Years and years ago, I couldn’t catch a bass on anything except a ribbon tail worm t-rigged. The Riverside brand of worms had a ribbon tail that was close in color to Tequila Sunrise that would absolutely murder the bass every trip. I haven’t caught a bass or even had a bite on a ribbon tail in so long….I don’t know what I’m doing wrong with them lol

 

What would that lure be for you?(if this problem exists for you).

They still work, at least they did a few hours ago as can be seen in pic. I can’t think of an example, bass around here aren’t too choosy 

The whopper plopper was what I caught 90%  of topwater bass on three or four years ago even though I threw all the regulars along with it.  I still catch them with ploppers, but the numbers seem to have fallen in line with all the other top water lures. 

Inline spinner, oddly enough. It wasn't a "one hit wonder" for me but this year, they just don't seem as effective. 

caroline rig with paca craw...

Lures work or don't work in a particular body of water at a particular time for a bunch of different reasons. 

 

I had a stretch of like 3-4 years where I was really crushing them on bladed jigs.  They were getting me big bites during tournaments and helping me cash quite a bit.  For some reason I haven't been able to repeat that success the last couple years.  It still gets me bites but I tend to put it down much faster than I used to.  

7 hours ago, Smells like fish said:

They still work, at least they did a few hours ago as can be seen in pic. I can’t think of an example, bass around here aren’t too choosy 

I must not be holding my mouth right or something haha great fish!

54 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

Lures work or don't work in a particular body of water at a particular time for a bunch of different reasons. 

 

And that’s why I haven’t completely given up on the ribbon tails. I feel like I am destined to see success again lol

My father gave me some really good advice about this very topic. Hold on to that lure. It will be effective again. Maybe not this year or next, but it’s time will come again when that’s all you will use.

Zoom Fluke Stick. I came across an open pack of these at a local flea market 3 years ago. The first time out with one tied on it got a lot of hits, including one of my best bass, even to this day. I happened to be at DSG a few days later and found them on sale during one of their triple BOGO deals, so I bought a pile of them in different colors. I threw them until my eyes bled in multiple bodies of water, and haven't caught a single bass on one since that first time out.

believe or not, it is a texas rigged senko with weight for me. I killed the bass on it for a week or so, and now I throw a weightless t-rig a lot more because it sinks slower. Maybe I should try fishing the weighted rig deeper, instead of next to heavy slime and weeds

52 minutes ago, MN_Bassmaster78 said:

believe or not, it is a texas rigged senko with weight for me. I killed the bass on it for a week or so, and now I throw a weightless t-rig a lot more because it sinks slower. Maybe I should try fishing the weighted rig deeper, instead of next to heavy slime and weeds

I’ve had very little luck on that setup myself. The last time I even got a bite on a t-rigged senko was a Googan lunker log in white. 

56 minutes ago, NavyVet1204 said:

I’ve had very little luck on that setup myself. The last time I even got a bite on a t-rigged senko was a Googan lunker log in white. 

yeah. I do fine weightless or on a wacky rig, but when it comes to adding a tungsten weight, I've lost my magic

13 hours ago, Happybeerbuzz said:

The whopper plopper was what I caught 90%  of topwater bass on three or four years ago even though I threw all the regulars along with it.  I still catch them with ploppers, but the numbers seem to have fallen in line with all the other top water lures. 

The Plopper is mine as well.  Had pretty good luck with it the first year then barely anything.  Now I don't even use it.