Favorite search bait

[jwo1124]

I would like to know what most people use when they are just working the shoreline or an unfamiliar area, or an area with no visible structure. In other words, when there is a situation that doesn't neccassarily call for a certain type of lure, what do you throw and why? How do you use it to get the result you want?

I like hardbaits the best. Whether it is a jerkbait, a topwater, or a crankbait, I like them. I think becasue I like to work the bait more than a spinnerbait but I'm not skilled enough or patient enough to work jigs and soft plastic rigs. i think it is because I don't neccassarily see myself as a bass fisherman who's tools are mostly jigs and soft plastics thrown in or around cover.

[Branuss04]

Good Question.  I have two that I'll throw.  Obviously it depends on certain conditions though.  I have an assortment of cranks that i'll throw for reaction strikes.  I don't just throw and crank, i'll stop, retreive, twitch it, etc.  The other one I started throwing when nothing else would work and found results in it.  I like to throw the 3:16 mighty minnow.  It won't always get strikes, but will get follows.  Just find something you have confidence in.  Good Luck.

[MemphisFisherman]

It will varry alot depending on the condition's, but if I had to narrow something down to my "go-to" bait....it would without a doubt be a rattletrap.  So many times in the summer the fish are just swimming around not eating, but often times a trap flying past thier face get's them excited and they take a chomp at it.  Remember bass are very selfish, if not for the reaction of this bait scaring the hell out of it that makes him bite, he may very well see it and think something is chasing it and want's to get it first.

[Raul]

Spinnerbait.

[Guest muddy]

I have fished a few times with ZEL, and I never considered the search bait idea, until i wathced him use a lipless crank bait, I believe it was a Rapala model, now I am convinced it is a good idea.

[CJ]

I throw my "confidence baits".

jig or t-rig worm

To properly "search" it really takes more than one lure.When I pull up on a spot or stretch of bank,I usually have an arsenal of rods with different lures that may be presented at varying speeds and fished in all water columns.Time of year and weather are big factors that will eliminate lure selections.I use the most rods during the fall.I never eliminate the jig.

[Alpster]

Spinnerbait.

+1

Ronnie

[Bass Hammer]

Crankbaits and spinnerbaits.

[Guest muddy]

Spinnerbait.

+1

Ronnie

How do you decide on which type of blade to use?

[AJ]

Cankbait,spinnerbait,buzzbait. If they dont bite those I go to a jig and hunt for a few big bites to save the day.

[Jimzee]

Crankbaits and spinnerbaits.

Me too. 8-)

[BIG M]

flat sided balsa crank with a tight wiggle 3/8oz.  always made by me.

[electrikal]

Spinnerbaits & Rattletraps. They can cover so many different depths & speeds. But I have to agree

To properly "search" it really takes more than one lure.When I pull up on a spot or stretch of bank,I usually have an arsenal of rods with different lures that may be presented at varying speeds and fished in all water columns.Time of year and weather are big factors that will eliminate lure selections.I use the most rods during the fall.I never eliminate the jig.

[Catt]

Pre-spawn & late fall: Spinner Baits, Rat-L-Traps, & Rogue

The rest of the year: Texas or Carolina Rigged plastic & Jig-N-Craw

[Painter Dude]

Spinnerbait.

+1

Ronnie

How do you decide on which type of blade to use?

Check this out Muddy! http://secretweaponlures.com/swtip04.htm

[Joel W]

For me at least, there just isn't anyone best search bait. Season, water conditions, cover, and structure all play a vital part in what I'll use.

Ice out: hair jigs, finesse jigs, and jigs. You never know what they want on any given day.

Prespawn: Hard Jerkbaits, & Spinnerbaits

Spawn: 5 inch Stickbaits, Mann's 1minus Crankbaits

Post spawn: Spinnerbaits slow rolled, & Finess jigs

Summer Shallow and over weeds: Spinnerbaits, and Topwater (Spooks)

Summer Deep: Jigs, tx rigged wt'd plastic worms & Creature baits

Early fall: Spinnerbaits, & Rattle Traps

Fall: Jerkbaits, Spinnerbaits, & Rattle Traps

Early Winter: Jigs

[Guest muddy]

Spinnerbait.

+1

Ronnie

How do you decide on which type of blade to use?

Check this out Muddy! http://secretweaponlures.com/swtip04.htm

Thanks great link, naswers a lot of questions, much appreciated.

[Raul]

Spinnerbait.

+1

Ronnie

How do you decide on which type of blade to use?

Warm colored, stained or muddy water ---> single Colorado blade

Cold clear or slighly colored water ---> single Willow Leaf blade

[Tokyo Tony]

Definitely, definitely a hard jerkbait, specifically an X-Rap or LC Pointer.  In my area, I've found this bait to be absolute gold doing exactly what you were talking about jwo1124 - just searching for a bite.  It worked early spring after ice-out, has worked all summer, and continues to work early fall.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I havent seen anyone put this up, so I may be in the extreme minority.  Not sure....

Buzzbait? It's my go to bait.

When working a shoreline and wanting to cover water, not too many things I can work more effectively than a buzzbait.  I feel a lot of times that it will pull fish from farther away than a spinnerbait, plus you can't beat the "fun" factor of a buzzer.

Wayne

[dink]

Spinnerbait and chatter-style bait.  

[WhiteMike1018]

Spinnerbait.

+1

Ronnie

How do you decide on which type of blade to use?

+545974578574854085485

-mike

[Jake.]

It depends on the conditions, but usually a throw a buzzbait or crankbait to find out where the bass are hanging.

[Guest avid]

To my mind, a search bait is by definition, worked fast.

So when I'm searchin I'm tossin a 1/2 oz. ratLtrap in chrome/blue or Gold.

If I don't find much then I slow it down a tad and use whatever crank bait suits my fancy that day.

If that don't ring the bell, and I still want to cover alot of water quickly I'll put on a popper or spook.

Yep,  I find that on slow days putting on a topwater is the ticket.

If things don't work out, then it's senko time.

If the senko won't get bit, I'm startin to believe its gonna be rough day.

Out comes the spinning gear.  Zoom finesse worm, either weightless, or on a drop shot.

If this don't ketch em....go home, take a nap, try again later.