Times Are Tough

[Future Tournament Junkie]

Alrighty I'll get right to it:

I'm interested in trying some new techniques, after all- the best anglers can catch 'em when times are tough and during differing conditions. So, my question to you is this: What is your GO-TO TECHNIQUE? Also what are the best conditions for this technique? I'm eager to see these responses! Let's get to it!

Aaron

[Bluebasser86]

Depends a lot on the time of year, body of water, and other factors. Just to be general, if I'm on a clear lake with warm water and the fishing is tough I pick up a shakeyhead with a trick worm. I can cover shallow or deep water and fish it really slow. Doesn't matter what species of bass I'm after I can catch them on a shakeyhead. The only time I wouldn't go to the shakeyhead is if there is lots of brush cover and in that case I'd go to a finesse jig in a natural color. If the water is cooler I'd also fish a small jerkbait with long pauses.

In warm, dirty water I will either fish a small, dark colored jig or a squarebill crankbait and try to cover water. If the water is a little cooler I'll fish a double colorado bladed spinnerbait, rattlebait, or finesse jig. In cold, dirty water I'd probably stay home but if I have to fish it I'd fish the finesse jig.

[Bass XL]

To answer your question, when times are tough, I fish my comfort zone. I'll have a shakey head tied on, and then a crankbait. I like to hit them with the 1-2 punch. Find where the fish are holding with the crankbait, then slow down and methodically pick them off with the shakey head. This can bail me out of almost any situation.

[dhami013]

If times are tough for that day, I will usually choose a method to go slow with. If the fishing is slow, I fish slow. Anything from slow jig movement to just dragging a brush hog on the bottom.

[Catt]

One rod keep on my deck 24/7/365 is a Texas Rigged Plastic

[Nitrofreak]

One rod keep on my deck 24/7/365 is a Texas Rigged Plastic

X2,It let me down yesterday for the first time in a long time but I cant complain, Since the earthquake and a hurrican back to back it's got the fishing at my lake a little messed up.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I think it was Mike Iaconelli that coined the phrase "Panic Box" for a group of baits to rely on when nothing else is working. I'm sure you can search posts or articles with the details but it's basically slow finesse baits like small grubs, tubes and the like.

[Raul]

I don´t have a go to technique when the times are tough, instead of focusing on with what ( bait ) or how ( technique ) I focus on where I can find the fish, when I have found where it´s a lot easier to determine with what and how. There´s no point in having the right lure and the right technique if you are fishing it and there ain´t nobody there to bite it.

[dulouz]

I think it was Mike Iaconelli that coined the phrase "Panic Box" for a group of baits to rely on when nothing else is working. I'm sure you can search posts or articles with the details but it's basically slow finesse baits like small grubs, tubes and the like.

I could be wrong, but I think there was an article by Iaconelli on this in Bassmaster a while back.

[Red]

I throw what I know well when it is tough. That includes a Rage Craw in Green Pumpkin, A Bandit 200 in Pearl/Chart Back, Blue Fleck Power Worm, and a Chart/White Spinnerbait. Can usually get something on one of those.

[BASSclary]

Senko, or any other texas rigged plastic.

[BadBASS88]

I think it was Mike Iaconelli that coined the phrase "Panic Box" for a group of baits to rely on when nothing else is working. I'm sure you can search posts or articles with the details but it's basically slow finesse baits like small grubs, tubes and the like.

Hey i googled it and came across this http://www.bassresou...ic_box.html is that the article your talking about?

[DeBassin619]

Well, so far this late-pre fall season has been tough. But a little 3nch and 6 inch Banjo minnow has been the ticket for me.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Hey i googled it and came across this http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/iaconelli_panic_box.html Is that the article your talking about?

Yup, that's it.

[matstone7]

One rod keep on my deck 24/7/365 is a Texas Rigged Plastic

I don´t have a go to technique when the times are tough, instead of focusing on with what ( bait ) or how ( technique ) I focus on where I can find the fish, when I have found where it´s a lot easier to determine with what and how. There´s no point in having the right lure and the right technique if you are fishing it and there ain´t nobody there to bite it.

Great answers guys. When things get tough around here, I let the wife find the fish, the profile and the color and I duplicate to a degree. Will be a soft plastic bait of sorts or a finesse jig though.

[ChiCityBasser]

Lately for me its been a t-rigged Fat Ika in watermelon.

[South FLA]

Texas rigged worm with a rattle insert.

[Bass Junkie]

Anyone ever heard of a jig? :blink:

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Crankbait. I can catch em anytime of the year on one. It never has failed me. Doesn't matter if its brush, grass, timber, or anything else. I can get with a crank. On the rare occasion that isn't working for me, or when I'm clearing out the spot, ill go with a t-rig or a jig.

[bwillis]

Baby brush hog on a shakey head, I catch most of my fish on it, including my PB. Dark colors for dirty water or low light, whatever I grab first for any other time.

[JigMe]

Pre-fall is not good to me this year, I am not getting any bites on moving baits. Solution is to down grade in size, finesse Jig is my go to bait now or I will go wacky on a finesse worm. I used to fish tons of senkos when nothing else work, but I dont care for them anymore. I have found the next best thing...Northstar finesse Jig with baby craw.

[bassin is addicting]

finesse..

zoom u-tail, zoom finesse worm, zoom ultra-vibe speed craw or a 7" power worm.

weighted as light as possible.

[Bigtimezonafan]

Alrighty I'll get right to it:

I'm interested in trying some new techniques, after all- the best anglers can catch 'em when times are tough and during differing conditions. So, my question to you is this: What is your GO-TO TECHNIQUE? Also what are the best conditions for this technique? I'm eager to see these responses! Let's get to it!

Aaron