Lure selection

[JayMac89]

Hey guys, for those of you who didn't see my first few posts a few weeks ago. I'm new. Been having a blast and trying to absorb as much info as possible. Did a search for this topic but didn't really find anything. I'm not really asking a question here, just want to hear the thought process. 

 

Let's start by saying i understand there isn't a right or wrong answer, i realize there is a ton of variables, i realize the bass will indicate what's working or not. But im the type of guy that likes to get into the head of those more experienced, see how they think. Thought this could be an interesting topic if it hasn't already been done. 

 

So how do you guys choose your lures? Or i guess how do you choose between "similar" lures. When do you change? Do you keep it simple with only a few or do you have somthing for every specific situation? Do you go with what you have confidence in or do you go with what "should" work regardless of previous success. Pick at random? 

 

I don't have enough experience to have a method. But at the moment i generally start with a swim jig or chatterbait (based on the wind/chop) if I'm fishing around grass. Lipless crank if there's not much grass and more of an open water situation. If/when i find fish ill keep at it, slowing down to a ned rig or t-rig worm if the moving lures aren't getting it done. If I'm throwing at heavy cover I'll throw a arkie jig. But I'm almost always starting with a moving horizontal lure. If I'm seeing alot of action on the waters surface I'll throw top water. Popper or spook. If I'm having no luck I'll throw somthing new to try out. 

 

I see alot of guys throwing top water immediately. Pretty rarely see guys doing what i do with the moving lures around here. Hence my curiosity about all your thought processes. But hey, it's kind of working for me and I'm figuring things out so I'm not complaining. 

[MN Fisher]

See if there's a guide local to you that puts out fishing reports.

 

Here in the Minneapolis Metro area, we have one who does a YouTube report every Sunday on 'where are the fish and what baits are working'.

[Junk Fisherman]

24 minutes ago, JayMac89 said:

 

So how do you guys choose your lures? Or i guess how do you choose between "similar" lures. When do you change? Do you keep it simple with only a few or do you have somthing for every specific situation? Do you go with what you have confidence in or do you go with what "should" work regardless of previous success. Pick at random? 

 

 

 

I choose lures based on what type of cover and structure I am fishing taking into consideration seasonal and weather patterns.  Cover is weeds, wood, rock, ect.. while structure is the contour of the bottom such as a point, dropoff, flat, ect.  There are lures to throw on rocky dropoffs that would constantly hang up if  thrown on the edge of lily pads or on a weedy dropoff.  Sometimes there are overlaps but most times you are matching the lure to the cover.  I have enough history to base my selection of similar lures, especially brand, by going with what I like the most.   This comes with experience and results.  I do tend to keep things simple and don't have a huge selection of slightly different types of lures.  If the difference between me catching fish is green pumpkin blue or green pumpkin copper, then there will be days I don't catch any fish.  I never pick lures at random.  

[WRB]

Are you a shore angler or boat? Still new? 

Did already ask this!

Tom

 

[king fisher]

      I first try and determine where the bass will be and what they are most likely to be feeding on.  Time of year, water temp. water clarity, thermocline, birds, and many other factors can help determine where the bass will be.  Once I decide where I think the bass will be what depth they are likely to be at, and what they may be feeding on, I will pick a lure that can be fished efficiently in the location, type of cover, and has some resemblance of the forage the bass are feeding on.

    An example would be if I think the bass are on a rocky point and the lake has lots of crawdads, then I will fish a bait on the bottom that can be fished in a manner similar to a crawdad. Probably a crankbait or a jig.  If I think the bass are in a weed bed chasing minnows on the surface, I will try a top water approximately the same size as the bait they are chasing. In the same circumstance, but the  wind is blowing, I may start with a spinnerbait instead of a top water because spinnerbaits work well in the wind, and many top waters don't.   Fishing a top water over fish that are most likely looking for crawdads on the bottom, may work, but you have a better chance fishing something on the bottom. 

     I look at it as what tool is best for the job.  What lure can I effectively present to the bass in that location, cover, and conditions.  The right tool for the job method works most of the time, but isn't always the best.  Two examples are fishing lipless crankbaits in grass, and bouncing square bills through heavy wood.  Both examples are asking for snags and frustration, but can catch bass.  I wont start with treble hooked lures in heavy cover, but will give it a try if more weed less offerings are ignored.  Same way I may start with a small hammer, but wont hesitate to get the big hammer out if required.  Of course, I may loose all my tackle throwing treble hooked lures in heavy cover, the same way I am likely to break whatever I'm trying to fix with my big hammer.

     I try to pick what lure I will use by logical reasoning, instead of simply looking in my box and grabbing one of my favorites, but they are favorites for a reason, and sometimes I just have to tie on old lucky for no good reason.

[Swamp Girl]

Jay, it sounds like have a good system. I'm one of those fishers who starts on the surface with a big Whopper Plopper that lets me cast far in my search for active fish. If it's raining, which I prefer, I reel faster to create as much chop as possible so that the bass can hear my lure with all the rain splattering the surface. If that fails, I drop a notch to something smaller or slower, like a Mepps spinner, Wacky Senko, Ned jig, or Texas-rigged worm. If they don't work, I start fishing the weeds with a frog. So far, there's always something in the weeds. 

 

Is your system working for you? I would think it would, since you're using such a range of lures. We have restlessness in common. I switch lures frequently and carry four to six rods in my canoe to facilitate that. Even if I'm steadily catching fish on one presentation, I still switch because I'm curious about just what they will hit. I often have nightcrawlers in my canoe, but don't usually fish with them for long because I find it dull fishing, even though they always catch fish.

[WRB]

Went back and read your earlier post, you are a shore angler considering getting a kayak or canoe.

Standing on shore and looking at the lake doesn’t reveal what going on in the water core. This makes lure selection guess work or relying on local fish reports or tackle shops.

You live in NY and fish small lakes or ponds. Northern regional areas are starting into the fall transition seasonal period. Can be very good or tough depending if you can locate the baitfish and bass. Lures are not the key to success as several different lure will work in the right place and time.

It’s difficult to cover water when walking the bank.

Points with deeper water is a place to start. 

Lures; something that will catch bass top to bottom.

1. 5” unweighted Senko. Slow presentation.

2. Baby Brush Hog, T-rigged with 1/8-3/16 sliding bullet sinker. medium rate of fall.

3. Lipless 1/4 oz crank bait. Various speeds and depth for more active bass.

That is all you need.

Tom

 

[JayMac89]

11 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

Jay, it sounds like have a good system. I'm one of those fishers who starts on the surface with a big Whopper Plopper that lets me cast far in my search for active fish. If it's raining, which I prefer, I reel faster to create as much chop as possible so that the bass can hear my lure with all the rain splattering the surface. If that fails, I drop a notch to something smaller or slower, like a Mepps spinner, Wacky Senko, Ned jig, or Texas-rigged worm. If they don't work, I start fishing the weeds with a frog. So far, there's always something in the weeds. 

 

Is your system working for you? I would think it would, since you're using such a range of lures. We have restlessness in common. I switch lures frequently and carry four to six rods in my canoe to facilitate that. Even if I'm steadily catching fish on one presentation, I still switch because I'm curious about just what they will hit. I often have nightcrawlers in my canoe, but don't usually fish with them for long because I find it dull fishing, even though they always catch fish.

 

I do think my system is working. I have bad days, i have good days. But that's fishing right?

 

With my limited knowledge i think my system makes sense. Im sure it'll evolve as i progress as well. I'm trying to mix up learning new techniques while still being somewhat strategic and successful. And I'll 100% do as you do, switch it up even if I'm having success. I need practice with a arkie style jig on the bottom. If iv caught a few I'll start throwing that around to get the reps in if the day has already been a success. 

 

This is actually why i thought about this topic, you mentioned you start on the surface. I see ALOT of guys doing this. Even if there doesn't seem to be much action on the surface at first glance. Where as I'll start on the surface only if i see bait fish being pushed up. Reality is (i belive) that neither is right or wrong. Just got me curious about how others think. I find that kind of stuff interesting.

 

I geek out on this kind of stuff. I'm primarily a surfer. I can talk/listen to guys about the subtle changes in board design based off of subtle changes in conditions all day. Difference is i have 20+ years experience in that field. 

[A-Jay]

51 minutes ago, king fisher said:

      I first try and determine where the bass will be and what they are most likely to be feeding on.  Time of year, water temp. water clarity, thermocline, birds, and many other factors can help determine where the bass will be.  Once I decide where I think the bass will be what depth they are likely to be at, and what they may be feeding on, I will pick a lure that can be fished efficiently in the location, type of cover, and has some resemblance of the forage the bass are feeding on.

   

^^^^^ This

A-Jay

[Basser2021]

1 hour ago, Junk Fisherman said:

 

I choose lures based on what type of cover and structure I am fishing taking into consideration seasonal and weather patterns.  Cover is weeds, wood, rock, ect.. while structure is the contour of the bottom such as a point, dropoff, flat, ect.  There are lures to throw on rocky dropoffs that would constantly hang up if  thrown on the edge of lily pads or on a weedy dropoff.  Sometimes there are overlaps but most times you are matching the lure to the cover.  I have enough history to base my selection of similar lures, especially brand, by going with what I like the most.   This comes with experience and results.  I do tend to keep things simple and don't have a huge selection of slightly different types of lures.  If the difference between me catching fish is green pumpkin blue or green pumpkin copper, then there will be days I don't catch any fish.  I never pick lures at random.  

What he said

[Swamp Girl]

I appreciate King Fisher's analytical approach and try, to an extent, to mimic it. For an example, I'll be fishing a tannin-stained lake tomorrow afternoon. It's been windy and cool for three days, which can, in my experience, clamp bass mouths. It will also be cloudy, so with the dark water, I'll start with a light-colored fluke and slow my retrieve for the cold front. However, my restlessness won't keep that lure on my line for long, unless they're clobbering it, and I'll throw my tackle box at them. 

 

There's a lake in northwestern Ontario that I fished for decades from June to September. So, I'd be the second week of June with steady warmth and bluebird skies and catch them using a particular colored lure in certain places. The next year, at the same time with the same weather, they'd be in different places reacting to different lures. And so on, year after year and decade after decade. Bass are a conundrum to me, which is why they're so fun.

[scaleface]

...and after  a selection is made , make sure it is the right size that cast best with your rod . 93.8 per cent of all new anglers make this mistake . You should be able to easily underhand toss the lure accurately . If the lure is too light the cast will end up  left of targeted spot . If too heavy they will go to the right .

[Bankc]

Here's how I decide.  First, I try to figure out where the fish will be.  The depth that I'm fishing and the type of cover that I'm fishing will eliminate most of my lures, so I have a much smaller selection to choose from.  Next, I'll try to determine the fish's mood.  If they're more aggressive, I'll go with a fast moving, reaction style lure.  If they're not aggressive, then I'll go with a more subtle presentation.  Maybe something smaller, slower, or something that makes less commotion.  After that, I'll determine the color, based on water clarity and how cloudy it is, also taking into account the mood of the fish.  Sometimes if they're not as aggressive, I'll go with a more muted or natural color.  If they are aggressive, I'll go with a very bold color.  This will eliminate more lures.  From there, I typically will only have a few lures left in my tackle box.  I will then choose the one that worked best for me the last time I was in a similar situation, or one that I'm most familiar with.  

 

From there, it's all about seeing what works, and what doesn't.  Sometimes your guesses about where the fish will be and the mood they are in are all wrong, and you'll have to start over.  How long do I give something a try before switching?  It depends.  But usually if I don't get bit after 5-10 minutes, I'll change either spots or lures.  Every cast, I change my retrieve, speeding up, slowing down, adding pauses, etc., until I find out what the fish want.  

 

 

 

 

[roadwarrior]

14 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

Even if I'm steadily catching fish on one presentation, I still switch because I'm curious about just what they will hit.

 

The very best time to try new lures is when the bite is on.

[PhishLI]

15 hours ago, JayMac89 said:

But hey, it's kind of working for me and I'm figuring things out so I'm not complaining. 

Jay,

 

I hit "W" lake 2 weeks ago. It's rough there, choked out and mostly topped off, and so is "G" lake. Pretty much the same situation, except "G' is a bit more workable on the southern end. Try to work "G" from Roe blvd early am. The bait is loaded up in the endless shore to shore mats beginning at the dead end ramps all the way up to the northern ends of both lakes. The attached post is from "W" lake for anyone who's interested.

 

[Catt]

15 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

See if there's a guide local to you that puts out fishing reports.

 

Here in the Minneapolis Metro area, we have one who does a YouTube report every Sunday on 'where are the fish and what baits are working'.

 

^^This^^ ?

 

Google local tournaments, many will tell what they caught em on. I know some will say that's history, I say it's a reference point.

 

I generally start with a topwater, mid-depth, & bottom contact based on the body of water.

[Swamp Girl]

42 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

 

The very best time to try new lures is when the bite is on.

Heck, yeah, because then you can catch a bass on a new lure and develop some confidence in that lure. 

[Deleted account]

35 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

Heck, yeah, because then you can catch a bass on a new lure and develop some confidence in that lure. 

Oh boy....

[JayMac89]

3 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Jay,

 

I hit "W" lake 2 weeks ago. It's rough there, choked out and mostly topped off, and so is "G" lake. Pretty much the same situation, except "G' is a bit more workable on the southern end. Try to work "G" from Roe blvd early am. The bait is loaded up in the endless shore to shore mats beginning at the dead end ramps all the way up to the northern ends of both lakes. The attached post is from "W" lake for anyone who's interested.

 

 

Yeah iv been heading to a few newer lakes. Actually took some advice from guys on here and have been having decent success. I would target structure or cover then move on if no luck then just fish randomly. I stopped that and would change tactics still focusing on the same structure or cover. What a game changer. I'll still hit the south end of "G" on my way home but not much luck there yet. Been meaning to start there but always talk myself out of it. 

[JayMac89]

So little bit of a story time, but it relates to lure selection. All comments and advice appreciated. 

 

Hit one of the lakes this morning and went in with a plan. Moderate south wind. Going to start at the north end and focus on cover or structure. Sounds simple but this lake really confuses me. There's essentially a path around the whole thing, then a sort of wall/curb type deal as the waters edge. So not a conventional bank. Not much cover that i see. The wall obviously. And some over hanging trees, some rocks in spots. But in open water i see and feel nothing. No depth changes that i can feel. Anyway my plan was to throw the chatterbait along the wall and slowly make my way to the other end where there is more cover. Thought being, the wind would be pushing forage north. Made my way around the lake with no luck, had one more spot to hit then i was going to slow it down and hit all the same spots heading back. Then i saw some big fish jumping out of the water out 20-30 feet from the bank. They didn't want the chatterbait. Had a popper on the other rod, nothing. Have it about 15 min then moved on. Tied on the baby structure jig. Now it's about 5 minutes late and im at the south end where there's a little spillway. So moving water. Some rocks. But in my head I'm thinking deeper water because of those fish i saw. This is why this lake messes with my head. The fish seem to distract me from the cover i should be focusing on. Anyway i started throwing the jig out, swimming it back, then stopping and working the bottom once i got to the rocks. Right on the drop a big boy picked it up. Didn't even feel it. 3lb 12oz. Had one other a few weeks ago about the same size, but didn't have a scale so it dosent count. This is now my PB.

 

Anyway, probably not interesting for you guys, but I'm stoked. Not just on the fish, but i am feeling more prepared. Thanks a bunch to this forum. No where near things clicking, but I'm progressing and attacking things more logically. I think at least. I'm guessing the chatterbait was to aggressive and they wanted somthing more subtle. Also realizing i can kill two birds with one stone by swimming the jig then working the bottom when i get to cover. So just wanted to thank every one who's part of this forum for sharing knowledge and share that little success story about switching lures and using the right tool for the job.