for me it has always been an x rap fished as fast as I can work it however today after 6 hours of fishing I only managed 2 pike and 2 small bass which all came from a white spinnerbait. I talked to a few other guys who said they didn't do very well either so I got to thinking in this situation I should have worked some more reaction type baits. the x-rap didn't do it for me today so I need to hit the store!

what do you use for reaction baits.

PS. I also tried working plastics really slow. on one cast I would spend probably 10 minutes. I tried shakey head, senko, t rigged worms, lizards, and craw tubes. I missed a couple on the shaky head.

I get more fish on crankbaits and lipless crankbaits than any other reaction bait. Like anything else they need to be worked at the right speed and depth.

It all depends on the situation, but I have the most confidence in the Norman series of cranks

I will bang a crankbait around on whatever I can find. If nothing is around, I dig it along the bottom.

Lipless Crankbaits! got a good 4 pounder on a chrome red eye shad today with a tough midday bite.

hard choice between a bandit crank, or a booyah spinnerbait.

-gk

For me it's always a crankbait or rattle trap banged around heavy cover.

For me it's always a crankbait or rattle trap banged around heavy cover.

Me too^^. Shad patterns, chrome/blue and chrome/black are my onfidence colors. Bump 'em off of rocks or timber and hold on!

Tom

Texas Rig

Shallow cranks over grass or any cover for that matter. New to me this year and I have a ton of confidence in it.

Post spawn through fall, my favorite reaction bait is a Timber Tiger crank bait. I'll have a DC4, DC5, DC8 and DC16 tied on and ready to go most of the time. Timber Tigers seem to come through wood and brushy cover good for me.

Lipless cranks because I fish from shore and I can very easily control the depth even on short casts.

My favorite reaction bite is punching 1 1/2 oz beavers or super hogs in thick, matted vegetation...the whole mat moves when you get bit.

The reaction lures that I catch the most fish on are Red Eye Shads and RC1.5.

Spinnerbait hands down. Very versatile bait to where it's just not a reaction bait but can be used in different ways but in a reaction strike situation, it's deadly.

Pitching a heavy jig with lots of flappers or punching something with a similiar profile...this time of year when it's tough anyway.

This year, it has been the lipless crank since my goal is to use a lipless crankbait as my primary crankbait. For the most versatility, I will reach for a spinnerbait. I am also liking soft plastic swimbaits, although I am not sure if those would qualify.

Ripping cranks out of cover or banging off stuff works best for me. Flutter and die when around cover is also effective.

Strike King 5 series has been my go-to but Lucky Craft is slowly taking over.