How Do I Choose What To Take With Me?

[toddwchandler]

I started back fishing pretty seriously about a year and a half ago. I have bought a lot of lures and subscribed to both LTB and MTB for a few months. I had been carrying every lure I had with me for quite a while, but now it is just to much.

How do I decide on any given trip what to take with me? I am fortunate to have a 50 acre lake in the neighborhood, so I get to fish often and am close to the house. I just don't want to get out there and wish I had something I did not bring.

[Weld's Largemouth]

get a bigger tacklebox

[Blues19]

I would start with making a day box with just a few things.  A few hooks, weights, jig heads.  Maybe a few crankbaits and spinnerbaits.  Put them all in a plano box and stick it in a backpack.  Then take along a few plastics.  Switch it up at times.   If you dont have a whole lot with you, you are forced to use what you have, which will help you develop your skills and confidence with certain lures. 

[Scott F]

No matter how much you bring, there will always be lures you might wish you had with you.  Take a couple of baits that have worked in the past, a couple you'd like to learn to fish better, a spinnerbait, a few worms, a jig  or two and a few senkos.  Everything should easily fit in a sling pack. You'll probably only be out for an hour or two, there's no need for 2 dozen of each plastic. 2 or 3 each of a few styles will be plenty. More than likely, if the fish are feeding, you'll do just fine.  If what you brought doesn't get em' so what. Try again tomorrow. Have fun, don't worry about getting every fish in the lake. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to catch fish. Don't think about what other lures might work, concentrate of fishing the lures you brought.

[F14A-B]

Make a go fast box... I often only go with a couple bags of Kut-tale worms, pocket pack of hooks, a few tungsten slips. A box with a couple squarebills, a couple DT 6's, you get the ideal. Needn't be complicated. Simplicity is Bliss....

[gardnerjigman]

Just like most have said.... Pack a "fast bag". Mine includes Trig options, shaky head, jig/bladed jig and top water. Also includes is fishing utility pliers and a scale.

[papajoe222]

When I have to downsize because I'm either shore fishing or as a co-angler, the first thing I consider is the season. The majority of my box will contain lures that target that season, both for finess and regular presentations. A few proven 'off season' confidence baits and that's it. I found out a long time ago that I have much better success changing my attitude and approach rather than constantly changing changing lures hoping to find one with some 'magic' in it.

[cyclops2]

Gardnerjigman  is close.

 

I put into a freezer bag. 2.....1.5"  rapala or Repela floater. 2 #2 Flicker Spinners. & a long doctors forcepe.  (  Plier. )

 

So nice to carry in a pocket.

[RSM789]

That is what a boat is for, a casting platform that lets you carry more tackle.

 

If a boat is not an option, try a service dog or small child (preferably yours).

[BaitMonkey1984]

I am going to rename my "Panic box" to the "Fast bag" , it sounds a lot less desperate. I agree with what the others said- downsize to what you will realistically throw.  I like to bring a few of each style of bait- i.e. seance, crank bait, grubs, jigs, creatures but only a few, and only a few color selections if I have limited time/limited space. Very rarely do I find myself saying I wish i had this worm, or that crank bait and quite to you surprise instead of retying frequently you get more time in the strike zone = more fish. 

[OntarioFishingGuy]

No matter how much you bring, there will always be lures you might wish you had with you.  Take a couple of baits that have worked in the past, a couple you'd like to learn to fish better, a spinnerbait, a few worms, a jig  or two and a few senkos.  Everything should easily fit in a sling pack. You'll probably only be out for an hour or two, there's no need for 2 dozen of each plastic. 2 or 3 each of a few styles will be plenty. More than likely, if the fish are feeding, you'll do just fine.  If what you brought doesn't get em' so what. Try again tomorrow. Have fun, don't worry about getting every fish in the lake. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to catch fish. Don't think about what other lures might work, concentrate of fishing the lures you brought.

Great advice.

[Angry John]

i have my gear in 3700 boxes and i grab two and some plastics and throw them in the bag.  If its summer then i grab topwaters and my terminal tackle 3700.  If its fall or spring i will grab my flatside cranks and terminal tackle.  I almost never bring my swim baits on the shore, but if thats the plan then those are all i would bring.  Make a decision on the season and the weather outside on that day and if your only brining one rod that makes it even easier.  I always bring two and my largest problem is the second rod.  Smaller boxes would give your more combination possibilities but i like the challange of working with what i have and not worrying about what i have at the house.

[Bruce424]

For me I look at season and weather. A real windy day you probly won't fish light line and baits right. So take spinnerbaits or crankbaits. Something moving. And in calm day situations blue bird sky fish most likely hold close to cover or deep. so bring tackle to fish that style. Just how I think before I set out fishing for the day. I kno weather can change. Usually carry one or two lures for certain times like that.

[DogBone_384]

get a bigger tacklebox

 

X2

[fisherrw]

X2

x3

[HoosierHawgs]

Try this: http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/2014/08/bait-guide-how-to-catch-bass-in-any-pond

[Senko lover]

My solution is to just get a backpack with a couple/three plano boxes, and about 10 bags of soft plastics. Put a little bit of everything in there, don't carry a million colors, and you'll be surprised at the amount you can fit in it.

[aceman387]

This is a good article with a basic lure selection for hitting all depths of the water column.http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/bass-lures.html

[Bankbeater]

I have been keeping logs for several years now.  I usually look back and see if I can find some kind of pattern on the lake I will be fishing. Then I take those baits with me.

[Felix77]

If you are fishing familiar waters you should have a good gauge for the type of techniques which should work on it.  With that said the suggestion of a "Day box" is spot on.  I have one plano for a large body of water which I hike.  It has all the essentials for being able to fish the areas I enjoy fishing.

 

There are some parts of the reservoir which "bloom" for Frog fishing.  During those times I add that to my mix.

[Munkin]

Take out every lure you have not caught at least 10 fish on. You will be left with whatever you have confidence in that works for you.

 

Allen

[fishballer06]

If you're pretty familiar with your body of water, you should have a good feel for what works, what doesn't, and what is needed for whatever conditions that day calls for. 

 

For example, if the water is super cold (much like this time of year, or early spring), then it's safe to say you can leave your topwater lures all at home, but I would make sure to bring a jerkbait or two along. Or if you fish from shore and you don't fish any water deeper than 8-10 feet, you can leave your DD22's and DT16's at home.