The Need for Lifelike Lure Details

[Cephkiller]

Here is something I have been recently pondering.  We all seem to go gaga over the realistic paint schemes and lifelike textures on crankbaits, spinnerbait heads, topwaters, etc.  Yet, the most popular category of lures has no such accoutrements.

SOFT PLASTICS are usually completely devoid of the bells and whistles adorning the hard baits.  In addition, they are generally fished slower which allows for a more thorough examination.  The fact that soft plastics generally invite a feeding response as opposed to a reaction strike should only enhance this scrutiny.

Does anyone have any feedback?  Why do you agree or disagree with this assessment?  Finally, what, if anything, does this mean to you?

[abelfisher]

To me it means there's something to be said for the tried and true!

I love soft plastics!

[abelfisher]

I decided to remove my quote, Cephkiller.  I realized I am the one up awfully early.  You are 3 hours ahead of me.  My mind is confused.  I am not thinking straight this early in the morning.  Getting ready to go catch some Bass.

Go COLTS!  They are looking good this year....hopefully they go all the way this year.  Heck, even the Pacers look good!

[flechero]

Cephakiller,

I think a big part of the reason is soft plastics have movement that hardbaits dont have... let one of almost any kind fall through the water column and it will kick or flutter all the way down, and when it gets there it still moves a little, returning to its poured position.  Then any wave action, current or disruption caused by in investigating fish gets it to move ever so slightly, like its nervous.

It doesnt have to look as good because it has the subtle movements of being alive.  Hardbaits move in such a symetrical rythem, unlike almost anything in nature... which is why you'll hear experts saying you have to be erradic in your retrieve.

Remember back just a few years, before all these super real looking harbaits?  They still worked great when "properly retreived" or bounced off cover or the bottom.

In super clear water I'm sure the lifelike detail can help but, it will catch more fisherman than a bland bait...  and more fisherman means more $$$.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I personally believe the fish hit the action and basic hue of a bait.  Somthing splashing around the surface just need to be the right hue for the day, dark, bright, etc.  I don't personally think the a super detailed lure like a LC makes THAT much difference.  Doesn't hurt I'm sure but I think alot of times the fish would have hit it whether it were all black or dark lure with details.

Just my low budget .02

[Muddpuppy]

I think the main reason that you can get by with soft plastics is that they are so easily to rig in life like positions. They are flexable and often imitate things that stick to the bottom and weeds or dyeing. The places I fish some of them, the fish probably never get a full view of the bait most of the time. On baits like swimbaits I do think that a detailed paint job help. The faster the bait travels I feel it less important.

[dodgeguy]

a fish hits a lure because of what it percieves it to be not how realistic or pretty it is.for God's sake,what is realistic about a buzzbait?the fish is either ticked off at it or see's it as injured/disstressed food.some of the most realistic lures made don't work as well as a plan boring soft plastic.the senko is a perfect example of this.but the fish sees a watermelon 5 inch t-rigged senko and percieves it as easy prey.super lifelike pretty paint schemes are meant to empty your wallet.it's all advertising hype that the bait monkey makes us fall for.

[Grey Wolf]

Presentation is everything. You can buy the high buck lures but if you don't know where and how , you might as well save your money.

[Guest avid]

Those of old enough to remember the 1980's will recall that luremakers used ultra lifelike photo prints on lures.  These were exact duplicates of natures patterns on baitfish.  Problem is they didn't work.  They were too lifelike and so did not give off the attack triggers that bolder, flashier, less realistic color or pattern schemes do.  As far as soft plastics go, well they just look so juicy and easy to catch, it's just too tempting to ask a bass to pass up.

[Cephkiller]

I think most of you got the point.  SAVE YOUR MONEY!  I have caught just as many bass on $0.99 Wally-World spinnerbaits and $2 crankbaits as the high dollar stuff.

The sad thing is, I will still buy the flashy stuff and I'm sure most of you will, too.  The bait monkey is a bad primate.  BAD PRIMATE!

[Cajun1977]

if we didnt have the color option id only have about ten baits to fill my tacklebox and   everyone else would have them to

[Guest avid]

Funny about the spinnerbaits.  I have a friend who swears that the cheap spinnerbaits are better.  He will spend the money to buy pricier lures that work, but when it comes to spinnerbaits he really believes that the cheaper ones use thinner metal and so vibrate more.  Makes sense.

[CBedo]

I think that there are times when bass will attak anything (we've all seen it).  My uncle used to have the "Big Bud" crankbait which was a shallow running crankbait where the middle was painted like a budweiser can (caught all the alcoholic bass).

But, I also believe that in this day and age, many of our secret fishing holes are now pounded by lots of people, run over but jet skiers and ski boats, and just plain harassed.  Under these conditions, where bass have seen alot, I wouldn't trade the natural look of my "expensive" lure (although there are some good natural "cheaper" lures as well) for anything.  When cashing a check or just having a fun day is on the line, I'll do what it takes, and there are times and places where "natural" is right.

[Mikey]

I have never used "real life" like lures; all of my favs. are just colors eg. chrome & black for example. A real good cranbait over the yrs. for me is the Poe's Co. plain white thats it.

[paparock]

Remember the 1980s? ??? Heck I graduated high school in 1967. Man has equipment changed. Compared to today that was the stone age but we still caught bass back then. I believe as many have already said that it is the action more than the realism that trigers fish to bite. I used a Corky in saltwater for sea trout and redfish. It is not realistic other than general in shape but boy does it catch fish. It targets larger fish so you catch fewer small fry. If you walk the dog it is a killer!

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

papa, I was born the summer after you're graduation, I bet you got some good memories of Aug 67!

[gatrboy53]

i am not on the hi dollar lure bandwagon ...yet...but, quality cost ...the detailed baits that are making quik inroads in the bass fishing industry do have great credentials.the detail plays more to the fishrman than the fish but ,the quality of these hi dollar baits do have some bering on catching ...more...fish. they run truer, they last longer,unless u lose one to a fish,the consistency from one bait to the next ,the sounds they emit,are different than lesser quality baits.quality also comes w/ knowing how to get the most out of a particular bait ,thats why i dont think they perform much different than lesser quality baits for the avg. angler.to the pro's i would say it does. most of the lifelike lures are reaction baits, they dont look at the pretty lines or detail but they do strick because of the distinct action or sound.... i believe as w/ all of bass fishing its what you can afford and be comfortable with. meaning i catch just as many if at times not more fish out of my $1500. jon-boat than i do out of my hi-dollar bass boat but im more comfortable in my hi-dollar bass boat.thats why life is so interesting were all different in how we approach everything

[Chris]

I still go gaga sorry ;D

[Guest avid]

  Quote

papa, I was born the summer after you're graduation, I bet you got some good memories of Aug 67!

Ya know what they say about the sixities.  "If you can remember them then you weren't really there"

;D

[Matt Fly]

Life like lures are just tools in the tackle box.  Each has its own place.   When waters are crystal clear and visibility unlimitied and bass are chasing bait fish, one has an advantage over other lures.  

The same applies to the rod and reels and lines we apply, one will be the proper choice, right tool for the job.

[Lightninrod]

As a new member, I hope my position doesn't rankle but I do believe that a more realistic looking bait can make a positive difference. I have caught literally dozens of Bass this year(my first purchase) on the bait below:

and they ranged from 1.5 lbs to my new PB, a 9 lber.  They were caught in muddy, stained, and crystal-clear both in small ponds and the largest water I fish in, a 104 acre public lake(where the 9 lber was caught).

Interestingly. that bait is a soft-plastic that is hand-poured and hand-painted around a large lead jig.  That pic doesn't do the detail justice but holding one in your hand will show the 'little' things like the flared gill plates.  I give it no fancy moves, just a steady, moderate speed retrieve in the middle column of the water.

Dan