At least I didn't get skunked

[jsh32]

Caught this little dude yesterday, not really sure how but I'll take it. It did however show me what color lizards to use now on. I used to use only green pumpkin and black and blue but I need to add in something with some orange flakes now. These guys are all over this pond so hopefully I'll have some luck using lizards here.

[geo g]

I've been fishing a long time and never caught a frog.  Use him as bait!!!!!!!

[scaleface]

I would tally  that as a skunking . LOL   Lizards dont count .

 

You are correct about rethinking natural colors . I use to seine my aquarium critters and  had some real colorful fish  and crawdads . Google orange throated darter .  Beautiful fish that come out of the creek .

[jsh32]

Like I told my friend, the luck I've been having lately fishing, Ill take anything that swims on the end of a hook.

[jr231]

Do you have a barrel swivel and a clip ?? I'd ditch both. I tie directly to my cranks . And use a loop knot if there isn't a split ring. 

 

I'm sure you're gonna say something about line twist but I've never had line twist cause me problems with cranks. 

[jsh32]

The only reason I had the swivel/clip (which is how it came, not something I rigged) is because I was switching cranks a lot that day and didn't want to keep cutting and retying. Nothing about line twist just saving a little time and line

[jr231]

3 minutes ago, jsh32 said:

The only reason I had the swivel/clip (which is how it came, not something I rigged) is because I was switching cranks a lot that day and didn't want to keep cutting and retying. Nothing about line twist just saving a little time and line

 

Hmm. I think the clip will hinder the action if used with the split ring... I understand wanting to change.. anything I tie on though I have confidence in . And will fish it thoroughly. Nothing wrong with Changing at all. I just wouldn't recommend the clips with split rings ! 

 

What's the water temp ? Maybe Try a blade bait ..

 

Also . Have you tried suspending jerkbaits ? If so.. and had no success.. do yourself a favor and get a pack of "storm suspenstrips" and tinker with your baits in a bucket of cold water until they suspend to your needs. I like an ever so slight rise with the nose down.. 

 

Good luck to you. 

[jsh32]

If I find a lure they are actively hitting, Ill tie directly to the split ring. So when Im using a clip, would you suggest going straight to the eye on the lure? I have also decided to stop fishing jerkbaits for a while until the sting of getting my Vision 110 caught up and broke off in some rocks, still stings when I look at my jerkbait box. Havent put any of the suspenstrips but might have to try some next time Im buying.

[jr231]

Yes. If there is no split ring on the bait.. such as a rapala original minnow.. a clip would probably give it a better action then a direct tie... Rapala actually suggests you use a rapala knot (just a loop knot ) on their lures Without a split ring... If there is a split ring.. tie directly.  This is just how I do it. I firmly believe it hinders the action with a clip to split ring and I'm sure I'm not the only one.. this does not mean you cannot catch bass using a clip and split ring... Just hinders the action of your bait.  

 

 

As for the jerkbaits.. there are plenty of affordable fish catching models. You don't have to use a Shimano reel with a st Croix rod , using samurai braid and a popmax out of a 30,000 dollar ranger to catch bass... Matter of fact you can nail bass all day out of a 1958 Jon boat using a 49.99 spinning reel combo and some spiderwire with an old rebel pop r. Ask me how I know. 

 

I like the x -rap. You can find em on sale and score a few for under 6 bucks each.. and fine tuning them with the suspenstrips is a good way to turn it into a bass Slayer.. clown, olive, and black/orange are all you need. 

 

If you insist on using the lucky craft .. pretty sure I seen some of their baits on sale at tackle warehouse. 

[MassYak85]

Haha, I've caught frogs before but more so on purpose when bored and I see one. Lizards I don't even think I've ever seen while fishing. 

 

And I would echo the advice YearJay gave you. You've got a barrel swivel, a snap, and a split ring between your line and the lure, way too much terminal tackle. If you want to save time switching out cranks get a small snap like these. I've had the kind you have in the pic straighten out or break before I knew any better, not very reliable IMO. Plus the barrel swivel part is unnecessary. 

Just an example, many brands make decent snaps:

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Decoy_Egg_Snap_7pk/descpage-DEGGS.html

[jsh32]

Thanks for the advice, I think I got something like that in a LTB/MTB a while ago, Ill have to check them out.