I am relatively new to bass fishing and really got crazy this past summer buying every plastic under the sun.  Some worked but most did not. I have read that each lake and region has its prefered bait and presentation and obviously time of year and conditions require different strategies but the one bait I always can go to in virtually every lake in every condition I have fished is using a 4-8" lizards.  They always seem to work for me.  My favorite thing to do, especially when the fish are not biting, is to cover alot of area S trolling a carolina rig on my 9' flyrod and let it out 150'.  As crazy as this sounds I always land fish and 9 times out of 10 catch my largest fish of the day using this method.  Unconventional I know but deadly. I don't know if it is a confidence thing or what but when I have used any other plastic baits- senkos, creatures, and other plastics they are not nearly as effective as using the lizards. By the end of the year that was the only plastic I would use.  So my question is why are they so effective?  Is it me or are they the best plastic lure out there?

I'd say its a confidence thing. Those Senkos, creatures, and others will catch tons of fish...just like the lizard. But having confidence is half of the battle. I know if I'm working a lure, but thinking about another one that's on deck, I don't fish it as thorough. Stay with it..save money..and catch fish.

I'm not sure. I think each lure does better in certain situations. However, I have yet to catch a fish on a plastic Lizard. I'll catch them all day on a senko, but nothing on a Lizard. So, I agree a lot with Todd. Confidence is huge

Bass hate lizards. You have found a bunch of bass that hate lizards.

 

They will continue to kill all lizards they encounter.

 

Keep on fishing with those lizards and have some fun.

I think it all comes down to confidence, of course, but a big piece of this puzzle is your personal style of fishing. The unique action that you are able to impart on a lure with your retrieve speed/rod movement/etc. along with the way you choose when and where to fish might enhance the appeal of one type of plastic while also hurting the effectiveness of another. I think that is why everyone seems to have a different confidence bait. Its not that other baits like senkos don't catch fish, because they do, and for some they catch more fish than anything else. It is more that the way you think and fish makes you well suited to be a master of the plastic lizard and work it better than a lot of other anglers. Stick with what works for you. As time goes on, you might develop confidence in other lures in different situations, or you might put even more faith in the lizard. Its all good if its productive for you.

I am relatively new to bass fishing and really got crazy this past summer buying every plastic under the sun.  Some worked but most did not. I have read that each lake and region has its prefered bait and presentation and obviously time of year and conditions require different strategies but the one bait I always can go to in virtually every lake in every condition I have fished is using a 4-8" lizards.  They always seem to work for me.  My favorite thing to do, especially when the fish are not biting, is to cover alot of area S trolling a carolina rig on my 9' flyrod and let it out 150'.  As crazy as this sounds I always land fish and 9 times out of 10 catch my largest fish of the day using this method.  Unconventional I know but deadly. I don't know if it is a confidence thing or what but when I have used any other plastic baits- senkos, creatures, and other plastics they are not nearly as effective as using the lizards. By the end of the year that was the only plastic I would use.  So my question is why are they so effective?  Is it me or are they the best plastic lure out there?

 

Lizards are very effective, and if the bass keep hitting them for you, then keep using 'em.

 

I found that lizards are most effective, where I fish, during pre-spawn and spawn, and a little just after spawn.

 

As well, wacky rig a lizard in addition to using it TX, Mojo, or Carolina, and you'll have an entirely different presentation to offer. Wacky rigged watermelon gold flake Zoom lizards have been fantastic here. 

Lizards are very effective, and if the bass keep hitting them for you, then keep using 'em.

 

I found that lizards are most effective, where I fish, during pre-spawn and spawn, and a little just after spawn.

 

As well, wacky rig a lizard in addition to using it TX, Mojo, or Carolina, and you'll have an entirely different presentation to offer. Wacky rigged watermelon gold flake Zoom lizards have been fantastic here. 

Lizard are my go to bait during the spawn...other than bluegills they might be the biggest egg eaters..always seem to get my biggest girls on them

 

I have read that each lake and region has its prefered bait and presentation and obviously time of year and conditions require different strategies but the one bait I always can go to in virtually every lake in every condition I have fished is using a 4-8" lizards.  They always seem to work for me. 

 

 

What you read is not true as you find out because they seem to work for you.

 

We come, as usual, that in bass fishing there are no absolutes, there´s no such thing as rules, you don´t need to "match the hatch" ( to me such concept is nonsense ), in my neck of the woods there are no salamanders, newts or mud puppies  ( or "lizards" ); soft plastic salamanders and things that look like them ( like Brush Hogs ) work great, again, there are times that work better but you won´t know unless you try.

Very unusual presentation, dragging any soft plastic with a fly rod on a C-rig! The fact you can get a hook set is amazing, unless the bass are swallowing the soft plastic lizards.

Tom

Very unusual presentation, dragging any soft plastic with a fly rod on a C-rig! The fact you can get a hook set is amazing, unless the bass are swallowing the soft plastic lizards.

Tom

I know it sounds crazy and the few bass fisherman I have told "sniker" and I can tell by their responses that they think I am full of Sh**.  But I'm telling you it is absolutely deadly when I do it.  If I don't troll with s turns it is not nearly affective.  I am trolling at about 1-2 mph. I nail most of them after it has bounced off of some sort of structure but have also caught many suspended fish using this tactic.  It is an absolute blast reeling in a 2-3 lb smallie from 150' out on a flyrod.  The fight on a 5wt is absolutely amazing.  Often times they do swallow it but I have caught many in the mouth as well.  All I know is that it works and I have almost been reluctant to share this secret because I think I could win a tournament using this tactic !

I know it sounds crazy and the few bass fisherman I have told "sniker" and I can tell by their responses that they think I am full of Sh**.  But I'm telling you it is absolutely deadly when I do it.  If I don't troll with s turns it is not nearly affective.  I am trolling at about 1-2 mph. I nail most of them after it has bounced off of some sort of structure but have also caught many suspended fish using this tactic.  It is an absolute blast reeling in a 2-3 lb smallie from 150' out on a flyrod.  The fight on a 5wt is absolutely amazing.  Often times they do swallow it but I have caught many in the mouth as well.  All I know is that it works and I have almost been reluctant to share this secret because I think I could win a tournament using this tactic !

 

Hard to see anybody winning a tournament using that technique because in tournies you aren´t allowed to troll.

Shows you how much I know about bass tournaments.

I quit often drift a Texas Rig behind the boat!

Bass hate lizards. You have found a bunch of bass that hate lizards.

 

They will continue to kill all lizards they encounter.

 

Keep on fishing with those lizards and have some fun.

 

Hahaha. My uncle is a Maine fly fishing guide, and has been fishing for all his life. He has a degree in biology and used to be a school teacher. Out of all the things he has taught me, I will always remember him saying that bass hate lizards, especially water-dogs. He says that during the spawn, there are lizards that go onto the beds and try to steal the eggs! I can only imagine that any seasoned old timer of a bass will have a personal grudge on any lizard they see!

A lizard is a staple in my arsenal.you can trick them out when they get mauled.legs off u got a curl tailed worm,body missing a grub,tail missing a senko, etc etc