Do you really believe?

[Catt]

Do you really believe slowing down is the always the key in cold water?

Then explain why a Rat-L-Trap is so productive in cold water?

Do you really believe there are separate lures for winter, spring, summer or fall?

I don'tI just tell the bass they are all the same!

Do you really believe craw worms are only good as jig trailers?

Most overlooked big bass lure in your tackle box!

Do you really believe lizards are only productive in the spring?

I don'tthey produce both quality & quaintly year around!

Do you really believe in working lures down hill on structure is the best way?

I don'tworking them uphill keeps your lure in contact with the bottom all the way back to the boat!

Do you really believe the night time is the right time?

No but darkness covers up an angler's presence and most of all his mistakes.

Do you really believe bass learn from seeing the same lures repeatedly & become harder to catch?

I don'tif true wouldn't there come a point in time where we would no longer catch!

Do you really believe swim baits catch big bass?

Then why aint you throwing them?

[warmer]

Do you really believe slowing down is the always the key in cold water?

Then explain why a Rat-L-Trap is so productive in cold water?

yes and no. go very slow, or very fast. if you know where the fish are, go slow, if you arent sure, burn a bait and get reaction strikes.

Do you really believe there are separate lures for winter, spring, summer or fall?

I don'tI just tell the bass they are all the same!

I believe there are baits that work better in some seasons than others.

Do you really believe craw worms are only good as jig trailers?

Most overlooked big bass lure in your tackle box!

No.

Do you really believe lizards are only productive in the spring?

I don'tthey produce both quality & quaintly year around!

No, lizards have produced for me year round.

Do you really believe in working lures down hill on structure is the best way?

I don'tworking them uphill keeps your lure in contact with the bottom all the way back to the boat!

Sometimes. I try it from all angles, and generally find one is working better than the other.

Do you really believe the night time is the right time?

No but darkness covers up an angler's presence and most of all his mistakes.

Depends on the night.

Do you really believe bass learn from seeing the same lures repeatedly & become harder to catch?

I don'tif true wouldn't there come a point in time where we would no longer catch!

Yes, not ALL bass learn, and not all bass have seen the lures in question.

Do you really believe swim baits catch big bass?

Then why aint you throwing them?

Yes. I am under the right circumstances.

[Raul]

Do you really believe slowing down is the always the key in cold water?

Then explain why a Rat-L-Trap is so productive in cold water?

Do you really believe there are separate lures for winter, spring, summer or fall?

I don'tI just tell the bass they are all the same!

Do you really believe craw worms are only good as jig trailers?

Most overlooked big bass lure in your tackle box!

Do you really believe lizards are only productive in the spring?

I don'tthey produce both quality & quaintly year around!

Do you really believe in working lures down hill on structure is the best way?

I don'tworking them uphill keeps your lure in contact with the bottom all the way back to the boat!

Do you really believe the night time is the right time?

No but darkness covers up an angler's presence and most of all his mistakes.

Do you really believe bass learn from seeing the same lures repeatedly & become harder to catch?

I don'tif true wouldn't there come a point in time where we would no longer catch!

Do you really believe swim baits catch big bass?

Then why aint you throwing them?

1.- No I don 't believe slooooooooooooooow is the only way to fish in cold water, as a joke I said in another post that there ain 't no cold water down here, well, I was kidding, there is cold water down here, just make a trip to the sierra 40 min away and 2,000 ft more of height above sea level and oh boy -----> it 's freezing up here !

When facing cold not frozen water you can fish two ways, arthritic snail pace ( dead slow ) or BURN THE WATER ! with your baits, baits like lipless cranks and spinnerbaits reeled in as fast as you can do catch fish in the frigid sierra waters down here.

2.- No I don 't believe you should use different baits, as a matter of fact what are "different baits", it 's a matter of application, presentation and location.

3.- Nope I vision craws as baits that can be used as trailers, same applies to worms, grubs and creatures.

4.- Nope, lizards are baits for all year long, I don 't buy that "theory" that they resemble mud puppies, where I 'm at there ain 't no salamanders but bass bite plastic lizards, there ain 't no mud puppies ( water dogs ) and bass bite plastic lizards, I belive that for bass fishing 99% of the time " match the hatch" is just nonsense and an excellent excuse for not catching fish consistently.

5.- Uphill or downhill ? it don 't matter as long as you maintain the danged CONTACT !

6.- No, it covers the mistakes an angler makes, learn to cover your mistakes and you 'll catch more fish during the daytime, having to fish ultra clear water all my life has taught me how to cover my mistakes.

7.- Uhhh ...... Nope. I purchase lots of new baits because I like to purchase baits, I still catch fish with them 20 year old Heddon sonics, the Rapala original minnow has caught me fish ( bass and trout ) for as long as I can remember ( the same applies to in-line spinners ).

8.- Nope.

[Btech]

" there is cold water down here, just make a trip to the sierra 40 min away and 2,000 ft more of height above sea level and oh boy -----> it 's freezing up here ! "

LIAR! that was my post you said it on

[Bassn Blvd]

Nope to  all your questions except the last one.  I think you worded it a little wrong but swimbaits will catch big bass as well as little ones.  Do I thik you will catch bigger bass more often than other baits? Nope.

[roadwarrior]

1. Yes, slower is better.

2. Yes, but some overlap.

3. Yes.

4. Yes.

5. I don't think it makes any difference and

I don't think you need to maintain contact.

6. Rarely fish at night. Nighttime is for drinkin'!

7. Bass are stupid. Find 'em, catch 'em.

8. Yes, I have seen a few posted around here.

However, I have no intention of throwing big

ones, it's too much work or I'm just a sissy.

8-)

[fourbizz]

Do you really believe slowing down is the always the key in cold water?

I have never caught fish in very cold water doing any retrieve I would consider fast. This may have to do with the fact that when it gets cold here the vast majority of the fish are deeper than 30ft. Unless you consider ripping a spoon a fast retrieve.

Do you really believe there are separate lures for winter, spring, summer or fall?

I definitely think that there are lures that shine in certain seasons. I dont throw a popper in a january rain storm.

Do you really believe craw worms are only good as jig trailers?

The only bait I own that I would consider a Craw Worm, the Yammy Baby Fat Craw, i use on jigs and shakey heads.

Do you really believe lizards are only productive in the spring?

I only fish one lizard and it is 13" long, I use it only in the late summer/fall.

Do you really believe in working lures down hill on structure is the best way?

I dont either. If I can, I fish uphill.

Do you really believe the night time is the right time?

No, but that is when I have caught my biggest fish.

Do you really believe bass learn from seeing the same lures repeatedly & become harder to catch?

Absolutely.

Do you really believe swim baits catch big bass?

No

[BassBandit35]

Do I really believe my 3 yrs old daughter can give all the correct answer to each question?

Yes.

[Muddy]

Up NORTH , yes slower is better especially before the ice sets up, no doubt about this one!

I have better luck with soft plastic minnow type baits, like the Super Fluke in the Spring and Fall. I believe it has to do with the bluegills and craw fish going down in their prey list at that time.

Bass definitely become acclimated to some lures on heavenly pressured water, when a lot of folks are all throwing the same lures.

UPHILL is always better, you taught me that and it has helped me immensely

 I have begun to favor fishing from 4pm to 4am! But I will fiush any time I can be on the water!

all the other questions: I do not have enough experience and I am still trying to learn those answers myself>

[BassBandit35]

UPHILL is always better

Would that not spook the fish if they are up on top (under the boat)

I guess it depends on depth and water clarity.

[Muddy]

Talking about things like rock piles and creek beds etc. in deep water. He's right about this and it works so much better starting at the bottom and working you bait up.

[T-Bone]

1.  Nope, caught a couple of 2-3 pounders this morning on a buzzbait and it was about 30 degrees out.

2.  No, I catch them on jigs and t-rigged soft plastics year round.

3.  No, t-rig them frequently

4.  No, they work when needed

5.  Sometimes, but the bass decide that

6.  No, i hate fishing at night, harder to fix the backlashes  :

7.  Yes, this is why I throw what no one else is

8.  All types of lures can catch big bass, its just convincing the bass that it looks like food is the hard part

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Do I really believe my 3 yrs old daughter can give all the correct answer to each question?

Yes.

You may want to consider getting her on the tour......

[Muddy]

1. ]Nope, caught a couple of 2-3 pounders this morning on a buzzbait and it was about 30 degrees out.

2. No, I catch them on jigs and t-rigged soft plastics year round.

3. No, t-rig them frequently

4. No, they work when needed

5. Sometimes, but the bass decide that

6. No, i hate fishing at night, harder to fix the backlashes :

7. Yes, this is why I throw what no one else is

8. All types of lures can catch big bass, its just convincing the bass that it looks like food is the hard part

Thats the air temp ! We fish water at 34 to 35 degress here, I would say having lived in Louisianna myslef you never see those temps, and water temps are what controls a fish's metabolism

[paul.]

1. yes, i hesitate to say always, but more often than not, slowing down is definitely the key. especially if cold is defined as water under 40 degrees. you might even be safe in saying "always" when it's that cold.

2. yes, definitely there are lures and techniques that perform better at certain times.

3. no, i think craw worms are a decent choice, but not a great one, for both jig trailers and t-rigs/c-rigs. they wouldn't be my first choice for either presentation for a big bass.

4. no. lizards, as well as most soft plastics, will work year round. but i believe certain plastics are better at certain times.

5. not usually. i believe uphill is generally better BUT it's foolish not to try different angles and approaches. i have seen a few times where the bite eventually slowed or stopped with an uphill presentation and then resumed when a different angle, either lateral or downhill, was applied. sometimes contact with the bottom is important, sometimes not. i think it's more important to select a bait that runs at the depth the fish are using than it is to maintain contact with the bottom. in fact, if i had to err one way or another, i'd rather fish too far above them than too far below them.

6. no, not for me. i'd rather be able to see what i'm doing. there are times though that night fishing can present a distinct advantage.

7. yes, absolutely. i wish they didn't, but they do.

8. yes, definitely. but not to the degree that i exclude other lures and techniques.

good post catt. very thought provoking.

[joshuaryan]

I believe because I wanna catch!  

[T-rig]

Do you really believe slowing down is the always the key in cold water?

Then explain why a Rat-L-Trap is so productive in cold water?

Almost always, but it depends where you're fishing. You can't compare Texas with Maine.

Do you really believe there are separate lures for winter, spring, summer or fall?

I don'tI just tell the bass they are all the same!

Yes! I mostly fish smaller baits in winter. Around here large baits are ignored in winter. I don't change colors though.

Do you really believe craw worms are only good as jig trailers?

Most overlooked big bass lure in your tackle box!

No. I mostly fish these baits on a t-rig.

Do you really believe lizards are only productive in the spring?

I don'tthey produce both quality & quaintly year around!

No. Lizards will catch fish all year long. Winter small, summer large.

Do you really believe in working lures down hill on structure is the best way?

I don'tworking them uphill keeps your lure in contact with the bottom all the way back to the boat!

No. Uphill is the way to go.

Do you really believe the night time is the right time?

No but darkness covers up an angler's presence and most of all his mistakes.

No. I agree with you on that.

Do you really believe bass learn from seeing the same lures repeatedly & become harder to catch?

I don'tif true wouldn't there come a point in time where we would no longer catch!

No. Why are worms still catching fish?

Do you really believe swim baits catch big bass?

Then why aint you throwing them?

Yes. But they also catch small fish.

[Mattlures]

Imagine that I agree with Bizz and Paul!!

Of course fish rember. It is just about a proven fact!!!

It all depends on the individual fish and the bait. A worm has very little negative ques. That why you can catch the same fish over and over with it. Try using a spinner bait. Anybody who has ever had a big aqurium with bass in knows bass remember. They are much smarter the most people think and the older they get the smarter they get.

Or maybe I should say instinctive. Pretty much every animal in nature "learns" to survive or they die A bass may not know what a boat is or a person casting a shadow but they do figure out that it is something bad. Same with lures. but like I said some lures are easyier to learn the others, and just like evry other animal species in the world some individuals are smarter then others.

[Muddy]

We need to keep in mind where we fish. Catt has taught me stuff that is universal and he has also taught me stuff that does not work on some of the waters I fish, my logs as well as those of the fellas I fish with,m bear this out clearly

Some differences are biologically driven and the notes do not lie.

There is a difference from fishing a large Southern Reservoir, that never freeze, while quite a lot of fisherman on them they are not less than 1000 acres,have a lot less anglers per acre and tournaments do not take the same toll on those big impoundments ments as they do on smaller natural and made made lakes of the North

 Bass do learn lures, especially on smaller , very large pressured water, where they see the same lure many times in a day.There are a few lures especially soft plastics that are some what less suceptible to this, but there is no denying where I live and fish most of the time , paying attrention to this means more fish in the boat.

The temps we fish in the late fall and early winter are much, much less than down South, by more than 10 degrees less. It is not unusual for us to be fishing 34 degree water the week before ice in, Bass just go slower and slower presentation show a remarkable greater success pattern.

So it depends on where you fish. I can not tell you the complexities of fishing reservoirs, where fish "School" it just doesn't happen where I fish. We don't have the Fla Strain bass, we don't have large "schools" of bass attacking stock trout, and in a few highly productive bodies of water i fish regularly THERE ISN"T ONE SHAD IN THE WATER!  I cant tell you what is it to fish water that does not go under 45 degrees in the period from late fall to spring, I do not know.

There are area and type of water specific pieces to the puzzle and if you generalize, just by what you learn on your water, and think it's the same all over , well that's just not right.

[CJ]

Traps work in cold water but I prefer slowing down with a jig or plastic most of the time.

Yes, there are different lures for season but some lures work year around.

No, craws are good lures.

I don't fish lizards much anymore. They work good though.

I am more confident fishing downhill. I fish both ways but downhill works best for me. The most active offshore fish are always on top of the hump or relating to the shallower part of the structure where I fish. Current is an element that helps dictate fish relativity to structure.

I don't night fish much.

Yep, to an extent.

The last one is a no brainer. Now if I could just do it for myself.

[BassBandit35]

Whatever works for you then by all means keep doing what you believe in.

Thanks Muddy (and Catt that educated you), I'll try the uphill next time. The more I think about it the bass don't see that very often but downhill.