Lures that DON"T work?? 2024
Paul Roberts reply :
Seems we get a lot of posts that ask if this lure or that are any good. Most of the time I could chime in, "Yeah, great lure!" It seems LOTS of things can catch bass. So...can you think of lures that DON"T work?
I'll offer a couple, and what I did to fix the "problem", or not.
I had a cheap prop-bait (topwater). The props wouldn't turn, or the body would turn instead! I took off the props to make a Spook type bait and found that (with light line) it would walk, but just beneath the surface rather than on top -like a Rapala Subwalk. Turned out to be a great lure.
Fished with a young guy who hadn't fished artificials before. For our outing he bought some of those Burke Erthworms (natural colored 6" plastic worms) and while I worked the pond he fished away without a bite. I finally came around and checked in. He had two hooks on the line about 15" apart and a worm all balled up on each hook. I re-rigged his worms straight and he caught several good bass and was darned pleased.
I'm often real picky about how my lures look or are rigged. I make sure my tubes and soft jerks swim right, and my cranks are properly tuned. But one day...
I met a kid who invited me to fish his neighbor's pond. I brought quite an assortment of (well crafted and tuned) goodies. He had ONE lure. It was a cheap knock-off crankbait that was so badly out of tune it spun tight circles on the retrieve! Before I could offer to tune it for him, he had a good bass. Then another, and another. He and that "ridiculous" plug accounted for the most bass that morning! Needless to say I didn't fix the problem, even though I couldn't stand the sight of that plug, nor have I de-tuned any of my own plugs since.
Bass Dude reply :
Dances Eel---Does not work
Eddie Munster reply :
Waiting for someone to ask how to fix the Banjo Minnows.... 
Big Tom reply :
I bought two Original Zara Spooks a couple of years back. One was the Baby Bass color and the other was just the plain ol' Bone color.
Well, I could not get bit on the Bone Spook at all. I could take it off and put the other on and catch a couple. I have no idea what was up. I usually don't pay that much attention to colors but the differences were night and day...and they both have white bellies...I will never understand that.
That is the only thing that I have had trouble with really. I was lucky enough to start bass fishing with a couple of more experienced anglers and they really helped keep me away for the junk/gimmicky lures out there.
Raul reply :
The only lure I own that has never caught anything is Heddon 's Cousin II, it don 't even catch the brush I 've thrown it to in an attempt to snag and loose it !
Ahhh, but if it were a Lucky Craft or Megabass ...... :
One lure that has been challenging for me are buzzbaits, I can count with my fingers the fish I 've caught with them in more than 20 years of fishing.
mrbassky reply :
All lures work to some degree. Bill Dance can do a show catching big fish on anything because he fishes ponds. In a good pond with dumb bass you could catch fish on a texas rigged tampon. The question is if a bait is worth using. If a bait is not as good as other baits in the same situations its useless. A bait may catch a few fish occasionally but it may not be as good as other options. Just go with baits that are proven by tournament anglers and guides who have time to try all the different baits and you cant go wrong. The worst place to learn about new baits is on a fishing show where the earn a check just by using a bait and dont care if something else would do better (Bill Dance, Roland Martin)
Bassin_Fin@tic reply :
Lures that don't work: JIGS > I can see the trash flying already and am ducking for cover ;D Not my thing...
On a more serious note one exapmle comes to mind first for me is a devils horse. I hate it with the front prop on it.Not only does it tangle my line but I have never caught a fish with it that way. I take the front prop off and tweak the rear in my own special way.
Reminds me also of a recent post about floating rattle traps. No fixing that one.They just suck.
Branuss04 reply :
Hudds
Dixon reply :
Bass Finatic are you serious. Jigs are killing right now. They are great baits.
farmpond1 reply :
QuoteWaiting for someone to ask how to fix the Banjo Minnows....
Maybe they are out of tune. 
Bassin_Fin@tic reply :
QuoteBass Finatic are you serious. Jigs are killing right now. They are great baits.
Dead serious.I hate them and it just feels like I am dragging a chunk of pond scum around. It's a confidence thing :-/
shootermcbob reply :
I have a black cavitron buzzbait that I bought after several folks recommended here. I have caught one baby bass, weighed maybe 4 or 5 ounces, came off right at shoreline and I spent 20 minutes fishing it out of the rocks so it wouldn't die. Not the baits fault, but at least so far, it has not worked well for me. I will keep trying, but I have caught fish on a jitterbug fished over the same exact area as the buzzbait.
CFFF 1.5 reply :
QuoteLures that don't work: JIGS >On a more serious note one exapmle comes to mind first for me is a devils horse. I hate it with the front prop on it.Not only does it tangle my line but I have never caught a fish with it that way. I take the front prop off and tweak the rear in my own special way.
Reminds me also of a recent post about floating rattle traps. No fixing that one.They just suck.
You aren't the only one. It must be a florida thing. I was taught early on that you always take off the front prop and tweak the back prop. I recently put both props on the back and have had a good amount of success that way. I have honestly never fished a horse with the front prop on. That is one of my go to baits when the bite is tough. My fishing parter and I say, one of us has to tie on a DH (baseball term).
Marc David reply :
QuoteQuoteWaiting for someone to ask how to fix the Banjo Minnows....Maybe they are out of tune.
You can't fix those screwed up "fishing lures". The Banjo Minnow System gets my vote for lures that don't work. I still can't believe I bought in to those.
Big Tom reply :
But the Banjo Minnows trigger a genetic response in Predatory fish that makes them bite even when they are not hungry.
I remember those commercials so well.
Marc David reply :
QuoteBut the Banjo Minnows trigger a genetic response in Predatory fish that makes them bite even when they are not hungry.I remember those commercials so well.
That's one of the things that tricked me.
Paul Roberts reply :
Interesting range of responses!
Dance's Eel: Never tried one, but somehow I'm not surprised.
I've caught bass on the Banjo Minnow, and have a friend that LOVES them for chain pickeral. Just another soft jerk I think.
Heddon 's Cousin II: I have two of those! And they've never seen water. Not sure where they fit. A lip-less made to bottom crawl. Hmmmm... I look at 'em every year, and they've yet to make it into my working box. One of these years....
QuoteNot the baits fault, but at least so far, it has not worked well for me. I will keep trying, but I have caught fish on a jitterbug fished over the same exact area as the buzzbait.
Keep trying. When they are willing to take a buzzer, nothing will fill the boat faster and easier.
QuoteIn a good pond with dumb bass you could catch fish on a texas rigged tampon.
Never tried that one...but I once found a pond so full of stunted bass that the first time I fished it I stopped counting at 130. I later went back with a lure I made from a "Creepy Crawler" mold, using melted plastic worms. It was a Tarzan mold, and made a little ~5" soft plastic human. I T-rigged it and fished as a topwater, humming the Jaws theme song all the way. It even worked as just a torso, after the arms, legs and head were torn off.
QuoteJigs...I hate them and it just feels like I am dragging a chunk of pond scum around.
Jigs work so darn well that I'm now not sure why I feel compelled to pull the weeds an scum off them! ;D
farmpond1 reply :
QuoteOne lure that has been challenging for me are buzzbaits, I can count with my fingers the fish I 've caught with them in more than 20 years of fishing.
Not to say buzzbaits always work. Obviously they don't. But you might try this: Instead of making a single cast where you believe there ought to be fish, make numerous casts-even to the exact same spot. Buzzbaits are great at "aggravating" bass into biting. I love 'em-especially if you can get them to make a nice metallic squealing sound (you'll know the sound when you hear it).
Paul Roberts reply :
Here's one along similar lines. I worked in a tackle shop and some Snoopy bobbers came in. I was float fishing for steelhead a lot at the time and decided to fish one instead of a regular quill float, just for grins. On the particular day I used it, I found a pod of nice fish and caught 9. Several other anglers stopped to inquire what I was using. I showed them ol' Snoopy and a few actually said, "I'll have to try one. where'd you get it?
detroit1 reply :
I haven't tried banjo minnows, but i've seen Babe W. (on tv) catching monster pike on the biggest ones. Of course he was at some canadian lake, in the middle of nowhere, with very little fishing pressure, at the prime time.
Bantam1 reply :
Anything that is not in my boat tackle locker does not work
rickster reply :
My Dance Eel swims, but is it suppose to catch anything?
Muddy reply :
QuoteWaiting for someone to ask how to fix the Banjo Minnows....
16 seconds into the first round and we have a KO!!!!!!!
guitarkid reply :
lures that don't work....
Anything that says "out fishes live bait 3:1" or "banned in 4 states"
Almost anything endorsed by roland martin. He did endorse that helicopter lure and the rocket rod.
Generally any t.v. commercial bait
fishing "systems" i.e. banjo minnows.
-gk
BassnMan Mike reply :
QuoteHudds
Please tell me your kidding. I've caught alot of very big bass on them. My only complaint is they are not very durable.
As to what lure does not work......
Roland Martins Helicopter Lure. What a joke!
fastcasterjo reply :
Wal-Mart spinnerbaits.
cart7t reply :
Those Berkley Frenzy crankbaits with the really bad photo finish on them.
fatmanslim247 reply :
QuoteWal-Mart spinnerbaits.
my buddies first tournament he ever went into he threw a cheap walmart spinnerbait and ended up with a check for 129 bucks.... After that i started fishing tournaments with him.... and we get nothing
I can understand the buzzbait thing. I haven't caught a single fish on one, I usually just burn a spinner bait.
Bubba_Bruiser reply :
A buddy pulled out the crankbait with the battery that flashes and makes clicking sounds. I just had to turn my head to keep from laughing when he pulled that thing out. He finally caught a fish when water got in the bait and quit working.
roadwarrior reply :
I have a Lucky Craft LVR-500-Max that I love to throw
and have fished extensively. It's beautiful, can be cast
a mile and appears to run perfectly. For whatever reason,
it can't catch a cold!
8-)
Redhed reply :
QuoteBass Finatic are you serious. Jigs are killing right now. They are great baits.
i have issues with them as well.. i have NEVER caught a fish on a jig and its not from lack of trying. thats for sure.. i try and try. other than getting hung up ALOT it has been more of a pain to use than any other bait i own. any tips on not getting them hung up on god knows what on the bottom???
Bass Dude reply :
For those of you that say the Banjo works because it catches pike and pickeral.....Anything catches pike and pickeral!!!!
And if you have Babe Winkelman in your debate, you've lost the debate!!! ;D ;D ;D
Eddie Munster reply :
Anyone got a item number for the T-Rigged Tampon; Bass Pro Shop can't find them........
KYntucky Warmouth reply :
QuoteI bought two Original Zara Spooks a couple of years back. One was the Baby Bass color and the other was just the plain ol' Bone color.Well, I could not get bit on the Bone Spook at all. I could take it off and put the other on and catch a couple. I have no idea what was up. I usually don't pay that much attention to colors but the differences were night and day...and they both have white bellies...I will never understand that.
That is the only thing that I have had trouble with really. I was lucky enough to start bass fishing with a couple of more experienced anglers and they really helped keep me away for the junk/gimmicky lures out there.
This is true...we fished them side by side and switched after a fish and the baby bass outfishes it every time... so now it is not producing for me...
and...
This colr Cotton Cordell Wiggle O
burleytog reply :
Cavitron buzzbaits, Evolution jigs.
Captain Obvious reply :
Texas guy who hates jigs, not just a Florida thing, that being said can't say they don't work, Storm blue gill swim baits, they never swim right
Munkin reply :
Lures that don't work?
Or lures that don't work for me?
I really dislike all lipless cranks as they seem to work for everyone but me. :-[
Allen
SuperNewbie reply :
for me its hard jerk baits i mean ive had my uncle and his friends catch loads of bass on mine but for me they just get hung up
mine is a diawa db minnow in a naturalish chromey color :-[
SuperNewbie reply :
QuoteInteresting range of responses!I once found a pond so full of stunted bass that the first time I fished it I stopped counting at 130. I later went back with a lure I made from a "Creepy Crawler" mold, using melted plastic worms. It was a Tarzan mold, and made a little ~5" soft plastic human. I T-rigged it and fished as a topwater, humming the Jaws theme song all the way. It even worked as just a torso, after the arms, legs and head were torn off.
lol i want one send me a tarzan pay roland martin 10$ and we could out sell the banjo minnow which i bought
daviscw reply :
QuoteCavitron buzzbaits, Evolution jigs.
Hahahah, I've found with the Cavitron you're either on or you're not. I am with the few others that hate jigs. The few fish I have caught on them have been by swimming the jig back to the boat from frustration.
Paul Roberts reply :
Here's the set-up: Tarzan lure wacky-rigged on a jighead under a Snoopy float. Put Roland with the rig on a never fished pond with the camera rolling. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
SkilletSizeBass. reply :
I got a bunch of lures that I've never caught a fish on, but its probably more of a confidence thing with me than the lure itself. :-[
Okieracer reply :
First off I love my Walmart spinnerbaits. Especially if you can get them on sale for .50. I've caught TONS of pond bass on them. And buzzbait's are all I will throw when the water temps are up and its early morning or just before dark. The lures that don't work for me are jigs, lipless cranks, and poppers.
Rob G. reply :
QuoteHere's the set-up: Tarzan lure wacky-rigged on a jighead under a Snoopy float. Put Roland with the rig on a never fished pond with the camera rolling. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Only works when fished with a Rocket Rod! Trust me.
ScroGG ToGG reply :
The ONLY lures that will DEFINITELY NEVER WORK are DRY LURES. Any lure that is used enough, in enough various styles of presentation, is eventually bound to catch SOMETHING.
But seriously, I have never had ANY freakin' luck with rat-l-traps or any other lipless crankbait for that matter.
It doesn't really mean that i've totally given up on them, there more like a skeleton in my closet/tackle box. But when i DO finally hook up a fish with one, its going to be a great relief!!
VABasser reply :
QuoteHere's the set-up: Tarzan lure wacky-rigged on a jighead under a Snoopy float. Put Roland with the rig on a never fished pond with the camera rolling. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Haha, when I read this and the picture of that rig popped into my mind I burst out laughing
Ineedanewscreenname20170204 reply :
The Berkley Blade Dancer doesn't work. I say that but I felt so silly fishing that thing I didn't try that much. I've also struggled with buzz baits quite a bit. I probably don't fish them at the right times or my technique is jacked - or both.
dmac14 reply :
Not to make anyone feel bad but i have had success with the banjo minnow, caught me a bunch of smallmouth and one weighing 4-5lbs. And that infomertial is so appealing i had to try them.
Now lures that dont work...anything in my friends tacklebox ;D
hjerk24 reply :
THE ONES YOU DON'T EVER THROW...
basspimple reply :
those fruity smellin, cheap renegade plastic worms from wally world... cant even get tap. I dont know whether the fish are supposed to bite it or i am.
fishfordollars reply :
Dang, I'm suprised with the jig being mention so much. We may have to have a jig class.
First trim the weed guard back, don't drag a jig. How's that for starters?
Lures that don't work: My 18.00 Castaic crankbait that I bought in 1991. Looks great, runs true, and never been touched by anything.
Big Tom reply :
QuoteWe may have to have a jig class.
I am game for that. I suck at jig fishing. The only think I have ever caught one is a 10 inch bass and a 5 lb. flathead catfish. Catching some fish on a jig is one of my goals for this year.
BassnMan Mike reply :
QuoteLures that don't work: My 18.00 Castaic crankbait that I bought in 1991. Looks great, runs true, and never been touched by anything.
Which Castaic Crankbait is that and might you be willing to sell it?
Jig Class part 2: Sometimes you should drag it but as mentioned, not always. Use football heads with trimmed off weed guards when fishing around rocks, it makes the jig "Stand Up" like a crawfish in the defensive posture.
Calcutta reply :
Lipless crankbaits work on stripers around here.
I hate buzzbaits no luck ever.
I caught a 9 LB. bass on a jig once
I hate the yo-zuri crystal minnows. Ive never caught anything on them. All they have done for me is remove $16.00 from my wallet.
hjerk24 reply :
That's what's amazing....I love Buzzers, and rarely throw jigs, so I can say I stink at them because I never throw them. My partner (bass fishing) never throws buzz baits, and basically has no confidence in them. I hope to jig fish more this year, and also jerk baits...I have really grown as the last few years have gone by. That's why being on here is so cool, guys have loads of experience. A man with experience can't really argue with a man that does not...the one with no experience has just that...NO experience. I hope to grow as I throw. That's DEEP!!!!!
;D
Don't miss the BUS!!!!! Get throwing...
RobbyZ5001 reply :
I have caught fish on many of the lures you guys mentioned. A few of the mentioned lures produce a lot of my fish like the spook in bone color or the cavitron buzzbait.
Oh and for the record the banjo minnow is AMAZING compared to the flying lure. The flying lure is bad... starving fish wouldn't touch that lure.
done reply :
LOL....could you better describe the methodology around the Texas Rigged Tampon (aka TRT) fishing technique?
Great stuff guys. I am with ya on jigs. I KNOW they work, I have seen a lot of guys catch a lot of fish on them but not me, cannot use a jig to save my life.
Bass_Akwards reply :
C H A T T E R B A I T ! ! !
Nitro 882 reply :
Swimbaits----------and I don't know why. I usually throw one once or twice every time I go fishin'.
Georgia Jeff reply :
QuoteQuoteBass Finatic are you serious. Jigs are killing right now. They are great baits.Dead serious.I hate them and it just feels like I am dragging a chunk of pond scum around. It's a confidence thing :-/
I can't catch anything on them either. I have fished them in ponds and in the river and only caught one fish. I can switch to a texas rigged worm and imediately start catching bass. They get hung up too much and don't produce like platics. I keep saying one day I am going to take a couple of jigs with me to the river and absolutely nothing else so I can gain some confidence in them. I haven't done it yet though.
Bobby Uhrig reply :
Ya cant go on to a lake with 0 confidence. I would go out with lures that I have no confidence in and do nothing but fish with them exclusively to learn the little subtleties that make them work. Guys that mentioned buzzbaits-just go to a pond in the middle of summer and bring 2 or 3 and leave everything else home. Watch and learn and believe me it will be one of your favorite baits for catching bass. jigs-PATIENCE- I throw the jig 90% of the time I fish.
OK Bass Hunter reply :
Storm Wild-eye Shad and assorted swim-baits.
Guaranteed to pull left or right and never straight.
Georgia Jeff reply :
QuoteStorm Wild-eye Shad and assorted swim-baits.Guaranteed to pull left or right and never straight.
Amen brother! They never run true!
Olebiker reply :
Add me to the list of people who have never caught a fish on a bass jig.
The high school kid next door to me slays the bass in our subdivision on Banjo Minnows so I quit making fun of them.
DeBassin619 reply :
Well, It depends on what you mean by a "jig"... I"ve had great success fishing with grubs, worms, tubes, etc...with Jig head.
THe Jigs I could never seem to get any form a response to are the "hairy" jigs. I just think their extremely overrated and as someone already pointed out, all you seem to pull in with them is moss.. Thats just seems to be my experience with them but yet, many have had great success with them.
I've actually had great success with the banjo minnow. Offcourse, I bought a G-loomis especially for that purpose. I think alot of times, Its not the actualy lure itself, but it can be more of the : presentation, Rod/reel/line setup, Conditions (seasonal/spec. weather) and the paticular angler's patience level.
Its like some people complaining about a certain brand ammunition not grouping effectively; when infact, it may not be the ammunition at all. It may be only or a combination of the Firearm and the specific shooter. Every firearm, can shoot better and differently, depending on a multitude of factors. Every firearm likes a specific brand of ammunition, and offcourse their are those cases where "one" type can work in "all"..
ejtaylor822 reply :
Dancin' eel - I have caught a few on them, but, as I lose them they are not getting replaced.
DeepStructure reply :
QuoteWell, It depends on what you mean by a "jig"... I"ve had great success fishing with grubs, worms, tubes, etc...with Jig head.
I agree, a grub on just a plain jighead is my ultimate confidence bait. I can do almost anything with it: bounce it off the bottom, crawl/drag it on the bottom, straight retrieve at any depth, burn it just under the surface, etc.
Is it a water clarity issue? Maybe bulky flipping jigs are too much in clear water? I'd be interested in hearing the guys who don't have luck on jigs/guys who do have luck on jigs describe the water clarity/cover (or lack of cover) that they fish and the type of jigs they use.
Izzy3374 reply :
Rual, try using them early in the morning and late at night in the shallows that have lot of cover. You should get some reaction strikes. I like the double blade. Moves more water.
dacrawdaddy reply :
Quotethose fruity smellin, cheap renegade plastic worms from wally world... cant even get tap. I dont know whether the fish are supposed to bite it or i am.
The 4" motor oil red flake will catch fish when nothing else will. I rig mine on a 1/8 oz slider head, let it sink to the bottom then reel in slow and steady. Can't beat the price.
LAO162 reply :
Jigs - it's not that I don't throw them. It's just that I lose them every few casts. I don't know if I've ever had one last more than 10 casts. Even with Yo-Zuri #12 I broke the line on snags. However, I think that nasty bottom must be holding something good . That's why I've been stocking up on clearance jigs this winter
And, PowerPro is on sale this week
BTW, I'm a bank fisherman so snags are a common occurance
brandonmccray reply :
For me I'd say the black/gold rattle trap. I had planned on using it in dingy water because I thought that dark a profile would be more visible. After no luck in several attempts in dark water, I eventually started trying it anywhere; and still could catch a cold with it. I kept trying for about a month and a half, before I got snagged and lost it. It was actually pretty funny, because when that happened I almost instantly realised it was for the best. Right after that I went back to my old Tenn. Shad gold rattle trap and caught one. Really, I'd just been so hyped up because I really believed I'd made a sharp, strategic purchase and wanted the plan to work out. I definately learned a lesson in having more realistic expectations from that.
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