Bait Size

[TBO]

I have read alot about bait color and presentations but not a lot about size.

When do you change lure size over a color change?

And how do you know what the fish are feeding on or where the bait is without electronics?

[Raul]

You don´t need to know what the fish are feeding on. Your lures mimic food, that´s all you need to know.

[Catch and Grease]

I agree with Raul kinda, but knowing what bass are targeting helps a lot with locating and catching them IMO.

[ww2farmer]

IMHO, people who think color is more important than size, profile, action/vibration, rigging method, location, retrieve speed, and rate of fall don't "get it ". Most of the time, I'll change those before color.

[smalljaw67]

I have read alot about bait color and presentations but not a lot about size.

When do you change lure size over a color change?

And how do you know what the fish are feeding on or where the bait is without electronics?

 

This is where you need to be observant, look around the area you're fishing, look for shore birds like herons or egrets and see if they are hunting. Look in the shallows and see what kind of minnows you are finding of flip over a few rocks and see if you can find some craws, this will help you "match the hatch" so to speak. As far as size is concerned, I always start big except for cold water and I'm talking 40s and lower cold, let the fish tell you what you need to do.  On the river I fish electronics are only good to tell you depth because most of the time you are in water that is less than 10' deep so we have to use educated guesses as to where the fish are based on season, water temp and clarity and the air temp and barometric pressure which you see if it is cloudy for low pressure or bluebird for high pressure. Once you make a guess as to where the fish are, look around and observe, are the fish rising? If so do you see bugs or minnows that the fish are feeding on? Being observant and knowing the general habits of the fish you are after will help, and using the right search bait for conditions will help you find fish and then you can fine tune your presentation based on what the fish are telling you.

 

[FishTank]

I use to make a big fuss about color but I have come to the conclusion that presentation is the key.  My rules for color are as follows though....

 

1. Stained water/dark water>>>  Dark or black baits

 

2. Moderate everyday water>>>  Pumpkin, brown, watermelon, or whatever sort of matches the gravel bed where you are fishing

 

3. Clear Water>>> Maybe something bright and sparkly 

 

When in doubt, anything dark.