how many casts?

[bassmatt]

i'm going to a 1 acre lake and using a c-rig for the first time. i plan on using a spinnerbait, rat-l-trap, worms, grubs, and a few other baits. how many casts should i give each one before i switch?

[Redlinerobert]

HArd to say.  I'd switch it up regularly based on the cover you are fishing and see what works.  Good luck!

[George Welcome]

I have a rule that I follow for this one: If you are going to take the time to tie it on do not make less than 25 casts with it.

[bassmatt]

what if i tie a snap swivel on at the end of the rig so i can quick change? will the rig work as well?

[Shakes]

20. No fish, change the lure. Keep it rotating.

[Lard_Bass]

I usually do 20-25 casts.  However, I sometimes give myself a time limit.  One thing though, I make sure I try different retrieves.  I found myself speeding up because either my cast or time limit was almost up.  I have found slowing it done to be much more effective on the last several casts.  I have figured that if the fish were active, they would've slammed the bait on one of the first couple of casts.  I may have the right lure, just not the right speed.  I encourage you to slow down the last 5-10 retrieves.

[slinging southpaw]

Let your confidence in each lure decide. If you start losing confidence in a certain lure, it's time for a change.

If you lose confidence in everything in your box, go fish someplace else.

[NBR]

Forget the snap and swivel!

[tallydude]

Forget the snap and swivel!

Agreed. I think you get a much better action when you tie directly onto the lure. That, and retying the line kind of forces you to inspect the line for nicks and cuts, etc.

[Sam]

I really do not count casts.

I try to hit the same area from different angles and different distances with different presentations.

I hit the front of the structure first and then go back to the shore and continue to throw the same bait until the fish tell me they don't want it.

I then throw another bait in the same places from the same angles.

I usually start with a crankbait, chatterbait, spinnerbait or a buzzbait and then go to a wacky rig Senko, a jig and pig, Kreature bait, lizard, tubes, regular rigged Senko or finesse worm, etc.

If nothing hits these baits I move on to the next strucutre or just fish the bank until I find the next structure or drop off.

When I do get bit I notice where I was; the bait; the depth; how hard was the hit; the structure and vegetation; retrive speed; and anything else I notice to try to find the pattern.

If I miss one in an area and they refuse to take another presentation, I wait about one hour and return to the same spot and give it another try. The bass should still be there.

So, as to how many casts do I throw with any one bait?  No idea.  I throw until I realize they are not interested in the bait and try another one!

[Catt]

I agree with Sam it's more of a time frame thing than numbers game  

On Toledo Bend I'll throw a Spinner Bait, Trap, or Buzz Bait but if I aint bit within 30 minutes I put that rod back in the rod box. I firmly believe Toledo Bend is a plastics lake and if you want to catch bass consistently feed em plastic.

[senile1]

I really do not count casts.

I try to hit the same area from different angles and different distances with different presentations.

I hit the front of the structure first and then go back to the shore and continue to throw the same bait until the fish tell me they don't want it.

I then throw another bait in the same places from the same angles.

I usually start with a crankbait, chatterbait, spinnerbait or a buzzbait and then go to a wacky rig Senko, a jig and pig, Kreature bait, lizard, tubes, regular rigged Senko or finesse worm, etc.

If nothing hits these baits I move on to the next strucutre or just fish the bank until I find the next structure or drop off.

When I do get bit I notice where I was; the bait; the depth; how hard was the hit; the structure and vegetation; retrive speed; and anything else I notice to try to find the pattern.

If I miss one in an area and they refuse to take another presentation, I wait about one hour and return to the same spot and give it another try. The bass should still be there.

So, as to how many casts do I throw with any one bait?  No idea.  I throw until I realize they are not interested in the bait and try another one!

IMO, this is an excellent post, Sam.  If I throw 20 - 25 casts with the same bait and can it, did I throw the bait enough to try every angle, every type of structure, and every depth that the bass could occupy in the current seasonal pattern?  Probably not.  Of course, time is a factor in trying every possible situation and educated guesses have to be made depending on your confidence in the lure for the current situation.  I'll sometimes come back to a bait, also.  Behavior can change depending on the time of day and the conditions.  

[RoLo]

One thing's for sure, I will not be counting casts under any circumstances (mental energy wasted on busywork).

As Senile1 pointed out, it has a lot to do about mental attitude.

I've noticed in myself, that my confidence level begins to taper after about 10 to 15 minutes of inactivity.

Not to beat a dead-horse, after about 10 minutes of drought, I'm going to move the boat at least the distance of two casts.

If several locational changes fail to make a difference, then I'm almost obligated to change my lure to refresh my outlook.

Lacking a good bite, I'll probably come full circle in about an hour or two, until I'm told by bass to hold a given pattern.

Roger

[nboucher]

If you're counting casts, you're not concentrating enough on fishing, i.e., on what your lure is doing down there, how and where it's moving, how you're working it, etc.