bass fishing lures

[Frozenfish]

What's the lure everyone is using these days. Last year I only used crank baits. This year have been using 4'' Senko's (Gary Yamamoto) and catching a lot of fish but no size to them. I switched over to topwater yesterday and did great.

What is everyone's bait of choice right now. I have been fishing for about 10 years now and have never really tried spinners. In fact I don't even own one. I have just about everything else. Is there a lot of you out there that like to use them? Seem to big and bulky for me. Who knows???? I fish a lake that is pretty weedy around all of the drop off's. Seems to me that a large spinner would get caught up a lot, any thoughts?

[DaveW731]

If you are referring to an in-line spinner (Mepps and Rooster Tail, for example), you may be right. At the same time, if you have a clear "edge" along a weedline, an in-line spinner cast parallel with the weededge can be deadly.
If you are referring to a "Spinnerbait", I cannot imagine hitting the water for bass without one! I have used them for decades and consider them a vital part of my arsenal. (for some pictures, to to www.basspro.com and follow the Freshwater link to "spinnerbaits"). 1/4 oz is actually small, 1/2 oz is as big as I go.
BTW, my "go to bait" at this point is a "swimming worm": take a 4-6" straight tail worm threaded on a 2/0 Aberdeen hook so that the worm bends at a 90-degree angle and "swims" through the water (needs a swivel, obviously) Can be rigged on a weedless hook, if desired.

[ccavacini]

Zoom Trick worm in any Watermelon color rigged wacky with a nail in the head for weight


Erie Darters on a 1/8 oz. Jig head

[Frozenfish]

I am referring to a spinnerbait. I will pick some up, I have to try them out there.

[XArmy]

Good question... I was just going to post this Q too, but I'll forfit the double post if you don't mind and ride along with you... I have not been a big fishernman in recent years, but I just got a steal on a boat and have been fishing alot lately... I used to trout fish alot when I lived in CO. But here I am dumbfounded on what to use for bass... The other day I got a 17" on a crawler under a bobber.. That is the biggest bass I have ever caught... But I catch few and far between... What are some good lure choices and colors for what kind of water??? Dark vs. clear etc.... Please use plain english... lol I don't know the names of hardly any lures other than trout stuff... I'm gonna write down what I read and go searchin...

Thanks...

http://www.hunt101.com/watermark.php?file=500/19557Bass.jpg

[Southend517]

here is some sweet info for smallies
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/1145/scan1.th.jpg (http://img8.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scan1.jpg)

[waterfoul]

Yammamoto Senkos are my lure of choice lately. Rigged whacky (2/0 wide gap Gamagatsu red hook poked right thru the middle of the worm so it hangs off both sides if you can picture that). I drop them along weed edges, into the holes you can see in weed beds, skip them under docks and boats, etc... favorite colors you ask? I like "TheDude secret weapon color" best. You'll have to ask TheDude what that is though! LOL!!! In truth, I've been doing best on Baby bass, watermellon with black and gold fleck, cinnamon, and just about any pumpkin color they make. Strike King's version works well also. My second choice is a scum frog tossed into lilly pads and heavy cover.

[fishonbb]

AMEN TO THE YAMAMOTOS, I USE THE BIG UGLY 5" GRUBS IN SMOKE COLOR, I HAVE CAUGHT ALOT OF GOOD FISH ON THAT. MY OTHER CHOICE IS DEFINATELY THE SPINNERBAITS. FOR EXCITEMENT OF COURSE ITS GOT TO BE TOP WATER!

[jigworm]

Earlier in the year it was Xraps, super flukes and spinnerbaits. Lately it's been Senko's early in the day and big lizards on the deep weededges when the suns up high. Watermelon with gold and black flake for the senkos has been real good.

[ccavacini]

here is some sweet info for smallies
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/1145/scan1.th.jpg (http://img8.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scan1.jpg)

Southend...thanks for that issue...been having a heck of a time finding them.

[DaveW731]

What are some good lure choices and colors for what kind of water??? Dark vs. clear etc.... Please use plain english... lol I don't know the names of hardly any lures other than trout stuff... I'm gonna write down what I read and go searchin...

XArmy:
First, if you are a veteran, thank for your service!
In terms of your question, there are INFINITE options out there, so I would suggest starting with two color variations, and a limited selection of lures.
As to color: in general, lighter shades for clear water (I would suggest white, chartreuse and natural-appearing colors) and dark for stained or murky water (I would suggest black, crayfish-orange and purple)
Lure suggestions: think of versitility within the following catagories:
1) Surface lures: the Smithwick Devil's Horse is a great choice: it can be retrieved fast and steady or stop and go, or barely twitched in one place.
2) Subsurface lures that imitate minnows: for all-around use can't beat the original Rapala, I prefer gold with a black back in stained, silver with blue back in clear water. The Rap will swim at a depth of about 3-4 feet. If you want to add another, consider a shorter, fatter-looking bait such as the Bomber model A. This guy, in 1/4 oz size, will swim at a depth of about 6-8 feet. Both can be effective with a variety of retrieve speeds.
3) Spinnerbaits: (see my earlier post)
4) Weedless: Bass LOVE lilly pads and weedbeds. I love using a lure called a Scum Frog, that floats and has hooks that don't get caught on weeds. There is a bit of an art to learning how and when to set the hook, but it is TONS of fun when it works. Fishing in weeds requires stronger line and heavier equipment than you would use otherwise: I consider 14# test line an absolute minnimum, since you may be pulling a 4# fish through 20 feet of lily pads (I've done that a few times!).
5) Plastic baits: These are designed primarily for fishing around cover, such as weeds, fallen timber and docks. TONS of options, but for simplicity sake, I would suggest starting with a Senko-brand plastic bait. Effectively fishing plastic baits is an art, but the Senko is versitile enough so that it is forgiving for the neophyte. It will also produce, when nothing else works. You can fish it similar to the Devil's Horse (same retrieve options), but it sinks. You use a single "worm hook", which is specially designed for this purpose and attach to the bait in what is called a "Texas rig" style. This makes it weedless, so you can also use it in heavy cover. I would suggest either doing a google search on "Texas rig" or have someone show you how to do it. I can't do justice with the explanation here.
There are other effective options that I have not mentioned, but I think these choice will be a good start. I think one surface bait, a couple subsurface, a couple spinnerbaits, one weedless and a couple packages of Senkos will get you started, along with worm hooks, sinkers, etc.
Hope this helps....ENJOY!
DaveW

[BassMaster06]

My best lure is my black and silver rapala. Not sure on what model it is but it's about 4 maybe 5 inches long and dives in the 3-4 ft range. Lately ive been having great success on my all white booyah spinnerbait. Good Luck

[Krull]

I am referring to a spinnerbait. I will pick some up, I have to try them out there.

Strike King and Mini- Strike King, I have done best with White colored. Good Luck

[Krull]

This is my general regiment
Dawn-
Rubber worms (there are so many) flipped under docks, pockets in heavy Lilly Pad cover, around weed lines, stumps, logs, boulders
Spinner Baits in same areas
Shallow running Raps where you can get them through without hangups

9-11 Am Go Deeper, Drop offs against thick weedlines
Crank Baits, Jigs, Plastics

11AM-6 PM Go Home or fish for Pike

6PM-8:30 Start at drop offs, gradually move toward thick cover

8:30 PM on. Black Hula Popper, Black Jitterbug, Black Zara Spook

[XArmy]

Thanks for the feedback guys... Great stuff... And yes I was in the Army... I got a tablet full of info... Now I'm gonna go to the store and do some shoppin... Thanks again... :fish: