Soft Bait Design Effectiveness

[lordpaxin]

I've often found myself looking Into a vast assortment of worms, creatures , craws. Ect ect trying to decide which one would be the "one" today

And I can't help but wonder. Does it matter?

Does mister bass happen across the lake and look over and think "hot d**n it's a worm lets get it". " holy balls look at that craw. Eat that up let's roll "

Oh mamma look at that pumpkin chart lizard. Better have some of that

Or as I am beginning to believe. It doesn't matter

If bass is hungry bass will bite anything and everything

Many of us will have $$$$ of worms and baits of all shapes and sizes. And in reality. I could zip tie a treble to a Barbie doll head and do just as well

[aavery2]

Give it a shot, who knows what might happen.   

[mrmacwvu1]

I agree to some extent. I think profile is important depending on there feeding habit. Like most predators fish are no different. They do not want expend more energy then they will intake. One fallacy I have seen over the years is to downsize in the winter when bass are less active. However a bass is just as likely to eat a big bait in the winter if it is placed properly to where the bass does not expend any energy to get a decent size meal. It can eat that big bait and then not have to feed for a long time.

Other times fish seem to want something smaller like a narrow worm for example. I think what separates good fisherman from great fishermen is the the better fishermen let the bass tell them what they are in the mood for whereas average fishermen tend to try to force what they like on the bass.

As far as colors go I think that they are more for catching us and not bass. I would tell people to get some dark colors they like and have confidence in and fish them. Have some blacks, blues, reds, greens and some bright colors of your choosing.

[roadwarrior]

Hmm...

 

I think the differences are significant. As a specific example, the edge on Rage Tail  

baits are patented. I believe the subtle action this imparts on the baits set them apart

from other brands with similar profiles. The packaging is another attribute. Nearly

every bait is delivered in perfect condition.

 

 

 

[F14A-B]

My question is what COLOR plastic zip tie will you use on the Barbie Doll Head?

[lordpaxin]

Lol

I have many colors

I try to color cooridinate the zip tie backup on my combos with the rod colors lol

The only bait that has gotten any bites for the past 2 months for me Is bubble gum trick works

After reading your posts I realize Someting

Bubble is the only color trick worms I have

So Mabye it's the action / size of the zoom.

[smalljaw67]

The shapes that are out have to do with conditioning, bass do get use to seeing certain profiles and I'm convinced of that. Color works the same way, they will get use to certain colors which is why you have days that an oddball color will work really well. Everyone has a theory and that is why we have so many shapes but whether the theories are true or not we'll never know. I'm convinced that smallmouth see shades of color and key on colors at times more so than largemouth and I've seen it happen a lot.  In the river I fish, if you are using tubes you need to have a dark one, a light one and at least one dark and light with some kind of glitter, I had a day in which black would not get bit but black neon, which is black with red flake, would get crushed and vice versa. I wish I knew the reason as I would be a rich man if I did.

[fishballer06]

It seems to me, more often than not, color doesn't really matter on mostly anything in muddier water, if the fish are actively feeding. 

 

Clearer water seems to be a different story. Fish always seem finickier on color in those situations. 

[Fishes in trees]

I'll bet not.  I believe that given my choice of any plastic in my arsenal, I could out fish you with your treble hook on a barbie head lure any day.  If you ever get to Missouri, pm me and we could set up a test of your theory.  I wouldn't bet a lot of money on that proposition, but I would bet dinner and/or a case of beer (winners choice) which would max out the bet  to the + or - $75 neighborhood.

 

I don't know how to quantify or totally explain how different colors and shapes make a difference in different situations, but I believe that they do.

 

I know that I've thrown a watermelon colored finesse worm to a point - no takers - then switched to a green pumpkin colored finesse worm - same brand - and got bit.    I know I've thrown a ribbon tail worm, pitching down a row of stumps & bushes in 7 or 8 feet of water and no takers in 100 yards or so.  Then back off, go around and pitch the same brush row with the same color of worm with a paddle tail and caught keepers.  I've also had the reverse happen.   So, I try not to get married to any one style of soft plastic.  A no tail bait, like a YUM Dinger, was pretty successful for me this past fall, fished on a jika rig.

 

All of this leads me to believe that I could out fish a barbie doll head with a treble hook zip tied to it.

[Raul]

How effective can this be ?

 

 

Don´t look like much but   ..... it´s absolutely deadly.

[MO_LMB]

Yeah the more I try the more I start to think like you Raul. 

[Darren.]

Sure, design can be effective, and it can be gimmicky.

It all depends. One person swears by a bait, another 

swears AT the bait.

 

I have a mess of soft plastics, some catch, some don't. 

I'll be honest, I think color matters. There are days I can't 

buy a bite and suddenly I change Senko or Stik-O to a 

different color - but same size - throw to same spot and 

BANG, fish on.

 

Just my experience.

[J Francho]

Mr. Bass sees something, possibly feels something, and gulps or rejects - it's just instinct, there's no thinking like how we think.  All plastics work, though all can also be rejected.  That's why we carry so many.