What Were Your Top 3 Baits for 2010? 2025

Goose52 reply :

With the bait monkey running rampant at this time of year, I thought it would be interesting to find out how little we actually need to catch fish. I sorted my 2010 "catch log" and found that only 3 types of baits accounted for a whopping 90.6% of all the fish I caught this year (1050 fish out of 1158 caught).

My top 3 baits were:

Lipless cranks (mostly SK RES)

5" Single tail grubs (Zoom, Gander Mountain)

Plastic worms (mostly 7.5" and 10" - several brands)

The other 9.4% were caught on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jerkbaits, topwater, etc. BUT, I could have caught over 1000 fish with only 3 baits in my pocket... ;D Take that, bait monkey!

So, what were your most successful baits?

OHIO reply :

Black Booyah buzzbait

Kalin's Chartreuse grub

Berkley 4" Power Worm in pumpkinseed

farmpond1 reply :

1) Creatures baits were probably number 1 and especially Berkley Power Hawgs.

2) I caught a lot of fish on various types of stick baits too.

3) I actually caught a bunch of bass on a Heddon baby torpedo.

Siebert Outdoors reply :

1 jig

2 tube

3 jerkbait

jdw174 reply :

Bomber Square A

5" Yum Dinger (Watermelon Red Flake)

5" Hags Tornado (California Red)

J Francho reply :

1. A drop shot plastic which will remain anonymous.

5-12 Lake Erie Smallmouth

2. Ragetail Craw, T-rig 3/8 oz. tungsten

4-9 Largemouth from Champlain, Day 1 lunker, held by my partner Brutus

3. Spro Aruku Shad

4-3 Largemouth from Lake Ontario

Honorable Mentions:

Senko

Jig

KYntucky Warmouth reply :

Quote
1 jig
2 tube

3 jerkbait

I could use crankbait and jerkbait interchangeably

Jig

tube

jerkbait/crankbait

Lucky Craft Man reply :

1. Jerkbait (various brands)

2. Drop Shot (Will not name specific bait, but I bet it is that same as what J Francho uses. The guys I fish with affetionatly call it "rubber gold" or "soft gold," because of how well it works.)

3. Senko type bait (again, various brands)

RandySBreth reply :

#1: A custom compact spinnerbait.

#2: Medium diving crankbaits, mostly DT4, DT6, Bomber 4A, and the Rapala XRap Shad.

#3:Suspending Jerkbaits.

I mostly fished smaller lakes and Smallmouth rivers as I was working two jobs until just recently, so if I was fishing Table Rock like I normally would there would maybe be a Shaky Head or jig in there.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

1. Jig

2. Swimbait

3. Split shot rig

Edit: Actual swimbaits, not paddletails.

BASSclary reply :

1. Jig

2. 7" ribbontails

3. 3" Shadalicious soft swimbait in Sexy Shad

deaknh03 reply :

lipless crank, especially the cotton cordell cheapie

sebile splasher, huge hookups with that thing

yamamoto swimmin senko, tried them for the 1st time late this year and love em

Randall reply :

This past year I decided to use two baits that suit the way I like to fish and my strengths and have fewer lures rods etc in the boat. I don't even know what the third bait would be because two lures caught 90% of my fish. Those two were a swimbait and a straight tail worm. I filled in with other lures when need came to fish other lures but still cut the number of those other lures that I would carry. Most of the time I had everything I needed in one large clear flat tackle box. I spent much more time using my electronics looking for fish that would bite the way I wanted to fish and quit fishing for those that didn't.

End result was more big fish caught including a huge fish right at 16lbs. More three pound plus fish and an average fish that was probably running around four pounds per fish. Funny thing was I did this fishing about 1/4 of the number of days I usually fish with just two baits. I think I learned something to apply to 2011.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

^ He's the reason I started throwing a split shot rig too.

bassin is addicting reply :

spinnerbait. in bluegill

plastic worms. 7" powerbait. camo

buzzbait. cavitron. white

J Francho reply :

I shared what I was willing to share, and that's A LOT. 99% of the time, the actual bait doesn't matter. In my case, many locals know I post here, and do fish against me. You want a good drop shot bait? Anything on a drop shot rig will work very well in right circumstances. Try a kut tail worm or a Robo worm.

ChiCityBasser reply :

1. Strike King 1xs (Various colors)

2. Swim Jig (Various Companies)

3. Spinnerbait (Various Companies)

Majority of my fish this year were on the Strike King Shallow diver crank

RoLo reply :

> Deps 6" Deathadder Grub (scuppernong)

> Spro Aruku Shad 75 (chrome blue)

> Gambler 7" Big Stick (green pumpkin)

> Berkley 5" Split-Belly Swimbait (tennessee shad) tied for 3rd place

Roger

River Rat316 reply :

1 Spinnerbait

2 Jig (Swim, flipping, or hair)

3 Soft Plastic stick Bait

The variations of jigs I fish with probably account for about 60-70% of my fish, but I can break them down into 3 different baits.

I could also throw in as a honorable mention soft plastic swimbaits, t-rigged anything but especially 7" curl tail worms, and a shakey head with a 4" worm

Goose52 reply :

WOW - this is taking off. One thing for sure, there's no single top three - there must be LOTS of baits that can catch fish, eh ...

Now, I wonder if this thread will prove how few different baits you need to catch fish, or will everyone be looking at the other folks top 3 and thinking...I should try that next year...and then bam - bait monkey time!

SoFlaBassAddict reply :

No particular order. I can't say just three though.

Drop Shot (Roboworm 6" straight tail or small Lake Fork Magic Shad)

Small Texas Rigged creature baits

Swimbaits

Flipping Plastics

Frogs

Definitely had better size with the frogs and flipping baits

Alpster reply :

1. 7 1/2" Culprit ribbon tail worm.

2. Jig & trailer (trailers vary to conditions)

3. drop shot with zoom finesse or 4" senko.

Ronnie

baluga reply :

1. Sebile Magic Swimmer 110

2. Zara Spook Jr

3. LuckyCraft Lipless Slim Pointer 110.

bowfish12 reply :

Quote
1 jig
2 tube

3 jerkbait

I thought all you threw was a jig? ;D

1. Spinnerbait

2. 10"+ worm

3. Redeye Shad/Jig (tie)

Lucky Craft Man reply :

Quote
what is up with you guys not sharing what you used on the drop shot??? i thought this site was to share info? it's not like you are fishing against any of us.... is it? didn't your mom tell you it isn't nice to not share? gotta admit those are some nice fish.
my top 3.

spinnerbait. in bluegill

plastic worms. 7" powerbait. camo

buzzbait. cavitron. white

Well, I'm sure if you lived in the Erie area, you would know what drop shot bait we are referring to. As mentioned before, there are a lot of baits that will work on drop shot rigs and I wouldn't say this one bait is that much better than others on most days. Though, there are those days where for some reason, this bait really works magic.

tholmes reply :

1. Culprit 7.5" ribbon tail worm - Tequila Sunrise color

2. SK Red-Eye Shad - Sexy Shad or chrome/blue

3. Shaky-head jig w/ black 4" grub

3a. Storm Wiggle-Wart - brown craw

Tom

Jigfishn10 reply :

In no particular order:

Custom short arm single blade spinnerbait

Spook Jr or Spit n Image (each pretty much got equal time)

Homemade jig with either a chunk trailer or single tail grub

lsufan334 reply :

1. Tungstem pegged Zoom Super Speed Craw Watermelon/Red

2. Hack Attack Jig

3. Chart/Blk squarebill crank (H2O)

Honorable Mention 3/16oz shakey head with zoom finesse watermelon/red (Got me out of alot of bad days )

I.rar reply :

fluke/jrs

4" and 5" stick baits

kut tails

5bass reply :

- 1/4 oz football jig

- DD22

- top secret jerkbait ;D

brushhoggin reply :

Quote
1. A drop shot plastic which will remain anonymous.

but you can tell us southern guys since they wont bite em down here. ;D

as for me, well they don't call me brushhoggin for nuthin

NorCalFishinguru reply :

Probably flipping/ punching a beaver, hopping and dragging a t-rigged brush hog and third may be a senko because they work at all lakes all year in all types of vegetation.

I'd guess that the secret d-shot bait that they're talking about mimicks a goby and wouldn't have the same effect in most of the country where, unlike Erie, the lakes aren't loaded with gobies. I could be wrong but that's what I'd guess

tkite16 reply :

1) rc 2.5dd chartruse with black back

2) black and blue eakins jig

3) brown 4 inch tube

bigfruits reply :

1/4 bitsy bug (green craw) baby rage craw (grn pumpkin)

3" crazy legs chigger craw (black blue flake) 1/8-3/16oz tungsten worm weight - i peg it tight with an eagle claw bobber stop and it seems to stand straight on the bottom, great action/small profile

4" senko

Goose52 reply :

Quote
- 1/4 oz football jig
- DD22

- top secret jerkbait ;D

That's the first one that surprised me! I'm a Luhr Jensen Hot-Lips Express fan myself and I hope to get in some more deep-cranking next year...

northern basser reply :

1) 6" and 7" Senkos

2) Lipless cranks (variety)

3) Tie- buzzbaits and spinnerbaits

shootermcbob reply :

Senko... of some type..cabelas, yum dinger, GYCB, etc

Cabelas shallow grave digger crankbait in bombay/lime

Spinnerbait

soopd reply :

1/2 oz football jig

10" monster worms

3" grub

stanfan reply :

spring - white swim jig w/tail of white swim senko

summer - zoom G tail worm green pumpkin

fall - zoom ultra vibe speed worm green pumpkin

winter - ??? lake frozen already

Bryce C reply :

1) jig

2) shallow square bill cranks

3) swim jig w/ small swimbait trailer

guitarkid reply :

7" fish stalker finesse worm - watermelon with gold flake

Original Rapala Floater - silver black back

Bed bug jig with mad man craw trailor - black/blue

-gk

philsoreel reply :

1-Shakeyhead w/Strikezone Shake-up Head worms

2-Bouncing Bandit cranks off hard-cover

3-Carolina Rigging Robo straight tails

Honorable Mention- LC Wake Shads. Didn't catch get the numbers but got alot of bigger fish.

Lund Explorer reply :

Sorry Goose, but I carry at least seven different rods out on the deck everytime I hit the water.

If I had to choose the top three, I could tell you that the top producer was probably a T-Rig 7" Power Worm with any one of five or six colors.

After that, it would be a tie between a Pop-R, Lipless Crankbaits, Lipped Crankbaits, Spinnerbaits, Jigs, Tubes, Grubs, Asst'd Drop-Shots..... plus a few others.

Did you know that the Bait Monkey has a cousin who deals in walleye baits?

Goose52 reply :

Quote
Sorry Goose, but I carry at least seven different rods out on the deck everytime I hit the water.

I usually have six different rods...in my 12' canoe! But at the end of the day, only 3 types of baits caught 90% of the fish... That number might change next year as I wean myself from my primary confidence bait.

Now, we haven't heard yet from the folks that carry 27 rods on their boat... ;D

frogflogger reply :

1. Furbit

2. Furbit

3. Sebile soft swimmer

Sam reply :

Senko

Shad Rapp

Sexy Shad Crankbait

Lund Explorer reply :

Quote

Quote
Sorry Goose, but I carry at least seven different rods out on the deck everytime I hit the water.

I usually have six different rods...in my 12' canoe! But at the end of the day, only 3 types of baits caught 90% of the fish... That number might change next year as I wean myself from my primary confidence bait.

Now, we haven't heard yet from the folks that carry 27 rods on their boat... ;D

Try not to take it personally when I say you've cursed me into making up a new fishing log for 2011. I used to keep a very complete log during my tournament days, but I've let it slip the last couple of years.

The more I look at what I "could" keep track of, the bigger the spreadsheet gets!

Goose52 reply :

Quote
Try not to take it personally when I say you've cursed me into making up a new fishing log for 2011. I used to keep a very complete log during my tournament days, but I've let it slip the last couple of years.
The more I look at what I "could" keep track of, the bigger the spreadsheet gets!

Sorry! I probably don't record as much as some folks do - for instance, the only environmental factor I record is surface water temp - others record whether they're fishing on a rising or falling barometer, time of day, etc.

One thing I didn't record in 2010 was number of fishing days. I record my catch, but there are some days :-? when I get skunked - not that often, but it happens, especially in the middle of a heat wave, when fishing from the bank that day... I guess I'll fix that for 2011.

Catt reply :

Gene Larew 7 1/2" Salty Ringworm Cinnamon Pepper Neon Junebug Laminated

Terry Oldham's Eye-Max Jig & Strike King Rage Lobster

Rattle HeadTM Spinner Bait

Biggest surprise Sidewinder by Stanley

mudkart reply :

1. Lipless cranks (Aruku shad 75 or Clackin rap 8, color does not seem to matter).

2. Roboworm Zipper shakin or straight tail on a shakey head (typically 6", pick your color, as above) .

3. Fat Ika when fishing grass beds (any of the black/blue/green pumpkin colors).

Honorable mention: Keitech swing impact FAT, 4.8" or 5.8", has worked very well in my lineup this year as a new addition.

Aruku shad (bass + snakehead):

Zipper shakin:

5bass reply :

Quote

Quote
- 1/4 oz football jig
- DD22

- top secret jerkbait ;D

That's the first one that surprised me! I'm a Luhr Jensen Hot-Lips Express fan myself and I hope to get in some more deep-cranking next year...

The funny thing is, if I made a Top 3 list for the last 10 years, the DD22 would be on every list.

Primus reply :

Depends on time of year and I have a hard time narrowing it down to 3. My selections are not based on numbers of fish but importance in my arsenal...

6" River to Sea Live Eye Bottom Walker- I didn't start throwing this until August but I was blown away with the average size bass that this put in my boat along with a personal best Pike. This bait will literally change the way I view fishing as I have bought similiar baits by various companies and next season will be focusing a lot of time fishing various 6" plus swimbaits trying to learn the baits. There will still be a place in my boat for conventional tackle but once you get the swimbait bug it will be hard to go back. I've spent a lot of money these past couple of months gearing up for next year on this category of tackle.

Zoom Speed Craw- ole reliable in my boat, consistent fish catcher

Deep Diving Cranks- I have a few I like to throw. In addition to my favorites the Strike King Series 6XD & the C Flash 44 mag are newer baits that made a positive impression on me.

Honorable mention....

Lipless cranks- great bait year round especially in the spring & fall. Key baits would include Sebile Flat Shad & SK Red Eye Shad.

Lucky Craft RC 1.5 - awesome shallow water crank

Jerkbaits- awesome in the spring

Senko- what can you say that hasn't already been said. However it's associated with weightless presentations but is also very effective on jigheads, Texas rigged etc

Jackall Flik Shake- I hate finnesse fishing but sometimes you've got to do what you have to do to put fish in the boat and this bait flat out works

Jigs- all year every year, there is a reason that this is a bass fisherman's staple

1/2 oz Hornet/ 3.5 Lake Fork Shad- I love it, a power fishing bait that works under tough conditions

Blade baits- my favorite is the Vibe E, essential for ealy spring/ late fall cold water fishing

grimlin reply :

5" ***

2 1/2'' curly tail grub

3" tube

Broke my wrist and sidelined my entire late spring early summer fishing. So my fish numbers are extremely low.

Goose52 reply :

Quote
Gene Larew 7 1/2" Salty Ringworm Cinnamon Pepper Neon Junebug Laminated
Terry Oldham's Eye-Max Jig & Strike King Rage Lobster

Rattle HeadTM Spinner Bait

Biggest surprise Sidewinder by Stanley

These 3 will immediately be going on everyone's Christmas list I bet...

ww2farmer reply :

For size:

Square bill crankbait

Frog

6" Senko

For numbers:

4" senko

Lipless crankbait

Drop shoted zoom tiny fluke

BTW I know Johns "secret" ds bait (I think)...............paypal me $50 for more info HAHAHAHAHA ;D ;D

Chris at Tech reply :

Pointer, Spook Jr., Senko

Munkin reply :

Jig

Finesse worm

Creature bait

Allen

Chaz Hickcox reply :

Flippin Creatures (SK Game Hawg and Rage Hawg)

SK Rage Tail Shad

Zara Spook (One Knocker)

MNGeorge reply :

4" tube

Sweet Beaver

Swimjig w/ Ragetail chunk trailer

Wayne P. reply :

1. Zoom Finesse Worm

2. Zoom Trick Worm

3. Rapala X-Rap

TrippyJai reply :

1. *** Baby Brush Bug (Green Pumpkin)

2. 4" Yama Senko (Black/Blue Flk)

3. Zoom Finesse Worm (Green Pumpkin)

DpDvr reply :

1. Finesse jig with zoom superchunk jr.

2. Black/blue Senko

3. Norman deep little N chart/blue back.

flippin and pitchin reply :

crankbait

beaver

tube

Vinny Chase reply :

1) North Star premier jig (watermelon/red)

2) Norman dd22

3) zoom ol' monster

SDoolittle reply :

1. Mattlures matt shad

2. Tru Tungten Ikey head with 4" zoom lizard

3. Strike King Red Eye Shad (sexy shad)

piscicidal reply :

1.) 8" zoom dead ringer

2.) skinny dipper

3.) horney toad

SeanW reply :

1) inline jig

2)straight tail work

3)swim baits/frogs

Goose52 reply :

A lot of references to jigs, and of course a lot of references to various soft plastics. Everything else is REALLY a mixed bag. Interesting stuff...

Shane J reply :

1) KVD bluegil swim jig with Baby Rage Craw

2)Rage Tail Lizard (weightless or c-rigged)

3)Falcon Craw Rage Craw on a swimbait hook

Buzbait88 reply :

1. Karu lures vibrashock

2. Netbait paca craw

3. spro bronzeye frog

Every tournament that I won or finished well in was because of those 3 lures and 90% of the time it was the only 3 lures I had on the deck of my boat. A swim jig was very close to being in there also, but I just have to give the edge to the pacacraw. I won numerous tournaments on it and the swim jig even though I caught a lot of fish on it, never accounted for a tournament win.

Raul reply :

Creature of habits here, in no particular order:

1.- Zoom Trickworm ( what a surprise ! : )

2.- 3/8 oz single Tennessee blade white/chartreuse spinnerbait ( another "surprise" : )

3.- Rapala Shad Rap ( oh boy! surprisingly )

Course, you can 't expect something else from a creature of habit.

Goose52 reply :

Quote
Creature of habits here, in no particular order:
1.- Zoom Trickworm ( what a surprise ! : )

2.- 3/8 oz single Tennessee blade white/chartreuse spinnerbait ( another "surprise" : )

3.- Rapala Shad Rap ( oh boy! surprisingly )

Course, you can 't expect something else from a creature of habit.

Raul - you just use what works! I've heard it said before that if you have a spinnerbait and a bag of trick worms that you can catch a fair share of bass anywhere, anytime...

bilgerat reply :

In spite of my crappy year overall - see my "a** whippin" thread in the General section, my tops for 2010

Tubes for the third year running

Flukes - I started fishing them a lot this year and they have done very well for me.

XCalibur One Knocker lipless crank. Fish on !!!

Raul reply :

Quote
Raul - you just use what works! I've heard it said before that if you have a spinnerbait and a bag of trick worms that you can catch a fair share of bass anywhere, anytime...

Well, that 's the point ain 't it ? you use what works , actually them 3 top baits seems too short of a list to me, 5 top baits would be more fair, so to add:

4.- 5 inch culy tail grub

5.- Zoom Ultravibe Speed Craw

Now, if you ask me what bait I would choose if I had to choose one for the rest of my life then a 5 inch grub would be the answer. In the hands of a skillful/knowledgeable/resourceful angler and a good assortment of terminal tackle you can fish ( and catch fish ) with it almost anywhere.

Goose52 reply :

Quote

Quote
Raul - you just use what works! I've heard it said before that if you have a spinnerbait and a bag of trick worms that you can catch a fair share of bass anywhere, anytime...

Well, that 's the point ain 't it ? you use what works , actually them 3 top baits seems too short of a list to me, 5 top baits would be more fair, so to add:

4.- 5 inch culy tail grub

5.- Zoom Ultravibe Speed Craw

Now, if you ask me what bait I would choose if I had to choose one for the rest of my life then a 5 inch grub would be the answer. In the hands of a skillful/knowledgeable/resourceful angler and a good assortment of terminal tackle you can fish ( and catch fish ) with it almost anywhere.

Couldn't agree more - I caught 791 fish on 5" single-tail grubs this year...

0119 reply :

1. Zoom Super Fluke, White Ice

2. 4" Senko, Green Pumpkin

3. Super Spook Jr., Florida Bass

senile1 reply :

1. GMAN jigs and RageTail Craws as trailers.

2. Rat'l'traps and Cordell Super Spot Lipless Cranks.

3. Spinnerbaits.

4. T-rigged worms (various brands)

JamesH reply :

1. Spinnerbait dressed for success

2. Jerkbait

3. worm/creature t-rig or shakey

JacobK reply :

Very easy list for me, the top 3 baits that dominated this year were.

Jig & Craw

Lipless Crank

Drop shot, specifically with a roboworm.

soccplayer07 reply :

red eye shad

Kreature

Northstar jigs

Jason Penn reply :

T-rig baby brush hog

jig/twin tail grub trailer

jig head/4" finesse worm

I'm not sure what has happened with me and moving baits. I think the last fish i caught on a spinnerbait was September!!

NOVA Angler reply :

1. A soft plastic that will remain nameless.

2. A crankbait that will remain nameless.

3. A senko that will remain colorless.

Sorry, couldn't resist. In all seriousness though, a Lake Fork Craw Tube, white T-1 Spinnerbait, and XCalibur XR50 probably accounted for my highest quality fish this year.

roadwarrior reply :

3/4 oz GMAN Mop Jig/ Rage Tail Lobster

Megabass PopMax

Rage Tail Baby Craw

Honorable Mention: MegaStrike MegaBug

lynyrdsky1 reply :

Shakey Head

Carolina Rig

Spinnerbait

FIAB reply :

1. Home made hair swim jig with kalin grub

2. Shakey Head with Strike King Rage Tail Baby Craw

3. Lake Fork Flutter Spoon (First year to fish this bait and it really surprised me......can jig it, cast it, and fish it at multiple depths...........they are not cheap and you need a lot of them.......they hang up easy.)

bassin is addicting reply :

hey francho.... i understand....my mistake. i have learned a lot from guys like you... i just was "fishin" for more.

but i do understand if you've got competitors prowling for your secrets...

Goose52 reply :

Quote
3/4 oz GMAN Mop Jig/ Rage Tail Lobster
Megabass PopMax

Rage Tail Baby Craw

Honorable Mention: MegaStrike MegaBug

Holy Cow - where's the Fat Ika .....

Raul reply :

Quote

Quote
3/4 oz GMAN Mop Jig/ Rage Tail Lobster
Megabass PopMax

Rage Tail Baby Craw

Honorable Mention: MegaStrike MegaBug

Holy Cow - where's the Fat Ika .....

It 's 2010 list, the Fat Ika belongs to the 2009 list.

Goose52 reply :

Duh - you're absolutely right - Fat Ikas are "so 2009" ... ;D ;D

jignfule reply :

1. 3'' Ika

2. 4'' Ika

3. jig

Red reply :

Chart/White Terminator T1 Spinnerbait (this was top producer for size as well)

Bandit 200 Pearl w/Chart Back.

T-rigged Rage Craw, Green Pumpkin or jig and Rage Craw (biggest fish this year, and ever for me, was the one in my avatar, T-rigged Rage Craw)

Revo_Carrot Stix reply :

1. 130 Bass (avg 13.94") Black Buzzbait (mainly Cabela's store brand, BPS black twin tale trailer, 4/0 BPS red trailer hook and some on Cavitron)

2. 95 Bass (avg 12.73") Strike King Zeros (mainly Junebug, some Dirt, Purple Haze)

3. 82 Bass (avg 12.54") Strike King series 3, 4S, 5 and 6; Wiggle Warts; Mann's Baby 1-Minus.

Goose52 reply :

Quote
1. 130 Bass (avg 13.94") Black Buzzbait (mainly Cabela's store brand, BPS black twin tale trailer, 4/0 BPS red trailer hook and some on Cavitron)
2. 95 Bass (avg 12.73") Strike King Zeros (mainly Junebug, some Dirt, Purple Haze)

3. 82 Bass (avg 12.54") Strike King series 3, 4S, 5 and 6; Wiggle Warts; Mann's Baby 1-Minus.

So - 70.25% of your total catch on these 3 types of baits - you obviously have good records!

Bankbeater reply :

1. Jig w/ trailer

2. Senko or a knock off

3. 3/8 spinner bait

Revo_Carrot Stix reply :

Quote

Quote
1. 130 Bass (avg 13.94") Black Buzzbait (mainly Cabela's store brand, BPS black twin tale trailer, 4/0 BPS red trailer hook and some on Cavitron)
2. 95 Bass (avg 12.73") Strike King Zeros (mainly Junebug, some Dirt, Purple Haze)

3. 82 Bass (avg 12.54") Strike King series 3, 4S, 5 and 6; Wiggle Warts; Mann's Baby 1-Minus.

So - 70.25% of your total catch on these 3 types of baits - you obviously have good records!

Goose - I probably record more information than I should, but it gives me something to do (like now) during the winter.

K_Mac reply :

For the first time in years a jig or Trickworm would not make the top three.

1. Wacky rigged 6" Stick-o in watermellon craw

2. Zoom Ole Monster worm in something green

3. Craw colored chatterbait-1/2 oz

A jig and Paca craw or chunk, and a shakeyhead/Trickworm would round out the top 5, with honorable mention to the Rage Anaconda.

.ghoti. reply :

In no particular order

Zoom Super fluke

GYCB cut-tail worm 6.5" & 10"

3X worm on Ikey jighead.

And, for the best of the year, a custom color, hand-poured "blutto" bait on a JF chain rig

South FLA reply :

1. Reaction Innovations-Skinny Dipper

2. Spro's- Bronzeye and Bronzeye Popper

3. Various Lipless crankbait brands

Gangley reply :

In no order

KaRu Vibrashock

Zoom Ol Monster

Jig

kLuo reply :

only had time to fish during the summer this year:

3/8 oz finesse jig with baby rage craw

drop shot with roboworms/zoom finesse worms

lipless cranks (mainly red eye)

RoLo reply :

Quote

Quote
Raul - you just use what works! I've heard it said before that if you have a spinnerbait and a bag of trick worms that you can catch a fair share of bass anywhere, anytime...

Around 1972, Mister Twister introduced their first curly-tail grub.

We've landed nearly every fish that swims on the Mister Twister grub.

and to this day it remains a super bass killer.

You may notice that the "Deps Deathadder Grub" topped my list of 3 favorite lures.

The Dep Deathadder Grub also boated the greates cumulatiive bass weight for 2010.

By the way guys, if you're wondering why you can't find any Deps grub, blame it on me. When I learned that production would halt, Lois and I have virtually wiped out the stock of Deps 6" Deatheradder Grubs from both Ichibads and Lees Global Tackle.

Roger

Goose52 reply :

Quote
Around 1972, Mister Twister introduced their first curly-tail grub.
We've landed nearly every fish that swims on the Mister Twister grub.

and to this day it remains a super bass killer.

You may notice that the "Deps Deathadder Grub" topped my list of 3 favorite lures.The Dep Deathadder Grub also boated the greates cumulatiive bass weight for 2010.

By the way guys, if you're wondering why you can't find any Deps grub, blame it on me. When I learned that production would halt, Lois and I have virtually wiped out the stock of Deps 6" Deatheradder Grubs from both Ichibads and Lees Global Tackle.

Roger

As a big-time grub user, I did indeed notice that...

JR Howard reply :

1. Rockcrawler Jig W Xcite Chunk Trailer

Awesome combo with several 10+ fish in my boat

2. Lake Fork Tackle Flutter Spoons

Excellent spoons for giant fish

3. Norman DD22

Not much more can be said...great bait year round

Bass Junkie reply :

Spro Bronzeye Jr.- Leopard

Anonymous 3 1/2" Tube -Watermelon Black Flake

LC RC Wake Action, 3.5-COPPER GREEN SHAD

Others: 5" Watermelon/Pearl Lamanite Yum! Dinger, or Trick Stick

I began experimenting with swimbaits of the soft variety late in the year, and both the Luck E Strike Bass Magic's and the Gambler Big EZ impressed me, as did some hand pours from a member on this forum .

BassThumb reply :

I tried a different angle last season, making an effort to try more Run and Gun type fishing in order to cover more water in search of active fish, mainly because I enjoy this type of fishing more than using slower presentations. I did a lot less jig and finesse fishing than in previous years. I don't think it worked as well as a more balanced approach would have. I might try the opposite approach next year, and focus on jigging and finesse.

1. 1/2-3/4 oz. S.W. Pro Assassinator spinnerbaits.

2. 3/8 oz. Cavitron buzzers

3. Snag Proof Bleeding & Phat Frogs

(4/5. Heavy Lipless Cranks/ Skipped 5" Senkos, wacky)

Goose52 reply :

Quote
I tried a different angle last season, making an effort to try more Run and Gun type fishing in order to cover more water in search of active fish, mainly because I enjoy this type of fishing more than using slower presentations. I did a lot less jig and finesse fishing than in previous years. I don't think it worked as well as a more balanced approach would have. I might try the opposite approach next year, and focus on jigging and finesse.

I'm with you - I REALLY had to make myself use plastic worms this year as I just like casting and cranking and staying more active...than just creeping that worm back at 2-4 minutes a cast. I'll have to say though that while I did get my biggest bass of the year on a crank - most of the next biggest fish were caught on 10" plastic worms... :

Scorcher214 reply :

1. Split shot rig with a culprit or a berkley power worm

2. 3/4 oz white KVD sinnerbait

3. 1/2oz Red Eye Shad (Gold sexy shad)

adclem reply :

1. 1/4oz KVD swim jigs

2. 5/16 and 3/8oz Eakins Jigs

3. Berkley Power Hawgs

Later,

Hersh reply :

Jig

Sexy shad spinnerbait

Rapala DT 4 or 6

Goose52 reply :

Quote
Jig
Sexy shad spinnerbait

Rapala DT 4 or 6

I'm gonna be using more spinnerbaits this year myself. AND, based on the many, many responses, I guess I gotta learn the jig.............. :

JigMe reply :

Weightless zoom trick worms

Strike king red eye lipless crank (orange craw)

Stanley frog, really a killer in the morning and late afternoon.

Goose52 reply :

Quote
Weightless zoom trick worms
Strike king red eye lipless crank (orange craw)

Stanley frog, really a killer in the morning and late afternoon.

Yep - I got some of those but didn't fish them much last season...will do better this year...

j-bones reply :

Mepps #3 inline spinner bait, white skirt w/ red trailer

Strike king 1XS in Gizzard Shad

Rage Toad, In green pumpkin/pearl belly

mmarkinma61 reply :

1/4 oz bullet head jigs Green pumpkin,black,green crystal

1/4 & 3/8 oz arkie head jigs Orange blaze/green pumpkin,black green crystal & Orange blaze/hunter green red flake.

3/8 & 1/2 oz football head jigs Green pumpkin,black,green crystal

bradbass reply :

Berkley 4" swim bait babybass

Basspro 7" black/[purple rubber worm

rubber frog top water

bigredxlt reply :

Rapala skitterwalk-Bluegill pattern

Paca craw t-rigged weightless

4" senko-junebug

Goose52 reply :

One thing for sure - we're proving that bass can be caught on just about everything! ;D ;D

CSimon2 reply :

1) Curly tail grubs in numerous colors

2) Storm swim shad in bluegill

3) Bass Pro Shops "The Egg" in chrome shad

EastTexasBassin reply :

Top soft baits were Ragetail Thumper, Ragetail Anaconda and Ragetail Shad.

Top hard baits were Yellow Magic, SK Series 3, and Norman Middle N.

(yes, I know that's 6...oh well)

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
One thing for sure - we're proving that bass can be caught on just about everything! ;D ;D

I'm actually kind of surprised. Silly me, I thought

we would see a lot more commonality. I guess I

need to print this thread or take some notes!

8-)

Goose52 reply :

Quote

Quote
One thing for sure - we're proving that bass can be caught on just about everything! ;D ;D

I'm actually kind of surprised. Silly me, I thought

we would see a lot more commonality. I guess I

need to print this thread or take some notes!

8-)

Me too - I thought there would be repetitive call-outs to the old standbys like spinnerbaits, plastic worms, jigs, etc. But everyone has their unique favorites it seems.

I started this thread to prove that you can resist the bait monkey and that with just a few proven baits you can catch lots of fish.......but I'll have to admit that this thread is just giving me ideas for future bait orders and that the bait monkey might win in the end after all.......................... ;D

SirSnookalot reply :

Quote
One thing for sure - we're proving that bass can be caught on just about everything! ;D ;D

Almost any fish.

fluke

popper

spoon

Pretty much all I use and the same exact lures are used for snook, tarpon and cuda, as well as lmb.

Goose52 reply :

Quote

Quote
One thing for sure - we're proving that bass can be caught on just about everything! ;D ;D

Almost any fish.

fluke

popper

spoonPretty much all I use and the same exact lures are used for snook, tarpon and cuda, as well as lmb.

What kind of spoon(s) are you using?

SirSnookalot reply :

Quote
What kind of spoon(s) are you using?

Short answer........doesn't make a bit of difference.

Longer answer.....different spoon types have different actions in the water, my selections are based on the conditions being fished. Strong winds I prefer diamond jigs, tsunami or hopkins shorty, get maximum distance. Calmer weather I like flutter types and weedy conditions j-spoon. For freshwater I use lighter spoons 1/4-1/2oz max, one of my favorites for bass is a Wahoo redfish spoon. Saltwater I use 3/4 oz or 1 oz about 99% percent of the time. The same exact spoons are used for trolling offshore as well, sometimes I'll use a 2 oz out there.

Bottom line IMO they all catch fish equally.

Goose52 reply :

Quote

Quote
What kind of spoon(s) are you using?

Short answer........doesn't make a bit of difference.

Longer answer.....different spoon types have different actions in the water, my selections are based on the conditions being fished. Strong winds I prefer diamond jigs, tsunami or hopkins shorty, get maximum distance. Calmer weather I like flutter types and weedy conditions j-spoon. For freshwater I use lighter spoons 1/4-1/2oz max, one of my favorites for bass is a Wahoo redfish spoon. Saltwater I use 3/4 oz or 1 oz about 99% percent of the time. The same exact spoons are used for trolling offshore as well, sometimes I'll use a 2 oz out there.

Bottom line IMO they all catch fish equally.

Interesting stuff - thanks !

SirSnookalot reply :

Goose, don't ever think because a spoon has a thin profile the fish don't see it, the do !

I may add that we use spoons in the middle of the night very effectively, an old wives tale about needing the " flash". If that were the case why would people use dark lures at night, seems like the same to me.

Goose52 reply :

Quote
Goose, don't ever think because a spoon has a thin profile the fish don't see it, the do !
I may add that we use spoons in the middle of the night very effectively, an old wives tale about needing the " flash". If that were the case why would people use dark lures at night, seems like the same to me.

Thanks again. The only spoon that I have any experience with is the Kastmaster - and that was MANY years ago when I lived in Miami and used them fishing off the seawalls around Biscayne Bay.

dh88hms reply :

So far the top 3 from everyone's answers are:

Jigs

Crankbaits

Worms (various sizes)

followed by: Creatures & Topwaters

Bigbarge50 reply :

Double Colorado blade white spinnerbait

Rat-L-Trap (chrome)

Heddon baby torpedo

Not sure why, but those where my big producers this last year

Goose52 reply :

Quote
So far the top 3 from everyone's answers are:
Jigs

Crankbaits

Worms (various sizes)

followed by: Creatures & Topwaters

Did you "crunch the data" and tabulate it ?

shakyhead reply :

GY hulas

GY kut tails

bomber fat free shad and fingerling

dh88hms reply :

Quote

Quote
So far the top 3 from everyone's answers are:
Jigs

Crankbaits

Worms (various sizes)

followed by: Creatures & Topwaters

Did you "crunch the data" and tabulate it ?

Yes Sir.

Goose52 reply :

Quote

Quote

Quote
So far the top 3 from everyone's answers are:
Jigs

Crankbaits

Worms (various sizes)

followed by: Creatures & Topwaters

Did you "crunch the data" and tabulate it ?

Yes Sir.

All your water is frozen...huh....! ;D

dh88hms reply :

Quote

Quote

Quote

Quote
So far the top 3 from everyone's answers are:
Jigs

Crankbaits

Worms (various sizes)

followed by: Creatures & Topwaters

Did you "crunch the data" and tabulate it ?

Yes Sir.

All your water is frozen...huh....! ;D

You know it and it sucks. However it's giving me time to really focus on lure choices.

DeanFishesNY reply :

Jigs

Creature baits(beavers and brush hogs mainly)

Worm type baits

Bass Junkie reply :

Quote
You know it and it sucks. However it's giving me time to really focus on lure choices.

Yeah, and buy them by the dozens (literally).....

JPBassin reply :

Texas rigged Pumpkinseed Lizard

Fire Tiger cranks

Senko

WanderLust reply :

Fat IKA - Watermelon + black

5" worm - Watermelon + red

4" tube - Junebug / Watermelon

aceman387 reply :

Bitsy bug jigs (watermelon)

Baby brush hogs (green pumpkin)

Senko, Yum dingers 4"watermelon wacky rigged.

bwillis reply :

Baby Brush Hog on a spot remover

Zoom or Power lizard texas rigged or weightless

Rage Toads

SlingBlades reply :

Zoom Finesse Worm

Zoom Trick Worm

Hawg Caller Spinnerbait

Goose52 reply :

The variety of the replies is just killing me. Get back bait monkey.... ;D

dh88hms reply :

Goose52,

The bait monkey is your friend. Speaking of, he's been quiet around here lately. I'm surprised he hasn't made an appearance in some recent threads.

JigMe reply :

Quote
Fat IKA - Watermelon + black
5" worm - Watermelon + red

4" tube - Junebug / Watermelon

Fat Ika huh...I haven't caught a fish on this thing yet. >

WanderLust reply :

Quote

Quote
Fat IKA - Watermelon + black
5" worm - Watermelon + red

4" tube - Junebug / Watermelon

Fat Ika huh...I haven't caught a fish on this thing yet. >

How are you rigging it? What type of environment are you fishing it in?

JigMe reply :

I rig it upside down, weightless, and usually fish 7-8feet deep.

Rusty Shackleford reply :

Fat Ika - 194

SK RES - Chartreuse Baitfish

Northland Reed Runner Spinnerbait - Baby Bass

Goose52 reply :

Quote
Fat Ika - 194
SK RES - Chartreuse Baitfish

Northland Reed Runner Spinnerbait - Baby Bass

Now you're talkin' ! Chartreuse Baitfish and Sexy Ghost Minnow are my two primary RES colors.

Niagaraguy reply :

Xraps 10's Olive Green & Yellow Perch

Aruku shads size75 Spooky Shad, Perch & Wild Shiner

Tubes Various colours

5941

What Were Your Top 3 Baits for 2010? 2025

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