Some Techniques Just Don't Seem To Work.

[OHIO]

My worst performing are deep cranks (digs up weeds) and jigs (how are you supposed to jig from shore anyway?).

I had to learn to do this too. You can't really flip or pitch, or at least I can't.

When I first heard about jigs I thought the only purpose for them was to flip and pitch, but I was way wrong.

When I fish jigs from shore, I either swim them or crawl them on the bottom with a craw trailer always on.

I also fish them on top sometimes, but not a lot. There are so many different ways to fish a jig.

Just go out and experiment and I guarantee you'll catch fish.

[J Francho]

You can't pitch jigs from shore? Why? I've been catching bass everyday at lunch, pitching jigs to beds from shore.

[lynyrdsky1]

For me it's the dropshot but this is probably cause I don't throw it much.

Spinnerbaits (if you use it right) should be easy to catch fish with. But then again, it's what you have confidence in. I keep seeing people that say they can't catch fish on a spinnerbait or a carolina rig but those are the 2 baits I always have tied on. Again, it is just what I have confidence in.

[Gangley]

Cigar Style Top Waters.

I have one tied on most times and try them quite often, but I just can't seem to get a bite on one. I've become proficient enough to walk them with ease, even getting them to almost do 180's on command. However hard I try though, I get no love from Zara Spooks, Torpedos, Devil's Horse, etc.

[justin apfel]

For me it's the Senko. I have a ton of the stupid things, but the only thing I can catch with them is water.

I'm sure there's something simple that I'm missing, but I don't really care enough to bother with them anymore. I'll just stick to other lures that actually work for me.

I have a technique that is deadly for me. I usually fish from a kayak or a boat so I line myself up parallel to the bank. I fish a gary yamamoto senko, usually june bug color, weightless on a 3/0 hook. Let it sink to the bottom and give it a fast pull and let it sink back down. They'll hit it on the downfall and your line will start running. I usually cast about 3-5 feet from the bank. I do really well with this technique early spring through summer

[bassnleo]

Every "Technique" has it's place and time. Within each technique, there could be hundreds of bait choices to use.

That's what makes bass fishing so fun for me. Trying to first figure out what technique will work and within that technique, what bait to throw to acheive the desired results.

I've said this before, IMHO, the best fisherman are the ones that can look at the day and all the components of that day, and pick a technique and location given the time of year, and put bass in the boat.

It's not about the right bait, it's about about using the right bait and technique at the right time.

[dhami013]

Every "Technique" has it's place and time. Within each technique, there could be hundreds of bait choices to use.

That's what makes bass fishing so fun for me. Trying to first figure out what technique will work and within that technique, what bait to throw to acheive the desired results.

I've said this before, IMHO, the best fisherman are the ones that can look at the day and all the components of that day, and pick a technique and location given the time of year, and put bass in the boat.

It's not about the right bait, it's about about using the right bait and technique at the right time.

Too true, I strayed away from anything but soft plastics for awhile and have began to pick up my cranks again. I'm doing pretty well. And I actually caught a fish on a spinner the other day. Though it was a chain pick and not a bass. It was a good fight, and now I'm enticed to fish them more. I plan on going to buy a couple tomorrow before I go out.

If I could get spinners down, I'd have a pretty good skill set going.

[BrianSnat]

I've never done well with jigs or deep running crankbaits.

[Captin Obvious]

My last nemesis bait was the Fluke and only because I hadn't put the time in.

Other than that no lure or technique has ever eluded me for long.

I always fish something new in a small pond with easy to catch bass. Once I get a few in there I take it out to the big lakes.

Now that does not mean every bait is my strength and that I'm great with all of them. What it does mean that If I need to I can do it.

I'm also not one of those guys who won't fish something because its to slow or fast.

To me a lure is a tool and a tool needs to be used in the right way to catch fish.

Don't give up. take it to a small pond catch a few and get back out there because then you will have confidence in it.

Capt.O

[OHIO]

You can't pitch jigs from shore? Why? I've been catching bass everyday at lunch, pitching jigs to beds from shore.

I didn't mean it wasn't possible, I just meant that there isn't a reason for me to do it.

[dhami013]

Just caught my PB tonight on a white terminator spinner bait, between 8-9lbs. My scale is kinda old and the spring holds a little too tight. I think it may have been more. But it was a shock to catch such a big fish on a new bait. I was stoked. Thought my Medium rod was gunna snap. Such a great fight.

[Lake Forest Bassin]

Spinner bait's and lip-less cranks are the ones I can't catch a cold on.

BTW Congratz on the Hawg!!

[dhami013]

I think the scale is off, it's the spring one it was real close to 9. She didn't quite have the length but she definitely had the girth. She was fat.

[PondBoss]

Carolina Rig, Drop Shot, and Deep Crankin my guess though is these are "typically" either deep water applications or more vertical. I typically fish from the bank, so I'm way out of practice with these presentations.

To the OP though, Jimmy Houston once told me to real a spinner bait so that you can just see the blades flickering. The water clarity will dictate how deep you can fish your bait. I have always listened to his advice when fishing a spinner bait and have always done well with them.

[Scorcher214]

I also have the inability to catch anything on a tube bait.

[Nick]

For all you feckless Flukers, I wish I could take you out for a day of catching. You could really improve your technique, because success with the Fluke is based on several angler initiated movements, many which are overdone or not done at all. Far and away, the fluke does its best in warm and shallow water worked close to cover. Many days in clear, moving water, it may be the best lure choice.

[JDuncan]

I'm certain a lot of people would say banjo minnow.

[dhami013]

For all you feckless Flukers, I wish I could take you out for a day of catching. You could really improve your technique, because success with the Fluke is based on several angler initiated movements, many which are overdone or not done at all. Far and away, the fluke does its best in warm and shallow water worked close to cover. Many days in clear, moving water, it may be the best lure choice.

Would you be willing to share some of the angler initiated movements? I've never used a fluke, heard of people doing really well with them.

[stkbassn]

I'm with you and everyone else, some things just don't work me either.

I hate the drop shot...hate it ! It doesn't work for me. Neither do flukes....can't stand em'.

I do love the spinnerbait though! I will say I've had more success on a War Eagle Spinnerbait than any other spinnerbait I've ever tried. I think it's the wire that's used with this bait that gives it more vibration. If you dare, give War Eagle a try ! if you haven't already.

I'd say don't give up on the blade but I gave up on drop shots and flukes and all finesse fishing so who am I to talk! HA. Good luck !

[dhami013]

It's been about a week since I've been on the water and I'm dying to fish.

Having a bad case of withdrawals. I've been with family in KY and have been on this site quite a lot.

Ha cannot wait to get back to VA and slay some fish.

Since the OP I've really picked up using spinners and chatterbaits. I just had to get a good color and blade combo tied with the way to fish it. The night I caught my PB. My fishing partner and I had unknowingly both tied on white spinners with 2 willows at the same time. We both were catching fish and realized we were using the same thing.

It was a good laugh and a good time. Just hoping to do it again soon. Hope everyone is giving the bait that never worked another try as I did. And I hope you all have some good luck.

Tight lines Gents.

[Steven Dauster]

No matter what I do on a regular senko of any color I cant buy a fish all my friends and everywhere I read it supposedly "fool proof" and a thousand different ways to fish it. But ribbontails I seem to be much better w/ and the only technique ive found to work for spinnerbaits is when the suns at its highest and its the hottest part of summer I just throw it over open deep waters and burn it back to shore for the short time its stays above 95 here in NJ the spinner is my go to if that helps anyone having touble w/ em spinnerbaits seem to be the only thing im well versed in