Discontinuing baits

[bigbill]

I been out of the loop for a while due to illness. Right now I'm looking to buy some baits that I know works in my area.

 

I been using a rapala countdown jointed minnow by lowering it off a low bridge into a hole I found on the bottom. Every trip you can count on a bass being there. The color is a blue back with a chartreuse sides and bottom. It's about 5" in length. Of course it's discontinued in a split body and the two tone color isn't available. I have one. I purchased all the rapalas that sports authority had on clearance years ago. I should of purchased everything they had. My mistake.

 

I notice Norman baits were some models are discontinued too.

 

Now some plastic colors aren't being restocked at BPS it's been going on for decades. The amber red bps stic o worm is listed but not offered. It's a orange reddish color. It's sold out for decades because it works. I shop elsewhere now.

 

BPS had the best topwater bait I ever used the uncle buck topnocker. The color 25 chartreuse was the hottest topwater bait I ever used. It's gone.

 

excaliber had a bill dance crankbait in a red craw color that's hot here. I would use the deeper running one in shallower depths letting it bounce off the bottom. It worked awesome. It's gone.

 

bomber discontinued the crankbait in FAT A too. Another great bait for over submerged weeds and topwater twitching. The redapplecraw is a killer color since the crawfish here are black backs with red sides, bottoms.

 

my point is if you have a favorite go to bait that works buy a few.

 

btw, I'm a color freak after reading Dr Loren Hills ten year research on bass seeing certain colors at different water conditions. I'm fishing were I know the bass population is the highest. I know where they hide. Yet some of my favorite colors in the past that I know worked, on another day they don't work. I change colors again and have success. I notice this with using scents. I'm using a orginal bass scent flavor and catching nothing. I change to a garlic and the bite is on. I'm tempted to try a salad Italian (example)dressing or when the jar of crushed garlic runs out try the juices.  Just some tips. Shore fishing made easier.

 

dont be afraid to try a new bait. First read everything here about how to use it. Then remember the different presentations. Go out and practice with it. The bass will let you know when you get it right.

 

if you don't read the how to's on using baits here on this sight and you say I don't catch any fish, before you go fishing stay home. Stay positive, motivated and focused when fishing, get into the zone.

[smalljaw67]

Most of the time baits or colors are discontinued due to lack of sales and it will continue to happen. The Bomber Fat A is back and they have the Apple red craw color too, check TW as they are in stock $6.49. The Bill Dance signature bait you had is still around but it was a Bomber and it is a Fat Free Shad and it is still available in the red craw color from the same place. The only Excalibur cranks I remember that had a Bill Dance signature was the Spit'n image and the swim'm image, the latter was a shallow diving crank available in mostly shad patterns.

[deaknh03]

I have about 10 of those topknockers, both sizes. Great topwater.

[deaknh03]

The egg is a good one too.

[bigbill]

Thanks for the heads up I'll visit TW.

 

brannans bass in Texas has most of the bomber cranks but no fat"s yet.

[TOXIC]

As companies get bought and sold there is always some fallout in colors and styles.  That's what drives the Ebay marketplace and bait sellers that have old stock.  I used to be hyper focused on colors until I became friends with an Elite Series angler who has stayed with me both in Virginia and when I had a house in Florida while he practiced for tournaments.  He tested new baits in my pool.  His approach was to not focus on specific colors but to focus on groups of colors that match the bait and water clarity.  Since adopting that attitude, I have caught a lot more fish on colors that I would have never thrown.  Where I will agree, is that changes to hard baits from old styles that actually do change the action of the lure.  Whether it is in a new production material or changes in the shape it does change them.  I will say to check websites for retailers because they may not have everything that is available in store and you can order it.  

[Chance_Taker4]

This is me with almost all Xcalibur baits. My favorite squarebill crank was the XCS, Lipless XR50 (I know it was relabeled by Booyah One Knocker), and the EEratic Shad Jerkbait. Now everytime I go somewhere and see Xcalibur baits I buy them no matter what they are or even in colors I use just so I have some when they become non existent.

[BassNJake]

17 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

Most of the time baits or colors are discontinued due to lack of sales and it will continue to happen. The Bomber Fat A is back and they have the Apple red craw color too, check TW as they are in stock $6.49. The Bill Dance signature bait you had is still around but it was a Bomber and it is a Fat Free Shad and it is still available in the red craw color from the same place. The only Excalibur cranks I remember that had a Bill Dance signature was the Spit'n image and the swim'm image, the latter was a shallow diving crank available in mostly shad patterns.

I had a few Bill Dance excalibur crankbaits.

Now doing a search some show bomber and excalibur on the packages

[bigbill]

The jointed rapala countdown minnow i jig with is the color parrot.

[Primus]

To me the best waking crank that I have ever used was the one Xcalibur discontinued a few years back . Very loud and unlike others I've tried it doesn't blow out at higher speed retrieves . Explosive strikes when fishing shallow grass .