Mobasser

Keep at it. You'll do fine. All these things come with practice and experience. I'm still leaning after 40yrs.

Some lures work well at times, some dont. I probably catch 80% of my fish on a t rig worm every year. Most of the time that's what I use, and it catches fish of all sizes. It sounds like your off to a good start.

I start early season with spinnerbait, lipless, and jig. By this time of the season, I use plastic worms most of the time. T rigged

Good point. It sounds like you were into some aggressive fish too. I agree at certain times when the fish are really hitting well, color may not matter. On the slow days it's probably more important.

I have 3 or 4 bags of green pumpkin worms, some plain, some with glitter. They look like they should work well, as an all around color in clear or stained water. I'm done with them. I put them in a big tote I have at home, and don't even plan on using them this summer. I wasted too much time throwing em last summer, when I should have been throwing purlple, grape, blues, or even solid black. Lots of guys will say I'm wrong on this color, but it hasn't worked for me. Catt, maybe it's 90% confidence and 10% color.

I've read that some red shades are popular in Texas. Craws with red claws etc. I think there's a company that makes some baits in Texas Red.

Lots of guys are influenced by what tournament fisherman use, and win money on. That alone helps to sell certain colors of baits. But, those baits may not always work the best on your lakes.My dad and I used to watch Virgil Ward every week. I remember one show where he said that purple and grape colors were the best on Ozark area lakes. Virgil was one of my early heroes, and if he said something, it was gospel! So, there must have been something to this certain color even years ago, that was proven in Missouri. Exactly why? I don't know.... I agree on green pumpkin. It's been hot now with lots of guys. It's my least favourite color. Its caught very few bass for me.

In one of the smaller lakes I fish, bluegill are the main forage. Purple always works here. Just a plain purple worm- no flakes or different color tails. Because that color has worked so well, I stick with it. Well, that's what's so good about this site. It makes us ponder all this info, and talk about it. I would say if your in Missouri, give that purple a shot- anywhere.

Ya, the whole color thing with plastics is weird in some ways. Some of the better worm fisherman I've known only used 2 or 3 colors, and caught scores of fish.I do think that confidence plays a big part here. An older guy I fished with years ago swore by a blk/ blue Culprit, and did great with them. He never used purple.

I sometimes think the whole color thing is overblown. But, as some others have said, confidence plays a part too. When your throwing your fave color, your more apt to be on your toes. You EXPECT to get bit, because that's what's happened so many times before. You probably miss fewer fish because of having confidence in that certain color.

I think it's something that caught on here in Missouri years ago. I've talked with many other fisherman that confirm this. As for why? I'm not really sure. I do know that purple has has been the best overall color for me.

Yes, one of the best worms

Yep. Along with Guido, one of the all time best from our state. I'm going to hang a black skirt on the CC spinnerbait this summer, and fish it because of him. It caught a lot of fish for me too.

Purple IS the Missouri color. It's been working for us too long.

WRB was the one who told me to try a brown worm, so I bought Roboworms in OxBlood- red flake. They've worked out good for me. I'd never thrown any brown colors before.

I don't know if others know this yet, but just heard that famous Ozark fisherman Charlie Campbell has passed on. He passed away on April 20th, at 87yrs old. I met Mr. Campbell at BPS in Springfield Mo in 1986. Throughout the day, he was surrounded by fans, talking fishing and signing autographs. 3 or 4 times my wife and I tried to get close to him but couldnt. Finally, with about 40 minutes of the program left, I told my wife let's try one more time. The crowd had thinned out, and folks were going home by then. I saw him sitting alone at a table behind one of the booths. He looked tired, and burned out from the long day. I was a little bit afraid to say anything. But I said " Mr. Campbell"? He stood up, walked our way, and stuck out his hand, with a firm handshake. " Hi I'm Charlie Campbell". We talked for a few minutes mostly about his expertise with a Zara Spook, the lure he was most known for. When we said goodbye he said "good luck always". That day, I earned a new respect for him, that went beyond his great fishing skills. He was a humble, easy going guy who was a class act, and will always be a hero of mine. RIP Charlie Campbell.

I don't know if there really is such a thing as a slime proof rig. It's hard to fish through with anything. You might try a split shot rig, with the shot 12" to 15" inches ahead of your worm rig. The shot would pick up some slime, but not so much on the actual bait. I would use a straight tail worm also, any curly tails or appendages on craw baits would only pick up more slime.

That's another one I've heard good things about, but havnt tried yet. I probably give it a spin when I need to respool.

J Francho, when I first started using Shimano spinning reels years ago, I always noticed how smooth they were, even with less bearings than others. I've had cheaper Siennas, Sedonas, and now a newer Sahara. None have more than 5 bearings, but still work very well. Since then I don't worry too much about bearing count when I look at reels, at least not with Shimanos.

Yes, soaking the spool in warm water helps a lot too. I've done that quite a bit also

I pretty much gave up on XL, because I think they changed it somehow. This line seems to have as good of abrasion resistance as XL to me.

Well, these guys can help you pick some good gear that will work for you. They probably know more about the newer tackle than I do. One reel I can recommend is the Lews LFS casting reel. I got one for Christmas this year, and it's a great reel for the cost. I like mine a lot so far. Good luck on your gear choices.

Trilene Big Game has been my choice for my baitcast reels for years now. Im always on the lookout for a mono for my spinning reels, which has a thinner diameter, and handles well, with good abrasion resistance. I've used original Stren and Trilene XL for a long time. The Solutions Spinning mono is slightly thinner in diameter than others and is a mist green color. It comes in 250 yard spools, instead of the usual 330 yard spools. Im using 8lb on 2500 size Shimano spinning reels. I've fished it three times now. So far so good. It handles and cast very well, and has proven to have good abrasion resistance as well. Low memory also. If you need a good handling line for your spin reels, you might check this one out. And, the price is right too.

I don't own any Fuego/ Tatula stuff, but everyone says they are good. Best thing may be to go to a shop that's well stocked and check out different brands of rods/ reels. There's so many nice ones now, it's hard to say what may be the best for you.

Here in Missouri, for as long as I can remember, grape and purple have been the most popular colors in soft plastic baits with blue a close second. These shades, in glitter or non glitter, have worked the best for me for a long time. I always thought it was interesting how certain regions of the country developed favourites in colors over the years. A relative of my wife, who lives in Wisconson, loves a light brown pumpkin worm, with a chartruese tail, for both SM and LM bass. I'm not sure how these color preferences have developed over time, but it's true that certain areas of the country show a strong liking to one or two colors over others. I was recommended grape almost 40yrs ago, and that color or slight variations of it, have worked the best overall for my own fishing.Does your area have a color that seems to be dominant with soft plastic baits? Why do you think these certain colors have become so popular?