Switching baits with the weather.

[TheWoz]

So as many of you know I'm coming up on my one year anniversary at the end of may (I will celebrate too)

I've figured out a lot of things but still have questions on a lot. For instance I can't seem to get a bite on soft plastics of any kind lately.
During the summer I don't really have a problem. I was wondering if soft plastics are better suited for the summer months.

I've been throwing spinners since it's been cold and they produce every time. Even since tax season has ended I've made 4-5 quick trips over to the dpr and the dam for an hour at a time (limited time). I haven't taken too many pics just b/c i didn't want to waste time digging out my camera and blah blah (guess I was power fishing). But the spinner has been destroying it....3-4 fish per hour

Am I doing something wrong with the plastics or should I wait for the weather to warm up a bit? What do you guys do.

[tmoney]

Plastics seem to produce less in the Spring, at least for me. There are guys who seem to do well on them though. Catchafew seems to be doing well at night wacky-rigging. For me, this time of year is all about the reaction bite, especially when the weather is cold. Fish are hungry, but they're more likely to chase something large that creates vibration in the water. I guess what I'm trying to say is that plastics will work, but I think it's more about location/time/type of plastic, whereas in the Summer they seem to work everywhere

Just keep experimenting.

[Busse Jim]

Since i dont use jigs and soft plastics and fishing gets tougher during july and august, unless its a cool year, I think so . theres plenty of newly hatched fish so they dont have to chase food down. I cut back or fish near sunset then when i just have to fish

[Navyfisher]

the colder water seems to require a different mentality in different locations. Unlike crankbaits and spinners you are 90% responsible for the movement of the lure and need to do more than just change cranking speed. (There is more to spinners and cranks as well but I am just trying to simply things to make my point)

In spring I seem to have more luck with smaller plastics than in summer. Downsizing your jig head to 1/4oz or smaller will also give you a slower fall. Just toss it next to submerged wood, into beds, along rocks and vertical structure and let it hit the bottom. Leave slack in the line and wait for it to move. Bass will eat plastic baits that are just sitting on the bottom ( another good reason to not throw your ripped up plastics in the water) so if times get tough don't be afraid to dead stick.

Changing weight of the jig head and the size of the trailer can be the key to getting the bite. This weekend I started with a 3/4oz football jig and got only one missed fish, switched to a 1/4oz with a smaller trailer and got hammered on the first drop. If a plastic does not work first thing I do is slow down, if that does not work I go lighter. If that does not work I change presentation, works for me most the time.

I hope that info helps, it is more about feeling and slowing down to make sure the bait is being fished correctly.

[FishinMatt]

In general, go smaller on the dinger/senko type baits when the water is below 60. I like the 3'' early on, the 4'' in June, and 5'' the rest of the year. Not many people throw the 3'' models, but it is suprising the difference it can make early on.

[catchafew]

In general, go smaller on the dinger/senko type baits when the water is below 60. I like the 3'' early on, the 4'' in June, and 5'' the rest of the year. Not many people throw the 3'' models, but it is suprising the difference it can make early on.

x2. and at night I think you can get away with bigger senkos. YTD 144 of the 176 caught so far have come from dinger/senko for us, but I have a unbalanced practice for using for them and perhaps I'm missing out on the best quality bass from what I read with other presentations.

[Busse Jim]

question for yousoft plastic guys. i fish mostly dirty stained ccfp waters with visability of a foot at best i've never had much luck with soft plastics exxcept at the surface, and worms and jigs are quite and more of a site based bait, do you need clearer water with a few feet or more of visibility for them to be successful?

[Navyfisher]

question for yousoft plastic guys. i fish mostly dirty stained ccfp waters with visability of a foot at best i've never had much luck with soft plastics exxcept at the surface, and worms and jigs are quite and more of a site based bait, do you need clearer water with a few feet or more of visibility for them to be successful?

Nope, for me color choice is based on water clarity, the hatch and experimentation. Watermelon red flake, motor oil anything and black and blue are good standards to start with for jigs and senkos.

Fishing worms and jigs is a lot more about vibration than you might think, the jig's skirt and the trailer adds to it. Even the worm falling through the water makes a small amount of vibration the fish can feel along it's lateral line. Plus the fish can taste the salt or attractant on the lure. So there is a lot more than just sight to think about. Then again you can catch a fish on a bare hook at the right time and place, so the amount you want to get into the science offooling fish into biting is up to you.

[Busse Jim]

Thanks navyfisher i'll have to try em more often. its just so hard to slow down and pick apart a small spot hoping the fish are there,guess i fish for just the active ones or pick up a reaction bite with the cranks and spins. then again if i cach a few in an area and they stop bitting i should switch to those and cover it more closely

[ohoffm]

Thanks navyfisher i'll have to try em more often. its just so hard to slow down and pick apart a small spot hoping the fish are there,guess i fish for just the active ones or pick up a reaction bite with the cranks and spins. then again if i cach a few in an area and they stop bitting i should switch to those and cover it more closely

I think you are right on Busse Jim.