Confidence Lure/ Style

[Darrell Shep]

I hear Matt and the guys over at Tactical Bassin say

"Confidence lures" a lot. I believe confidence plays a big part when you're on the water. I usually go

7' Medium Heavy/Fast 8.5 Gear Ratio, 15 LB seagar tatsu, 1/8 green pumpkin tungsten bullet weight pegged, 2 or 3 ought Super Line Gamagatsu EWG, with a Zoom Baby Brush Hog watermelon red

I want to expand to other styles.

What's your go-to? Help a brother out.

[Pat Brown]

I have confidence in my knowledge of bass and how they relate to structure and baitfish seasonally.  👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼😎😎😎 

 

Baits?

 

Yeah they're fun!  Just about all of them in the right circumstances are dynamite when presented with skill which simply takes some practice.

 

Pick ones that look fun and throw only that every day until you can catch bass on it!  You'd be amazed how well this works.

[king fisher]

My confidence is in the next new bait I just can't live without.  I can't catch them with what I got, but that new bait I saw on You Tube will turn me in to a pro.  Now that's confidence.

[Tennessee Boy]

When it comes to fishing, the word 'confidence' means mental bias to me. I try very hard not to have mental biases.

 

I don't start with tackle; I start with a hypothetical fish. For example, I might say to myself that there is a fish on this point.  She's in 10 feet of water, facing into the current, on the backside of the point. She would probably enjoy a shad for lunch. Maybe it's just an educated guess that the fish is there, or maybe I can see the fish on my electronics. Once I have a target in mind, I start thinking about how I can present a shad imitation to that fish. What bait will imitate a shad at the desired depth? Do I have the line, rod, and reel to fish the bait?

 

I think it's a common mistake to start with your 'confidence' tackle and look for a fish you can catch with that tackle.

 

I should add that while I try very hard not to have mental biases,  I know I still do.  It’s human nature.

[LrgmouthShad]

Lures are tools. Some of them work in a wider range of situations than others. A Texas jig, spinnerbait, and jig are year-round producers that can be thrown into a variety of cover. I tend to have more confidence with these lures as a result. This year I’ve experimented with more lures than in years past. I believe it’s set me up for more long-term success. 
 

I am best with a spinnerbait and jig

[Zcoker]

I'll give anything a fair shot. My belief is that bass will hit just about anything when feeding. So being in the right place, right time is what I shoot for, is what I have confidence in. Whether I'm punching, on top of the water, or below the water, one or the other will follow suit.

[Mobasser]

If I have to choose a confidence lure, I'll pick the plastic worm. Versatile, and catches bass. I use several different worms and a few colors.

[BigAngus752]

The most important thing to have "confidence" in is location.  If you get good at finding bass, you'll catch bass.  I have confidence in a large number of lures based on season, weather, time of day, and water clarity. 

 

If it's a bright, sunny summer day with water temps in the 80's and no wind then I have ZERO confidence in a shad-colored lipless crankbait.  If it's late October and the water temps have dropped to 50 degrees and there's a decent wind blowing then that same lipless is absolutely guaranteed to catch 20 or more LM.  

 

Ask about specific conditions and you'll get better answers for confidence baits because the lures change with the conditions.  

[Mike L]

On top….Original Scum Frog, UV Speed Worm, Super Spook, Devils Horse

(50# original Power Pro)

 

Mid Level moving bait… Magnum UV Speed Worm, Fat Max Ribbon Tail unpegged 3/16 oz (16# Sniper or 20# Shooter)

 

Skinny Dipper or Big EZ (one for wiggle one for thump (50# original Power Pro)

Traps (20# Shooter)

 

Bottom contact…

Punching..Rage Bug pegged 3/4-1 1/2 oz

(65# or 80# original Power Pro)

Light to moderate cover…

Rage Craw, full size Brush Hog

(20# Shooter)

 

They each have their own reasons for certain conditions 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Mike L]

55 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

 

I think it's a common mistake to start with your 'confidence' tackle and look for a fish you can catch with that tackle.

This is what makes bass fishing different than most others. 
This board is what makes it different than most others. 
 

Opinions are across the spectrum 

 

What makes me have confidence in a particular bait and/or presentation for that matter, is the successes or lack of what I’m using. 

I wouldn’t have confidence in anything without success and wouldn’t have success if I didn’t use it. 
 

Interesting debate 

 

 

Mike

[Functional]

Agreed with @Tennessee Boy and @Mike L. I have a few different techniques/lures I'm confident in but I'll match up where I expect the fish to be and be doing before I pick one of them. I cant force feed a Trig to bass that are looking for a jerkbait. I try to be decent at a few lures that can cover top, middle and bottom, hard cover and weeds and pick based on where I need to fish. 

 

For the fun of the thread, if I'm picking 1 from each depth level...

 

Top: Frog

Middle: Swim Jig
Bottom: ribbon tail 10" worm, Triged with 1/8 to 3/8oz bullet weight. 

 

If I have to pick 1 only...its the 10" ribbon tail. I can make that do things in ever part of the water column and have caught fish doing it. Not ideal in all levels but it will do. 

[Catt]

1 hour ago, Tennessee Boy said:

I start with a hypothetical fish. For example, I might say to myself that there is a fish on this point.  She's in 10 feet of water, facing into the current, on the backside of the point

 

Ain't that mental bias?

[Bankc]

I don't need confidence because I'm not afraid to fail. 

[Tennessee Boy]

2 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

Ain't that mental bais?

It certainly could be.  I hope it's a prediction based on logic.

[Catt]

Just now, Tennessee Boy said:

I hope it's a prediction based on logic.

 

So is my confidence in a worm!

[Reel]

I don't have any confidence lure/style.  I go where I think  the fish are using my eyes, my knowledge and my instruments and then when I see a perfect situation, I use whatever is the best lure/style to catch them.

[Tennessee Boy]

44 minutes ago, Catt said:

So is my confidence in a worm!

Logical Tennessee Boy:  I have no confidence that a worm is the secret to catching fish.   The great thing about a worm is it's versatility.  When I think of all of the difference places fish could be set up on a lake, a worm will allow me to effectively fish a very high percentage of them.

 

Emotional Tennessee Boy:  I love a worm.  It's my favorite way to fish.  

[Texas Flood]

I don't think I have a confidence lure but more a confidence in my gear. I throw baitcasters 99% of the time and feel like anything I tie on will work. Where my confidence starts to diminish is when I have to use spinning gear. I'm not a fan of it and I usually give up quickly if I don't get bites right away.

[Jar11591]

I never feel more confident then when I’m throwing a 3/4oz spinnerbait in 12-15’ of water on the outside edge of a milfoil forest. 

[Catt]

@Tennessee Boy 

Here's my reason for confidence in a worm.

#1 Most Productive Lure

 

Doug Hannon's Answer

 

Plastic Worm (Texas rigged) It's a long, thin shape resembles the profile of a wide variety of forage in the world of the bass, including earthworms, snakes, eels, and baitfish. Its action is almost entirely dependent on the contours of the bottom; and the rod movements of the fisherman, making it very random. It moves with little noise; the noise that it does make comes mostly from the random clicking of the sinker as it hits bottom. Bright colors and larger size can be used to increase its attracting qualities. Because of its basic resemblance to a wide array of living forage, this lure presents very few negative cues, and is hard for big bass to learn not to hit.

 

Here is the official answer:

Studies have proven that the plastic worm is the only lure made that a BASS CANNOT REMEMBER!

That is, a bass will continue to strike a worm even after repeated catches, whereas a bass will "turn off" to other lures, spinner baits and crank baits etc. after wearing them out on them. That's why you cannot continue to catch them on your honey hole with the same lure over and over. Bass will stop eating that which will eradicate them. Not true with the plastic worm, however. 

 

Can someone explain why I shouldn't throw #1?

[TNBankFishing]

7 minutes ago, Catt said:

@Tennessee Boy 

Here's my reason for confidence in a worm.

#1 Most Productive Lure

 

Doug Hannon's Answer

 

Plastic Worm (Texas rigged) It's a long, thin shape resembles the profile of a wide variety of forage in the world of the bass, including earthworms, snakes, eels, and baitfish. Its action is almost entirely dependent on the contours of the bottom; and the rod movements of the fisherman, making it very random. It moves with little noise; the noise that it does make comes mostly from the random clicking of the sinker as it hits bottom. Bright colors and larger size can be used to increase its attracting qualities. Because of its basic resemblance to a wide array of living forage, this lure presents very few negative cues, and is hard for big bass to learn not to hit.

 

Here is the official answer:

Studies have proven that the plastic worm is the only lure made that a BASS CANNOT REMEMBER!

That is, a bass will continue to strike a worm even after repeated catches, whereas a bass will "turn off" to other lures, spinner baits and crank baits etc. after wearing them out on them. That's why you cannot continue to catch them on your honey hole with the same lure over and over. Bass will stop eating that which will eradicate them. Not true with the plastic worm, however. 

 

Can someone explain why I shouldn't throw #1?

Big Tackle can’t sell you a $20 one. 

[Tennessee Boy]

32 minutes ago, Catt said:

Studies have proven that the plastic worm is the only lure made that a BASS CANNOT REMEMBER!

I’m not one to argue against the effectiveness of a worm and we’re getting dangerously close to high jacking this thread.  
 

That said,  I’ve heard for years about these studies but have never been able to find one.  I would love to know how you “prove” a bass cannot remember something.  Also to say it’s the only lure with this quality you would need to test all of the other lures.  That’s a difficult task.  I can say for sure no one ever contacted me about testing my homemade lures.  Someone please let me know which scientific journals these studies were published in so I can look them up. 😆

[F14A-B]

4 hours ago, Darrell Shep said:

I hear Matt and the guys over at Tactical Bassin say

"Confidence lures" a lot. I believe confidence plays a big part when you're on the water. I usually go

7' Medium Heavy/Fast 8.5 Gear Ratio, 15 LB seagar tatsu, 1/8 green pumpkin tungsten bullet weight pegged, 2 or 3 ought Super Line Gamagatsu EWG, with a Zoom Baby Brush Hog watermelon red

I want to expand to other styles.

What's your go-to? Help a brother out.

Well, I can pretty much guarantee if you trade that reel in on a Shimano you’ll catch waaaaaay more Bass. 🤣

47 minutes ago, Catt said:

@Tennessee Boy 

Here's my reason for confidence in a worm.

#1 Most Productive Lure

 

Doug Hannon's Answer

 

Plastic Worm (Texas rigged) It's a long, thin shape resembles the profile of a wide variety of forage in the world of the bass, including earthworms, snakes, eels, and baitfish. Its action is almost entirely dependent on the contours of the bottom; and the rod movements of the fisherman, making it very random. It moves with little noise; the noise that it does make comes mostly from the random clicking of the sinker as it hits bottom. Bright colors and larger size can be used to increase its attracting qualities. Because of its basic resemblance to a wide array of living forage, this lure presents very few negative cues, and is hard for big bass to learn not to hit.

 

Here is the official answer:

Studies have proven that the plastic worm is the only lure made that a BASS CANNOT REMEMBER!

That is, a bass will continue to strike a worm even after repeated catches, whereas a bass will "turn off" to other lures, spinner baits and crank baits etc. after wearing them out on them. That's why you cannot continue to catch them on your honey hole with the same lure over and over. Bass will stop eating that which will eradicate them. Not true with the plastic worm, however. 

 

Can someone explain why I shouldn't throw #1?

Amen. It’s still my number 1. 

[WRB]

My confidence lure is not a high numbers of bass per man hour fished, it maybe the lowest bass per hours fished. Why use a lure that isn’t consistently producing bass? Because my hair jig with pork rind trailer producing strike for giant bass I know they will eat it!

For highest numbers of bass per man hour fished year around us the lowly soft plastic worm. When I want to catch bass the worm gets the call. Big bass it’s the jig!

Tom

[Mike L]

5 minutes ago, WRB said:

.Big bass it’s the jig!

Tom

Or a bigger soft plastic worm

😃

 

 

 

 

 

Mike