jr231

I think they're smarter than we give them credit for. And all of the lures I "like" have been based on results..

I was hoping for a " I like the original it's more subtle and I have more strikes on it" "Or I like the jointed. The added action provokes bigger strikes." Ha-ha. I was asking for some shared experience ! But that's ok. I appreciate it anyway

@J Francho ha-ha ! No!!!! Which one ? Would YOU prefer. In a nighttime scenario.

When my grand father passed he left behind a whole lot of tackle. Some of which ive used. Some i can't bring myself to use. He has a few jitterbugs. 2 that piqued my interest. Both black. But one is jointed. I've read through various threads and it's usually just praise to them. I've had success with the jointed one at night time. But I'm wondering if it was too much action. Should I use the jointed or regular version ? If you do comment id appreciate it if you explained why. Also please don't tell me to use a whopper plopper or something of that sort. I'm very comfortable with top waters . And have PLENTY . But the jitterbug is much different. And I'm simply asking if I should use the jointed or regular model.

Bomber model A

Rapala shad rap.

I feel you can "finesse" certain jerk baits. Who says you can only fish cranks aggressively?. You're talking about rapalas man I have so many ! And about half of them I fish slow with jerks and pauses. Examples. The rapala jointed. IMO best fished very slow, with sudden twitches. Same goes for the original floater. Also the jointed shad rap. Which rattles and suspends.can also be fished slow and so can the xrap! So can the rattling rapala and the newer rippin' rap. My favorite however, setting my obsession aside for all of them , is the shallow shad rap. For the past few years consecutively I've caught bass 4+ on that lure. In the yellow perch color where there are no perch. It's the action ! I could go on for days about em. And I've had people say they don't like rapala. Never caught much on em. That's fine with me. I don't need a 20 dollar crank bait to catch my bass buddy. And I hope it never changes

I got a couple packs for ONE dollar each at a local rural king. They work. But when I fish a craw , I like the rage craw , or a double tail hula grub t rigged.

The only way to get more confident in something. Is to do it more often. That applies to everything ! Driving a car, swimming underwater , shooting a bow and arrow. And most importantly. Your crank baits and soft plastics. It can be overwhelming trying to keep up with all the ways you can fish a soft plastic. On a jig, t rig, c rig, drop shot. Weightless , wacky I would figure out a couple techniques . Like the t rig. Get good (and confident with it) and THEN try and do something else . If your water is clear , I would suggest starting with some crank baits. You can see how they move from a distance. Try your best to make it look injured, and panicked. You'd be surprised how many fish you'll catch just trying to perfect your retrieve. You can fish em slow, fast, and a mix of both. Jerks and pauses. You'll find what works for you, as it changes with the seasons. I don't care what anybody says; I catch fish on crank/jerkbaits year round. Even in the snow. (as long as the water isnt frozen over)

Try the xrap countdown . If fishing over submerged grass you can count it down until it's just over top and start your retrieve. In other words you don't have to worry about your bait diving too deep or not getting deep enough. I'm a Huge fan. So versatile. My favorite way to fish is cranks and jerk baits. By far. Even tho some days you just can't beat the plastics.

This definitely works to get them in !

I find this thread refreshing. Nice to read about something other than senkos or a whopper plopper

As you can see alot of the members love the senko. I do as well. If the pond is heavily pressured and everyone there has been throwing the magic senko, Odds are you're going to struggle with it. Definitely worth a try but you need some other things as well. I'd try a fluke rigged weightless and fished slow as possible. Also a twin tail hula grub (also fished slow) . I'm not too sure about Oregon. I've never been west of the Mississippi. But I'd get out there early, or stay late and try some top water and a bomber model A crank bait

@Gundog that's jusy ugly. How sad man seriously. Apparently it was still hunting . And obviously of reproducing size . But imagine if you were bringing out a first timer. Hook em up with a fish Like that. Probably a turn off. Pretty gruesome. Is it genetic or what ? Hope not hereditary.

Did you release it ?

If it looks like this. It's probably a lamprey

The senko works Texas rigged weightless as well ! 1/4 can be too heavy sometimes. I'd definitely look into getting some hardbaits. They are fun and produce. You don't have to be a pro with tons of gear to catch bass. You need more than just a stick worm tho. Try the ribbon tails and creatures. Zoom flukes and hula twin tail grubs. Lots of companies who make good, proven plastics at affordable prices. I would get a few baits to cover various depths , and retrieves. 1. Some type of top water popper.i like the rapala skitter pop and the rebel pop-r 2 . Some type of lipless crank that you can "yo-yo" through the columns. 3. a spinner bait and an inline spinner. I like strike king spinner baits. And mepps for the in line spinner. Silver for clear water . Gold for stained. 4. A suspending jerkbait. I like the xrap. 5. Several cranks that float and then dive to various depths. I like the bomber A models. If I had a dollar for every bass a bomber caught me. I'd more than have my money back on them. 6. A jig ! Which is usually a complex retrieve and really has to do with your environment variables. Any of the products I gave examples of are strictly preference. I'm sure someone can comment and give you a total different brand for each of the lures I've named. I, like many, am on a budget . So I've found what works for me. Good luck man. And for your sake , have fun.

I own one. And have caught a few bass with it. I agree it's different to walk but once you get the feel, it's rather easy. It works ! But not my favorite.

Also make sure you're using a stiff enough rod. I'm sure you know this but you really want that extra power for a strong hook up. Pitching soft plastics to the open areas could work. I would try the fluke / weightless but also weedless. You could drag it over the top and let it fall in the open patches. Nobody gets every fish that strikes their frog. I agree with @Montanaro and would try the soft plastic frog as well. Many to choose from! Pick your poison.

My culprit red shad worms have no dots tho..

It depends on how it gets fished. If it hasn't been pressured too hard it's hard to beat the senko. Right ? I agree, and i have had 15+ fish nights on senkos. But I've also been to a pond I couldn't catch a fish off a senko, in 2 hours no matter how I rigged it. I'd find out what they usually catch em on. And then try something totally different. Most of the bass in the pond have been caught if its fished every week since spring. And they have a better memory then we give them credit for. Especially the big ones.

When I shore fish, and can't find the fish with the plastics. I do good with a shallow running jerkbait. I like the xrap shallow shad. Floats. Then suspends. A slow reel and a little "pop". It comes to a roll on the pause. I've had success with muddy and clear water with these. And only like 8 bucks. And I fish ohio

Didn't know this. Makes sense to me !

I find it hard to take pictures of nice fish . Seems I only catch the big ones when I fish by myself

Rapala skitter pop. Caught my PB on it 2 or 3 years ago. Affordable 6-8 bucks. And effective. Can't beat it.