Hey I have a challenge for y'all. Hopefully this gets your fishing brain going.here it is:

1.Pick 3 baits that you have or have not caught fish on.

2.analyze this bait. I want you to think about

A. What are you trying to imitate with this bait?

B.what similarities does the bait share with the real thing?

C. Differences between the real and fake?

D.what situation would you use it in,and this is key-Why!!

Here's an example,and this is my opinion,so I'm not claiming I state facts

Plastic worm with a curly tail

1. Imitation- a fish,particularly a Bluegill. The reason I say Bluegill and not a shad or minnow is because of the Bluegills large flowing dorsal fin. I don't think a ribbon tail depicts a minnow or a shad because those fish have more subtle fins

2.similarites: tail(fin) has lots of action and is always moving. Has slender shape.

3.differences: bluegill has a large body compared to any worm,yet is still thin.

4.situation-when bass are not actively feeding and the Bluegill are active(or are at least in the area). I think a Bass could be resting but if he sees a Bluegill just sliding along just minding his own,his natural instinct is to strike! However I would not use this bait when bass are active because they will probably be focusing on the surface or what's right in front of them,no what's on bottom(which is where I would fish a worm).

Ok think hard about this!

You are giving a bass way too much credit to their thinking abilities.

 

In many cases baits imitate "food" in general and not a specific type.

 

A worm or Senko does not represent any specific forage IMO

 

Why do jigs and craws work in my lake that has no real amount of craws?

 

What does pink or other crazy colors represent.?

 

Dont over think it

You are giving a bass way too much credit to their thinking abilities.

 

In many cases baits imitate "food" in general and not a specific type.

 

A worm or Senko does not represent any specific forage IMO

 

Why do jigs and craws work in my lake that has no real amount of craws?

 

What does pink or other crazy colors represent.?

 

Dont over think it

ditto.

You are giving a bass way too much credit to their thinking abilities.

 

In many cases baits imitate "food" in general and not a specific type.

 

A worm or Senko does not represent any specific forage IMO

 

Why do jigs and craws work in my lake that has no real amount of craws?

 

What does pink or other crazy colors represent.?

 

Dont over think it

I just catch fish.  On any given cast I catch or I don't, that puts my odds at 50/50.

1.Pick 3 baits that you have or have not caught fish on.                 Jig             Soft Swimbait    Squarebill Crankbait
2.analyze this bait. I want you to think about
A. What are you trying to imitate with this bait?                              craw             minnow                  bluegill
B.what similarities does the bait share with the real thing?   profile & action        action              action & color
C. Differences between the real and fake?                                    none      taste & subtle motion  subtle action

D.what situation would you use it in,and this is key-Why!!     rocky bottom cover more than structure  active feeding