I don't think I've noticed huge differences very often, that said it does occasionally work out to switch from a red eye shad to a one knocker version, or to grab a lipless with a different sound/action, when it comes to soft plastics I don't believe I have ever noticed any real difference as long as your staying in the same wheelhouse (i.e. one craw imitation works as well as the next) and basic area of the color spectrum (natural colors vs. Bold)

On 6/27/2022 at 4:23 PM, Columbia Craw said:

I’ve been hearing the term, “give them a different look” or “Show them something a little different.”  How far does an angler take that premise?

To add another point, a different look doesn’t necessarily mean a different color or bait or size change though those are examples.  Like @A-Jay said, it could be a profile/size change like going from a 2.5 to 1.5 to 1.0 square bill.  It could also be a different presentation like stroking v dragging v hopping or a slower/faster fall rate.  Jacob Wheeler won the Summit Cup pitching heavy vegetation using a 2oz weight.  He specifically mentioned that his key to winning was to create a fast fall to trigger a more involuntary(ish) reaction…he gave them a different look.  It’s a valid concept no matter what bait you are choosing.  We all do this every time we fish whether intentional or unintentional.  IMO, the goal is to increase the intentional occurrences.

On 6/29/2022 at 7:48 AM, the reel ess said:

How do fish discern the brand of the stick bait?

 

Different action and fall rate brand to brand. 

On 6/29/2022 at 7:48 AM, the reel ess said:

 

 

When I think 'show them something different,' I'm thinking something different from what the majority of anglers are throwing. Paddle tail swim bait vs. a spinnerbait, silent crank vs. one with rattles, straight tai worm vs. a ribbon tail and my favorite is a tube vs. a skirted jig/trailer.