Never heard the term " search bait " until I joined this forum and have heard it several times lately.

Trying to wrap my head around what bait deserves this title.

 

All the baits I cast are searching for bites so after a fish is caught is it still searching ? or has it completed it's task and time to move on to other baits.

 

Please elaborate.

How profound. I generally consider a search bait to be something you’re using at a faster, more aggressive rate. I suppose just about any lure or presentation could technically be a search bait. Although I have a hard time imaging something like a drop shot or Ned rig being a search bait.

I take search baits as a bait that can cover water fast in the hopes of finding active fish, as opposed to target casting. For example, a spinnerbait burned over an expansive weed flat or rock pile trying to find where exactly they are would be a search bait as opposed to methodically flipping a jig at shoreline targets. Although you’re still “searching” when flipping a jig, you aren’t covering as much water, and you’re casting to targets you assume will hold fish instead of trying to locate them with a bite. Just what I take it to mean. 

To me a search bait is a bait you can work quickly & cover a lot of ground with while looking for active fish willing to bite. Once bit with no other action you keep moving until bit again. If you get multiple bites then slow down & work the area thoroughly with another presentation like a jig. 

My favorite search baits are lipless cranks, fast working jerkbaits or chatterbaits depending on the structure.  

Swim jigs with paddle-tails worked fast over flats or the tops of weeds are my favorite search baits.

I like crankbaits, bladed jigs (spinnerbaits and chatterbaits), swim jigs, jerkbaits and small swim baits.

 

Anything that lets me quickly check an area for active fish and horizontally cover water.

 

I like to fish vertical presentations quickly in a similar manner.  Playing with fall rate and trailer action and profile and working areas and targets faster than some.

What is a Flashback Mini in 1/8th oz with a 3" Armor Shad Alex 

 

A search bait is one that covers lots of water fast, isn't necessarily meant to catch tons of fish, rather find fish.  Once you get a bite, follower, etc., you stop and pick the area apart with other better baits.   

 

A big swimbait is a really great search bait as well.

 

Just my opinion obviously.  

A bait you use to search for fish, final answer....

Ahhh got it.

So I can officially call my 3" Keitechs..... little seekers. ?

Thanks for the replies.

Any bait you can comfortably fish fast to cover water can be a search bait. Traditional search baits are Rattle Traps and spinnerbaits.   I have known some anglers who use buzz baits to find fish.  Here in Florida, most of our bass are hunkered down in cover.  Some people flip fast with the trolling motor running, hitting a spot about every 6 feet.  If they catch a fish, they stop and work the area.  Once you know an area well enough, you don't need to search for fish.

Another good search bait is a frog. You can work a frog over mats and pads pretty quickly. Oftentimes you’ll get a blowup and they’ll miss. If it’s an aggressive blowup, I’ll throw right back and work it slower with some pauses in there. If they keep missing or the original blowup isn’t very aggressive, I’ll follow up with a jig or weighted Texas rig does the trick. 

Edited April 1, 20233 yr by 12poundbass

7 hours ago, Bird said:

All the baits I cast are searching for bites

 

This is the correct answer 

 

One can cover water by throwing moving baits like lipless  crankbaits, chatterbaits, buzzbaits, ect.

 

Or one can cover water throwing bottom contact presentations. Increase the weight of your Texas Rigs & Jig-n-Craws. 

 

Someone started this weird rumor that Texas Rigs & Jig-n-Craws can only be fished slow. 

Coasters song Searchin, I’am searchin…

use your sonar to search

Search bait= moving bait.  A bait that covers water quickly.

I’ll never utter those words. I assume a fish needs to bite it to allow you find fish. At that point it’s just bait.