Give them something different

[5/0]

I've seen this statement many, many times. It got me to thinking, a bad thing according to my wife, about what it actually means? This phrase is usually, but not always, associated with rigs like: D/S, Mojo, Ned, Neko, Wacky etc., finesse stuff for finicky bass. Most of these techniques have been around for decades, as well as the gamut of plastics associated with them in a multitude of colors.

The bass across the country have to have seen these presentations thousand upon thousands of times, if not more, in all the colors available. I know I may be giving too much credit to the bass, but is still begs the question: What's different?

 

Thanks....Joe

[dodgeguy]

It's simple. Not all bass have seen everything.lots of presentations are localized. You'd be surprised how many guys don't know what a Ned rig is. Lots of guys don't fish finesse at all. Sooner or later some technique will work. Sometimes it's better to go back to something really old like a split shot worm. Most of the fish who have seen that are probably dead by now.

[A-Jay]

What's different ?

 How about a drop Shot Rage Craw ?

 Or a totally sinks-like-a rock jerk bait ?

 Perhaps a Suspending Rattle bait ?

Just to name a few.

And then there's these . . .

 

And these . . . 

 

disclaimer - these are not new to @WRB

A-Jay

 

[CroakHunter]

Chicken rigging a 12" ribbon tail worm. 

[Mobasser]

I would suggest reading some stuff by Doug Hannon aka the bass professor. The plastic worm is one bait that bass can't remember. As A-Jay points out above, there are so many rigs out there, and they can all work at some time or another. 

[scaleface]

To me showing the fish something different is  changing action , color... or  switching too  lures that will still fish the environment   effectively . My most recent example i was getting hits on a square bill but the fish were not committing to it . Some fish were being caught in the face . I switched  to a Rapala X-Rap and started cleaning up .  I've seen a spinnerbait bite turn off overnight then the squarebill get hot . I stay within the parameters of what will fish the habitat effectively and make changes until something works . 

[primetime]

Put a wacky rig worm on back of a jig.....I hear it works......

 

Sometimes just changing the weight of a jig can make all the difference in the world, or the size etc...

 

But you make a valid point. Before the Ned rig, it was the slider rig by Brewer only it didn't stand upright.

 

Only difference imo between a Ned rig and a Light Shaky Head is an open hook. Both stand upright...Most new stuff is just a spin off of a popular technique.

 

The Ned rig was originally finesse...Now the "Mag" Ned Rig is actually something that is catching on. If a small worm works on a jig head upright, then why not a big worm??? Looks different that the thousands of Carolina rigs and football jigs in deep water.. I think that is the point, I truly believe Bass get used to seeing the same stuff over and over and learn. Maybe its not true, but in fishing, if you believe it, then it is probably true for you.

 

Now you can dropshot and Powershot in the same day on both spinning and casting gear...with hooks from the same company.....But a powershot does give fish a new look to all the 1.5 oz beavers flying past them.... A new look does work at times, especially in used water. 

 

I fish a few ponds where I live everyday while walking my dog. If I throw a Stick worm or Fluke, I only get small bites. Usually, If I rig up a Craw or Grub, big or small bait, I will get better fish so I truly believe they get used to seeing the same stuff. Everytime I see someone fishing the ponds, They all use a Senko or rattle trap...Bigger fish do learn.

 

I second the split shot or light C-rig in shallow water as my favorite "Finesse" rig and technique for getting as many strikes as possible. I don't think many people do that anymore, you can fish it like a crankbait which is nice if in a hurry.

 

[kenmitch]

Different is something I struggle with. I've got lot's of different offerings to entice the bass into biting, but I just haven't gotten into fishing them. I've tried before on numerous attempts and have always reverted back to the lipless offerings in the end. I'll rig up 5-6 combos with different offerings before heading out, but in the end the combos with the lipess on the end of the line always get the majority of use. 

 

I'm hoping I'm capable of being different this season as it's one of my goals.

 

Hmm....Sets off at least thinking about being different.

 

 

 

[Munkin]

What about 5 jigs on an Alabama rig? It imitates a school of crayfish and can be deadly according to a video I saw on youtube.

 

Allen 

[geo g]

Don't worry about it.  In the whole scheme of things bass have the brain power of snail.  They are not very smart, and have little ability to remember much.  They react to stimuli in their environment.  If their hungry and the baits is in striking distance, they will hit it regardless of color, or size, within reason.  You just need to get a bait within the strike zone and recreate a movement they would be used to seeing.  Your job is to find them, and ones in the mood to eat, and recreate a movement they want that day.  Don't give them more credit then they deserve when it comes to logical advanced thinking.  It's not happening!