1.)

 

2.) Everything else

Must say....weightless, wacky rigged 5" Senko....watermelon over cream.

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My favorite way to fish is with swimbaits such as the Matt lures Hard Gills, MS Slammers , Pat's Perch and Glide baits. 

 

I also like throwing the SK 8.0 Mag squarebill, Whopper Ploppers & Jigs.

If I could only fish on lure for the rest of my life it would be a popper. 

Although jerkbaits are NOT my most productive lures, they are still my favorite.

Soft plastics are #1 for "catching", but I often fish a jig even when I know something 

else would be better!

 

I am personally a huge fan of spinnerbaits, swim jigs and crankbaits. Hollow body frogs are also a blast to fish, as well and the blowups are also a lot of fun.

In my version of heaven the fish will be biting on hard jerkbaits every day, and there won't be a piece of weed/grass in sight so you don't have to worry about fouling your bait with junk.

I really like catching them on jigs.  I've tried to explain to non-anglers how feeling a bite transmitted through the rod and into your hand is just the sickest thing.  And then the first time you properly set the hook on a big one with a heavy flipping stick and braided line and you feel the full weight and power of the fish you're ruined from that point on.  It's impossible to not want to do it again....and again...and again.... 

My favorite is the walking bait.

 

I grew up in a place and time where they were not widely used, but as a kid I'd see them in field and stream and other magazines.  

 

Something about the connection after hitting that cadence: "click click click... wham!"

 

I like all topwaters but not always patient enough for a popper, and although buzzbaits are my top producers, I enjoy the challenge of making a walking bait walk and talk just right.

If I could pick only one bait it would be a zoom ultra vibe craw either Texas rigged or as a jig trailer. This bait can be quite versatile depending on how you fish it. 

That said, I think it's best not to have a favorite and to let the conditions and the fish decide. 

Ratl-trap 

On 1/2/2018 at 7:41 AM, Oregon Native said:

Love all the baits....hard, soft, twitching, walking, cranking.  Football jig or a tube would be my money bait.

How do you like to work your football jig? Any tips?

Man oh man. Just one, eh?!

 

Well, I would have to say a bladed jig (Keitech Easy Shiner trailer).

 

Followed closely by a flip/skip jig with a Paca Chunk SR(Kentucky Craw baby!)

30 minutes ago, Robert Hergan said:

How do you like to work your football jig? Any tips?

I work most of mine by dragging along the bottom. I like feeling every rock or depression by jig hits. Move it back toward you with the rod, not the reel (you'll feel more).

 

Cast, let sit, lift rod from 7-12, pause, reel slack, repeat. Vary your pause, vary your speed, etc.. 

 

That's how I fish it anyways.

On 1/7/2018 at 10:31 PM, ohtheguilt said:

I've caught more on lipless than anything else...I guess my personal favorite found me.

Very good topwater lure in specific circumstances. Have to know the right sizes, colors, etc. Caught all my PB's as well as multitudes of fish. I've only had it for one season so far. One of my favorites no doubt.

I fish much better when I make an effort not to have a favorite lure.

On 1/11/2018 at 5:19 PM, The Maestro said:

I really like catching them on jigs.  I've tried to explain to non-anglers how feeling a bite transmitted through the rod and into your hand is just the sickest thing.  And then the first time you properly set the hook on a big one with a heavy flipping stick and braided line and you feel the full weight and power of the fish you're ruined from that point on.  It's impossible to not want to do it again....and again...and again.... 

It doesn't have to be a jig, per se.  It can be a worm or about any soft plastic OR a jig.  But I agree with the sentiment.  There's just something about it!

Zoom trick worm 

Senko 

Curly tailed grub

Jig with Craw trailer 

Zman TRD (ned rig) 

Mepps #4 gold

 

I have lots of favorite lures but I suppose if I had to choose one, a single tail grub has to be my favorite since it catches just about everything in addition to bass, can be rigged many different ways, comes in lots of colors, and can be fished at all depths. A tube would be second but it's a bit too much of a 'slow'-style of fishing for my taste. Most fun has to be a topwater, a popper or prop bait.

Definitely a jitterbug followed by other topwater.  I've been fishing jitterbugs for around 30 years and as a previous poster mentioned, it just brings back memories with that unforgettable sound.  And you can't beat a topwater blowup.  Second type would be crankbaits of any kind - they're just more fun to fish with for me than most other baits.  

15 hours ago, Robert Hergan said:

How do you like to work your football jig? Any tips?

Wow....the fall is usually the best.  I use two types of footballs.  A small one that I tie on small light wire hook in a 3/0 for the smaller profile.  (ten to 12 lb line) I use in 1/4 to 1/2 and once it falls will tend to shake a bit. (small shakes)  I really don't fish it too far back to the boat unless I'm on a large flat and then only half way.  (not very patient)

Then I use the larger version in a 5/0 in usually a 1/2 or 3/4 that I tend to drag more along the bottom.  This I usually use 17 to 20 lb line.

Tight lines