You can choose only one lure/tactic for the day...

[WRB]

Since I showed up with my boat everything needed is in it. My 1st lure/presentation will be based on what the seasonal period is based on water temps, visual observation using my sonar unit and looking around. Since I study every lake I fish knowing the basic structure elements will have a good idea where to start. 

Try reading a few Day on The Lake series by Bassmaster magazine, interesting how each angler goes about figuring out a lake they never fished before at unknown location with a limited time period.

If you are limited to 1 rod/reel outfit and 1 choice of lure, fishing from shore it would be a bag of soft plastic worms, 3/16 oz bullet weights and worm hooks. I would start fishing around the boat launch area.

Tom

[roadwarrior]

Senko, weightless.

 

[Ogandrews]

Probably a 4.8 keitech on a weedless swimbait hook, can fish it how it’s supposed to be and you can also fish it on bottom like a t rig.

[Spankey]

I’d like to think if you dropped me off at an unknown lake or river that I know nothing about. And there were bass there. 
 

I feel pretty good about catching one on one of my ML finesse Spinning setups. Split shotting a 4” PowerWorm on a 1/0 Straight shank light wire Gammy Worm Hook. 

[galyonj]

22 hours ago, Log Catcher said:

When the problem turns out to be a bad light switch your adjustable wrench is worthless for this.

Not necessarily. Provided the wrench doesn't have any insulated padding on the handle, it'll be very useful for making sure the wiring on the hot side of the switch is live.

[coachfozz]

I would use a jig with a creature bait trailer  or a ned rig

[papajoe222]

I'd go with a 3/8oz jig. I can fish it shallow, or deep, with a fast or slow fall rate, fast or slow. One way or another I can catch them on a jig.  A close second would be a 1/2oz spinnerbait for the same reasons

[Hillbilly Bennett]

My choice is a Senko. I love that lure and hate it at the same time but it’s one thing that I know I can take to a body of water at any time and catch fish on. A wacky rig will catch fish in just about any situation. I’ve even done well fishing it in open water in very cold water on a light jig head or 3/0 gamakatsu finesse hook. Bass just have a hard time not eating something that’s slowly shimmying in their face so a wacky rig is what I’d take in this scenario. I’d have one rigged on a medium action baitcaster with 12 lb test line and one on a 7’0 medium action spinning rod with 8lb fluoro. Water color determines where I start with my lure color. In clear water I’m starting throwing something natural like Baby Bass, In lighter stain I’ll use a green pumpkin or GP chartreuse and in muddy water I’ll use chartreuse, black and blue or just black. It may not be the most exciting way to fish but a Senko will catch fish just about anywhere so that’s what I’d choose in this situation. 

On 5/3/2020 at 3:12 PM, roadwarrior said:

Senko, weightless.

 

This ?

[Deleted account]

Need the when and where in addition to the conditions in order to choose just one lure. Right here, right now, blade bait. I'll be out later if the skim ice melts enough with just that and a float/fly.

[BrianMDTX]

On 5/3/2020 at 2:12 PM, roadwarrior said:

Senko, weightless.

 

That’s got my vote. Second would be a Zoom Trick. 

[fishwizzard]

On 5/3/2020 at 10:51 AM, Grim_Reaver said:

White swim jig with a paddletail trailer. Will work anywhere, any time.

Same, but baitfish instead of white.  So long as there is some open water I can cast to, a swimjig is the overwhelming choice. 

[Mike L]

1 for on top.,, Spook

 

1 for the middle...Magnum Speed Worm 3/16 unpegged weight 

 

1 for bottom...Rage bug

 

To many variables to take just one bait if I wanted to catch a fish. 
 

 

 

Mike

 

 

[Junk Fisherman]

So much of it depends on the conditions, season, cover, and type of fish I am targeting.

 

Windy- small swimbait or a chatterbait depending on the season and water clarity.

 

Calm- Ned or dropshot especially if I am targeting smallmouth; jig if I am on a largemouth reservoir and plan to be fishing deep all day; it would be a Ned if I was on a pressured body of water

[jgordon]

I do enjoy like others have said nice fluke weightless or the 3/16th weight.  That or a buzzbait haha 

[PotatoLake]

In this scenario I don’t fish. I am a junk fisherman through and through. I’m into tinkering with what works and what doesn’t. A Mad scientist approach if you will...

Unless a lure gets hot, then I’ll leave it alone and fish with it for awhile, but I assume we all operate that way.

[bowhunter63]

Weightless fluke. Works under a lot of conditions 

[Deephaven]

For me it'd be a frog.  Not because it would provide the most success, but because I want to fish one all the time.  This would force me to exclude certain bodies of water...like the lake I live on, but there are plenty of lakes in MN.

 

That all being said, I never leave the house without at least a dozen rods tied up though so the one lure thing just doesn't match my reality.  I also never bank fish.

[MN Fisher]

6 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

For me it'd be a frog.  Not because it would provide the most success, but because I want to fish one all the time.  This would force me to exclude certain bodies of water...like the lake I live on, but there are plenty of lakes in MN.

Dunno why that'd exclude Tonka - there's several large lily pad patches scattered about. North Arm develops one that's a couple acres in size...the lighter green in this shot is all lily pads.

 

For me - it'd be a swim-jig...had my best luck on that.

[Deephaven]

If you pick any random

Just now, MN Fisher said:

Dunno why that'd exclude Tonka - there's several large lily pad patches scattered about. North Arm develops one that's a couple acres in size...the lighter green in this shot is all lily pads.

 

For me - it'd be a swim-jig...had my best luck on that.

Has nothing to do with available cover and everything to do with pressure, boat traffic, and other structure.  If you pick any set of random days on Tonka and fish a frog for 8 hours it will not average out well for you.  There are plenty of lakes I've fished where that will normally net you your largest bag.  Not saying I haven't had great moments on Tonka with frogs, but even being my favorite lure it is one I hardly throw on the lake.  Interesting that you say the swim jig is your lure of choice on it as I never fish one, have always thought I should but it isn't a confidence bait for me.

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

Has nothing to do with available cover and everything to do with pressure, boat traffic, and other structure. 

There is that - but North Arm is one of my two regular spots and my observations are:

Pressure - sometimes I'm the only one out fishing that part of the lake...I've only seen one other boat go in to that patch and try some flipping...they were there less than 1/2 hour.

Traffic - North Arm/Crystal Bay channel sees some, but no where near what Crystal Bay/West Arm sees much less any of the other channels.

Structure - just beyond the edge of that patch it drops off to deeper water - 58' hole in the center of that part of the bay.

 

All of my better bass have been caught in North Arm and there are times I get the whole SW part of the bay to myself.

[Deephaven]

Fish a frog on that patch for 4 hours on 3 different days.  You'll understand why I don't.  Plenty of fish to be had in North Arm and the rest of the lake, but that is a waste of time compared to other lakes IMO.

 

If I had to pick one lure for Tonka it'd be a Senko.  I don't like fishing Senko's though.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Deephaven said:

Fish a frog on that patch for 4 hours on 3 different days.  You'll understand why I don't.  Plenty of fish to be had in North Arm and the rest of the lake, but that is a waste of time compared to other lakes IMO.

Ya, well my fishing time is limited and the only lakes in range for me are Tonka, Dutch, Little Long and Whaletail...so I gotta put up with it.

 

1 minute ago, Deephaven said:

If I had to pick one lure for Tonka it'd be a Senko.  I don't like fishing Senko's though.

I made a promise to myself to fish T-Rigs more often this year, and wacky use is also going to increase.

[J Francho]

I only fish five or six different types of baits, ]and only one at a time, based on where and when I'm fishing. So, I pick that one.

[Bankc]

Spinnerbait.  It's weedless, can work any part of the water column, and can be retrieved lighting fast or super slow.  It might not often be the best choice, but it's the one choice I can think of that would work under just about any condition that I've found myself in.  

[The Maestro]

I'm taking a Texas rigged Yamamoto Flappin Hog with 3/8 oz tungsten weight.  I'd still be able to get it through moderately thick weeds, fish it in moderate current, still be able to pitch it if it got a bit windy but it won't fall like a stone in calmer open water situations.