Are There Some Baits You Just Won't Use? 2024
The Rooster reply :
Are there any specific baits that you won't use? Either certain brands of a particular type of bait, or the brand in general, or just any specific type of bait for whatever reason? That last one is the main reason I was asking this question but I thought it might be interesting to see how brand effects this too.
For me, I'd have to say it's soft plastic creature baits that I don't use. Don't own any. They just don't look like anything to me. Certain ways they can be trimmed might make a crawdad out of them but I'd just use a craw instead if I want that.
Also, the notorious Alabama rig. Never tried it, probably never will. Also giant swim baits. Besides being expensive and requiring a whole new setup to throw just that one bait on, they just don't look appealing to me. Looks like a few casts of one would wear a person out. I know I'm just guessing with no experience, but I just don't feel the desire to try one. Even the small ones.
EDIT......one of the members here posted a certain technique they wouldn't use either. I hadn't thought of that when I posted this, so I'm adding it now. Any specific techniques that anyone won't use? I can't think of any certain ones myself that I won't use.
Bluebasser86 reply :
Rapala Rattlin' Rap, just can not catch fish on them.
fl_bass reply :
Any z-man bait since they will melt my other soft plastics. Not interested in that, and the Alabama rig does not interest me at all either. Just seems like its cheating.
CoBass reply :
I personally won't buy anything from Storm. Every Storm bait I have owned needed major tuning to get it to swim true and in a few cases no amount of tuning worked. I know other people who really like them but I've never had a good experience with them.
I really like creature baits though, and I don't think they are designed to look like any specific prey. They are what they are advertised as, creatures. Lots of arms and appendages flopping around that get the fishes attention. As far as the A-rig goes, my state restricts baits to 3 hooks so I don't even bother with them and I don't really enjoy throwing baits that big anyway so it kind of rules out the big swimbaits for me too.
Teal reply :
On 2/28/2013 at 11:42 AM, Bluebasser86 said:Rapala Rattlin' Rap, just can not catch fish on them.
If you have any, mail them to me. NC fish eat them like candy!! Seriously tho, i love em!
Greenstealth reply :
I don't fish a wacky senko often at all. I don't know why but I just don't. I t rig them though. I also don't buy lures with an anglers name plastered on them. Maybe I'm missing out, I know a lot on this site favor a certain square bill crank but I just can't bring myself to buy one.
fadetoblack21 reply :
I have to agree with you on the A rig. Never owned one and have no intention of purchasing one. I also have never thrown a swimbait. No reason behind the swimbait really. Guess I just figured it would serve me better to improve on the techniques I already know and use.
Felix77 reply :
Big fat flippin tubes. Can't get a good hook set and would rather flip/pitch anything else. Namely a beaver-ish type bait.
Jake P reply :
Booyah jigs. Less than 0 confidence in them. Fished them for one day and hated every second of it. I have no real reason I guess other than they are just visually unappealing and I hate the rattle collars.
The a rig. Anything rapala.
Avalonjohn44 reply :
I keep trying a jig, but can't catch a thing on them.
I will never buy a Mann's lure again, every one I had breaks. Plus the dust up they caused over the A-Rig completely turned me off to the company.
Snakehead Whisperer reply :
I'll fish an umbrella rig, but I won't cast one.
Without going into specific brands the only baits I don't particularly care for are:
-Pre-rigged soft plastic swimbaits/jerkbaits. I'd rather rig my own, and this goes for just about any pre-rigged soft plastic.
-Multi-bladed buzzbaits. Just don't like the feel of them. Besides, fish can't really see the blades anyway.
-X shaped worms
-Anything that has a commercial with Kid Rock/Korn sounding music in it 
bassh8er reply :
I'll probably lose all my bass fishing cred on here, but... I've never caught a fish on a lipless crank.
I didn't even throw one last year since I have so little confidence in them and when the water is cold, I've had better luck with a few different presentations.
RyneB reply :
storm baits- they never seem to run true and not a fan of there colors
curl tail worms- i just cannot catch fish on them
tubes-no confidence in them whatsoever
loodkop reply :
Berkley Gulp.
flippin and pitchin reply :
That stupid jig with the bead chain dredlocks and anything made of elastec.
River Rat316 reply :
crank baits, having a 2lb pike on 1 treble and my thumb on the other really turned me off of treble hooks, especially when there are two of them. I will however throw a lipless the benefits out way the danger for me....lol otherwise it is senko's period, whether they are gycb or any other brand, about as boring as watching paint dry and way to many gut hooked fish with them, other presentations that I can actually feel have gotten my attention over the last couple years
Sam reply :
No, not really.
I use them all.
One of the fun aspects of fishing is to try different baits and techniques in addition to "tweaking" your baits and presentations.
From using Banjo Minnows on the Alabama Rig to throwing a big, fat Havoc I will try them at least once and then go back to them just for the fun of it.
Of course I have my favorites that I use the most but it is still fun to try your luck with a different biat or presentation.
roadwarrior reply :
I don't generally fish knock-offs which is one of the reasons I have been so impressed
with the originality and creativity of MegaStrike and Rage Tail Baits.
0119 reply :
I agree with Snake Whisperer, if their commercial offends me, I wont ever buy from that company. Wont buy Strike King, absolute garbage to me. Wont buy the Rapalas with Ikes ink either. Interesting how opinion here changes so much. Senko's went from beloved savior from the skunk to hated newbie bait.
Rangerphil reply :
Baits I will try just about everything but as far as techniques go I hate the Carolina rig! I have tried it many times and just can't seem to put fish in the boat with it. As far as GY senkos I wish I could fish knock offs but I have so much confidence in them that when I try to fish with others I am always looking at reasons why they don't catch fish like the GY. They don't last and they are expensive but the way they fall and the way fish hold on to them for me is magical!
The Rooster reply :
That's interesting. I didn't think of adding techniques to this. I'm going to edit the original post for that.
clayton86 reply :
Deep diving cranks got 2 boxes packed with them I don't think they have ever been wet. Not a fan of plastic worms either or senkos.
tholmes reply :
On 2/28/2013 at 11:42 AM, Bluebasser86 said:Rapala Rattlin' Rap, just can not catch fish on them.
That's funny. 
The Rattlin' Rap is one of my favorite baits.
The one that seems to be very popular, yet I can't catch squat on, is the Zara Spook. I catch bass with other topwater lures, but I've never caught a single fish on a Spook. 
Tom
UWBass reply :
Buzz baits and spinnerbaits!! Buzz baits because they just don't work and spinnerbaits because every yahoo throws them. Not a huge fan of senkos anymore either because of the newb connotations. Used to have football jigs and jerkbaits on this list too but I kicked butt with them last fall so they've moved up.
As far as a technique, I absolutely despise fishing docks or other shallow shoreline cover. I live for offshore or weed line fishing. Less bites but bigger fish.
UWBass reply :
I forgot my least favorite technique though: FROGS! I know; I'm a weirdo. A lot of my friends hate fishing with me. They just like to chuck ad wind.
A-Jay reply :
A Carolina Rig ~ the old ball & chain just does nothing for me.
A-Jay
Jig Meister reply :
On 2/28/2013 at 9:41 PM, UWBass said:Buzz baits and spinnerbaits!! Buzz baits because they just don't work and spinnerbaits because every yahoo throws them. Not a huge fan of senkos anymore either because of the newb connotations. Used to have football jigs and jerkbaits on this list too but I kicked butt with them last fall so they've moved up.
As far as a technique, I absolutely despise fishing docks or other shallow shoreline cover. I live for offshore or weed line fishing. Less bites but bigger fish.
This is fishing, not video games 
Use what you can to catch those fish, no one here is going to judge you, at least not me 
Teal reply :
On 2/28/2013 at 9:41 PM, UWBass said:Buzz baits and spinnerbaits!! Buzz baits because they just don't work and spinnerbaits because every yahoo throws them. Not a huge fan of senkos anymore either because of the newb connotations. Used to have football jigs and jerkbaits on this list too but I kicked butt with them last fall so they've moved up.
As far as a technique, ****I absolutely despise fishing docks or other shallow shoreline cover. I live for offshore or weed line fishing. Less bites but bigger fish****.
First off, You dont know what your missing. Second, the part about less bite bites bigger fish is NOT TRUE. Either yyou are "finding the fish",finding the right docks, or not finding the right areas, or fishing big enough baits.
Let me break a myth for ya, big bass do live in shallow water. Big bass do hide under docks. You might hate to do it, i hated it at first, but so long as you have big shady docks, dock poles, boats, and possibly some vegetation under there, you have a recipe to catch some big fish. I would say, 2/3 of all my 5-8lb fish came from super shore line or boat docks. I caught more than 30 fish last year over 5lbs.
You dont throw spinner baits because every body uses them? Duh that because they WORK!
And buzz baits work just fine.
And you dont like senkos because of NEWB CONNOTATIONS. Thats the dumbest thing ive ever heard. Senko style worms flat out produce, and ill use them and i dont care what people think.
FISHING IS YOUR TIME, NOT A POPULARITY CONTEST.
Im not trying to be mean or critical. I just do not agree with you, its very important to keep an open mind. Closed minds do not grow.
roadwarrior reply :
On 2/28/2013 at 9:41 PM, UWBass said:Buzz baits and spinnerbaits!! Buzz baits because they just don't work and spinnerbaits because every yahoo throws them. Not a huge fan of senkos anymore either because of the newb connotations. Used to have football jigs and jerkbaits on this list too but I kicked butt with them last fall so they've moved up.
As far as a technique, I absolutely despise fishing docks or other shallow shoreline cover. I live for offshore or weed line fishing. Less bites but bigger fish.
Well, it's only February so there is a lot of time left, but I'm betting this will stand as the silliest post of the year!
ChrisAW reply :
A few thing people mentioned already. I don't own anything Storm, because they are junk baits. I will not buy anything Mann's ever again because of the SUE SUE SUE mentality they had going, and their baits didn't produce for me.
Next is ZOOM. Not only do they have poor quality plastics that constantly come out with divots in them and air bubbles, I just can't buy a bite on anything I use from them. They are also a sue happy company. Right now even they are trying to sue a man who uses a pretty big name mold companies stuff, because they have a copyright on their Super Chunk, and the bait they are going after that man for looks NOTHING like it! A big middle finger to those jerks. I've melted down anything I had of ZOOM baits to pour my own.
As far as techniques, I'll try it all and see where it goes from there. I do find some things boring but if its working, I can't complain.
A-Jay reply :
On 2/28/2013 at 9:41 PM, UWBass said:Buzz baits and spinnerbaits!! Buzz baits because they just don't work and spinnerbaits because every yahoo throws them. Not a huge fan of senkos anymore either because of the newb connotations. Used to have football jigs and jerkbaits on this list too but I kicked butt with them last fall so they've moved up.
As far as a technique, I absolutely despise fishing docks or other shallow shoreline cover. I live for offshore or weed line fishing. Less bites but bigger fish.
OK - but you'll never win any of the Major League fishing events with that attitude.
A-Jay
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 2/28/2013 at 11:51 AM, Teal said:If you have any, mail them to me. NC fish eat them like candy!! Seriously tho, i love em!
I find dozens of Rattlin' Raps every year hanging in trees. Trap style baits are really popular in our lakes because of the high populations of white bass in most of them. I usually clean them up and give them away. I love trap style baits but I just can't buy a bait with the Rapalas.
SENKOSAM reply :
Own a bunch buying clearance items, but never had luck with them.
Anyone use them or have good rigging ideas?
lmbfisherman reply :
For some reason I have avoided swim baits, I'm not sure why I have. I never had a desire to buy one. I also agree on the Alabama Rig - it does seem like cheating to me imo.
CPBassFishing reply :
anything from storm... total junk.
Call me a hater but i dont like strike king baits at all. the durability of the rage tail baits is just as bad as yamamoto, and i just dont like them. that being said, the caffiene shad is the best fluke on the market IMHO. the perfect plastic lineup is decently durable.
i'll never buy from tylures..
i would buy rapala baits on sale...definitely not at full price
BrettD reply :
Alabama rig to much work and not very effective in this part of the country. C-rig just boring in slow I like to fish for fun and C-rig is not fun. I dont even own a senko not sure but they dont do anything for me I stick with regular worms when I rarely do worm fish.
My favorite bait is a soft swimbait rigged weedless.
roadwarrior reply :
On 2/28/2013 at 11:09 PM, CPBassFishing said:Call me a hater but i dont like strike king baits at all. the durability of the rage tail baits is just as bad as yamamoto, and i just dont like them.
Okay. I guess you can say "I'm in the tank" with Rage Tail Baits. The action is better than any soft plastic
I fish, including GYCB. In fact, I have personally suggested to Big O that he add another option to some
of his baits that use a softer formula. I don't care a thing about durability, all I care about is more and bigger
fish. I think fish tend to hold better with a softer, fuller bait. The Fat Ika is THE perfect example and the Rage
Tail Menace is darn close!
"From a human perspective, they're like Twinkies".
PABASS reply :
10-12" inch plastics..
Darren. reply :
Baits I just won't use? The really expensive ones, LOL.
I've tried plenty of baits, stuff that hasn't produced for me: buzz baits, frogs, cranks & spinnerbaits (which rarely produce). I keep trying though.
Stuff I don't bother with: A-rigs/Umbrella, Carolina (anymore), and there are others.
I've said it before, I don't fish tourneys, when I hit the water I want to catch fish. What catches me the most fish and brings the most enjoyment: soft plastics, namely Senkos, Zoom Finesse, various creatures, minnows, etc.
Teal reply :
Dude, i was thinking the exact same thing!! Ill fish deep open water and deep structure too but shallow water is what I like and where ive had most success. Ill crank deep and i have been successful at it, but id rather rip a lipess or something..i just dont like it, however i do anyway because at times it is very effective.On 2/28/2013 at 11:15 PM, DINK WHISPERER said:WOW, u just stripped me of every technique and lure that i use yr round to land huge fish on up to 11lbs! Not to mention that heavy slow rolled spinnerbaits and C rigged Senkos are deadly on that off shore structure you like so much. I have even had them schooling and hitting a Cavitron buzzbait in 20+ ft of water! Anyways, my least used or favorite are deep diving cranks. I hate them with a passion and have never done that great on them.
But the frogs, big spinners, buzz baits, senkos ect,....they are in my starting line up...lol
DINK WHISPERER reply :
WOW, u just stripped me of every technique and lure that i use yr round to land huge fish on up to 11lbs! Not to mention that heavy slow rolled spinnerbaits and C rigged Senkos are deadly on that off shore structure you like so much. I have even had them schooling and hitting a Cavitron buzzbait in 20+ ft of water! Anyways, my least used or favorite are deep diving cranks. I hate them with a passion and have never done that great on them.
On 2/28/2013 at 9:41 PM, UWBass said:Buzz baits and spinnerbaits!! Buzz baits because they just don't work and spinnerbaits because every yahoo throws them. Not a huge fan of senkos anymore either because of the newb connotations. Used to have football jigs and jerkbaits on this list too but I kicked butt with them last fall so they've moved up.
As far as a technique, I absolutely despise fishing docks or other shallow shoreline cover. I live for offshore or weed line fishing. Less bites but bigger fish.
On 2/28/2013 at 9:47 PM, UWBass said:I forgot my least favorite technique though: FROGS! I know; I'm a weirdo. A lot of my friends hate fishing with me. They just like to chuck ad wind.
.
Jig Meister reply :
On 2/28/2013 at 9:50 PM, A-Jay said:A Carolina Rig ~ the old ball & chain just does nothing for me.
A-Jay
I can agree with this, I will fish a T-rig instead.
The only thing I can say that I will not use is GYCB senkos and that is because they are too much $ for me, when other things work just fine.
Christian M reply :
On 2/28/2013 at 11:38 AM, The Rooster said:Are there any specific baits that you won't use? Either certain brands of a particular type of bait, or the brand in general, or just any specific type of bait for whatever reason? That last one is the main reason I was asking this question but I thought it might be interesting to see how brand effects this too.
For me, I'd have to say it's soft plastic creature baits that I don't use. Don't own any. They just don't look like anything to me. Certain ways they can be trimmed might make a crawdad out of them but I'd just use a craw instead if I want that.
Also, the notorious Alabama rig. Never tried it, probably never will. Also giant swim baits. Besides being expensive and requiring a whole new setup to throw just that one bait on, they just don't look appealing to me. Looks like a few casts of one would wear a person out. I know I'm just guessing with no experience, but I just don't feel the desire to try one. Even the small ones.
EDIT......one of the members here posted a certain technique they wouldn't use either. I hadn't thought of that when I posted this, so I'm adding it now. Any specific techniques that anyone won't use? I can't think of any certain ones myself that I won't use.
I never used to use creature baits, until last season that is, when me, my partner and a whole gang of anglers got our butts handed to us by a guy using a baby brush hog. He won the tourney by about 4lbs. Since then I've caught a ton of quality fish using lizards & brush hogs.
thehooligan reply :
I dont use buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, c-rig, jigs, creature baits, tubes, and probally a few others.
I have other techniques that i prefer. Instead of buzzbaits, ill use hornytoads. Ill use underspins instead of spinnerbaits. Instead of jigs ill use texas rigged worms or shakeyheads.
I think we all have preferences and goto baits.
Im perfectly content fishing sammys, lipless cranks, and dropshots all day 
Gangley reply :
Wacky rigged Senkos or senko-type baits. I hate them with a passion. Dont get me wrong, I love letting my kids use them and I encourage their use of them since its an easy way to get them into fishing. However, when I fish with friends or solo, I fish for different reasons and the senko doesnt jive with those reasons.
I cant explain it well so I'm sure I'll sound like a complete a$$ when you read this. Fishing a senko to me is like putting a chair on top of a deer feeder and shooting a pet deer that is tied to the leg of the feeder. I cant help but dwell on the thought that It requires no effort, very little skill, and very little technique. In reality I know that isnt true and that there are many variances and differing techniques that require intricately detailed presentations that you must be very skilled with to work it properly. For some reason though, I cant get over my initial thoughts on them and because of that, in MY MIND its a horrid way to fish and I absolutely abhor it,
PABASS reply :
On 3/1/2013 at 1:16 AM, thehooligan said:I dont use buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, c-rig, jigs, creature baits, tubes, and probally a few others.
I have other techniques that i prefer. Instead of buzzbaits, ill use hornytoads. Ill use underspins instead of spinnerbaits. Instead of jigs ill use texas rigged worms or shakeyheads.
I think we all have preferences and goto baits.
Im perfectly content fishing sammys, lipless cranks, and dropshots all day
Really your missing out on fish if you don't try a Buzzbait, no bait that I know of can imitate its squeak and bubbles and bass key in on this. To each there own but a Buzzbait bite is something you need to experience as a angler, the first fish I every caught on a Buzzbait smashed the bait like a train it was and still is an awesome sight to see.. I have had times where the fish wanted the profile of a Jig, and nothing else worked, jigs were my weak point not that long ago and I tell you what they put fish in the boat and I don't recall a fish I missed with a jig of recent. Spinnerbaits what can I say it was the bait I grew up on defiantly a confidence bait for me.
Fishes in trees reply :
I am not a "bait bigot" The only baits that I won't fish are ones that I don't own. I don't fish any $25+ JDM crank baits, because I don't own any. I haven't talked myself into buying any Vision 110s yet or any Hud trout baits for that matter. Maybe this year, I have spent money on stupid stuff in the past.
I really don't have any favorites either though, my favorites tend to be whatever is working lately for me.
I got tennis elbow pretty bad last year, and that limited my crank bait and spinnerbait fishing some, just because it hurt when I was casting.
I haven't pitched tubes very much in the past few years. I wasn't getting bit very often and when I did get bit my strike to hook up ratio was less then 50%. A beaver bait or Zoom Super Hog or Brush Hog, thrown into similar areas seems to get more hook ups for me.
chromedog reply :
In reality, there are few things I guess I wouldn't throw. More so things I wouldn't do.
I don't throw big swimbaits, kind of overkill in my neck of the woods (Upstate NY).
I don't want to throw a-rigs. Dont want to buy another setup just for them and seems like my shoulder would hate me after a while.
I am not a deep cranker.
I have brands I like. I have brands I don't care for. But what is good to some, is not for others.
I more so look at what techniques I need to learn or get better at.
I have caught fish on jigs, but need more confidence and practice with them.
I am learning the carolina rig.
You guys can be senko snobs all you want, I will use them, catch fish and be happy buying more.
I have used Rage Tail baits without a lot of success, but I will try them from time to time and I love the new twin tail menace, cant wait to try it.
I have a little of this and that, I have no brand loyaltly. If I like it, I will use it. Whatever catches fish. Those are the lures I like!
NO MATTER WHAT LURE YOU USE, WHATEVER THE PERCEPTION BY OTHER IS, IT IS STILL CALLED FISHING AND NOT CATCHING.
thehooligan reply :
On 3/1/2013 at 1:40 AM, PABASS said:Really your missing out on fish if you don't try a Buzzbait, no bait that I know of can imitate its squeak and bubbles and bass key in on this. To each there own but a Buzzbait bite is something you need to experience as a angler, the first fish I every caught on a Buzzbait smashed the bait like a train it was and still is an awesome sight to see.. I have had times where the fish wanted the profile of a Jig, and nothing else worked, jigs were my weak point not that long ago and I tell you what they put fish in the boat and I don't recall a fish I missed with a jig of recent. Spinnerbaits what can I say it was the bait I grew up on defiantly a confidence bait for me.
I know buzzbaits are great baits, ive thrown them in the past and i know they work. Id just rather throw other style propbaits like a buzzjet or hornytoad, its all good
UWBass reply :
Hey now I can like what I like. I prefer smallmouth fishing so sue me. I like fishing deeper, fishing slow...dragging a jig, Dropshot, a Carolina rig. Methodical fishing. i dont prefer to just bomb away. i like to pick apart structure and I just don't like shallow weed fishing, it's as simple as that. I never implied that shallow fishing doesn't produce big fish, or lots of fish or that buzzbaits, spinnerbaits or senkos dont catch fish. I just prefer different techniques. That's it. Frankly I'm astounded at the response of some of your replies. I never catch anything on buzzbaits, every boat you see is chucking a white spinnerbaits, and literally the only lure you see most fisherman use is a senko. Maybe just a WI thing but it is what it is.
For what it's worth, I LOVE crank bait fishing. Square bills, moderate depth, deep divers, any and all.
Quitlimpin reply :
Deep cranking and the rig are two techniques I just don't wanna use. It's entirely too much work.
ww2farmer reply :
$20+ dollar crankbaits and jerkbaits. For the simple reason of................ things with teeth.
Snakehead Whisperer reply :
To each his own, but for the life of me I can't understand the folks who shy away from deep cranks and buzzbaits. In the heat of summer deep cranks are the truth. When the buzzbait bite is on (usually best in the later fall here) it is probably the best bass fishing that I know. The strikes are fierce and the action can't be beat. One of my favorite things is having a huge fish demolish a buzzbait (like literally demolish it... last year I had a 14lb. snakehead hit a Booyah Pond Magic buzzbait and ripped the thing in half. Awesome! 
) Still managed to boat the fish.
thehooligan reply :
d**n, that's a monster
Hyrule Bass reply :
Rebel POP-Rs, never caught a fish on them, closest thing i caught a fish on to a POP-R is a Rapala Skitter Pop, and that was just one fish.
also, firetiger color, just doesnt produce for me. never caught a thing on black and blue baits either, or purple
Tubes, just no interest in them...
wacky rig, dont like it, prefer to texas rig...
zoom worms, they just seem really narrow, they have no girth to them, cant get a bite on them anymore
---------
somethings that have been removed from this list are the jitterbug, some crankbaits, and jerkbaits...
TNBassin' reply :
I won't even look at Lucky Craft baits. I'm sure they are good, as everyone constantly raves about them, but I'm not gonna drop the money they are asking for a lure.
Ratherbfishing reply :
Alabama Rig-About as ungainly as they come.
Carolina Rig - May work for others but I've yet to catch a bass thataway. And believe me, I've tried!
Any crankbait over ten dollars
SudburyBasser reply :
I don't think I could name many baits I wouldn't use. I'm pretty much open to almost everything.
I won't use an A-rig because they're illegal in Ontario, though I could use fewer armed ones up here. Still, I have little interest in any umbrella style rig. I probably will never use a C-rig only because I'm lazy and drop shotting because I'm nowhere near patient enough -- odd from someone who generally likes finesse techniques.
The Rooster reply :
Some things I read here I agree with:
Lucky craft bait avoidance, or for that matter, any bait over $10, both fall in the same category. Too expensive.
I love the term "bait bigot"! Whoever thought that up, it was awesome. Having said that, I'm a bait bigot of sorts.
I avoid Storm lures for the most part, not because of quality, but just because they're ugly. The chugbug might be an exception for me. I have one that was given to me but I sort of like it. Haven't brought myself to buy more yet though. In hand at the store, they just don't look worth the cost.
I don't use or even like the looks of crankbaits with metal lips. Just seems unnatural looking to me that a fish would be swimming around with a metal plate stuck to its face so I just don't buy them. Same could be said for treble hooks or a whole lot of other things as well, but in a nutshell I think most baits will catch fish some of the time anyway, so the ones I pass on or substitute for others won't be missed. This might be why I don't own any jitterbugs either. You can also add to this that I don't buy crankbaits that have a painted lip to match the body. Clear lipped baits are all I buy. My thinking is that the lip disappears in water leaving only the baitfish profile of the crankbait.
Now I'd like to add to my earlier post of things I don't use. Besides techniques, or lure types and brands, there are certain colors also. Any bubblegum colored baits. I've heard a million times that it's awesome but I can't stand the looks of that pink color. I don't throw red too often either. Maybe a red streaked bait but not red as the primary color. The exception there would be red based plastic worms. I'll throw those all day. Red cranks? Rarely, and I own none at this time.
I'm sure I'll think of more later.
slonezp reply :
QuoteAre There Some Baits You Just Won't Use?
About 90% of what I own. I tend to throw alot of the same stuff most of the time. I've got boxes full of stuff I don't use, did use unsuccessfully, or throw only when nothing else is working. As far as techniques, the only one I really don't care for is a C rig
Bankbeater reply :
I have seen a large population of sunfish tear a senko apart in nothing flat.
I refuse to pay $10 to $15 for a lure. There are a lot of less expensive baits that work just as well.
NWI-Bassin' reply :
On 2/28/2013 at 9:23 PM, clayton86 said:Deep diving cranks got 2 boxes packed with them I don't think they have ever been wet. Not a fan of plastic worms either or senkos.
Feel free to send them my way !
mnbassman23 reply :
I won't spend over 10$ for a lure.. To many northerns up here to even justify it imo. it's bad enough when I lose 6 different 5$ lures in a day.
jerzeeD reply :
The A-rig.... I am not buying a special setup to throw out my arm in 8 hours and catch nothing.
That would probably be it. Every year I set a goal to learn a new technique and at least be able to catch a few fish on said technique. This year, I have gotten some Terminator 1/2 oz. grass jigs and 4" twin tail grubs in hopes of getting better at jig fishing.
fstr385 reply :
you guys might think Im nuts but other than some of the big ones like the A-rig above.... JIGS! Ive given them a try several times, several places, several conditions, several types, and trailers, and Ive never caught a fish on one, and they get stuck on everything around here. Ive used t rigged creatures, tubes, ect just fine,... jigs... nope.
slonezp reply :
On 3/1/2013 at 10:08 AM, fstr385 said:you guys might think Im nuts but other than some of the big ones like the A-rig above.... JIGS! Ive given them a try several times, several places, several conditions, several types, and trailers, and Ive never caught a fish on one, and they get stuck on everything around here. Ive used t rigged creatures, tubes, ect just fine,... jigs... nope.
Yep, you're nuts. If I was limited to one bait for the rest of my life it would be a jig
thehooligan reply :
On 3/1/2013 at 10:08 AM, fstr385 said:you guys might think Im nuts but other than some of the big ones like the A-rig above.... JIGS! Ive given them a try several times, several places, several conditions, several types, and trailers, and Ive never caught a fish on one, and they get stuck on everything around here. Ive used t rigged creatures, tubes, ect just fine,... jigs... nope.
Same here. Besides not working for me, i just think fishing jigs is boring. But, im a cranking nut, love fishing topwater/jerkbaits/cranks/swimbaits all day. Last year, i made it a goal to get good at dropshots and shakeyhead, and this year i might give jigs another try, atleast swimjigs
eyedabassman reply :
For me it would be them high end crankbaits,too many big fish with big teeth in my lakes!
Tuckahoe Joe reply :
On 3/1/2013 at 10:08 AM, fstr385 said:you guys might think Im nuts but other than some of the big ones like the A-rig above.... JIGS! Ive given them a try several times, several places, several conditions, several types, and trailers, and Ive never caught a fish on one, and they get stuck on everything around here. Ive used t rigged creatures, tubes, ect just fine,... jigs... nope.
Ill tie on a jig every now and then and I never catch anything either. But so many people on here swear by them that I keep feeling like they have to work and I can't bring myelf to not fish them. Im gonna try and get more into jigs this year. Planning on starting with a swim jig and working my way down to the slower bottom contact ones. Slow fishing isn't exactly my preference or specialty.
Snakehead Whisperer reply :
On 3/1/2013 at 10:33 AM, thehooligan said:Same here. Besides not working for me, i just think fishing jigs is boring. But, im a cranking nut, love fishing topwater/jerkbaits/cranks/swimbaits all day. Last year, i made it a goal to get good at dropshots and shakeyhead, and this year i might give jigs another try, atleast swimjigs
It's only boring if you're not catching them I would think that learning a bottom contacting jig presentation would be a better place to start than swim jigs. Ever fish chatterbaits? That's basically a glorified swim jig.
MCS reply :
GYB senkos and Strike King Ragetail
Just too much money for too little bait. Don't care how great they are, I can catch fish on cheaper longer lasting similar plastics and usually support smaller/local bait producers and tackle shops in the process.
PABASS reply :
I need some help as I don't understand when people tell me that they cant catch bass on a Buzzbait and a Jig, every time I through a Buzzbait I get bite. Like so many lures is has a time and place when its a big producer, I wouldn't use it in the winter and I don't really use them in pre-spawn but that depends on water temps and what the fish are doing. If you get to a body of water and you see fish rising, if its somewhat cloudy or early and or late in the day, TRY a Buzzbait, make sure you do what BassResource's Video on Buzzbaits states, they need to squeak or you just wont get bit as much. I am only pushing a buzzbait because its a power technique, catches big fish, you rarely loose a fish and its one of the coolest things to see. Jigs where my weak point until I watched many youtube videos on them and read allot about them, they produce and they are fun as well to feel the tick, tick (bite) and BAM you set the hook its a cool experience and Jigs are big fish producers and you rarely loose a fish. To all whom haven't gotten bit on a lure, learn about it on youtube and take it to a local pond and test it out I bet you will get bit if you use it proper.
Bass Dude reply :
I don't use Silver Buddies. I know they catch fish....I just have zero confidence in them. Also, not a big fan of anything Berkley or Strike King. No particular reason....I just feel there is way better stuff out there.
jignfule reply :
NIGHT CRAWLERS
The Rooster reply :
I'm just getting started in jigs but I seem to have gotten lucky since the few times I've tried them I've had hits and landed fish. Some of them were keepers.
Live bait is another thing I don't use. If fish aren't hitting lures, I go home.
PAbassin77 reply :
Any swimbaits, I hate throwing them. I just don't have the patients for them at all.
upnorthbassin reply :
Blasphemy! (just kidding). If they were 1/2 the price I would buy more of them. The problem is that even a fairly small smallmouth hitting a t-rigged senko once will just about wreck it a lot of the time. I've tried using hooks that hold the plastics and other tricks but they still tear easy no matter what. They go for around $6.50 up to almost $7 per pack and I go through them in no time. On the other hand, I can buy 5" Yum dingers from wally world for $3.00 per pack and they last twice as long for less than half the price. The action and weight isn't 100% identical but it's very close and I've had just as good results with the Yum overall. I will still buy senkos if they are a good deal but I'm not paying full price for them again.
Lip 'em! reply :
Generally theres nothing that i WONT use because i enjoy experimenting so much, but one technique i dont have much confidence in yet is a drop shot. I fished it several times and just cant seem to get them to bite. Im gonna work on it this year though to hopefully change that around!
K_Mac reply :
If a guy limited himself to only the baits listed in this thread he would be a very well equipped bass fisherman. I do not currently own any high-end baits, including swimbaits only because they do not fit my budget. I also do not have an A-rig-just haven't had the need. I try to use whatever works though. If big fish are biting on $25 swimbaits, or the A-rig, I will probably find something else in my boat that will work instead. If not I will break a piggy bank and buy one or two. 
BassmanDan reply :
Used to hate spoons until I tried the flutterspoon and got some of the most arm-wrenching bites I've ever felt. Never messed with swimbaits until the Money Minnow came out and my PB ate one. The A -rig is probably the only technique I really don't care for...yet.
SGT Rico reply :
People who are hating on the "senko" calling it a newb bait completely missed the boat. For starters, senko type lures not always catch fish, and there are many other baits that I would consider deadlier than a senko. If you don't fish cigars baits because it requires no skill, than you are one hell of a fisherman. I have fished many tourney's where the senko won mad money, so do we call these anglers newbs? Cigar type baits are amazing fish catchers, if you choose not to throw them because they catch to much fish than you have a blank check with your name on it. Join the FLW or the Elites and start cashing in.
Teal reply :
On 3/2/2013 at 1:23 PM, BassmanDan said:Used to hate spoons until I tried the flutterspoon and got some of the most arm-wrenching bites I've ever felt. Never messed with swimbaits until the Money Minnow came out and my PB ate one. The A -rig is probably the only technique I really don't care for...yet.
The first time you double up on an A-rig, you will be hooked.
0119 reply :
Agreed on the Senko baits SGT. Yesterday after not throwing a Senko for over a year, I pitched Exude Cormida's around the pads to net a 4# and 2 near 6# in a little over an hour. Nothing else garnered a glance. Im a topwater snob but for anyone to flat out refuse to use a lure and be willingly to go home instead...thats nuts
Aint nothin' wrong with bait either. Why have a fishless day just to have clean hands? Buck up be a redneck
slonezp reply :
I stay away from buzzbaits because, for me, a musky is more likely to hit it than a bass. It's like throwing away money. Toothy critters also have a fondness for Jitterbugs.
Jigs are my goto bait. I've had muskies follow but never commit. Have caught pike and big walleye on them.
SENKOSAM reply :
Let me condense The Roosters reasons:
Too expensive/ don't look worth the cost.
Because they're ugly/ unnatural looking / can't stand the looks of that pink color or red crankbaits
except : red based plastic worms. I'll throw those all day
I'm a bait bigot of sorts.
Funny though, I share many of those same reasons including being a bait bigot - until someone proves the lure/color/ presentation useful by catching fish in my presence. Seeing is believing and I can't tell you how many lures/colors/ presentations I've added to my collection by being seeing it. (Doesn't mean I'll remember or continue using them... lol)
Snakehead Whisperer reply :
On 3/2/2013 at 10:21 PM, SENKOSAM said:Let me condense The Roosters reasons:
Too expensive/ don't look worth the cost.
Because they're ugly/ unnatural looking / can't stand the looks of that pink color or red crankbaits
except : red based plastic worms. I'll throw those all day
I'm a bait bigot of sorts.
Funny though, I share many of those reasons including being a bait bigot - until
someone proves the lure/color/ presentation useful by catching fish in my presence.
Seeing is believing and I can't tell you how many lures/colors/ presentations I've added to my collection by being seeing it. (Doesn't mean I'll remember or continue using them... lol)
I have been fishing several times with people who chuckled when I pulled out the bubble gum senko, but then ask me for one later in the day after seeing me boat a few fish with it.
The bubble gum Rebel Pop-R has also been a consistent producer for me.
jhoffman reply :
You guys have almost effectively eliminated 90% of my tackle
No wiggle warts.... um... ok
No buzzbaits... um... sure
No frogs.... in the voice of little john (whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat)
Metal lipped cranks are stupid because they have metal lips. Show me any other crank that you can alter the dive angle and way it tracks without a lighter
Im just blown away at some of these. If I gave up the drop shot my catch rate would fall by at least 50%. If I gave up jigs Id probably never catch a fish over 5lbs.
I throw them all, metal lips, buzzbaits, frogs, dropshots. The only technique I dont have covered is LARGE swimbaits and the A-Rig. I doubt Ill ever fish the A-rig but I will likely have a large swimbait rod someday.
gripnrip reply :
I tournament fish with senkos. I don't fun fish with them. I have to say, I have many things to try and learn. I can't say that there is anything I won't use or try except one. That is Z-man baits. I had a negative experience at their booth. They had an aquarium tank with some of their baits attached to some ice fishing poles. You could move the rod to see the action. I had my little 3 year old daughter in my arms and handed her the rod while I still had it too. The guy felt he had to repeat himself many and I stress many times not to take the lure out of the water. It was nowhere close to doing so. With that being said, you can fill in the blanks to what I said and with Luke Clausen standing there witnessing. I'm getting worked up as I type!
cdaggett reply :
On 2/28/2013 at 11:48 AM, fl_bass said:Any z-man bait since they will melt my other soft plastics. Not interested in that, and the Alabama rig does not interest me at all either. Just seems like its cheating.
I thought It was just me but holy crap youre right! I had some of the swimbaits that come with those weird hooks, and they actually melted, and caused others to become disfigured!
*Hootie reply :
On 2/28/2013 at 10:19 PM, roadwarrior said:Well, it's only February so there is a lot of time left, but I'm betting this will stand as the silliest post of the year!
X2
X10
X100,
Hootie
Primus reply :
I don't fish with ....
Elaztech plastics - they work, just don't care for them
Matzuo Cranks - I tried a few some years back and they were awful
At some point during the season I will utilize almost every technique out there, that said I prefer to fish Power techniques over trying to finesse them with weightless plastics or dropshots.
I prefer bigger more aggressive lures in most situations.
If I do fish stickworms I still like Senko's the best. I know they cost more but the others I've tried don't consistently produce as well as this bait. I'm probably as not concerned by the price because I don't fish that way very often but when I do I want the best.
I avoid TV Gimmick lures, most are mediocre at best and even with the Banjo minnow I feel I can find better alternatives.
quanjig reply :
You know what, as I read thru the responses in this post, I wonder why anyone would poo-poo any bait that they have not used?? Just because it rubs you the wrong way!?!? I can see if you didn't have the results you were looking for but wow? I'll take every one of the storm baits you guys don't want, I know how to make them work!! Jigs, I'll take those too! This is a weird thread!
I understand the basis of the post but somewhere it got messy to me
.ghoti. reply :
I refuse to use a senko knock-off
Jay Ell Gee reply :
I used to swear that I would NEVER throw a jerkbait. This year I finally broke down and tried flukes after I fished with my girlfriend's brother and saw the action they had.
I now own white, baitfish, and watermelon seed flukes, white and shad caffeine shads, as well as white, shad, and baby bass sluggos. Boy was I missing a great south Louisiana lure!
I still don't think I will ever toss a deep diving crank or an A-Rig, however.
Snakehead Whisperer reply :
Can't blame you on the A-Rig, but I think you'll come around on the deep crankin'On 3/6/2013 at 7:22 AM, Jay Ell Gee said:I used to swear that I would NEVER throw a jerkbait. This year I finally broke down and tried flukes after I fished with my girlfriend's brother and saw the action they had.
I now own white, baitfish, and watermelon seed flukes, white and shad caffeine shads, as well as white, shad, and baby bass sluggos. Boy was I missing a great south Louisiana lure!
I still don't think I will ever toss a deep diving crank or an A-Rig, however.
Jay Ell Gee reply :
On 3/6/2013 at 7:40 AM, Snakehead Whisperer said:Can't blame you on the A-Rig, but I think you'll come around on the deep crankin'
If I get into some serious deep water fishing such as Lake Okhissa in Mississippi, maybe so. However, I primarily river fish so squarebills are about all I will be tossing.
tholmes reply :
On 3/1/2013 at 4:59 AM, Red Earth said:Rebel POP-Rs, never caught a fish on them, closest thing i caught a fish on to a POP-R is a Rapala Skitter Pop, and that was just one fish.
also, firetiger color, just doesnt produce for me. never caught a thing on black and blue baits either, or purple
Tubes, just no interest in them...
wacky rig, dont like it, prefer to texas rig...
zoom worms, they just seem really narrow, they have no girth to them, cant get a bite on them anymore
---------
somethings that have been removed from this list are the jitterbug, some crankbaits, and jerkbaits...
X2 on the firetiger. I've got dozens of different firetiger lures and I've never caught a durn thing on them.
Tom
bkohlman reply :
Won't/Can't (illegal in KS) fish the A-Rig.
BassinB reply :
On 2/28/2013 at 9:41 PM, UWBass said:Buzz baits and spinnerbaits!! Buzz baits because they just don't work and spinnerbaits because every yahoo throws them. Not a huge fan of senkos anymore either because of the newb connotations. Used to have football jigs and jerkbaits on this list too but I kicked butt with them last fall so they've moved up.
As far as a technique, I absolutely despise fishing docks or other shallow shoreline cover. I live for offshore or weed line fishing. Less bites but bigger fish.
I'm glad we (UWSP) are fishing against you guys if that's how you fish. Pick a few of the most productive baits ever produced in history for bass and never use them, now that's bold... at least your not a NEWB I guess.
1 bait that I rarely throw is a swim jig. I prefer a spinnerbait.
Hooligan reply :
So many closed minds. I can understand brand preference in baits, but refusing to use a technique because you'll get tired or because you used it once and it didn't produce...
I will fish almost every bait and technique that people have listed in this topic at some point this season. In most cases I would bet dollars to donuts that the reasons you've not caught fish on certain colors, baits, or techniques is because you have failed to execute them under the correct conditions, situations, or failed to execute properly on the whole. There is nothing that I will refuse when it comes to catching fish. A-Rig cheating? HOW? That's a poor rationalization. It is an extremely situational technique that perfectly strikes the instinct of predatory fish to eat. If that's cheating, then treble hooks are, too. Might as well add hooks to cheating as well. Refusing to use a bait like a swimsuit because it's too big? Biology doesn't say that at all. A black bass will eat anything it can get its face around, in many cases that's quite a chunk. There isn't a body of water in North America that a four or five inch swimbait won't catch fish.
I'm really kind of amazed that so many people refuse to use certain baits and techniques. Shocked, actually. Refusing to throw spinnerbaits because too many people throw them? That's the silliest notion I've seen yet. I can understand not liking tactics or lures, but refusing to use them is doing nothing more than shooting yourself in the foot. That is simply ensuring that under the circumstances in which that bait or tactic is the best option, you're going to not catch fish. Mind blowing.
For the record I hate, HATE, frogging. I will do all that I can to avoid it. But, when that's it, a frogging I will go.
K_Mac reply :
Well said Hooligan.
roadwarrior reply :
On 3/6/2013 at 10:39 PM, K_Mac said:Well said Hooligan.
Well, as a Moderator I have volunteered to read nearly every post on every thread.
I've been doing this awhile. This has turned into my favorite of all time! Frankly, I'm
just amazed by some of the comments, so I'll add one of mine from a few years back:
"I don't fish 5" GYCB Senkos anymore because they just catch too many fish!"
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
I hope everyone stops throwing swimbaits. You're right, WAAAAY too big especially in PA.
Here's a pic for you guys to wrap your mind around. The one on top is almost 18 inches long.
Primus reply :
On 3/6/2013 at 10:52 PM, roadwarrior said:Well, as a Moderator I have volunteered to read nearly every post on every thread.
I've been doing this awhile. This has turned into my favorite of all time! Frankly, I'm
just amazed by some of the comments, so I'll add one of mine from a few years back:
"I don't fish 5" GYCB Senkos anymore because they just catch too many fish!"
x3 on Hooligan's post. Good Stuff and on the money.
gobig reply :
TNBassin' reply :
Despite me buying 2 packs of Sick Fish during the Spring Classic sale, I will not buy anything that has the words "Skeet" and "Reese" on them. I can stomach Iaconelli, Aaron Martens, and Edwin Evers, but I cannot stand Skeet Reese. Seems like a total D-Bag, but I'm sure a little bit of that is all about "marketability".
.ghoti. reply :
This has been one of the most interesting threads I've seen in a long time. The comments have been strange, off the wall, dumb, smart, well thought out, knee jerk, etc. All across the board. And, wonder of wonders, lgmgambler has not put in an appearance to make his gratuitous Shimano infommercial.
Hooligan made the best reply to a thread we've seen in quite a while. I have to agree with him totally.
Having said that, I do have to admit there are techniques I'm not all that fond of.
I don't throw a swimbait often. I only have a few, and the only thing I've caught on them were a couple of muskie. Nothing wrong with that; I like muskie fishing, and do it all winter, weather permitting. But, no bass caught by me on a swimbait.
Drop-shot and carolina rigging are two things I seldom do. Not a fan of either, but if that's what it takes, then that's what I will do. However, there have been very few occasions when one of those two techniques were the only way possible to catch some fish. I will drag one out now and then just to stay in practise.
5fishlimit reply :
Carolina rig. I avoid it like the plague.
ColdSVT reply :
I hate senkos...if I am deaperate ill throw one especially since I lost a tourny to a carolina rigged senko last year
just because I hate something however doesnt mean you wont find it on my boat...well you wint find an ugly stick on my boat lol
NC_Bass6 reply :
i cannot stand to fish jigs. i can throw a swim jig but i dont even count that really. ive never caught a single fish on a jig with a craw trailer, so i dont even try anymore
The Next KVD reply :
So I just took the past hour of my life to read every post on this thread. All I can say is, I may as well take up golf because 99.99% of everything mentioned, I have used and will use when the situation calls for it.
I will be glad to cash a check or win an event using a technique that YOU REFUSE to use. Umbrella-Rigs, C-Rigs, Deep-cranking, Dock skippin, Wacky riggin, heck it don't matter I will use them to beat YOU when the situation/lake calls for it.
Same can be said for certain colors: Firetiger is my #1 color and Bubblegum has a time and place.
When it comes to $ per bait, I think it actually comes down to what brands you prefer and your confidence in them. I have fished Megabass Vision 110's and other high end stuff and do own them but I just prefer a brand that happens to be cheaper.
What does this all come down to? Every bait and every technique is a tool of the trade that has its purpose and situation. You wouldn't use a screwdriver to pound nails just like you wouldn't throw an Umbrella rig with swimbaits into matted vegetation.
Each to their own I guess. What works for someone may not work for you ( I think this is due to lack of confidence personally). I'm comfortable with everything but that doesn't mean someone else is with certain stuff. You fish best when you are comfortable and confident in what you are using/doing.
Shoalamfishin reply :
I have to say I read have loosely followed this whole thread and just read through it all again, wow. I'll start out on techniques. I use almost every technique mostly without regard. I don't utilize dropshot or carolina rigs as often as I should but I have no problem using one when I need to; this year I know I'm going to expand and use both more often and try out the jika rig.
In regard to soft baits I use a wide variety of soft plastics (swimbaits, craws, etc.) mostly because I fish heavy cover and very rocky areas quite often.
On hard baits, I'll throw a multi-bait rig when the situation dictates (double up, tripod, or full size umbrella rig). I don't throw jig as much as I should in but I have expanded on that a lot recently; I have tended to shy away from lipped cranks due to their tendency to grab weeds and snag cover but I will throw them readily when conditions permit. Spinnerbaits and buzzbaits have been consistent producers for me. I just picked up on walk the dog/cigar baits recently and really like them. Overall I with some other here in that I don't like to buy a $10-$15 bait when I know I'm gonna stand a chance of losing it or throw it into cover; I don't really buy into GY senkos either simply because of the durability. I have some Rage Tail Anacondas that I got a deal on and they have been good but in general I don't like to pay top dollar for baits that just fall apart after a fish (super glue helps). I don't own any Storm cranks, never bought any, so I can't speak on that.
I know I'm going to be expanding on a lot of things this year so I'm not really worried about what I don't throw right now I'm more or less concerned what I'm going to become better with.
Ultimately as above "to each his own".
jbird9009 reply :
Spinnerbaits... can not catch fish on them. Have been bass fishing regularly. For 6ish years.. diff colors sizes and brands every year and not one single hookup. Maybe this is the year gonna try my best to figure those things out. Every angler swears by them
My standby of softplastics carolina or texas rigged has not worked so well either. Ive always bank fished primarily till this past year i built up a jonboat and seems like i gotta relearn how to fish.
SENKOSAM reply :
Jbird, I first got confidence in them when Roland Martin won a tournament locally on the Hudson River using a huge willow leaf blade and white skirt. I did great the first time I cast them in different waters, including tidal waters. Start out casting them around the spawn over flats and any place you usually do well early season and expect some good hits. A trailer hook might be a good idea, at least at first.
Think bright and flashy!
That is one fad lure that is no longer mentioned in Bass Master, but what makes a lure a fad lure and more important, why stop using it when no one else seems to be?
Hanover_Yakker reply :
A Strike King King Shad (wake version) - the joint just seems to stiff to me compared to my floating SPRO BBZ-1 shad. The motion is too mechanical if that makes sense, so it just sits in a tackle tray along with other unused random/old tackle. I've cast it one time, didn't like it, so I cut it off and tied on something different.
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