Creating A Confidence Kit 2024
Ohio Dave reply :
Hi fellow bass fishermen,
Some of you may know but just in case: I am David Bowers, I coach a High School Bass team here in Ohio. One of the winter projects I want my students to work on this year is to create a single tray "confidence" kit. A box you can reach into and know that you are going to at least get a few even if you can't work your way on to the podium. Any fish are better than being blanked. (at least that is my view)
I have my own ideas but know that some of you are much more experience in competitive fishing and/ or are just plain better than me. I would like to hear the must haves for this 911- the student can't seem to buy a bite save the day from being skunked kit.
A-Jay reply :
What you know is going to be much more effective than what you have.
Having a decent grip on season pattern and bait preference & life cycle offers confidence.
After that the bait selection gets a little easier.
A Magic bait offers false hope but believing in your own knowledge & instincts can save the day.
A-Jay
Choporoz reply :
When things are slow, if I haven't already dismissed them, I'm probably going to be trying a ned rig, a fluke, a lipless crank and a trick worm. In moving water, an inline spinner and/or a smaller soft swimbait. Lately, one of my 'last resort', more or less sure-thing is a 3-3/12" paddletail (usually Larew or Keitech) on an Owner finesse ballhead hook. Doesn't get attention from the bigger bass, but will nearly always get bit.
Ohio Dave reply :
A-Jay, Of course you are right but building that knowledge basis takes a great deal of time. I preach that as the number one to be looking for and working toward.
If I were telling an adult I would be saying those words too but I would also offer up something they can believe in right now to get them going and keep the faith as it were.
I liken it to learning to play guitar: learning hand placement, notes, music theory, music history, guitar types, the inner workings of amps create a magnificent foundation upon which to learn how to play. But if you can't play a couple songs to impress the girls right now you will get bored and drop it. LOL
NJSalt reply :
Dropshot hooks, weights, 4.5in roboworms
Shaky heads to be used with the above roboworms
Chatterbait
Ikes Mini Flip Jigs
3/8oz compact spinner bait like a War Eagle.
Strike King 1.5 Squarebills
Senkos and Wacky Hooks
That would be where i would start if I was putting together one tray PERSONALLY. I think that the kids should have a starting point, but obviously should tinker with it based on their own personal confidence baits. One example for me would be a Chatterbait, not everyone fishes them but to others it's a huge confidence bait (me included)
A-Jay reply :
I get it.
However planting the seed early that there is a "Need" or a reliance on a "Confidence kit" is not the direction I would head.
Either way, a jig & trailer is an extremely versatile bait and one that once learned, can help with other techniques a well.
When bass aren't suicidal (other wise know as "a tough bite") in competition or not - the drop shot, shakey head & worm, and a small stick bait have the ability to attraction attention.
A-Jay
blckshirt98 reply :
A small 4" dropshot worm is my last resort bait. Something like a Jackall Crosstail, Yamamoto Kut Tail, Molix Sator Worm, Damiki Pen 2. Big bass, small bass, crappie, bluegill, they all eat or peck away at something that small. If I throw one of those out there and nothing even pecks at it, I know it's going to be a tough day no matter what I throw.
Raul reply :
A bag of 4" senkos, that´s all you need.
Crankinstein reply :
I typically have a couple rods rigged with seasonal baits or baits that i'm wanting to get better at and then have a few "back up" combos rigged with my old stand by baits. For me when nothing is working I throw senko, crankbait, and a topwater popper. Those three baits work year round on my water and I can usually salvage a day if nothing else is working. The brand, style, and color of those three can vary on conditions but that three pronged attack has proven its worth to me many times over.
Ohio Dave reply :
The confidence kit is not going to be sold as something better than thinking your way through the situation: but as something that evolves as the student does.
It was not that long ago that I would have only stocked that senko worm and two hook styles. Now my kit would have four basic baits that I have a great deal of faith in.
But my students are not going to have that level yet. I want them to have a simple set of tricks that they can turn to and maybe even a little card they write to themselves that reminds them about the back up plan box and how to use it. I am thinking three basics: a robo worm in maybe a wilder color to drop shot. A pumpkin senko that is medium rather than the four inch. and maybe a swim jig and a shad body that looks bait fish ish
Give them the assignment of using that box when plan A fails and to think critically of why A failed and what if any success the back up gave: let the box evolve but keep it very simple. I don't see the box working if it becomes a grab bag of the whole tackle box
bowhunter63 reply :
Craws,Jigs, spinner baits, Rage Blades.You can cover the water top to bottom and down size a bit and your gonna catch some fish.
HoosierHawgs reply :
http://mikeiaconelli.com/article.php?id=16
This would be a good read
the reel ess reply :
Just Google the top 10 bass baits and buy them. Then do a lot of study on season, times and conditions to use them in. Then do it.
It helps a lot to have access to a place where the fish bite easily like a stunted pond to try things out and gain confidence.
gulfcaptain reply :
I tend to pack for my trips depending on season, place, and parameters (IE water temps/weather). I pack my bag with what I believe will be most productive in experiences with those conditions and make adjustments on the fly. They need to have confidence in what they are fishing with and the technique they are using. In otherwords, well rounded fisherman I believe does not have a kit, they just adapt and fish the conditions at hand and fall back on experiences and knowledge. And when all else fails, cover lots of water with the trolling motor on high. I'd give them reading homework to read ALL the articles on this site in reference of how they fish, seasonal patterns, conditons, etc. So much useful info on this site, it could be the ultimate confiedence kit.....Knowlege and information.....just an idea for that winter project. Then they can base their "kit" around conditons and seasonal patterns which will result in a better understanding instead of a "hail mary" aproach when it gets tough out on the water.
bigbill reply :
My highest confidence baits are(just a few)
Topwater torpedo prop. Reeled steady just fast enough to spin the prop. Or my famous "1", "2", "3" rip n pause. Perfect timing is the key to success with this presentation.
Bomber crankbaits, model A or FAT A if you can find then. Size 05. Slow reeled. Just a steady retrieve, with a smooth right and left wobble. All the craw colors, silver and citrus. Don't forget a firetiger. Or a sit n twitch.
Rapala Orginal Floater F7. Blue or black. Again slow reeled not too fast. Or a sit and twitch.
Mepps Anglia #3 inline spinners. Silver blade grey dressed. Gold blade, Brown dressed. Retrieve just fast enough so the blade spins.
Mann's Classic Spinnerbaits, 1/4oz Gold Indiana blades, blue glimmer skirt, mister twister white 4" split double tail grub used as a trailer, and a trailer hook.
Mann's Classic Spinnerbaits, 1/4oz Gold Indiana blades, hot chartruese skirt, mister twister chartruese 4" split double tail grub trailer with trailer hook.
Norman Thin N crankbaits, with a slow twitch presentation.
Chartruese, violet, panfish natural colors. I use all there colors.
C-rig plastics. From shore I use a 1/8oz bullet weight. I wacky rig senkos. Red black flake, motor oil flake.
A good bass scent/attractant too.
The presentation is very important. Anyone can throw a lure it's all about the presentation that catches fish.
Missourifishin reply :
How much gear do most of these kids have? If they have a bunch, like most of us on these forums do, I would think it would be pretty easy and fun to go through it all and separate out the lures they have a history of success with.
Ohio Dave reply :
Ike's paper on his panic box is a very good read. I would not have thought about hair jigs or in-line spinners but they do make sense. I will be printing that article out for the students to read as well
Ohio Dave reply :
most of the kids are going to be pretty sparse when it comes to baits. Many don't have a dad or don't have a dad that fishes (so blessed that I grew up with a fishing loving dad in many more ways than just the obvious here)
one of the BR crew ;went through his bags and sent us a big box of plastics which got me thinking about not only panic bags but a bare minimum that would get the kids out and give them a fair chance of success regardless of the time of year or their experiences.
I like hearing both sides of the aisle here. Those that have some "go to" set and those that think the conditions should be the go to kit.
Early on, especially if the young person does not have a load of experience (very likely in my case) having a few lures you really feel good about will make the difference in being able to catch a couple and have some fun v. being shut out.
blckshirt98 reply :
You can also go with a panic bucket - i.e. a bucket of live minnows lol.
I've read that article on Ike's panic box but one question that keeps crossing my mind is, if he or other pro anglers have a box of baits that they go to when nothing else is working, is why not use the baits in the panic box from first cast?
Choporoz reply :
I can't speak for Ike, but for me, its because I don't have confidence that those 'last-resort' baits are going to land me the biggest fish that I come across. Most of my casts are optimistically targeting the biggest bass within a 100 yards.
Paul Roberts reply :
So... a kit that will catch some fish. Baits that are easier to get results from than others. And you say four. Here are some options your students might choose from. Could do all this with two rods –a M spin and a MH casting:
Finesse -Wacky’d Senko-type, or Jig-worm (what they call “Shaky” now), or jig-n-grub (what they call “Ned-rig” now)
Cover: T-rigged worm
Cover or open, warm or cold: jig-n-trailer -flipped (3/8 to 1/2oz) or swum (1/4oz). Choosing weights gets a little tough with cover density, depth and speed considerations.
Power: lipless, buzzbait or SB (more versatile)
Deep: C-Rig or DS
Cold water: lipless, hard jerk, hair jig, blades
I love Mepps Aglia #3’s (in open water), tubes, swimming worms, floating Rapala’s, wakers… 
OK… honed down 
:
-Ned (or Wacky’d 4” Senko)
-T-rigged worm
-Jig-n-Trailer
-Lipless
--tough not to add the buzzbait/SB
…
buzzed bait reply :
Best lesson you can teach them is that there will be days when you cannot buy a bite...
otherwise, look at the seasonal fishing articles on this site as a good basis.
bigbill reply :
On the days we can't buy a bite change colors. I believe the water clarity can change in the water column as we go deeper. The different water clarity can be stacked vertical. Firetiger can be your friend.
I throw a variety of different baits, different colors, different sizes while trying different presentations. Sooner or later one will work. My confidence is I'm going to catch something.
Staying motivated and focused is the key to success.
Fishing isn't luck that's for the casino. It's our skills that catches fish.
Read every article here over and over all winter. Watch every bass fishing video. Watch what Glenn and the guys do besides what they say. Watch how they use the rod with different baits n presentations.
If you want to learn bass fishing basics your at the right place. Then go on the water and home your skills.
BaitMonkey1984 reply :
Senkos. Crankbaits. SpinnerBaits. Grubs. Jig. Craw.
Moving baits and stationary. Covers the entire water column too.
duff75 reply :
I would recommend each one build their own box and not something everyone on here tells them if they don't know the right way to fish them they will rarely catch fish.
Like what was said before small plastics are a great way to start fishing and building the knowledge and confidence in those baits.
Drop shot
shake head
split shot
wacky rig
Those are 4 great ways to start fishing and building confidence. The only other item i would recommend them learn is small spinners around 1/4 ounce or smaller.
Best of luck
Duff
chadmack282 reply :
On 10/23/2015 at 12:57 AM, Ohio Dave said:most of the kids are going to be pretty sparse when it comes to baits. Many don't have a dad or don't have a dad that fishes (so blessed that I grew up with a fishing loving dad in many more ways than just the obvious here)
one of the BR crew ;went through his bags and sent us a big box of plastics which got me thinking about not only panic bags but a bare minimum that would get the kids out and give them a fair chance of success regardless of the time of year or their experiences.
I like hearing both sides of the aisle here. Those that have some "go to" set and those that think the conditions should be the go to kit.
Early on, especially if the young person does not have a load of experience (very likely in my case) having a few lures you really feel good about will make the difference in being able to catch a couple and have some fun v. being shut out.
hey Dave I applaud the effort & huge amount of time that u are sacrificing to help those young men. They will develope skills that will help them choose better paths & occupy some of their time with positive experiences. Which will help them avoid negative & life altering situations.
This world needs more Daves!!
Bassguytom reply :
Good work you are doing there coach. Anything to keep their minds spinning is what will work as they learn. If I need a panic box I just need to look into one of my younger kids tackle boxes. It will have everything that has been mentioned here because that is what has worked for them in the past. As they progress they start fine tuning the box and baits will change but there will always be some of the ones that they have caught fish on in the past. This is what becomes their panic box. There are endless ways to catch bass and more coming down the pike everyday. I will always try to tell my kids not to fish from memory but rather learn seasonal patterns and where to find the fish. My youngest son said to me today " Dad it's almost blade bait time!" Because he knows how and when we have caught them in the past. There's no right or wrong way to teach them as long as I do my best to pass on the respect and admiration that I have learned for the sport and everything that goes with it. Some of the best life lessons I have pasted on have come from being on the water with my kids. If there was one bait that I can guarantee is in every one of my kids tackle boxes it's a roostertail spinner. As a matter of fact when we are out and nothing else is working they call roostertail and we have to put one on to avoid the skunk. I have 7 kids. Good luck!
Darren. reply :
I'm with the simple soft plastics side of things.
They are my confidence baits, and because I
fish for enjoyment, they're my go-to unless I'm
up for something different like a crank, spinner,
lipless, etc.
So for me it would have mainly 4" Senkos or
senko knock-offs (BPS Stik-O).
Then I'd have some Zoom Trick worms, and if
room is left, some Zoom Finesse worms. I'd
group them according to color, both sizes in the
same slot if I'm sticking to one box.
Colors: junebug; watermelon magic; green pumpkin;
black; hot pepper frog.
Then I'd have some wacky hooks, some round
bend offset TX rig hooks, and some 1/4 oz Gremlin
bull-shot weights.
Big C reply :
Every good "Confidence Kit" should have Tic Tacs.
MidwestF1sh reply :
Drop shot roboworm
Senkos
Trickworms
Jig (skirted, football or a casting style head)
If you can't get bit with one of those then you're really in trouble.
Brayberry reply :
1/4 oz jig
1/8 oz Slider Heads w/ Slider Worms
Norman Crappie Crankbait
Senko
scaleface reply :
I wont go fishing without a good supply of 6 inch straight tail worms such as the Manns Jelly Worm , weights and hooks .
Fish'N Impossible reply :
to me the first question to ask is of the individual angler.
1) what bait do you personally feel you get bit on the most?
2) ifyou goto a place you have never been what is the first bait you put in the water?
if they know these they have a good understanding of what that individuals strengths are, and what baits they have confidence in. then their kit should be designed around those strengths. Panic kits are not a box of goto lures because people say they work, its a kit of lures you personally canmakle work in any situation.
thats where i would start Dave.
Jaw1 reply :
Mine would include
#5 shad rap silver/ black catches all size fish
Shaky head (roboworm 4"and 6"
Yamamoto shad shapes worm rigged either with a small bullet weight or weightless
Fluke style bait in all sizes depending on the time of year
Jake the Cake reply :
I don't know about Ohio, but here's what's actually in my "911" Missouri Plano box:
Green/Olive/Orange Yum crawfish
Green Pumpkin (Blue/Black backup) Senko
White/Red or White/Gray/Smoke spinners
Strike King Sexy Shad lipless
Bleeding Pearl Chug Bug
2" and 3" Berkley Powerbait Swim Shad
Ohio Dave reply :
Guys, I really appreciate you all taking time to share your thoughts, lend advice, and for the more than kind words: I am not at all sure my wife would agree that the world needs more Daves though LOL.
Way back in time I learned to bass fish nearly completely on my own. I watched Bill Dance and Jerry's shows: thought bass like that only existed down south on private ponds but still fished. The first bass I caught was a 16 incher who tail danced the lily pads and felt like a whale on my zebco 600
I caught him on a plo jockey pre jigged worm. The point of this trip down memory lane is that for many years after that I did not bass fish with anything but those worms.
If I can put 3 or 4 bait types into their hands that they are likely to have at least some success with on most occasions then the students are going to be less reluctant to try new baits and patterns to grow and improve. I also want them to develop a little laminated card to be taped to the inside of this box that asks them some questions to think about while making the switch to another lure type.
I was thinking something along the lines of The lure I am using now is the______ I think its not working because______ (color, size, action, depth) I would maybe break it down a bit more but that would be the general idea.
Fishes in trees reply :
Every lure in my boat is a "confidence bait" (or at least was at one time, i.e. the time of purchase) Anyway, I'd tell the students to be aware of the seasonal patterns and them make their best, most educated guess at the time. Some days a bait does seem like a "magic bait" , but in my case I like to think that it was the reasoning process that got me to that bait which was more important.
Now, having said that, when I don't know what to throw, my default choice is some sort of jig worm. My current favorite is a 1/4 oz Brewer Slider head and a 5" Paddle Tail worm. BPS makes a paddle tail version of the Stick-o and that is my current favorite. Zoom paddle tail worms are a fall back choice. For rookies, I'd recommend that they throw this bait on spinning gear using 10 to 20 lb braid and a short fluorocarbon leader. Retrieve is dirt simple - polish the rocks or whatever bottom is there by making intermittent bottom contact. If you are on the bottom all the time, you are going too slow. If you never tough the bottom you are going too fast.
Get a copy of Charlie Brewer's book ON SLIDER FISHING and have all your club members read it. I don't know what kind of reference library you have, but you might want to start one. I have most of the in-fisherman magazines every published ( the older ones, when it was owned by the Lindners, have much more info than the more recent ones, but recent ones are ok) The old BASS FISHING INSTITUTE which was active from 1980 to 88 or so, published an excellent text book, which covered all the basics of bass fishing in extreme detail. There are lots more books you might want to collect as well, in addition to the plethora of advice you might find on-line.
Next, if you're looking for winter projects, you might teach them how to pour lead and/or soft plastic baits. Allegedly, the GUIDO BUG, an outstanding craw fish imitation, was invented by his son Dion as a grade school project. If you need funding - you're on your own - I don't have a lot of ideas on how to fund a high school fishing team, my guess might be that there are some fisherman in your area that might want to help. My guess would be that the ones who have the most time to help wouldn't be the ones with the most funds to help.
My next question would be, why stop at a bass team? Why not a fishing team - go multi species. Catch some crappie - catch some carp - catch what ever is biting. What is your inventory? How many Dads/ grand dads/ Uncles, etc, have boats? What are the fishing opportunities available? Close or within reasonable driving distance? Thanks for letting me rant. If yo think about it, club growth is really a marketing issue. If you think about it in that context, there are many avenues for growth.
OkobojiEagle reply :
On 10/22/2015 at 10:15 PM, Ohio Dave said:But if you can't play a couple songs to impress the girls right now you will get bored and drop it. LOL
Ain't that the truth... thank God for "Hey Jude"!
oe
Spankey reply :
I like NJ Salts care package. I'd throw in a black and blue 3/8 oz. chatter bait and a #7 shad rap in blue back herring along with his picks.
ClackerBuzz reply :
Iac's 'Panic Box'
http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/iaconelli_panic_box.html
TLTR
Jaderose reply :
When I can't buy a bite, I tie on a 1/2 oz Mepps Comet Mino. I try both silver and gold and work the water column with it. They foul, the fish trailer spins, it looks like something a kid designed......but...they catch fish. The might not get you a winning bag but I credit that stupid lure with igniting the LM fishing fire in me. The first one I had I found in a tree, tied it on and start hauling in 1-2 lbs'er s one after another. In fact, why don't I use it more now?
bigfruits reply :
1/4oz inline spinner
4 or 5 inch stick bait (wacky rigged)
BassMaster17 reply :
When all else fails pull out a wacky worm 
(Senko wacky rigged)
Logan S reply :
. Ohio Dave reply :
Thanks again guys, much appreciated.
Sounds like more of you have this sort of box but under a different name.
If the kids hear a lure works from the pros and super experienced guys: They are going to believe they work and toss the lure.
I think in the big picture that is what it is all about. Helping the kids build confidence in a group of lures and open their minds to the need to read their conditions. Believe me, getting the kids to use four different lure types and read their conditions successfully would be quite the accomplishment
Catt reply :
I've devoted the last 20 plus years of my life teaching, coaching, & mentoring individuals in the fine art of bassing fishing. I've worked with students from 4 yrs old, to one of my current students whose 65 yrs young. When working with any age group I must first assesses the individual's natual abilities as well as their desires.
Teaching bass fishing is not about what I want them to learn but rather what do they want to learn. Some individuals fishing is merely a casual sport while other are like most of us and are completely comsumed with it.
My "confidence kit" is simple; it contains the most productive lure ever invented, the plastic worm.
Studies have proven that the plastic worm is the only lure made that a BASS CAN NOT REMEMBER!
Texas rigged (weighted/unweighted) straight tail, curl tail, ribbon tail, & senko type worms can be productive year round, in any water clarity, any type of cover, & at any depth.
They cast be cast, pitched, flipped, or punched and can be fished by dragging, hopping, stroking, or swimming em.
Texas rigs can be fished fast, slow, or any where in between!
Ohio Dave reply :
Thanks Catt, much appreciated
hatrix reply :
I had never heard that bass can't remember worns. I am not sure how much bass really remeber any ways.
So where are these kids fishing at? And how much actual fishing experience do they have? I am also from Ohio so maybe I have fished some of the places.
If I was super desprate to get a bite i would go with a drop shot with a worm usually. I like finesse worms or senkos and they also can do double duty T rigged. Of course a inline spinner is also one. A small soft swimbait of some kind. And a small popper for some kind of top water bait.
Ohio Dave reply :
The reservoirs around Bellevue are good as are a few lakes in the area. We don't have a way to fish Erie which is amazingly sad as its one of the very best bass lakes in the world
not owning a bass boat myself makes it really tough for the kids to get out on the water rather than just shore. But if you can catch bass from shore day in and out then when you finally have a chance to be in a boat its that much more fun.
I really appreciate all who have take time to share their thoughts. A panic box or confidence box is a fun conversation regardless of experience.
Now we got to get more states off the snide and make competitive bass fishing an official high school sport. It would be a heck of a lot less head aches in terms of getting and keeping a couple boats for the students to be able to fish on as school representatives.. The FLW does hold a High School Championship for Ohio but its not sanctioned and really should be up on the big lake anyway not the Ohio River where no students north of Columbus ever get to fish that far south.
Catt reply :
Dave ya doing a outstanding job 
High school & collegiate bass fishing is catching on down south really well.
Ohio Dave reply :
just got to push it north now!! I think too many guys see the shows that are largely southern based and don't realize that there is great bass fishing in their back yards.
hatrix reply :
I am not sure is they fish Erie for bass tournaments. I know they do walkeye ones though. If you don't have a boat it could be tuff to fish Erie if your tryng to target bass. The only places I ever fish from shore for bass there is out west across from the islands. The Catawba Port Clinton area is good and you can catch some really nice fish from shore.
If they don't have a lot of fishing experience I would try to target everything just to get a sense of all the different bites and techniques. It's kind of a bummer fishing a actual lake from shore and you are super limited in where you can fish. You can throw everything in the book out there and if they are not around your sol. It can make fishing kinda suck and be boring. I can see that being a turn off to fishing if that was the kind of experience people had every time.
Felix77 reply :
My Confidence box consists of 5 baits/rigs
1 - Senko - Green Pumpkin T-Rigged weightless
3 - Shakey Head/Finesse work - Strike King Fat Baby Finesse worm - Green Pump Purp/Gold
4 - Finesse swimbait - Keitech Swing Impact (Bluegill Flash), VMC Half Moon
FWIW - How I got to these 5 for me was the key.
When I began tournament fishing as a co-angler 4 years ago I did a ton of research on finesse fishing. Over the years I found myself relying on these items for bites when nothing else was working. The order I put them in is the order in which I learned them. I also intentionally wanted to cover the water column. I can fish from top to bottom in as deep as 30 FOW confidently. They shakey head got me my PB 5.89 Smallmouth at that depth. In my fun fishing I dedicated time to learning each to gain confidence in them. For example ... Drop Shot was not in my "box" last year. Committed to learning it this year and as a result had a lot of success with it.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Ohio Dave reply :
Thanks a bunch Felix
I do have a boat just not one that is safe on Erie. Its one of those 10' plastic jobs but is a load of fun to fish with on smaller water. Sadly there is only room for one other person though so its hard to get guys out on the water and work with them as I could from a bass boat.
I have a pretty decent background in bass fishing and really do enjoy the sport. Some of my students only fish for cats or pan fish etc and that is perfectly fine with the club too.
For students who just want to have fun and have zero interest in making a team and competing: my mission is to support those students by providing more knowledge and fishing partners.
Catt reply :
Dave,
What's needed is more adult participation!
Most teams down here are kids whose dads, uncles, or grandfathers are tournament bass anglers which leaves little room for the kid who has no one in their family who are anglers of any kind.
The next obstacle is competing with baseball, basketball, or football; there simply isn't any or very limited budget for fishing teams. The teams that are out there are in schools that are located in higher income neighborhoods leaving hundreds of kids with just an unattainable dream.
The kids I work with are those kids, we don't compete against anyone!
Yes bank fishing is more difficult but it's better than not fishing.
Amarley reply :
One thing that has helped me this year is narrowing down my tackle for each trip. A lot of us get in the mentality that we need all of our tackle all of the time. What I have done when time allows is keeping one extra plano clear box. Each trip I do my homework and fill that box with what I think will work that day on the water. I will also pre-tie all of my rods before I get on the water. One trip I may have A-Rigs, jerkbaits and rattle traps. The next I may have jigs, shaky heads and deep cranks. Then I may have spinner baits, frogs, swim jigs and square bills. I almost always have jigs and shaky heads in the box. My catch rate has improved tremendously since I've taken this approach. Very rarely do I wish I had something that wasn't in my box for the day.
I think it's hard to have one box for all of the time. The only thing I could think to keep in a box like that would be jigs, senkos, shaky heads and maybe a spinnerbait. But it's all on personal preference and confidence. I think it's also important to pair the kids together based on their fishing styles.
5fishlimit reply :
Dave, first of all, as a fellow Ohioan, thank you for what you are doing for the kids.
I think keeping them on the reservoirs and small lakes is the way to go at least for now. While the prospect of fishing on Lake Erie is exciting it can be a very dangerous body of water if you do not know what you are doing. Also, without knowing where to go it can be a fruitless endeavor. A great starting point for Lake Erie is East Harbor State Park. You won't find the monster smallmouth bass, but the size and numbers of green fish is a lot of fun.
I agree with what Amarley said about narrowing down your tackle based upon where you are fishing. Some lures and colors work better on one body of water over another. Also, time of the year is key, too.
What lakes and reservoir's are the kids fishing? Do you ever take them to New London reservoir? It's a great smallmouth lake, and has very easy shoreline to navigate.
Ohio Dave reply :
Heard many good things about New London Res. Might try to sneak over yet this fall myself if my surgery recovery goes a little better.
great idea about pairing by ability. A nice trend I have noticed is that the better the kid is the more likely they are to share what they know. Being paired up with someone better than you is always my wish.
Although, as you teach, you realize that there is so much more to learn at the level you are at. I have learned so much more teaching my science subjects than I ever did as a student.
J Francho reply :
Create confidence by spending time on the water, and using your baits.If there's a bait you lack confidence, do the research, and find out the best time and situation to use it and use it then.
Catt reply :
I found by pairing advanced students with less advanced students works the best.
Kids have a way of explaining things better than us old farts!
rboat reply :
When I can't get bit and don't want to leave with that skunk feeling, I resort to what looks the most natural in the water.
1. That wonderful senko wiggle
2. A plastic worm on a split shot rig worked very slow.
3. A fluke always looks like a dying minnow, the way it darts and falls. Bass love a dying baitfish.
4. A soft body frog looks like the real deal.
5. A jig and craw trailer resembles a craw fish.
If you think like a fish sometimes it seems to help.
Good luck with the students, wish my school would have had a bass fishing class!
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