Am I Missing Out?

[Bigchunk]

Im just reflecting past seasons, so from ice out till water hits 50* aproxx, i find myself mostly throwing jerkbaits and lipless cranks. Usually always with good results. But i feel as if when i get bit in an area i should then snipe it out with a hair jig or some finesse bait. But never have. I have no problem catching fish in cold water. Just havnt had too much time on the finesse side. Well thats all thanks

[Ozark_Basser]

If I'm not in the boat, or if I feel I'm on a spot with a lot of fish, I'll usually run a jig through a spot where i caught a fish on a crankbait or some other moving bait.

[matuka]

Have you considered a dropshot?  If presented properly it sits still, just like your jerkbait, only deeper.

[corn-on-the-rob]

I personally wouldn't dare moving on from a spot where I caught multiple and sometimes a single fish on a moving bait with out throwing something on the bottom even if only quickly. It can be anything from a jig, grub, tube, worm, drop shot, anything really, but I don't want to miss out on easy potential fish because I didn't.

 

The whole "search" bait term is subjective but to me when bass are active enough to eat moving baits, even in the cold, it means to me there are likely less active fish in the area that will not take a moving bait but may take something on the bottom. Like always, only one way to find out.

[smalljaw67]

I love a jerkbait and if I'm catching them consistently on it then there is no reason to change. I also let conditions dictate what I'm going to use, right after ice out the water temp is around 35 to 39 degrees and if the sun is out or the conditions have been stable for a few days then I'll throw a jerkbait and then a shad rap and see what happens first. If those aren't working or if the weather hasn't been stable and fronts have been coming and going, then I'll slow down and fish a hair jig or maybe a shaky head but if you're catching fish then you aren't missing out. I like fishing hair jigs too but there isn't anything better than when they are chewing jerkbaits.

[A KGB Operative]

Duo realis spinbait 80. In april fishing a local (over fished) lake, it was the only one that produced anything for me.

[Bigchunk]

Im too impatient. Have to grt slower with my finesse tactics. Probly why i try and look away from them when water is cold.

[frogflogger]

ned rig shines for a finesse presentation in this situation