Constantly changing baits will increase your catch

[smashingsmallies]

The last few times I've been out, and a couple of those with a fellow member on here, I've found that constantly changing baits will put more fish on the line.  Two weeks ago, suspending cranks got fish.  A week later, floating cranks like the bandit 100 worked.  Last week, we caught fish on a variety of baits...in each hole.

I started with cranks, nothing.  Partner started with shaky worm/jig and caught 2 then no more.  I went to the wacky worm and got 2 then nothing.  He then went to a shallow crank and got one.  I then went to a twister and got one.  He then switched to a white road runner jig and got 2 and lost a monster cat or carp.  We then moved down to the next hole and went through 3-4 baits a piece and picked them off one by one.

I guess what I'm noticing is if I don't change baits from hole to hole and change within a hole, I'm short changing myself in my catch rates.  I think of how many times I've fished a hole with one bait and If I didn't get anything I just chalked it up to "there not biting".  Even changing the color of the same bait will produce. 

So, my rule of thumb is, catch fish, when it slows down, immediately change color or bait and I will catch more, even in the same hole.

Yes, this can drive me crazy, trying to figure out what to use, but, knowing if I change baits/color, I WILL catch more fish, but it's worth it.  I hope this helps out some of you on here 'cuz the information I've gotten from YOU has helped me alot.  I wish all of you the best in fishing this summer.

Anyone else change baits like this?

Fish on, John.

[roadwarrior]

I like to have several rods rigged with different lure classes.

Generally, I fish one only for 15-30 minutes before moving on.

[Crestliner2008]

Absolutely agree with changing frequently, if something isn't working for you. Figure on working the 3 most important portions of the water column; the surface, the bottom and the mid depths. If you have lures on your rods to strain good structures in these 3 areas, you should be able to figure out a pattern in the least amount of time.

[smashingsmallies]

I'm in that 20-30 minute mode as well--I mainly fish rivers and creeks and changing alot drives me crazy and gets me second guessing myself, but it seems to work so I guess I gotta get used to it.  Makes ya long for a day for alot of fish on one color and one bait.

[kms399]

I switch every 15-20 minutes too.

I have 9 rods in the boat rigged for different techniques

frog

buzz bait

shallow crank

spinner bait

x rap

mid depth crank either dt6 or dt10

senko

craw tube with internal rattle weight

either t-rigged worm or lizard

this works for me especially since I hate retying. once i figure out what is working I may have 2 frogs set up or if skipping docks is working maybe a senko and a fluke ready to go.