Searching by throwing baits is not my idea of a productive use of time.  I never fish where I don't have a pretty good idea there are fish there.  I "search" with all of the things Tom said, I throw different baits to see what they want.  If I have to add that I'm throwing baits to find them as well as find what they want to bite, I have just doubled the odds against me.  Bank fishing not included.  If you are limited to the bank, your search is pretty limited.  

Yes.

 

Is bass there. 

I fish mostly fairly shallow lakes/ponds. If I'm checking out a new body of water from the bank during warm weather, I'll chuck a frog at any shallow cover I can reach. Even if I don't get bites, a lot of times they'll swirl or boil around it, which lets me know they're there.

On 12/11/2018 at 5:25 AM, Smalls said:

Typically, bass are opportunistic eaters. So it makes sense that if you fly something by them, they’ll eat it. But you’re right, that’s not always how it works. 

 

It it very much depends on time of year, and weather, and etc. if I assume the bass  are in an mood where they’re not actively searching for baitfish, then a jig will absolutely become my “search bait” of choice. 

 

Again, doesn’t have to be a reaction bait. It just has to be the bait I think they’re gonna want to to eat. I prefer to cover water to see if bass are even there, first. Lakes are big, and I walk em. There ain’t enough time in the day to walk around some lakes and fish slow. 

 

I see your point, and agree to an extent. But just to play devils advocate- what aid does dragging a jig slowly do you, if there are no fish in the vicinity?

My point is, I dont pick my first bait of the day based on a certain type of bait, or generally what people typically refer to as "search baits". Id rather take my chances picking my bait based on conditions that day, depth of water, what has worked on past similar conditions, body of water, water clarity and such. Once again, my method doesnt guarantee me anything either, as ive said there is no magic guaranteed bait thats going to catch you a fish if the fish dont want it. but i feel i have more of a chance at success by picking something that seems to fit the days conditions and the water im fishing. therefore, its my belief, that the term "search bait" is horribly misleading and teaching that practice causes many anglers to waste a lot of time thinking they need to throw certain specific baits first.

 

i will say this though, to each their own. if thats what someone feels comfortable doing then have it at, i just dont subscribe to it myself personally

 

 

 

 

I'm sorry, I would never tell you that you need to find a nail before you find the hammer. You need to find structure, before you can find and entice fish to accept your presentation. Then it's a matter of depth and speed control in order to fish that structure effectively. Bass are definitely opportunistic feeders, but finding them is not via what bait you are using, but more of where you're using it.

 

Pay attention to and locate structure (changes in bottom contour) and then find the breaks (brush piles, weedlines, trees, rocks, etc.) on that structure. Lures are just tools to dissect the structure you believe to have bass on it. And, by the way, structure that has bass on it will - as a prerequisite - have bait there as well. Find the bait and you'll find the fish. Presentation after that is relatively simple.

47 minutes ago, Crestliner2008 said:

I'm sorry, I would never tell you that you need to find a nail before you find the hammer. You need to find structure, before you can find and entice fish to accept your presentation. Then it's a matter of depth and speed control in order to fish that structure effectively. Bass are definitely opportunistic feeders, but finding them is not via what bait you are using, but more of where you're using it.

 

Pay attention to and locate structure (changes in bottom contour) and then find the breaks (brush piles, weedlines, trees, rocks, etc.) on that structure. Lures are just tools to dissect the structure you believe to have bass on it. And, by the way, structure that has bass on it will - as a prerequisite - have bait there as well. Find the bait and you'll find the fish. Presentation after that is relatively simple.

Very sound advice in my opinion.