What seems to never work for you...

[punch]

I find it interesting that so many people can't catch a bass on a jig. To me it's like, the most universal "works year round, on every lake, everywhere" bait. Like, if there's one bait that you can take to any lake at any time of the year.. that's it. 

 

Is it just a matter of not wanting to put the time into throwing them when other stuff is more 'fun'? Jig fishing can be a little bit of a chore because you're usually only getting bites when you slow down and work them a bit more methodically. 

[Bassun]

23 minutes ago, punch said:

I find it interesting that so many people can't catch a bass on a jig. To me it's like, the most universal "works year round, on every lake, everywhere" bait. Like, if there's one bait that you can take to any lake at any time of the year.. that's it. 

 

Is it just a matter of not wanting to put the time into throwing them when other stuff is more 'fun'? Jig fishing can be a little bit of a chore because you're usually only getting bites when you slow down and work them a bit more methodically. 

I'm in that Jig boat.  It's embarrassing but I am not very successful with them.  But, let me clarify a bit.  When I say jig I mean your normal off the shelf jig-n-pig... put a creature on a jig head, and things change.  I thought I just sucked at jigs until I was fishing with a buddy who is dang good with them.  It wasn't necessarily that I was "bad" with jigs, I just didn't use them as often.  Take a brush pile, I may have a baby brush hawg on a weedles jig head and be getting bit -- he would have a regular jig doing the same thing.  I use the terminal tackle for jigs a fair bit, but generally with other bodies vs your typical "jig".  Same thing around rocks, I may be bouncing craws or grubs on a jig head, he just left on the same jig.  I've always had better luck with something "on" a jig head except around docks.  I'm guessing it has as much to do with how much I use them vs reality.  None the less, standard jigs are not quick on my list, ironically I start every day with one tied on lol.  I think part of the reason behind it is what I was used to fishing before migrating to lakes.  I used creatures, grubs, tubes, etc a fair bit for smallies - but not a standard "jig".  My instinct it still to use other stuff with a jig head.

 

The other thing that I really suck with is rattle traps.  I cannot seem to trick anything into biting them lol. 

 

IDR who mentioned the Rapalas, but I really struggle with them on the lake as well.  Broken Back Rapala's are my absolute go to in streams and rivers.  I keep a slew from J5-J11 and I remember clearly my first trip on the lake.  I had a couple tied on and was expecting to catch with them as well as I was used to.  I tried every color, every size, every technique...Skunked.  That whole first year I tried to use them and kept failing.  All I could get would be the occasional top-water bite off em.  Then I discovered a fluke.  They basically replaced the BB Rapala for me on the lake.  I've obviously learned a slew of other techniques over the years, but its a rare day I don't have a fluke on at some point.

[tim_kovar]

Crankbaits.  I can probably count the number of bass I have ever caught with them on one hand.  But the pike sure do love them.

[ratherbfishin1]

9 minutes ago, tim_kovar said:

 

Crankbaits.  I can probably count the number of bass I have ever caught with them on one hand.  But the pike sure do love them.

 

That was me and I got over it by going to a small lake with a rocky dam and fishing a squarebill all day.  May have just been a lucky day but since then I have had way more confidence in them.

[ww2farmer]

I'll add a few more that are duds for me:

 

Carolina Rigging ANY THING except a straight tail, or ribbon tail worm. I have tried craws, tubes, senkos, beavers, french fries, shoes strings, flip flops, sticks, and beer cans...........all haul water. But I DO catch them c-rigging various length straight and ribbon tail worms.

 

Zoom Super Flukes, the biggest hunk of crap on the market. And I don't mind soft jerkbaits, I catch them just fine on a SK Caffeine Shad.

 

A-rigs. I have thrown them, and thrown them, and thrown them....had some impressive pike follow it....and have caught exactly 2 smallmouth on one. I have tried. I finally snagged it on an old car in the lake and was glad to cut the line.

[B_Rose12]

I also fish on highly pressured waters so presentation is key at most of the places I fish. But I can never seem to have any luck with Flukes either. Even when I try them at the occasional trip to a retention pond.

 

A month ago I would’ve said spinnerbaits, even though I don’t throw them enough, I did manage to catch a 4lber on one, I loved how the bite felt like I was hung on a log, but man when it felt like that log came to life IT WAS ON!

[FishDewd]

Okay so I've been turning myself onto the texas rig a little more lately. I've gotten some really good bites on them but not yet caught anything this year on one. The other day I went fishing with a fellow forum member. He caught 4-5 on one and I got 3 hard bites but I couldn't hook up on any. One was a harder bite than I've ever felt in my life from any fish but I think it just grabbed the tail. So i went home later. Watched some youtube, good stuff... finally came across a really good video showing a great way to work the texas rig the way I wanted to work one. Yesterday I went and practiced that same technique at a brand new, never fished before lake. I got a bite on nearly every cast, but could not hook up. I found out that they were crappie hitting my lure when I set one really hard and launched a crappie 8' across the lake. But at least it's progress right? Lol. They were just too small to hook up with on the curly grub I was using.

 

Anyway, getting a little more faith using the texas rig since I've seen people use them and catch fish. I've decided that for the rest of the season I am forcing myself to run one until I catch something with it. May be it's a timing issue, but I feel like I am on the right track and getting really close to hooking one with it. My technique is fine. Funnily, my first ever bass I caught last year was on a texas rigged senko. Weightless. Nailed it on the fall I think. And it was like a curse cause I haven't caught one since. Nope. Not acceptable! I will catch more with it! Lol. End of story, period!

[B_Rose12]

7 hours ago, FishDewd said:

Okay so I've been turning myself onto the texas rig a little more lately. I've gotten some really good bites on them but not yet caught anything this year on one. The other day I went fishing with a fellow forum member. He caught 4-5 on one and I got 3 hard bites but I couldn't hook up on any. One was a harder bite than I've ever felt in my life from any fish but I think it just grabbed the tail. So i went home later. Watched some youtube, good stuff... finally came across a really good video showing a great way to work the texas rig the way I wanted to work one. Yesterday I went and practiced that same technique at a brand new, never fished before lake. I got a bite on nearly every cast, but could not hook up. I found out that they were crappie hitting my lure when I set one really hard and launched a crappie 8' across the lake. But at least it's progress right? Lol. They were just too small to hook up with on the curly grub I was using.

 

Anyway, getting a little more faith using the texas rig since I've seen people use them and catch fish. I've decided that for the rest of the season I am forcing myself to run one until I catch something with it. May be it's a timing issue, but I feel like I am on the right track and getting really close to hooking one with it. My technique is fine. Funnily, my first ever bass I caught last year was on a texas rigged senko. Weightless. Nailed it on the fall I think. And it was like a curse cause I haven't caught one since. Nope. Not acceptable! I will catch more with it! Lol. End of story, period!

When I first started bass fishing, the first few months, that’s all I ever threw. Started out with a t-rig finesse worm, then started to get into the lizards and brush hogs and such.

 

Then I read all the hype about jigs and finally got a couple and once I started hooking into more quality bass, and one of my favorite parts of bass fishing to this day, setting the hook on a jig. I kinda went away from Texas rigs, I kind of get in this trance when I’m out fishing with a jig...I’ll pitch and pitch and pitch and and would come up with nothing some days. 

 

After about a 5 month hiatus from throwing any Texas rigged, weighted soft plastic, the past few months I’ve been throwing them again and have been increasing my catches. Can’t go wrong with a Texas rigged bait for sure man!

 

I used to throw a swim jig if I didn’t get a bite Pitching a jig, but now before I tie on a swim jig, I typically already have some type of Texas rig ready on the deck and pitch it! 

[FishDewd]

I have three jigs so far, I actually found one yesterday in a park while lure hunting lol. I mostly wanted to rescue a popper I lost to a tree (and I did get it back!) It was trapped underwater on a stick near a dock. I was watching the bass and bluegill school around when I saw it. It's almost brand new but had a little corrosion on the hook. I cleaned it up like new minus one spot near the front where the hook meets the head. Typically the lures I find tend to be lucky for me. Maybe this will the jib to break the jig ice for me. I'll toss it next outing and see what happens.

[d-camarena]

On 5/18/2018 at 6:47 PM, bigbill said:

I was my hands before I go fishing.

I do not purchase gas or handle oil when I’m going fishing. If I do I wash my hands again.

I make no noise when I’m fishing. Stealth is the number one mode to be in. I use spinning reels and open and close the bail by hand. No noise.

handle your tackle quietly, keep the one cell lite low in your tacklebox. Do not shine it at the water. If your night fishing. Keep your reel lubed so it makes no noise.

 

i use a scent also. It can cover foul oders, I wash my tacklebox and lures when they start to smell.

 

spinnerbaits,

I use the white spinnerbait with a blue glimmer skirt, with a mister twister 4” double tail grub in white, with a trailer hook. You must trim the grubs body to fit the size of the hook on the spinnerbait, the trailer must be installed correctly so the spinnerbait runs straight. From shore the 1/8oz, 3/16oz & 1/4 oz seem to work better but if the water is any deeper a larger 3/8oz spinnerbait may be neede.

I had an experience last week that changed the way I look at bass forever. My 3 best friends wanted to join me im my weekly fishing of lake travis. They dont fish and have never fished in their live, and had 0 interest in fishing. They were in it just to drink some beers and have a good time. I knew what i was in for but they are good buddies and i couldnt say no. These stooges show up with a huuuge cooler filled with coorslight and a big party speaker with bluetooth lol. I thought for sure i was gonna get skunked and i wasnt going to enjoy the trip. These guys had a complete party inside the boat, loud music, dancing, talking to ladies in other boats. Long story short, we slayed them, boated about 50 fish. 4 bigger than 5lbs. And each of them caught their first fish and now all they talk about is fishing. And i had a blast

 

It got me thinking, are bass really as smart as we think? Do we overthink a little bit? 

 

On topic- rattletraps

[the reel ess]

On 5/20/2018 at 4:36 PM, scaleface said:

I  havent thrown a spook for years . I just never had much luck with them . I can half step  them around a stump  but cant get  a fish  to  hit .

You'll get more bites with the Jr. size. The full-size can slay them when they're in the mood, but the Jr. is a tasty morsel that's harder to pass up. The one I have also has a rattle, whereas the big original ones do not.

 

I can't catch a fish on a big glide bait or magnum worm. Understandable because I'm culling smaller bass. The times I've tried a dropshot didn't "net" anything. I've only gotten one bite on a toad, though I'm really good with the soft body frog.

[HeyCoach]

I pretty much started back fishing about two years ago once we moved close to a river. 

 

I’ve not had any luck on a jig so I’m not going to switch off to a weightless or wacky Senko or a Trick Worm on a shaky head until I can get this down pat. 

[Drew03cmc]

On 5/18/2018 at 3:26 AM, Drew03cmc said:

Topwaters. I have caught 3 total. 1 walking a Gunfish, 1 on a Jitterbug and one on a Zoom UV Speed Craw buzzed...that's it.

I know quoting myself is pretty weird, but this is totally wrong now. All I've thrown for about a month is topwater. Noisy Flapper and Whopper Plopper 90...been amazing. My son was tossing an 1/8oz buzzbait yesterday and slayed them. I'm absolutely smitten with topwater now. 

[volzfan59]

I'm in the jig camp too. I've caught exactly one smallmouth and, of all things, a drum on a jig. The smallie is my PB, but that's it. I use good jigs, and good equipment. I've even tried the "only take jigs" tactic.

A friend recently suggested that I fish it more like a Carolina rig instead of hooping it? 

[thinkingredneck]

Senko and Ned rig.  I don't get it.  Supposed to be numbers baits.  I have caught a couple dinks on each.  Tried taking only them, several times.  I do well with t rig worms, but not t tig senkos.  Go figure.  Wacky didn't work either.

[5by3]

Alabama rig

[Squarebill79]

Techniques that Ive caught thousands of bass on:

 

-Squarebill Cranks

-Poppers

-Jerkbaits

-Senkos

 

Techniques that just dont work for me:

-JIGS

-JIGS

-JIGS

-Frogs

-Dropshotting

-Oh and did I mention JIGS

[Primus]

To all the guys struggling with jigs may I suggest you try little finesse jigs with small trailers . This will hopefully build up your confidence in this presentation. 

 

That said I've been very inconsistent throwing Blade baits like the Silver Buddy and yet I've heard great reports over the years that the are a top notch presentation in cold water. I had one outing where I did well on the 3/4 oz size a few years back but not much outside of that. 

[PAbasser927]

It took me almost a whole summer to get my first jig bite until I was browsing this forum and came across the best piece of advice I have heard in regards to jig fishing (for the life of me I can’t remeber who it was).  Someone posted to fish it as though you DON’T want to catch a fish.  Essentially dragging it along inconspicuously as slow as you can stand.  Tossing a jig and working it back like I am trying to avoid bites has since turned it into a confidence bait for me.

[FishTank]

Big spinner baits and frogs.  Not sure why but I better luck with just about anything.

[Black Hawk Basser]

I can't think of anything that I haven't caught bass with, but I rarely ever throw cranks for largemouths due to the crazy amount of veg in the lakes around here.  I hate picking grass off of trebles all day.  But shallow cranks are almost all I use for river smallmouth. I have not tried drop shot enough to have confidence... something I really should do.

[Brew City Bass]

On 6/4/2018 at 4:36 PM, ww2farmer said:

I'll add a few more that are duds for me:

 

Carolina Rigging ANY THING except a straight tail, or ribbon tail worm. I have tried craws, tubes, senkos, beavers, french fries, shoes strings, flip flops, sticks, and beer cans...........all haul water. But I DO catch them c-rigging various length straight and ribbon tail worms.

 

Zoom Super Flukes, the biggest hunk of crap on the market. And I don't mind soft jerkbaits, I catch them just fine on a SK Caffeine Shad.

 

A-rigs. I have thrown them, and thrown them, and thrown them....had some impressive pike follow it....and have caught exactly 2 smallmouth on one. I have tried. I finally snagged it on an old car in the lake and was glad to cut the line.

Lmao. 

I know that exact feeling of being fine to cut the line on that one lure.... For me it was a jointed swimbait I bought last winter. Used it this spring and I just hated the way it looked and fished. Finally got it lodged in a rock and said screw it and just cut the line. Didn't even want to see that lure again. 

[boostr]

Swimbaits/Glide Baits soft and hard, Rattle Traps and the like, Buzz baits and chatterbaits. Can't catch a thing on em if my life depended on it.