How long do you give a lure before switching to the next?

[dumb_dog11]

assuming you dont catch a fish or get a bite?

just wondering

dd11

[HOIST-N-HAWGS]

I think your question has many variables and is a tough one to answer. For me it's all situational. It's dependant on whether or not I know the body of water I'm fishing, what were my past results, how much time I have on the water, what the water temp is, is it windy or calm and what time of year it is. Is it a highly pressured body of water, is it the middle of summer where water and oxygen levels are low? What type structure is present ie: road beds, boulders, docks, vegetation all come into play for me. Did a cold front move in over night, did it rain and flood areas the bass wouldn't normally have access to? I will generally throw a jig or craw imitation first and stay with it for quite a while. If I then see bait fish breaking the surface or bass crashing the shoreline I'll switch to a LC Gunfish(topwater, walk the dog/popper type) Deps BuzzJet, Senko type or Fluke immediately. If there are bait fish all balled up suspending on the fish finder I'll go to something like Silver Buddy,Supending jerk bait or crank to get down to that depth. If the the wind kicks up on a relatively calm day I'll switch over to a spinner bait, a large Chatter bait and or switch out the craw type trailer on the jig and add a trailer with a bit more thump to it and swim the jig at a pretty fast pace. Gheeees, I could go on for ever. Being a simple wannabe I'm anxious to see the responses you get from the other more seasoned fisherman.

[jdw174]

I always figure that no matter the conditions, there is always more than one lure that could fill the bill, and so will have those rigged on my rods.  If I'm in a really good area I might make one pass clear through it with just one, then go back and try another.  Or I might alternate lures on the first pass.  

[Tucson]

That's the reason I use a snap on the end of my line.  A few times I've changed baits and then changed my mind before it even gets in the water!  

[ba7ss3in]

I think your question has many variables and is a tough one to answer. For me it's all situational. It's dependant on whether or not I know the body of water I'm fishing, what were my past results, how much time I have on the water, what the water temp is, is it windy or calm and what time of year it is. Is it a highly pressured body of water, is it the middle of summer where water and oxygen levels are low? What type structure is present ie: road beds, boulders, docks, vegetation all come into play for me. Did a cold front move in over night, did it rain and flood areas the bass wouldn't normally have access to? I will generally throw a jig or craw imitation first and stay with it for quite a while. If I then see bait fish breaking the surface or bass crashing the shoreline I'll switch to a LC Gunfish(topwater, walk the dog/popper type) Deps BuzzJet, Senko type or Fluke immediately. If there are bait fish all balled up suspending on the fish finder I'll go to something like Silver Buddy,Supending jerk bait or crank to get down to that depth. If the the wind kicks up on a relatively calm day I'll switch over to a spinner bait, a large Chatter bait and or switch out the craw type trailer on the jig and add a trailer with a bit more thump to it and swim the jig at a pretty fast pace. Gheeees, I could go on for ever. Being a simple wannabe I'm anxious to see the responses you get from the other more seasoned fisherman.

I take in some of the same considerations with different lures but i will switch lures after 15 to 20 mins and I will rotate back to a lure if I think the fish should eat it. Then I will make them an offer that they can't refuse.

[Bob Kavanaugh]

Depends. Some days I'll throw the boat at them, while others, I've fished all day with one lure. I usually don't give hard baits long to do their thing, but I'll go all day with a shaky head or brush hog waiting for a bite.

[Mainlybass]

This question was in this month's Bassmaster magazine question to Uncle Homer. He said using the bait of choice, give it 10 casts each and if no takers, move on.

MB

[VABasser]

This question was in this month's Bassmaster magazine question to Uncle Homer. He said using the bait of choice, give it 10 casts each and if no takers, move on.

MB

Wow 10 casts seems a bit skimp to me. I feel like I give lures I have confidence in too much time while those I dont have confidence in too little. But I'm sure thats kinda typical

[Gummybear]

As a under experienced fisher I start with whatever I think looks good. (usual My newest Lure or learned technique) If that does no produce within a about 15 cast or so i change it out for a random selection.

I have learned alot from the Bass resource so all that will be changing this spring. I have learned so much and would like to try it all out. ;D

[Catt]

This is one of those questions that has no clear cut answer and must be determined after evaluating each daily situation. Over the years I've seen almost every conceivable situation from changing baits after catching only 1 bass to staying with the same bait for days in a row.

This my friend is why it's called fishing & not catching  

[Alpster]

This question was in this month's Bassmaster magazine question to Uncle Homer.  He said using the bait of choice, give it 10 casts each and if no takers, move on.

MB

Wow 10 casts seems a bit skimp to me.  I feel like I give lures I have confidence in too much time while those I dont have confidence in too little.  But I'm sure thats kinda typical

+1

Ronnie

[Sam]

Dumbdog,

Easy question - difficult answer.

First, it all depends on you and how you feel when you are fishing a specific lure.  If you have confidence in the lure based on the water temperature, water clarity, the wind, sunny or overcast, baitfish in the area, cover/sructure, the time of year and your past experience then you will stay with it longer.

Now, with that said, let me add my two cents.

First, you can fish a specific lure many ways.  For example, you can fish a spinnerbait fast, slow and slow-roll.  You can bump it through brush or pull it along grass lines and throw it at structure. And you can change colors, styles and weights.

So you can fish a spinnerbait (and any other bait) all day long and in many, many ways.

Second, you have a favorite technique when throwing your baits.  For example, do you like to fish shallow, boat docks, grass lines, creeks, river channels, deep, rocks, lilly pads, cyprus trees, under bridges, etc.

So add that to your formula.

You have to make a number of presentations to everything you throw to in a "fan" pattern.

That is, you come upon a fallen tree in the water. You set your boat so you can fish the outer areas of the tree first from a number of directions and if necessary, a number of baits.

You then fish the middle of the tree the same way.

Lastly, you finish by fishing the base of the tree where it enters the water.

All the time you are throwing different baits from different positions and directions.

So how many times do you actually throw a biat?  As Uncle Homer said, ten times.  As I say, a lot more. And I mean a lot more.

Sometimes you have to aggravate the fish into striking the bait.  So how many casts do you make?  Who knows?

Really, who knows?  20 with your spinnerbait; 15 with a crankbait; pitch that jig into the same area about 5 times; then follow up with a wacky-rigged Senko for about 10 times; then try a Texas-rigged Zoom finesse worm thrown about 15 times; maybe a Drop Shot about 10 times. Who knows?

If no bites after doing all of this, in a fan pattern, then there are no fish on that structure and you move along.

So, you do not get a bite.  What do you? Change colors?  Bait sizes?  Present other presentations with each bait?

You can actually drive yourself nuts.  We will have to put you in a mental institution.

So try to keep it simple based on the conditions and when you do catch a fish look all around.  Take in the depth; how far from shore; what was the bait doing when it got hit; couldy or clear; water clarity; water temperature; type of cover or structure; and anything else you can see to form a pattern.

Then fish that pattern, interrupting it now and then just to see if anything else will work.

Remember, you have two goals.  First, to find the biat, presentation and pattern that is working; and second, not to go crazy.

First goal is a lot easier than the second goal.

And we say the bass have small brains and we are smarter.  Go figure. ;D