James RickardThe quest for the "perfect" bait
March 21st 2010 01:11
Is there such a thing as the perfect bait? To be honest, I have my doubts. I think many will agree the only perfect bait is what you caught you last lunker with. There are too many variables to consider when calling anything the "perfect" bait. For instance, I whole heartedly believe in simple night crawlers. Yet, you would hardly use them for surf fishing. Additionally, I've seen fish being almost repulsed by crawlers but biting hand over fist on minnows, and vice versa. If the topic is artificial baits, many like a spinner bait but, I've had much better luck with crankbaits.
There's simply so much bait that it's almost impossible to recommend a particular color, size, or even shape as the" best." Just about any bait out there has taken a fish at one time or another. That's one reason I keep my lure selection pretty simple—light for the day/dark at night with a few gold metallic lures for murky water. I've found too many opinions to have a handle on the sound thing in fish but I am convinced scents help your hook up rate.
Aside from the aforementioned night crawlers and minnows, natural baits are often whole, chunk, or strips, depending on the fish you are targeting. Common organisms easily found in nature you can use as bait used for bait include crabs, (a favorite of mine) shrimp, clams, sand fleas, or squid (highly recommended).
Shrimp often work well for saltwater fish, especially the inshore variety. Examples would be redfish or speckled trout. Although shrimp are usually used for saltwater fish, I've seen guys hook catfish with them. (Then again, I've seen catfish bite on just about every bait imaginable.)
There's simply so much bait that it's almost impossible to recommend a particular color, size, or even shape as the" best." Just about any bait out there has taken a fish at one time or another. That's one reason I keep my lure selection pretty simple—light for the day/dark at night with a few gold metallic lures for murky water. I've found too many opinions to have a handle on the sound thing in fish but I am convinced scents help your hook up rate.
Aside from the aforementioned night crawlers and minnows, natural baits are often whole, chunk, or strips, depending on the fish you are targeting. Common organisms easily found in nature you can use as bait used for bait include crabs, (a favorite of mine) shrimp, clams, sand fleas, or squid (highly recommended).
Shrimp often work well for saltwater fish, especially the inshore variety. Examples would be redfish or speckled trout. Although shrimp are usually used for saltwater fish, I've seen guys hook catfish with them. (Then again, I've seen catfish bite on just about every bait imaginable.)
Remember to take the hooks outta yer pocket before ya sit down!
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Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
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Going after the "big one" is a slippery slope, at least it is for me. I realized that last summer when a guy asked me what I had just as I reeled a fish in. I answered " Just another bass." Looking back, a lot of people would have loved to hook that fish. It was about a foot long which would have been okay with the right mind set.
Then you look at species--it's great if you catch a two foot walleye but a bummer to catch a two foot musky!
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
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That's VERY true! I Never thought of it as the holy grail! I'm gonna remember that one!
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Comment by Lisa Johnson
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The joy is fishing! Can't wait to get back to the lake!