What Lure

[Mudrider34]

When y'all first get to the water how do u decide what lure to use first? I just go with what is already tied on or guess, however I want to make my guesses educated and reason behind them. Any tips that y'all use?

[RHuff]

 Just go with what lure has worked best in the past for the right conditions. For example, I seem to catch more fish throughout most of the year on Spinnerbaits and Topwater. Look at the water conditions to chose the color. If no hits on a spinner after trying several different lure/retrieval combinations I'll go to a jerkbait or a crankbait, etc. Try to match the lure to what you think the fish are feeding on. Is it shad? Is it crawfish? Try to match up lures that may imitate the primary food source. 

[fishballer06]

This really depends on the water and conditions. If the first spot I come up to is some standing trees in 20 feet of water, I'd be silly to put a buzzbait on. However, if it's late summer and it's first thing in the morning and I'm on a 6' deep weed bed, that buzzbait will likely be my ice breaker for the day. 

[HoosierHawgs]

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

[FunkJishing]

water color, depth, and temp help me choose lures, as well as weather conditions and time of day.

[Mudrider34]

I'm still new to all this and great info I really appreciate the help!

[fisherrw]

i use chart if the water is stained and ghost colors if the water is clear, i generally toss cranks to find the fish then i use finesse baits the lure them in.

[Senko lover]

In ponds I almost always start off with a senko or curly tail, both confidence baits for me.

[smalljaw67]

A lot of variables involved but I determine what to use by season 1st, summer is a time when I won't be using hair jigs and suspending jerkbaits are replaced by floating models. The 2nd thing is water temperature, in summer if the water is 85 degrees I know that the low light period is going to be the best bet for moving baits and topwater but then it will most likely be a shaky head or drop shot. The 3rd thing is weather, in fall a cold front can really limit my lure choices, going from crankbait to tubes or shaky heads. The 4th thing is water clarity, spring and fall is when it affects me most as a good jerkbait bite can be hampered or even shut down because of poor water clarity so I have use different tactics. The 5th and final thing for me is the extended forecast, what the weather was a few days before and what it is going to be in the next day or two is very important, during the winter if the day I'm going is warm with sunshine and a high of 42 degrees, you may thing the fish may be active and a jerkbait will work in place of the hair jig, but if it was cold for 3 days prior, I know it will still be slow or in summer if I know a front is going to move in the next day, I'm going to run a fast moving bait first as the fish are more active before a front. So if you use those 5 variables and apply it with your lures, you'll always have something tied on that should work. 

[gardnerjigman]

Time of year, water temp, depth and clarity all make a difference. As a general rule and on average I have these items on:

T Rig

Shaky head

Jig X 2

Bladed jig

Square bill

Top water X 2

[FishTank]

Depends on the water, conditions, temp, depth, etc..  But in general, I'll start with a 5in senko weightless with a 4/0 EWG.

[Mudrider34]

Could y'all give me some examples? I understand based on water, depth, temp ect but I read that winter to slow down and others say use moving baits. I'm so confused. I can handle not getting bites using a good choice but can't stand to use something that should never be tied on in that situation.

[SirSnookalot]

If you want to learn what works for you then you have to experiment, your water conditions dictate what to use.  Most people fish to catch fish, I fish to have fun.  That eliminates quite a few lure and technique types that I choose not to do.

This time of the year I bass fish everyday, mornings it's nothing but a top water popper.  My afternoon session is a little different, I pick 1 or 2 lures (based on past experience of the places I fish) and stick with it, yesterday it was a roostertail in both ponds and canals, had there been more vegetation I would have made a different choice, I did pick a winner.  I'll catch 1-3 fish then move on to another location, just the way I like to roll, yesterday maybe 8 different places.

[smalljaw67]

Could y'all give me some examples? I understand based on water, depth, temp ect but I read that winter to slow down and others say use moving baits. I'm so confused. I can handle not getting bites using a good choice but can't stand to use something that should never be tied on in that situation.

 

It depends on where you live, I'm in the north east so in winter, if the water isn't frozen, it is in the low to mid 30s, moving baits are the last thing to use as most of the stuff will be hair jigs, and tubes for the most part. Further south you may have water temps in the 40s, jerkbaits will apply in the mid to upper 40s but you'll also be using jigs with a pork or plastic trailer, grubs, and things of that nature but you have to have some experience with it. What I would do is look at what the local anglers are using, talk to someone that has had success and see what they recommend as there are always a few anglers willing to share tips. After that it basically becomes on the water experience as my winter lures are going to be much different than winter lures for an angler in Alabama. Do some research and talk to local anglers and it will give you a good start and from there you will begin to build experience.

[hoosierhawghunter]

water color, depth, and temp help me choose lures, as well as weather conditions and time of day.

This