I am wanting to expand the pattern that I run, but I guess like alot of anglers I get stuck in that mind set that I have a hard time trying to change it up because what I do I have Alot of success with. I fish alot of strip mine lakes and others in southern Illinois. My one two "knockout" pattern is keeping my boat about 10 feet parallel off the bank and toss a Strike King 1.5 squarebill crank bait. I try to hit every rock, limb etc I can see. If I get into too much heavy cover or overhanging trees I just can't get into, I toss some type of jig with a Rage Tail craw. So far this year I have caught several 5lb plus lunker and even missed the bass of a lifetime. Yes I still cry myself to sleep over that one...

So what's your 1,2 pattern that your run that maybe I should try especially with the spawn coming to an end in my area that will help me continue my early success? 

1 minute ago, Rpratt said:

5lb plus lunker

LOL! When you live in this state, you appreciate those! I don't live in California anymore! 

In the mostly shallow grass and vegitation filled So Fla waters I fish, the first thing I throw is a frog...Allways, no exceptions...That's the first punch.

If that's not working the 2nd punch depends on the water and conditions...

Matted heavy cover... A punch rig with a beaver of some sort.

For heavy vegitation...A t-rig with a craw type bait or a big worm.

Scattered grass...A spinnerbait, soft swim bait, cut r worm or jig. 

Open water...Spinner/Chatterbait, sq bill, carolina rig

As you can see my 2nd choice is never locked into one bait style or presentation.

But that's me. 

 

Mike 

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

My 1-2 Pattern is as follows . . . .

1).  Locate Fish Holding Structure / Cover.

2).  Fish it.

A-Jay

Just now, A-Jay said:

1).  Locate Fish Holding Structure / Cover.

2).  Fish it at night

A-Jay

Fixed it for ya

Just now, Catt said:

Fixed it for ya

LOL ~

I will admit to doing most of my scouting for spots - during the day.

Usually when that "1-2" thing isn't working so good.

A-Jay

#1: Texas rigged plastics that maybe weighted or unweighted

#2: Jig-n-Craw

#3: Deep water structure

1. launch boat.

2. wet line.

The lake I fish the most is a simple lake. The northern part is all weeds on one side and rocks on the other. Spinner baits first run through the weeds. Then jigs on the edge of the weeds. In the summer jigs and t-rigs in the heavy cover. In the mornings and evenings frogs over the weeds. If the bite is real tough I slow down and fish senkos and dropshot rigs.

As a shore guy I keep my approach pretty simple - if there's points/structure/vegetation I'll toss a dropshot and poke around looking for the fish that are likely hanging around the area.

If it's a featureless straight shoreline I'll toss a 1.0-1.5 squarebill and just try to cover as much water as possible.  There might not be any of your typical cover/ambush points, but there should always be fish swimming around.

My current 1-2 punch:
1. Bladed jig (unless there's enough cover to warrant a jig-n-craw or T-Rigged bait)
2. Crankbait (1.5 squarebill usually).

I think most everyone agrees that the water dictates. You can't go into a marshland expecting to toss a crankbait everywhere. Also, to continue your early success as bass move throughout the later phases, adaptability is key. Practice and research should allow you to understand what adjustments are needed when. It'd be up to you to fine tune that.

7 hours ago, Raul said:

I know for Mexico that's a common catch but in the Northern US that's a very nice fish

for around here? my 1 2 pattern? that's kinda a trick question. there are so many different types of water bodies here that there really couldn't be such a thing, unless i were to fish just one. and even if I did fish just one? It would still depend on the fish's  daily relation to its environments biodiversity. What I mean is, in most lakes here one day they could be on wood, next day they could be buried in weeds, and the next relating to rock, the next day they could be hiding from the sun under docks and shoreline shade. Etc.,.... Within each of these days there "may" be a pattern, and i really like having to figure it out. But there isn't just a 1, 2, "pattern" option,... unless i were to pick a pond with nothing but heavy weeds,... answer would be a frog type bait for the thick stuff, and a punch lure for follow up and edges. OR,.. a rocky impoundment? topwater for over boulders and jig and pig for the shady side of said boulders,... a sandbowl type pond? , a  spinnerbait  to search for where they are feeding and a small texas rigged straight tail worm to clean up. ,...a laydown laden river?,.. a squarebill crankbait for over and around wood and a 4 inch texas rigged black with chartruese tailed berkley power worm to probe said wood.

Now,... are these really patterns?  no,..... they are suggested lures for pond types, and i answered so,. because it seemed that this is what Rpratt was looking for,..... A "pattern" is a completely different and a much more in depth subject than merely suggested lures

In your described strip mined pond???  id suggest my rocky impoundment answer because I"d imagine a strip mined pond would mirror a rocky impoundment, and I really dig topwater fishing and jig and pigs kick bass!!,....lol

my 1 punch varies but my 2nd punch is always a wacky rigged dinger

1. 3/8oz T-rigged green pumpkin chigger craw for the shallows and vegitation

2. Rapala shadow rap jerkbait for the deeper and open water

1. Hollow body swimbait/ fluke

2. Ned rig/ shaky head

 

1.  active type bait....topwater, crankbait, spinnerbait etc.

2.  Senko

Flippin' or pitchin some type of plastic, like a Pit Boss or Space Monkey. Also throw a senko or fluke type bait a lot unless in heavily stained water. 

Second pattern is a crank of some type, or a spinnerbait if it's choppy.

On May 10, 2016 at 11:22 AM, Rpratt said:

I am wanting to expand the pattern that I run, but I guess like alot of anglers I get stuck in that mind set that I have a hard time trying to change it up because what I do I have Alot of success with. I fish alot of strip mine lakes and others in southern Illinois. My one two "knockout" pattern is keeping my boat about 10 feet parallel off the bank and toss a Strike King 1.5 squarebill crank bait. I try to hit every rock, limb etc I can see. If I get into too much heavy cover or overhanging trees I just can't get into, I toss some type of jig with a Rage Tail craw.

I'd keep doing what's working, and also make it a point to experiment with some new approaches... how about moving a little further off shore and throwing some deep cranks?  You'll find some of the big mamas hiding out in the depths.  :-)

Tight lines,

Bob

On ‎5‎/‎10‎/‎2016 at 11:25 AM, Raul said:

Be nice Raul, (even if I was thinking it hehehe)

1. Jerkbait, Vision 110 or Staysee 90

2. Tube, green pumpkin on 1/4 or 3/8 jig head.

I fish for Smallmouth mostly, not much cover to get hung up on. I'll throw these two year round. These 2 are my always on the deck an ready to throw.

1- let the fish tell me what pattern they want

2- fish that pattern

 

I haven't really got a pattern as I haven't been doing this long. But, based on what I've learned, deep water when it's hot out, shallow in the morning or evening. First is a Texas rigged chartreuse or bananna seed worm. If that doesn't work, I go with a spinner unless veg is too thick. Then a top water of neither worked. If none of the above has produced a nibble, it's time for a new spot, and to start the process over.