No Luck With Plastics. 2024
Jdm219 reply :
Like the title says, I have no luck with plastics. No matter what retrieve,technique, or how I work it. I just can't get a fish. I've tried senkos,flukes,craws,worms,shakey head baits,grubs and turtles. I've found fish spinnerbaits then went back over that area with a plastic and it didn't work. What am I doing wrong? What do I do?
Scott F reply :
How clear is the water you fish?
Jdm219 reply :
One place I fish is really clear. And the other is kinda dingy.(t's a marina)
PersicoTrotaVA reply :
What colors are you using? What do the fish eat in your fishing spots? Baitfish? Crayfish? Worms?
sparky241 reply :
Well I guess I'm not alone here either, I don't know what they eat around here, other fish?
David D. reply :
You may just be fishing them too fast. If you leave a worm or stickbait of some kind on the bottom and just slowly twitch it back then you will catch a fish at some point.
Plastics are generally a bait that is fished much more slowly.
PersicoTrotaVA reply :
On 6/2/2014 at 1:37 PM, sparky241 said:Well I guess I'm not alone here either, I don't know what they eat around here, other fish?
Do some research(google is our friend) to find out what kind of stuff lives in the lakes and rivers around where you live. Find out what kind of shad, bluegill, small fish, crayfish, frogs, worms, lizards, salamanders, newts, bugs, etc. Pay attention to the colors. This can be the first clue as to what lures you should be using. Find out what the fish eat naturally in your area and you can get a pretty good idea as to what plastic baits to use.
Jar11591 reply :
Soft plastics are different than hard baits. Hard baits you feel a big hit, and the can feel the lure stop moving. A hit on a soft plastic more often that not is just a "tap-tap" or a subtle "thump" in the handle of the rod. My guess is you are getting bit, but just not feeling the hit and by that time the bass has spit the plastic. If you're not getting bit on a senko, then something is askew...
einscodek reply :
On 6/2/2014 at 1:41 PM, David D. said:You may just be fishing them too fast. If you leave a worm or stickbait of some kind on the bottom and just slowly twitch it back then you will catch a fish at some point.
Plastics are generally a bait that is fished much more slowly.
X2
Fish them confidently and patiently.. if you aint catching fish on plastics somethins wrong.
Spinnerbaits are great but plastics are just as or more effective.. I esp love soft jerkbaits and worms.
roadwarrior reply :
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/13845-guaranteed-to-catch-bass/
Jdm219 reply :
Shad,bluegill,minnows,bugs,frogs. I even seen a bass go after a small bird yesterday. Pretty cool. But somebody mentioned fishing senkos. I've tried fishing them weightless t-rig with no luck. Maybe I'll try again.On 6/2/2014 at 1:43 PM, PersicoTrotaVA said:Do some research(google is our friend) to find out what kind of stuff lives in the lakes and rivers around where you live. Find out what kind of shad, bluegill, small fish, crayfish, frogs, worms, lizards, salamanders, newts, bugs, etc. Pay attention to the colors. This can be the first clue as to what lures you should be using. Find out what the fish eat naturally in your area and you can get a pretty good idea as to what plastic baits to use.
FrankW reply :
Hi Jdm219,
There is something wrong with your technique or equipment if you are not catching fish on plastics. Since you are catching them on spinner baits then that tells me there are fish present. What rod, reel, line, hook, weight are you using? Are you fishing from a boat?
I suggest you pay more attention to where you are catching your spinner bait fish. If you catch a fish and then fish the same spot and don't catch a fish, you need to fish other sports that are just like that spot. For instance, if you catch one by a stump close to shore then fish other stumps close to shore. If you catch one on outside grass then fish other outside grass. You need to stay away from your target and cast so you bait makes a minimum entry disturbance. More than likely you are fishing too fast and you need more or less weight, smaller or bigger bait. We can't say for sure unless we know more about how you are fishing your plastics.
Fank
CDMeyer reply :
Try to just use a power worm, but find the fish with a spinner bait like you said..... you will now know they are there, so then just slow down and focus, and you should start to catch em' this will give you confidence in them then, hope this helps
Jdm219 reply :
Pro qualifier on a buccoo micro guide. 30 pound power pro. It serves it's purpose on the local waters. I've brought in big fish with it. Yesterday was the first day in weeks that I didn't bring in a fish. A guy that was fishing nearby caught about 4 largemouth in an hour or so on a powerbait worm in tequila sunrise. But he was using Texas rig. Unfortunately I have no luck with the Texas rig.On 6/2/2014 at 11:30 PM, FrankW said:Hi Jdm219,
There is something wrong with your technique or equipment if you are not catching fish on plastics. Since you are catching them on spinner baits then that tells me there are fish present. What rod, reel, line, hook, weight are you using? Are you fishing from a boat?
I suggest you pay more attention to where you are catching your spinner bait fish. If you catch a fish and then fish the same spot and don't catch a fish, you need to fish other sports that are just like that spot. For instance, if you catch one by a stump close to shore then fish other stumps close to shore. If you catch one on outside grass then fish other outside grass. You need to stay away from your target and cast so you bait makes a minimum entry disturbance. More than likely you are fishing too fast and you need more or less weight, smaller or bigger bait. We can't say for sure unless we know more about how you are fishing your plastics.
Fank
Jdm219 reply :
I'll try this tomorrow on my spinning setup. Hopefully I can bring in a few fish.On 6/2/2014 at 11:34 PM, CDMeyer said:Try to just use a power worm, but find the fish with a spinner bait like you said..... you will now know they are there, so then just slow down and focus, and you should start to catch em' this will give you confidence in them then, hope this helps
WIGuide reply :
If you aren't catching them on soft plastics, there's something wrong. It's really hard to tell exactly what it is you're doing wrong without actually watching you fish. Best advice I can give though is slow down, be patient, and be confident!
FrankW reply :
Hi Jdm219,
Ok, that gear will work. Tell us how you rig it. The size of hook/weight/worm. The depth/color of water. What kind of cover are you fishing? Are others who fish with you catching fish with plastic. Can you afford a guide for a trip?
Frank
Hattrick7 reply :
I think color is an important factor at least in my experience. Also the t rig allows a lot of versatility for different baits. I'd use a 3/0 ewg hook as a general hook size. Get differnt styles of plastics like stick worms, curly tails, finesse worms, creatures.
Try a pit boss in green/ green. Finesse worms try a roboworm in differnt colors. For some reason the bubblegum color (morning dawn, margarita mutilator) gets me bit in clear water.
But in general a green pumpkin or black blue stick worm or curly should get bit. I would drag it across the bottom and not necessarily hop it. One thing you may want to try is to keep the rod tip about 9 or 10 o'clock and just slowly reel it in.
K_Mac reply :
On 6/3/2014 at 1:37 AM, WIGuide said:If you aren't catching them on soft plastics, there's something wrong. It's really hard to tell exactly what it is you're doing wrong without actually watching you fish. Best advice I can give though is slow down, be patient, and be confident!
Yep. All the talk about what the bass feed on in a given lake makes for interesting discussion, but makes little difference when it comes to bass eating a plastic worm, creature bait, or Senko. The only certainty is these baits will catch bass when fished anywhere close to right in more or less the right spot. There are many videos available to show the correct way use them and to find the right spot. Even better would be having a skilled bass fisherman to show you. Good luck.
Jdm219 reply :
I usually don't use plastics but when I do I try to use a Texas rig. The depth is anywhere from 2-11 feet because it's a marina. I use a 1/4 bullet weight, ewg hook. Size depends on what bait I pick. And I usually try powerbait worms or a Texas rigged senko-weightless. The bottom is somewhat weedy with some rocks. And my buddy that I fish with uses mainly spinnerbaits. It's a confidence bait for us. And lastly I cannot afford a guide mainly because I'm a highschool student working like 10 hours a week.On 6/3/2014 at 4:38 AM, FrankW said:Hi Jdm219,
Ok, that gear will work. Tell us how you rig it. The size of hook/weight/worm. The depth/color of water. What kind of cover are you fishing? Are others who fish with you catching fish with plastic. Can you afford a guide for a trip?
Frank
Jdm219 reply :
Sadly, they don't sell roboworn baits at my local basspro. But I do have some pink senkos and pink flukes. As well as pumpkin,watermelon magic,black/blue and a few other colored senkos. For flukes I have baby bass,shiner,white/chartuese, and some more random ones. After reading all your guys' posts, I'm feeling somewhat confident on trying these baits tomorrow. I have quite a few different colored worms as well as different sizes. So they all will see some use tomorrow hopefully.On 6/3/2014 at 7:13 AM, Hattrick7 said:I think color is an important factor at least in my experience. Also the t rig allows a lot of versatility for different baits. I'd use a 3/0 ewg hook as a general hook size. Get differnt styles of plastics like stick worms, curly tails, finesse worms, creatures.
Try a pit boss in green/ green. Finesse worms try a roboworm in differnt colors. For some reason the bubblegum color (morning dawn, margarita mutilator) gets me bit in clear water.
But in general a green pumpkin or black blue stick worm or curly should get bit. I would drag it across the bottom and not necessarily hop it. One thing you may want to try is to keep the rod tip about 9 or 10 o'clock and just slowly reel it in.
Jdm219 reply :
I believe I may be fishing them too fast with not enough patience. I'm so quick to change what I'm using and not give anything a chance. Lol. It's time to slow it down a bit.On 6/3/2014 at 1:37 AM, WIGuide said:If you aren't catching them on soft plastics, there's something wrong. It's really hard to tell exactly what it is you're doing wrong without actually watching you fish. Best advice I can give though is slow down, be patient, and be confident!
Jdm219 reply :
I just also realized that I don't really know what techniques to use.. That might be something important.
Hattrick7 reply :
I would downsize your weight to 1/8 oz to weightless for a t rig. Try a weightless wacky rig senko also.
DBL000006 reply :
For one color of the Plastic worm, could be important. Depending on the main feeding for your bass in that body of water. The color does help on what the Bass are feeding on. You gotta be confident in the colors you like to use. The main colors for all plastics should be: Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Black or black and Blue, Junebug (In Stained or Clear water) Pumpkinseed and (Brown colored plastic) Red Bug. You said your fishing the plastics fast. What you want to do is... Cast the worm out. Let the worn sit for 10 seconds. Jerk your rod a few times. That'll cause your worm to shake or move around a little. If that isn't working. Swin your worm on the Bottom. Meaning, hop it along on the bottom Do that a few times. Then let it sit for a few seconds. Figure out what type of app the Bass want. Then keep doing it. If the bite slows. You change up. Change colors as well
FrankW reply :
On 6/3/2014 at 11:57 AM, Jdm219 said:I usually don't use plastics but when I do I try to use a Texas rig. The depth is anywhere from 2-11 feet because it's a marina. I use a 1/4 bullet weight, ewg hook. Size depends on what bait I pick. And I usually try powerbait worms or a Texas rigged senko-weightless. The bottom is somewhat weedy with some rocks. And my buddy that I fish with uses mainly spinnerbaits. It's a confidence bait for us. And lastly I cannot afford a guide mainly because I'm a highschool student working like 10 hours a week.
Hi Jdm219,
Your comments make more sense now. I assume you don't have a boat and that is why you are fishing the Marina. The Spinnerbait is a searching bait that allows you to cover a lot of water. When you hook a fish it is sometimes hard to tell where the fish came from. Most plastics like worms or creature baits are a targeted lure that you toss to a specific target. Once you learn where the fish are laying around the docks this will help you target your fish with a worm, creature bait or Jig. If I was fishing a Marina my first choice would be a Jig with a plastic trailer. You should also consider fishing plastic jerk baits. They will cover a lot of ground like the spinner bait. If you are using spinning gear then I suggest you try a black Zoom Trick Worm with a pegged, 1/16th bullet weight. Learn to back hand flip it and you can be pretty accurate with it. If you don't get a bite on the fall let it set in the rocks and grass. Just barley drag it over the rocks and grass. Each time you move over or pull through some grass you have the chance at a bite.
If there is a local Bass Shop in your area I would go there and ask them to show you how to fish a worm. If it is a good shop, they will help you out.
I just noticed you are in Indiana. Are you fishing Smallmouth. My comments are about Largemouth.
Frank
sparky241 reply :
I finally got one, on a black w/ red flake swim bait at wolf lake in whiting, ind
Jdm219 reply :
On 6/4/2014 at 12:06 AM, FrankW said:Hi Jdm219,Your comments make more sense now. I assume you don't have a boat and that is why you are fishing the Marina. The Spinnerbait is a searching bait that allows you to cover a lot of water. When you hook a fish it is sometimes hard to tell where the fish came from. Most plastics like worms or creature baits are a targeted lure that you toss to a specific target. Once you learn where the fish are laying around the docks this will help you target your fish with a worm, creature bait or Jig. If I was fishing a Marina my first choice would be a Jig with a plastic trailer. You should also consider fishing plastic jerk baits. They will cover a lot of ground like the spinner bait. If you are using spinning gear then I suggest you try a black Zoom Trick Worm with a pegged, 1/16th bullet weight. Learn to back hand flip it and you can be pretty accurate with it. If you don't get a bite on the fall let it set in the rocks and grass. Just barley drag it over the rocks and grass. Each time you move over or pull through some grass you have the chance at a bite.If there is a local Bass Shop in your area I would go there and ask them to show you how to fish a worm. If it is a good shop, they will help you out.I just noticed you are in Indiana. Are you fishing Smallmouth. My comments are about Largemouth.Frank
Well. I know how to back hand flip. I've mainly been using hard baits. So when I finally do get a chance to go back I will be trying a jig and trailer to drag through the grass and rocks. I can somewhat pinpoint where they're hiding so that gives me an advantage. I'm also going to try some flukes. Another answer to one of your questions; I do not have a boat at the moment. I'm actually saving for a kayak. Today I picked up some yum dingers in natural colors I see in the marina. Like silver and baby bass. Hopefully I have some luck with the Texas rig. I have some confidence in it after discussing this with you.
Jdm219 reply :
On 6/4/2014 at 3:56 AM, sparky241 said:I finally got one, on a black w/ red flake swim bait at wolf lake in whiting, ind
Oh god. Wolf lake is sketchy. I've been fishing Lake Michigan and the rivers/tributaries off of it. Marinas are usually spot on.
sparky241 reply :
There is a park on 119th off calumet, go in their and try, its just behind cargil and unilever
PersicoTrotaVA reply :
Try June bug in clear water and the pumpkinseed and watermelon in the dingy spots.
As far as techniques, you can go through every one of them. If you really want to catch fish easily, t-rig with a 1/8 oz or 1/4oz tungsten bullet weight, a red glass bead and a 4/0 hook. Put on something with a tail. Cast it out and start reeling slow with the rod tip down pointed at the water, stopping if you feel a bump. Watch your line, if it starts moving, reel in the slack and set the hook. If it doesn't, its probably structure so start reeling slow again. Sometimes fish will thump it, give it a second or 2, reel in the slack and set the hook. Sometimes its a tick tick, sometimes your line will go slack. You have to pay attention and really concentrate when fishing plastics. Hope this helps.
Jdm219 reply :
On 6/4/2014 at 10:49 AM, sparky241 said:There is a park on 119th off calumet, go in their and try, its just behind cargil and unilever
Sparky- I will have to try that place when I get a chance.On 6/4/2014 at 11:00 AM, PersicoTrotaVA said:Try June bug in clear water and the pumpkinseed and watermelon in the dingy spots.
As far as techniques, you can go through every one of them. If you really want to catch fish easily, t-rig with a 1/8 oz or 1/4oz tungsten bullet weight, a red glass bead and a 4/0 hook. Put on something with a tail. Cast it out and start reeling slow with the rod tip down pointed at the water, stopping if you feel a bump. Watch your line, if it starts moving, reel in the slack and set the hook. If it doesn't, its probably structure so start reeling slow again. Sometimes fish will thump it, give it a second or 2, reel in the slack and set the hook. Sometimes its a tick tick, sometimes your line will go slack. You have to pay attention and really concentrate when fishing plastics. Hope this helps.
Persico- Texas rig will be the first thing I throw when I finally am able to get out on the water.
Vavatron reply :
In my opinion the key to any new bait you are struggling with is to limit yourself to fishing it until you start catching fish on it. When doing this you have two options: 1)If you are the kind of person who has the will power to take your entire tackle box but not throw anything but soft plastics, then do so. 2) You are like me, and I don't trust myself not to change. I would take only terminal tackle and soft plastics. I even do this when I just want to get better with a particular technique/lure. Last year I spent several weeks fishing almost every day with jigs. Starting this weekend I a going to do the same thing with Senkos and Flukes. Use them until I develop confidence. The past several weeks I have done this with another type of bait, but it is a secret used primarily in Missouri and Kansas. ;-)
shawnFL reply :
I have a lot of success on Culprit worms. If the water visibility is bad, I do the purples. When I first started doing plastics, my biggest fault was going for the hookset too early. Sometimes the bass needs to get the entire thing chowed down. I'm a firm believer that with plastics (talking statistics here) any retrieve will catch a fish; however, my greater success rates are after bouncing it back up and just letting it sink back down on its own. Usually do a 1/8 ounce weight, Texas rigged.
Another tip, use a shorter worm. This helped calm down my habit of hooksetting before the bass actually had it. Obviously easier for him to swallow a 6" inch worm than a 7 1/2".
Superstition or whatever, green worms never catch me fish? Who knows.
Senkos, just throw it in the water and profit.
Jdm219 reply :
On 6/4/2014 at 11:13 PM, Vavatron said:In my opinion the key to any new bait you are struggling with is to limit yourself to fishing it until you start catching fish on it. When doing this you have two options: 1)If you are the kind of person who has the will power to take your entire tackle box but not throw anything but soft plastics, then do so. 2) You are like me, and I don't trust myself not to change. I would take only terminal tackle and soft plastics. I even do this when I just want to get better with a particular technique/lure. Last year I spent several weeks fishing almost every day with jigs. Starting this weekend I a going to do the same thing with Senkos and Flukes. Use them until I develop confidence. The past several weeks I have done this with another type of bait, but it is a secret used primarily in Missouri and Kansas. ;-)
If I take all my gear, I'll end up just taking the plastics off and putting on a spinnerbait. It's just how I am. So all the hard lures will be staying in the car next time.On 6/5/2014 at 4:08 AM, shawnFL said:I have a lot of success on Culprit worms. If the water visibility is bad, I do the purples. When I first started doing plastics, my biggest fault was going for the hookset too early. Sometimes the bass needs to get the entire thing chowed down. I'm a firm believer that with plastics (talking statistics here) any retrieve will catch a fish; however, my greater success rates are after bouncing it back up and just letting it sink back down on its own. Usually do a 1/8 ounce weight, Texas rigged.
Another tip, use a shorter worm. This helped calm down my habit of hooksetting before the bass actually had it. Obviously easier for him to swallow a 6" inch worm than a 7 1/2".
Superstition or whatever, green worms never catch me fish? Who knows.
Senkos, just throw it in the water and profit.
And Shawn, I've had the same problem when I tried to fishing plastics. I'm so use to cranks and spinnerbaits that I try to set the hook as soon as I get something.
shawnFL reply :
On 6/5/2014 at 11:55 AM, Jdm219 said:
If I take all my gear, I'll end up just taking the plastics off and putting on a spinnerbait. It's just how I am. So all the hard lures will be staying in the car next time.
And Shawn, I've had the same problem when I tried to fishing plastics. I'm so use to cranks and spinnerbaits that I try to set the hook as soon as I get something.
My older brother broke me of this. He pinched the tail down of my worm, then easily showed me how tricked you can be into thinking the bass has it by pulling it and bending my rod down. I've even had a big bass bite down on a longer worm and split it clean in half, completely missing the hook (lol.) When I feel the very typical 'tap tap' I now have trained myself to be composed. I usually bring my rod tip down toward the water, prepared to reel in any slack, then blast a heavy hookset to the point where you can hear my rod cutting the air. I can't tell you how much more I catch on plastics being a patient striker.
In my experience, nothing out fishes a worm. I can tell you stories of how I've missed a hookset on one, and when it landed back in the water another instantly destroyed it. I've had bass take it right as I was about to pull it out of the water to throw it again. I've just seen some of the wildest things from worms. I'll admit it's a lot easier to hook up on a crank, but it's a lot easier to attract with a worm.
Nolan Hunter reply :
It's like David said earlier slow it down. When it comes to plastics I look at it like this if the bite is slow I either slow down my retrieve and think about what the bass are feeding on this time of year.
Nolan Hunter reply :
It's like David said earlier slow it down. When it comes to plastics I look at it like this if the bite is slow I either slow down my retrieve and think about what the bass are feeding on this time of year.
related Fishing Tackle topic
previous topic
next topic
© 2024 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.