

[Nolan Hunter]

It's like David said earlier slow it down. When it comes to plastics I look at it like this if the bite is slow I either slow down my retrieve and think about what the bass are feeding on this time of year.

[Nolan Hunter]

It's like David said earlier slow it down. When it comes to plastics I look at it like this if the bite is slow I either slow down my retrieve and think about what the bass are feeding on this time of year.