To Use Or Not Use "searchbaits" 2024
Texas Hawg Hunter reply :
I was just curious how many of you start out a fishing trip with "searchbaits" that cover a lot of water quickly to locate the fish (e.g., spinnerbaits or crankbaits) then switch it up with finesse lures once you find them?
How does this work for you during the winter months? If you don't do this, what is your typical starting lure?
livetofish28 reply :
Warmer months yes a crank spinnerbait or spook are my go to first cast baits, wintertime generally don't bother with them because I will make a lot of casts won't find any fish and then come across a point throw a jerkbait and wham fish on I'm not a good winter time angler still trying to learn this time of year lol
Tight line
Andrew
Diggy reply :
If they keep hitting the search baits, I have no reason to switch it up. I prefer chuck and reel baits by nature.
A-Jay reply :
When Fishing the best spots at the best times, I use the Best bait that will get me the Big Bass bite. More often than not, that's a jig. So I am searching, I'm just doing it slower and with a bit more precision. If after thoroughly covering an area, whether I caught or not, before leaving I may cover the area again with a slightly faster presentation.
When I believe that a spot or area holds a good fish, I do not feel beating the water to a froth by machine gunning a ton of casts with a spinner bait before going to something else, is going to improve my chances any.
But that's just me.
A-Jay
Hyrule Bass reply :
i dont believe in "search baits" because it could be any bait. i start with what i feel will work well, then adjust from there. could be a berkley power worm one day, a senko the next, a crank the next, a top water the next, then a spinnerbait, etc etc etc...
Shane J reply :
Yeah, I'm the same way. I'll start with my best guess as to what the big girls want right up front (also usually a jig), in my best starting spot, and see if I can find her. If not, after thoroughly working it over, I might throw a search type bait to just double check. Some of my favorites, are a light colored bladed jig with a Rage Craw, swim jig and Grub or Menace, or a keel weighted swimbait.
Stingray23 reply :
I have 2 search baits that I have tied on all the time and use first. A spinnerbait and a lipless crankbait.
Texas Hawg Hunter reply :
On 3/17/2014 at 11:13 AM, Stingray23 said:I have 2 search baits that I have tied on all the time and use first. A spinnerbait and a lipless crankbait.
A spinnerbait is my go-to bait. I am trying to get into crankbaits more this year...was never a big fan of treblehooks (cause I seem to hang them up a lot) but I'm gonna give them a chance.
Grizzn N Bassin reply :
I use jig alot of the Times. But in the am or at night im using topwater. If nothing on there i slow down or throw a spinner out there
Stingray23 reply :
On 3/17/2014 at 11:48 AM, Todd Ward said:A spinnerbait is my go-to bait. I am trying to get into crankbaits more this year...was never a big fan of treblehooks (cause I seem to hang them up a lot) but I'm gonna give them a chance.
Same here. I love spinnerbaits and look to use them any chance I get. The lipless crankbait can be used in the same manner and locations, just slightly deeper. Both are go-to baits for me along with a weightless fluke. I can use those 3 baits and catch 99% of my fish.
WIGuide reply :
I always try to fish as fast as the fish will let me. If I can burn through water power fishing, there's really no need for me to slow down and try to coax one into biting. That doesn't mean that I won't have a rod with a more finesse presentation rigged up, but I'm only going to throw that in very high percentage areas. If they aren't hitting, I'll start slowing down and using a more finesse presentation.
Hyrule Bass reply :
On 3/17/2014 at 11:13 AM, Stingray23 said:I have 2 search baits that I have tied on all the time and use first. A spinnerbait and a lipless crankbait.
and what if those two catch nothing when a worm or lizard wouldve worked the whole time? your "search baits" found nothing, you still really want to call them search baits?
JeziHogg reply :
Personally when I comes to search baits I like using a 1oz football jig and drag it across the bottom to get a feel of the structure.
Felix77 reply :
I always try to cover water quickly first. If that doesn't work I try more finesse tactics.
FWIW ... My general rule
After Ice out - slow and steady. As the season progresses pick up the speed.
Early Spring (after ice out) - The fastest I will go is either a small swimbait (keitech ez shiner) on a small mushroom jig. I also slow roll a fluke with a 1/8oz sinker. I try and move it steady while maintaining contact with the bottom.
Late spring - fall: All the typical stuff. Cranks, Spinnerbaits etc. Depends on where I am fishing (depth and cover)
aharris reply :
I'm more of a reaction strike junkie, so if they're biting "search baits", I'll keep throwing them.
Hooligan reply :
Search baits are just that: Baits that allow you to cover water more quickly, and pick up those active fish. If you don't use them, you're missing fish that are more easily caught. It, generally, will also allow you to learn what fish are doing in terms of location and activity level. A search bait can be a swim jig to a crank, a spinnerbait to a jerkbait. There are only a few times that I consider bottom contact plastics to be search baits, and those are in very specific conditions.
There's never a situation that I discount a search pattern, never. #1 those baits target more active fish, more aggressive fish. More active, aggressive fish generally lead to being bigger than others. #2 anything that I can do to speed my way to five fish, be it one or five, is making better use of my time on the water. If I'm fun fishing- the more and bigger fish I catch the more fun I'm having.
After I've really pummeled an area with a search technique, I may or may not go back through more slowly. The secondary aspect of a search, or fast moving technique, is that it allows me to pay very close attention to the 'Bird in the front of the boat. It allows me to pay attention to the moods of the fish, where they are in relation to structure, where they are in relation to wood or submerged vegetation. If I see fish that are placed in a specific way, I'll go back through and fish thoroughly with one of any number of techniques, but generally, it's going to be something very specific that I'm looking for when I do that. That's what a search pattern tells me, above all else.
Texas Hawg Hunter reply :
Nice, Hooligan. Very thorough response. You seem very knowledgeable in this area. How do you modify your search strategy in the winter? Same lures just slower?
Hooligan reply :
In winter, i tend to search with bigger, louder baits. Single Colorado 3/4-1oz baits with >6 blades, big rattlebaits like Aruku Shad, the LVR, and 3/4 ounce RES. Big swimbaits are also key for me this time of year on certain waters. I also tend to focus on deeper structure with vibrating baits and blades. In some waters, jerkbaits are absolutely essential, as well. Sometimes it's necessary to downsize, but not often will I drop down in size.
frogflogger reply :
A lot of one day tournaments are won by using "search baits" and looking for active fish - swim jigs to spooks and everything in between that can cover a lot of water.
macmichael reply :
Dynamite works well for me. LOL.
Just kidding of course.
I'm way outta my league on this forum. But man oh man have I learned a lot. It has been one of my best resources.
I'm just grateful that so many share so much.
I do try a lipless crank for searching.
mjseverson24 reply :
I use search baits on new body's of water, or when i start to search for spots while prefishing. I also rely heavily on search baits on very windy days, as typically these are difficult to use bottom contact, as the fish are usually more active... I will say that many a tough tournament day has been salvaged by search baits...
Mitch
Raul reply :
I don´t quite understand the concept of "search"baits, it may have something to do with the kind of climate I live in where the fish are in practical terms active year round, I do use faster moving baits like many types of cranks and spinnerbaits to catch "more active" fish and once I caught those, if I feel the fish are concentrated in a particular place then change for slower moving baits/techniques. If I feel the fish are more cooperative I don´t even bother in slowing down, I just keep moving or move to another spot.
RoLo reply :
On 3/20/2014 at 12:59 AM, Raul said:I don´t quite understand the concept of "search"baits
That makes two of us.
I like to think that every lure I tie-on is a 'search bait' (locator bait).
When we arrive at a new fishing spot, I generally begin with a fast-moving lure to quickly cull any active fish.
With the exception of schoolies, there's usually only 1 or 2 'active' fish at any given time.
Before abandoning a spot, I normally switch to a slower delivery in search of 'passive' bass.
Roger
Hooligan reply :
On 3/20/2014 at 12:59 AM, Raul said:I don´t quite understand the concept of "search"baits, it may have something to do with the kind of climate I live in where the fish are in practical terms active year round, I do use faster moving baits like many types of cranks and spinnerbaits to catch "more active" fish and once I caught those, if I feel the fish are concentrated in a particular place then change for slower moving baits/techniques. If I feel the fish are more cooperative I don´t even bother in slowing down, I just keep moving or move to another spot.
That, really, is the whole of it, in terms of a search bait. More aggressive fish with faster moving baits to find either concentrations or higher activity levels.
Xyndifor reply :
On 3/17/2014 at 9:17 AM, A-Jay said:When Fishing the best spots at the best times, I use the Best bait that will get me the Big Bass bite. More often than not, that's a jig. So I am searching, I'm just doing it slower and with a bit more precision. If after thoroughly covering an area, whether I caught or not, before leaving I may cover the area again with a slightly faster presentation.
When I believe that a spot or area holds a good fish, I do not feel beating the water to a froth by machine gunning a ton of casts with a spinner bait before going to something else, is going to improve my chances any.
But that's just me.
A-Jay
That's kind of what I've been doing most of the time. The water I'm familiar with I know where the fish are so I don't need to bother using too many search lures and usually go with a jig for the big fish but I do carry other rods with me when I'm walking the shore which includes a spinnerbait on one rod. I ususlly start with the spinnerbait but don't give up when I don't get bit. I know the fish are there so I'll usually stay a little longer throwing a different lure. I'd like to broaden my horizons a little bit more this year though and experiment with some of these search techniques. I have 5 rods I'll carry with me that will cover the whole spectrum of fishing lures I can throw at all depths.
WRB reply :
I rarely blindly use any lure looking for bass. The best search tool in the boat is your sonar unit and the stuff between your ears.
During the winter or cold water period bass should be deep water near baitfish or tight to structure, perfect for sonar. Bass being cold blooded in cold water aren't going to be active or willing to chase down fast moving lures often. As the water warms above 50 degrees they become more active and willing to move up in the water column and may chase slower moving lures a few feet, but not very often. If you are casting and cranking hoping to find a few active bass, plan on hauling a lot of empty water.
As the water warms above 55 degrees everything changes, it's pre spawn time, the bass are up in the water column and looking for food, crawdads are moving and bass are feeding on them. Lakes that have shad the bass may target them, now crank baits, spinning baits can work....your sonar unit is still your best search tool.
During the colder water periods vertical lures like structure spoons, jigs, drop shot soft plastics out perform horizontal reaction type faster moving lures. Pre spawn lipless cranks, deep divers and jerk baits out perform spinnerbaits. Swimbaits can be excellent during winter to pre spawn transition and continue to work through the spawn.
Spinnerbaits and top water come into play as the water approaches 70 degrees, post spawn to summer, now you can put the trolling on high and beat the bank with that spinnerbait.
Keep in mind that the lakes population of bass are not on the same activity level, they are individual fish with individual activity levels ranging from inactive to very active, the active level is about 10% of the time during a 24 hour period, less in cold water, more in warmer water. Bass will group up or school to feed on schools of baitfish, otherwise they hunt in small groups.
Tom
lmbfisherman reply :
I don't understand why you would limit yourself really? and technically like others have stated a search bait can be any technique really. I mean you're trying to search for fish, find and catch them. 
Hooked_On_Bass reply :
My approach is similar.On 3/18/2014 at 8:10 AM, Hooligan said:Search baits are just that: Baits that allow you to cover water more quickly, and pick up those active fish. If you don't use them, you're missing fish that are more easily caught. It, generally, will also allow you to learn what fish are doing in terms of location and activity level. A search bait can be a swim jig to a crank, a spinnerbait to a jerkbait. There are only a few times that I consider bottom contact plastics to be search baits, and those are in very specific conditions.
There's never a situation that I discount a search pattern, never. #1 those baits target more active fish, more aggressive fish. More active, aggressive fish generally lead to being bigger than others. #2 anything that I can do to speed my way to five fish, be it one or five, is making better use of my time on the water. If I'm fun fishing- the more and bigger fish I catch the more fun I'm having.
After I've really pummeled an area with a search technique, I may or may not go back through more slowly. The secondary aspect of a search, or fast moving technique, is that it allows me to pay very close attention to the 'Bird in the front of the boat. It allows me to pay attention to the moods of the fish, where they are in relation to structure, where they are in relation to wood or submerged vegetation. If I see fish that are placed in a specific way, I'll go back through and fish thoroughly with one of any number of techniques, but generally, it's going to be something very specific that I'm looking for when I do that. That's what a search pattern tells me, above all else.
Well said.
flippin and pitchin reply :
For smallmouth the saying goes, Find them with crankbaits and catch them with plastics.
Bankbeater reply :
It depends on where I am fishing, and what my gut tells me.
RoLo reply :
On 3/20/2014 at 11:03 AM, WRB said:I rarely blindly use any lure looking for bass. The best search tool in the boat is your sonar unit and the stuff between your ears.
Bingo!
Ratherbfishing reply :
I don't see search baits as those baits which you start with and then, afterwards, slow down. Search baits are those baits which move quickly, cover a lot of water, and intice bites from the aggressive, actively striking fish. Trolling is probably the oldest, most classic search approach.. If/once I begin catching them with a search bait, I'll continue to use this pattern as long as it holds out-assuming the fish are large enough to merit it. I don't simply start with search baits only to switch to a slower moving bait. And I don't always start with a search bait. Time of year, water and weather conditions, the body of water, mood of the fish, etc. will determine how I begin and if I change tactics.
jhoffman reply :
If you stick to everything you read about then youll find out real quick that most of it was just something for someone to write about. KVD's number one tactic at ice out is throwing crankbaits when most guys are thinking you must dead stick a jerkbait. Some people think a jerkbait is only useful in spring and dont even bother trying it in summer. Hair jigs... cold water right?
Keep fishing like the people in magazines and books tell you to fish instead of thinking for yourself and youll get every day results.
If the fish want a spinnerbait as fast as I can crank it in 40 degree water, thats what theyll get. If they want a shakey head theyll get that. Locate fish then pound on em till they eat.
Hooligan reply :
Locate fish then pound on em till they eat.
Lead a horse to water and force him to drink, while you're at it.
719BassFishing reply :
During spawn/Post-spawn, searchbaits are great for finding fish but when you find them, you might have to slow it down with something like a jig to pick up the bigger bass. In early spring i feel like you have to fish slow the whole time to find the bass. The fish will be more lethargic and wanting an easy meal. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits will still be god for finding fish, but slowing down the retrieve is key.
Maico1 reply :
Along with the others mentioned I like this one as well JDM Lucky Craft Bull............
jeremyryanwebb reply :
I always start with a search bait. Our water is pretty murky in these parts so i like to start with either somethin loud or flashy. Lipless cranks and Spinners are my go to, Id love to throw a spook more often but the gators down here seem to be quite attracted to topwater lures. After I have found the fish I will usually slow it down somewhat with a jig or senko.
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