Bass Fishing Bait/lure Help

[Muzz22]

Hello, I live in Massachusetts and I fish mostly ponds and a few lakes. The water colors is mostly merky-muddy. Any suggestions on a bait/lure to help me catch quantity. (I throw them all back so size doesn't matter). PS I'm shore fishing... Thanks

[Tuckahoe Joe]

I'd have to go with some sort of stick bait such as a Senko, Yum Dinger or BPS Sticko.  If the water is stained or muddy, go with black.  If the water is clear, go with something with watermelon or pumpkin in the name like green pumpkin or watermelon red flake.  My personal preference is the Yum Dinger.  The GYCB Senko seems to have a little more wiggle to it but the Yum Dinger is way more durable.  I can get at least 2-3 fish out of one Dinger where as a Senko is usually killed after just 1.  Texas rig it (without a weight), cast it out (preferably to some sort of cover), let it sink on a slack line, and let it sit.  Hop it once or twice and let it sit again.  Hop, sit, hop, sit, etc, etc, etc...  Or you could just reel it in really really slow.  Most people will say to hop it but in all honesty, 90% of my stick bait fish have come from slowly reeling it.  If you think your fishing too slow, slow down even more.  You might also try whacky rigging it.  Basically, you just hook the worm right through the middle.  The hook is exposed so you'll probably get hung up more but the worm will have more action.  I've had more snags than luck this way but I know a lot of guys swear by it.  I saw a picture of a weedless whacky rig the other day (kind of a whacky/t-rig hybrid) that I want to try the next time I go out but my confidence with these baits is T-rigged and reeled slow.

[papajoe222]

Welcome.

For fishing muddy water with visibility less than a foot, I'd recommend a spinnerbait with either Indiana or Colorado blades that give off a good vibration. Another would be a fat body crank for the same reason and for its anti-snag qualities.

If visibility is one to three feet, dark color plastics  with  built in action like a ribbon tail worm. Cranks and spinnerbaits with willow blades are also a good choice.

For numbers of fish in water with visibility over two feet, you can't beat a Senko style bait.

[Doghairs]

Hello, I live in Massachusetts and I fish mostly ponds and a few lakes. The water colors is mostly merky-muddy. Any suggestions on a bait/lure to help me catch quantity. (I throw them all back so size doesn't matter). PS I'm shore fishing... Thanks

 

My advice, especially if you are interested in quantity, is to use a 4" or 5" Senko, wacky rigged with 2/0 weedless hook (look for the bristle type weed guard rather than the wire over the barb kind), match the color of the Senko to the bait fish in the pond/lake (you really can't go wrong with "green") and invest in a "Wacky Tool" - used to put a O-ring on the Senko. I routinely catch several fair sized LMB on a single Senko using O-rings. Do not penetrate the skin of the Senko, just slide the hook under the o-ring. You do not need to "Rambo" the hook set. Google Gary Yamamotto's philosophy on hook sets for an explanation.

 

It might not be necessary in your merky water, but I always use a fluro carbon leader.

 

Good luck!

[smalljaw67]

I live below you but it is still considered in the Northeast, and the scenario you described is perfect for what papajoe222 has suggested for you. I'd be throwing a spinnerbait with an Indian blade on top with a small Colorado blade underneath in black and red or white and chartreuse. The other power fishing item would be a square bill like a Big-O in chartreuse with a black or rootbeer back or a chrome with black back rattle trap. If they aren't chasing then a 5" black stick worm like a Senko is a good bait to throw.

[Choporoz]

Hello, I live in Massachusetts and I fish mostly ponds and a few lakes. The water colors is mostly merky-muddy. Any suggestions on a bait/lure to help me catch quantity. (I throw them all back so size doesn't matter). PS I'm shore fishing... Thanks

 

 

I can't help you better than the above posters.

 

BUT.....someday you'll stop kidding yourself.   (Unfortunately?)....Size DOES matter

[Big239Fish]

The only bait I would add (it may have been mentioned and I didnt see it) would be a yamamoto swim senko in black/blue for the muddy water. I texas rig it with an 1/8 or 3/16 oz weight and do pretty well, and that tail gives off some good noise to 'em. And if you happen to find some clear water, just pinch the swim tail off and fish it like a normal senko. Pretty nice baits IMO.