I will catch a lot of grief but here goes. I gave up on a spinnerbait a while ago. I might fish one at night occasionally but during daylight hours I just don't.  

Hmm, where to start. Spinner baits, buzz baits, frogs, worms (long ones), drop shot, Carolina rig, wake baits, glide baits…yep, that ought to cover it. May have caught one fish by accident on some of these and nada on the rest. My tackle bag is way lighter these days. ?

8 hours ago, gimruis said:

OP here.

 

I went through this entire thread and so far the most popular responses are:

 

1) Carolina rig

2) Drop shot

3) Ned rig

4) Chatterbait

5) Deep crankbaits

 

There are a couple more mixed in, but these 5 have the most so far.

 

8 hours ago, Jar11591 said:

First 2 are not surprising at all. I’m surprised at #3 though. 

 

For me, the first one is not surprising but the others are. 

This is probably going to be the most unpopular choice here. 
 

weightless whacky rigged worms. I can’t stand using them nor have I caught a bunch of fish doing it.

I tried and no luck with the stupid tubes and one more the inu rig.

Never caught a bass over 12 inches on a neko.  Probably never will.

8 hours ago, Dogface said:

 

 

For me, the first one is not surprising but the others are. 

I'm not surprised by the drop shot answers.  The primary issue I can't stand it is because its so boring.  And its even worse watching the pros do it.

 

The chatterbait responses caught me by surprise.  If anything, you can just cast it out and then retrieve it at a steady pace, and you should get bit.

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

I'm not surprised by the drop shot answers.  The primary issue I can't stand it is because its so boring.  And its even worse watching the pros do it.

 

The chatterbait responses caught me by surprise.  If anything, you can just cast it out and then retrieve it at a steady pace, and you should get bit.

 

Yes, drop shotting can be boring but depending on the time and place it can be effective.

 

I also agree about the chatterbait. I thought it was one of the most popular baits out there. 

19 hours ago, Jar11591 said:

I’m surprised at #3 though. 

I'm not. Too many people either too manly to fish a Ned, not fishing it right, or using the wrong equipment. I'm not upset about people giving up on some of my favorite techniques though, just leaves more fish for me ?

 

I haven't given up on anything, but I rarely fish Carolina rigs or deep cranks for fun, because they're not. 

On 2/8/2023 at 7:26 AM, Captain Phil said:

Some may find this strange, but I gave up fishing jigs all long time ago. Florida bass much prefer soft plastics to hard jigs.   I have tried everything I can think of to fish a jig in Florida and it never works for me.  Throw a plastic worm, lizard or creature bait in the same place and bass eat them up.   I have thought about this for a long time.  I think it's a water temperature thing.  I once fished a tournament on the Kissimmee Chain when the air temperature was in the 40s.  I couldn't buy a bite.  I tied on a black and blue jig and started throwing it around some rocks.  I caught a three pounder on the jig.  That was the last and only fish I caught that way.   Of course, if you never throw something you will never catch a fish on it. ?

This really surprises me. Almost every fisherman I know swears by a jig. You're obviously excellent at catching fish, but like you said, if they don't hit it, it's not worth tying on.

 

I'm also surprised at the number of people who mentioned frogs. I've always got one tied on. Just find the nastiest stuff you can find and throw one in there. Yes, the hookups aren't great, but if you miss one, throw a weightless plastic hooked weedless and you'll get 'em.

There are a lot of really surprising responses in this thread. It's interesting to get a glimpse inside of everyone else's head about what they like and dislike and how it differs from my own preferences. 

To offer a bit of clarity on my answers I fish our pond most of the time with occasional jaunts to Neely Henry or Inland lake. Lately though it’s been the pond due to some health issues. I also want to say I’ve stopped ringing the dinner bell too as they’ve tended to ignore that as well. I figure they’ve been hitting Zaxby’s or Mickey ‘D’s. ?

For me it's spy baits. I've got several, by all of the top manufacturers. I'll take the hit, but I haven't caught a thing using them.

spy baits, walk the dog lures, blade baits, 90% of all soft plastics

I'm done with a drop shot too. I've tried and tried to make myself fish it but I just can't do it. I'm not a huge fan of deep cranking either but If I'm fishing with somebody and their catching with them I'll tie one on. I forgot about the A rig, I hate it. 

Looks like a lot of the responses depends on the type of water you are fishing. Someone fishing Erie needs a drop shot. Florida guys I doubt use a DS much. There are a lot of different fishing conditions around here but not much muddy waters. Upper Potomac and all the reservoirs are usually crystal clear. 

 

Allen 

When I first started fishing a Carolina Rig, I had zero confidence in that bait.   To gain confidence, I started trolling a Carolina Rig out the back of the boat while I fished from the front. It worked so well that I found myself constantly running from the front of the boat to unhook fish.  You need hard bottom to fish a Carolina Rig or the sinker will dig up the bottom.  It's a very effective technique. 

On 2/7/2023 at 5:02 PM, Catt said:

Chatterbaits 

All I done so far is lose 2 of those high dollar ones before I figured out they ain't to good around brush.

 

Not done, just on hold!

same here.......no good for nuthin bait.....

On 2/7/2023 at 5:02 PM, Catt said:

Chatterbaits 

All I done so far is lose 2 of those high dollar ones before I figured out they ain't to good around brush.

 

Not done, just on hold!

You know, this sounds like me. I mean if I get a good spot with a lot of grass I'll throw one, but given I only have spaces for 5 rods on my kayak, that's one I pass on a lot. I never have the best success with them in general.

 

There probably is something I have completely given up on, but I can't think of it right now.

I have given up using baits with treble hooks because I don’t want to deal with them any more. The proverbial straw was while wade fishing a handful of years ago. I had a feisty smallmouth swim between my (bare) legs with a small crankbait on the outside of its mouth. I didn’t get hooked but that was enough of a scare for me to say single hooks only.

20 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

 To gain confidence, I started trolling a Carolina Rig out the back of the boat while I fished from the front. It worked so well that I found myself constantly running from the front of the boat to unhook fish.  Y

  

Great idea. I may try that. I have a few places it might work. 

Curly tail grubs and I are in a weird place with our relationship. They never really get used but they still live in the tackle box. 

2 hours ago, Dogface said:

  

Great idea. I may try that. I have a few places it might work. 

 

When you are first starting out, use a 1 oz. weight.   This will keep the weight on the bottom.   If you have trouble with the weight picking up weeds or bottom debris, downsize the weight.  One of the most effective fishing techniques is a Mojo rig, which is an ultralight Carolina rig.  It was a tournament secret for many years, much like a drop shot.  Works great on highly pressured waters.

18 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

 

One of the most effective fishing techniques is a Mojo rig, which is an ultralight Carolina rig.  It was a tournament secret for many years, much like a drop shot.  Works great on highly pressured waters.

 

Thanks!!

 

I have been BFS fishing for a long time, I just didn't know it.

 

Seriously I have been fishing downsized baits and rigs that they now call BFS and it does produce. I will try the Mojo rig. 

On 2/9/2023 at 10:44 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

Too many people either too manly to fish a Ned,

I don't doubt my masculinity when I'm throwin' a Ned, as long as I'm wearing a manly disguise.