The Skunk Award Goes To…

[Swampdonkeyfishing]

Them running to the side is normal for a buzz bait, Next time throw them in a shady spot in like a lagoon with preferbaly hydro foil

[Functional]

chatterbaits  (0)

ned rig (2)

crankbait/squarebill (5 crappie believe it or not)

dropshot (0)

 

Aside from the crankbait/squarebill my list just needs me to dedicate more time to them. Spinnerbaits, jigs and shakyheads have always out produced the others above so I've been less tempted to switch to something new.

 

Crankbait/squarebill I just dont know. I've put a lot of time and money into testing different types and conditions and they just dont produce for me. The only times they have has been off species like perch and crappie. Only times I had success was fishing a big floating double jointed rapala really slow just under the surface.

[PotatoLake]

3 hours ago, Functional said:

chatterbaits  (0)

ned rig (2)

crankbait/squarebill (5 crappie believe it or not)

dropshot (0)

 

Aside from the crankbait/squarebill my list just needs me to dedicate more time to them. Spinnerbaits, jigs and shakyheads have always out produced the others above so I've been less tempted to switch to something new.

 

Crankbait/squarebill I just dont know. I've put a lot of time and money into testing different types and conditions and they just dont produce for me. The only times they have has been off species like perch and crappie. Only times I had success was fishing a big floating double jointed rapala really slow just under the surface.

Are you throwing really small cranks? I'm surprised you're only getting crappie/perch etc. My only advice is to try and deflect off cover, and use a varied retrieve, stop and start, sideways sweep of the rod, etc. Keep throwing it, as you'll see by this pic, they will draw strikes. This was my biggest of the year on a Lucky Craft LC 1.5 square bill.

This was late summer/early fall, the fish were busting shad in the flats, I threw my LC right past a stickup that was the only visible cover in the flat. I ran it past the stickup, felt it tick a branch or something then wham. Fish on. My pops had caught a 5lber the cast before on a crank bait as well. Keep at it.

 

[Functional]

17 minutes ago, PotatoLake said:

Are you throwing really small cranks? I'm surprised you're only getting crappie/perch etc. My only advice is to try and deflect off cover, and use a varied retrieve, stop and start, sideways sweep of the rod, etc. Keep throwing it, as you'll see by this pic, they will draw strikes. This was my biggest of the year on a Lucky Craft LC 1.5 square bill.

This was late summer/early fall, the fish were busting shad in the flats, I threw my LC right past a stickup that was the only visible cover in the flat. I ran it past the stickup, felt it tick a branch or something then wham. Fish on. My pops had caught a 5lber the cast before on a crank bait as well. Keep at it.

 

I've thrown everything from off brand 1" squarebills all the way up to 10xds. I've even gone as far as throwing the 10xd in 4-10ft water to make as much commotion as I could. Thrown it in rocky points, laydowns and ledges from shallow to deep, deep to shallow and sideways. Tried changing retrieve techniques and nothing. I know there are fish there because I'll throw a spinner after exhausting myself and slow roll it through the same cover and bottom as the cranks and get bit. ?‍♂️. Going to keep at it but it's definitely not my strong suit. 

 

Believe it or not the perch and crappie came on the 10xd in 8ft water at a submerged log lol. 

[PotatoLake]

1 hour ago, Functional said:

 

I've thrown everything from off brand 1" squarebills all the way up to 10xds. I've even gone as far as throwing the 10xd in 4-10ft water to make as much commotion as I could. Thrown it in rocky points, laydowns and ledges from shallow to deep, deep to shallow and sideways. Tried changing retrieve techniques and nothing. I know there are fish there because I'll throw a spinner after exhausting myself and slow roll it through the same cover and bottom as the cranks and get bit. ?‍♂️. Going to keep at it but it's definitely not my strong suit. 

 

Believe it or not the perch and crappie came on the 10xd in 8ft water at a submerged log lol. 

Hey, I get it. Over the years I’ve figured out that some lakes the fish want one thing and on another they’ll want something totally different.

 

Thats pretty crazy about crappie hitting a 10XD. I bet that was a surprise. I’ve had hybrids and white bass slam one, but never a crappie.

[PressuredFishing]

Have not ran into one lure I fish that has not seem action, some get less bites than others, like my jig collection or swimbaits, but I have not had a lure that doesn't produce. I will say I stay away from buzzbaits, I seem to have better luck on almost any other topwater, I feel like they are very niche for me.

[Functional]

2 hours ago, PotatoLake said:

Hey, I get it. Over the years I’ve figured out that some lakes the fish want one thing and on another they’ll want something totally different.

 

Thats pretty crazy about crappie hitting a 10XD. I bet that was a surprise. I’ve had hybrids and white bass slam one, but never a crappie.

 

Definitely a surprise. I've had them hit my spinners before but never thought they would hit a crank that big. My home lake is known for crappies though... maybe they are more competitive since their population is so strong?  Who knows, Definitely one technique I want to get better at along with Ned rigs. 

[Bankbeater]

I think I've only caught 5 or 6 bass this year on lipless crankbaits. It's definitely been an off year for them. I hope the bite turns around since it's cooler out now.

[PotatoLake]

37 minutes ago, Bankbeater said:

I think I've only caught 5 or 6 bass this year on lipless crankbaits. It's definitely been an off year for them. I hope the bite turns around since it's cooler out now.

I'm right there with you, I can count the lipless crank fish Ive caught on one hand. Ready to try and again with the yo-yo retrieve this fall/winter.

[zpelletier]

On 11/13/2021 at 3:40 PM, thediscochef said:

I am also shorebound so I feel you. I would probably also point to the head weight...I always use 1/16 or 1/32. As shallow as shorelines tend to be a 1/32 works great for parallel movement, 1/16 if you're casting out a bit deeper. You may just have too quick of a fall on 1/10 or higher, I know I've never caught anything on a ned over 1/16 much as I have tried. So you may be telling yourself the truth ?‍♂️?

Finally had some luck! It’s been highs in the low 40s here (water temp I don’t know because I don’t have a way to measure it, but it’s pretty cold) Actually got some snow flakes while I was out fishing. Figured finesse would be the way to go and told myself I wasn’t going to throw anything else until I caught something on the ned rig. Got a couple which is more than I thought I would haha 

[thediscochef]

53 minutes ago, zpelletier said:

Finally had some luck! It’s been highs in the low 40s here (water temp I don’t know because I don’t have a way to measure it, but it’s pretty cold) Actually got some snow flakes while I was out fishing. Figured finesse would be the way to go and told myself I wasn’t going to throw anything else until I caught something on the ned rig. Got a couple which is more than I thought I would haha 

Hey congrats!! That's a pretty fish you got there, looks heavy. I love to see it. Way to go! 

[Luke Barnes]

On 11/17/2021 at 5:21 PM, PotatoLake said:

I'm right there with you, I can count the lipless crank fish Ive caught on one hand. Ready to try and again with the yo-yo retrieve this fall/winter.

Lipless used to be my go to moving bait until I got my first jackhammer and now that's what I go to, but with it getting cold I'll tie on a lipless again. Ive never done the yo yo retrieve, especially letting it sink to the bottom and yo yo-ing off the bottom. Ive always been a straight retrieve with some rod tip raises guy.