I was thinking that a few years ago out here everyone who fished on the Delta was throwing a Brush Hog then came the Senko.  Texas rigging was big now we have the Drop-shot.  Lures like the Jitterbug and Hula Popper that were once pretty common place are now "specialty baits".  Do you think that a majotiy of the fish you catch are because you are using the "newest" technique/ lure?  Or could you have caught the same fish using the "old school" stuff?

Personally I believe that any fish you catch probably could have been caught on multiple techniques and baits and the most important factor is confidence.

The angler has changed not the bass; today anglers have over complicated a simple process, bass live such a simple live that it goes straight over most anglers' heads.

I'm sure that somewhere between 60-75% of my fish last year came on a ***(*** version of the brush hog).  A good chunk came on a ***(*** version of the senko) as well.  Like anything else some good and some bad.

The angler has changed not the bass; today anglers have over complicated a simple process, bass live such a simple live that it goes straight over most anglers' heads.

Well put Catt!

I was thinking that a few years ago out here everyone who fished on the Delta was throwing a Brush Hog then came the Senko. Texas rigging was big now we have the Drop-shot. Lures like the Jitterbug and Hula Popper that were once pretty common place are now "specialty baits". Do you think that a majotiy of the fish you catch are because you are using the "newest" technique/ lure? Or could you have caught the same fish using the "old school" stuff?

Personally I believe that any fish you catch probably could have been caught on multiple techniques and baits and the most important factor is confidence.

I may over simplifly it but it's either fast  or slow presentations. What ever the new baits will catch , the old baits will do the same.

Also remember that "Old School" was a new technique at one time.  

I try to use old school and new school techniques, like I use t- rigged soft plastics a lot, but I also use a d-shot a lot.

I'll have to say that its got alot to do with the mood of the fish more so then the fish going after a new type of bait because its different. The more fishing pressure that is put on to a lake can cause a bass to be more responsive to something new but for the most part if its in his strike zone then he'll kill it. One good example of this is illustrated by the areas I fish. During tournaments in summer I'm normally spot jumping down the river with two other boats. I've seen them on practice days catching fish on places that I fish regularly. I know that one of them is a finesse type fisherman and the other is a slow jigger or crawling crawworms. I'm a fast power fisherman with spinnerbaits and jigs. I can say that those fish honestly don't care if its a senko or a jig that is throw in front of them, so long as its in the strike zone.

Keep it simple when it comes to baits and presentations.

But when it comes to patterns, analyze, analyze, analyze.

I think fishing is 80% finding the fish, 15% presentation, and 5% lure choice.  However, sometimes that 5% is the difference between catching and not.  

I think fishing is 80% finding the fish, 15% presentation, and 5% lure choice. However, sometimes that 5% is the difference between catching and not.

I agree with that. Gerald Swindle once said that he mainly focuses on finding the fish, once he finds them he'll catch them with a coat hanger if he has to.