Category: Top Tens

March 2, 2010

My Top Ten Bass Fishing Baits From The Last Decade

I got the idea for this post from Rich Lindgren's Bassin Blog, where he did a wrap up of his favorite bass baits from the last ten years. It got me thinking about the fishing lures that really have been my go-to proven baits over the last decade. Here's what I came up with (in no particular order):

6" Robo Worm Drop Shot

Staring off with my bubba drop shot rig consisting of a 6" Robo Worm in Aarons' Magic. Always on the same set up for me, I use a 7" custom spinning rod wrapped on a casting rod blank, 15 pound CXX -Line, a Gammi G Lock hook and a minimum of 3/8 oz weight. This is a great bait around docks, tullies and just about anywhere you can throw it. I caught my first bag of 5 bass over 20 pounds on this set up from the back of the boat. This pissed off my pro angler in a tournament on Clear Lake – whatever, it was a shared weight event – sorry you sucked that day buddy!

6" Robo Worm with Darter Head

I know you're thinking 'what the fuck, I thought you were a power fisherman!' Well I like to consider my self a smart fisherman (at times), hence the 6" Robo Worm on a darter head. Like the drop shot, there are times when nothing else fucking works no matter how long you try. This bait has saved my ass on many occasion. Don't always think of this 6" worm as a cop-out, but yet just a way to get the job done and beat the fish. I fish this on a Powell 702 extra fast darter head rod with a Quantum titanium spinning reel and 8 pound P-line flouroclear.

3/4 oz. Football Head Jig

Working our way through, I have a 3/4 once football head jig. Shown here is a Jig Monster Chaos Jig with Little Creeper prototype craw trailer. Where do you start with the jig? Well, I would have to say if I had to pick only one bait I could ever fish period, the jig would have to be it. I have caught more fish in the 5 to 8 pound range on a football head in over 20 feet of water than I can even count. I fish this bait on a Dobyns' 734 fast action rod with 12 to 15 pound Sunline Flourocarbon.

Crank Baits

Picking up the pace a little: when I have to cover water and get the job done these two baits are it! The Norman DD22 and the Lucky Craft LV 500 have become my two favorite crank baits ever (always switching the hooks out with Gammi Trebles). Rocks, docks, banks, grass – they do it all and they flat out catch fish all year long. I fish both on a Powell 754 with either 12 pound CXX on the DD22 and 30 pound Power Pro braid on the LV.

6" Castaic Trout

Remember in the beginning I said the baits were in no particular order? Well I kind of lied, the first five were my work horses. Now I'm moving into the baits that once I pick up I have a hard time setting down. These are not only baits I have confidence in but have just flat out become my favorites to fish.

The 6" Castaic Trout, yes the old $10 Walmart Special folks. The one that you can never find two that match because they are painted like crap and half of them don't have the fin cavity filled when they are made. That's the one. This bait has caught more fish, especially spotted bass, for me than any other swimbait. It accounts for my personal best spot: a 6.64 pounder caught in the last 20 minutes of a Won Bass tourney on Shasta. Now tell me that would not get your heart going – then follow it up with a $800 dollar big fish check and we're talkin'. I fish this bait on either a 795 Dobyns' or a 7105 Powell with 20 pound P-Line Flouroclear.

8" Huddleston

While I'm on the swimbait subject I might as well talk about the old Hudd 8". This bait flat out changed the way soft swimbaits are made. It certainly fucked my head up and got me into throwing true big baits. If you were lucky enough to have fished them before fish in your local waters ever saw one, let's just say that's why its in my top ten of the last decade. Although there are some other great swimbaits out now, nothing will ever change the memories I have on this bait. I fish it on a 8" Powell extra heavy swimbait rod and 25 pound P-line CXX.

River2Sea Frog

Delta, Clear Lake, wherever – there is not anything much better than throwing a frog through the slop in the middle of a 90 degree summer day. Anyone who has ever experienced a good amount of fishing frogs will tell you this bait is down right addictive to fish. My favorite is the 65 series River2Sea in white or yellow headed black. Once I start throwing this bait in shallow water usually the rest of the day is shot. I throw this bait on a Powell 735 Med Heavy fast frog rod with 85 pound Power Pro braid.

Black Dog Lunker Punker

The 6" and 8" wood Lunker punker has pretty much displaced my normal top water box completely out of my boat. This is one of the most mezmerizing baits in my boat to fish. I have more Punkers than ten people need, but when a bait works like this one does you just can't go wrong. There are days when I will literally put every other rod away and just get my net ready because this bait is that good, 'nuff said. I fish this bait on either a gen 2 short handle 795 Dobyns' or a 710 5 Powell with 85 pound braid and a low profile reel. I like the Diawa TDA or the new Tierra.

JSJ Snack Size

The Snack Size Trout in Chartreuse Shad was quite literally made for me you might say. I started making these baits a couple of years ago because no other hard bait on the market did what I wanted it to do. I have more hours behind this bait than any other swimbait I own. I fish it fast or slow and not much in between. The floater is my favorite, because I am addicted to top water. This bait has become my go-to bait in all kinds of situations since I designed it. I fish it mainly on a Powell 710 5 with either 85 pound braid or 25 pound P-Line Flouroclear and a low profile reel.

So there you have it: the ten baits that pretty are always tied on in my boat year round. All have been proven over and over again to be reliable fish catching machines. If there are any of the baits above that you don't own already or have not fished in a while it may be time to pull them back out and give them a toss in your favorite fishing hole.

More Top Ten Tackle Lists on The Wired Angler

Top 10 Swimbaits for 2009

Top 10 Topwater Bass Lures

Top 10 Swimbaits in my Tackle Box

February 8, 2009

My Top Ten Swimbait Picks For 2009

I am a little late on this one considering it is the 8th of Feb already, but better late than never.

What I have done over the last month is got ahold of all the swimbaits from the past and present that I feel are baits that any serious angler should put on their To Buy list for 2009.

I will start with my baits of course. . .

JSJ Snack Size Swimbaits

The New Snack Size Bluegill baits are already in Bass Tackle Depot and Walton's Pond and will be hitting more stores by the end of the month. Also this year I will be focusing on doing more custom baits, including the three joint in the already released Snack Size trout baits as well as more custom tailored paint work. Both the Snack Size Trout and Bluegill baits are available in floating and slow sinking.

Here is a pic of some stuff that is out already and a few custom trout baits

2. The Matt Lures Hard Gill

Matt and I were developing our Bluegill baits at the same time and his turned out great.

It is a versatile bait bait, pretty small like his soft baits, but very effective. They come in floating and sinking. My favorite thing I have done with the Matt Lures Hard Gill Bait so far is to take a floater and put bigger heavier hooks on it to make it sink real slow. I have already caught many fish on Matts bait.

3.The Black Dog Inject Punkers and Customs

Late last year Black Dog Bait Co. released the new injection molded punkers. The new baits contain rattles and come in three sizes: 6", 8", and 10".

The Shell Cracker was re-released with a bill, essentially making it into a giant crankbait. I don't know even where to start on the possibilities of this bait

Also if you have not yet got ahold of one of Jeremy's custom wood punkers, now is the time (shown below is a custom wood punker painted by Tator Hog).

The lunker punker has become a staple in any serious swimbaiters arsenal, I dont ever leave the dock without at least a few.

4. Tylure Bed bait Bluegill and 6" Kicker trout bait

Tyler has done a great job designing both of these baits, the new Bluegill bait is a Must Have this spring. This bait comes with a molded in double prong top hook that is sure to stick the giants.

This bait sits perfect on the bottom to entice unsuspecting Lunkers.

The 6" Kicker Trout should not be overlooked either. While on the smaller side of things, this bait is very versatile and will work on just about anywhere containing anything from trout to Large baitfish

5. The 11" Nate's Bait

Holy shit! are the first words that came to mind as I opened up my box containing my new 11" Nate's Bait. This bait is going to flat out get em!

It is a "big bait". Funny thing is, it's not even his biggest bait he makes. You will need a big stick for this thing but is for sure going to draw strikes from those giant pre-spawn winter Mama Bass.

The action on this bait is unbelievable and it is built like a tank.

6. Central Coast Swimbaits New Wake Bait

Another big hand made wake bait by Central Coast Swimbaits. This is not a high production bait, but all hand made and hand painted in San Luis Obisbo.

This is for sure not going to be the last we see of Andrew's work either, he's got some others in the works.

This guy can sure carve! The scale detail is unbelievable, The baits action is incredible as well.

7. 3:16 Real Deal and Hyper Herring

There has been a lot of buzz about these two baits. The real deal is absolutely amazing and is a must have. While the Hyper Herring is pretty much neck-and-neck with it for anyone who already likes to fish the Wake Jr.

I have not spent too much time on either of these baits (yet) but let me you. You wont be disappointed in either of them

8. Triple Trout – The Old Stand By

If you don't have at least 1 Triple Trout by now you are already behind.

This bait has been catching Giant Bass for a long time now and pretty much helped launch the whole swimbait craze. They are available in many sizes, sink rates, colors, and joint configurations. This is pretty much why you just can't have only one.

9. The Vagabond Surf Hustler

Due to a recent unveiling I was forced to change my number nine of my top ten.

All though I have not yet got my hands on one of these baits yet they are for sure to be of the highest quality and finish.

Black Dog Bait Co. has given license to Vagabond of Japan to sell this bait under the their company name. It is for sure to be a hit.

10. The Tator Hog Hoochiemomma Gill

While this bait is kind of what I consider a hybrid bait, sort of a mix between a swimbait and a crank bait. The Hoochiemomma Gill closes out my list of the Top Ten must haves for 2009, for now anyway were only a month in!

This is a bait that will just flat out make you smile while fishing it. It is just a fun bait to fish around docks and cover. The bass will just flat out engulf the thing.

Matt (tator) makes the Hoochiemomma in a one and two piece. I recommend you get both, but I am sick in the head to.

June 13, 2008

My Top 10 Topwater Bass Lures

More than any other time of year, now is the time to be out throwing topwater. The long hot days post-spawn going into summer are my favorite times to go out and fish the surface.

This list does not include any swimbaits, because well, frankly I just spent the last two days pouring and fishing swimbaits, and I don't want to look at one right now.

River 2 Sea Frog

This is by far my favorite lure to fish, I would say ever. I love frog fishing and would rather do that than any other type of fishing given the choice. I have fished a lot of frogs and this has become my favorite one.

Snag Proof Small Frog

Not too many people use these baits but they have a few really key purposes.
I use them in clear water reservoirs with shy fish, as a follow up to big frogs on missed slurps. Plus, these baits are pretty light and you can get them to jump and do some stuff that a bigger frog won't do as easy which is perfect for fishing in open water.

Lunker Lure Buzz Bait

The original buzz bait: I like this bait because it is a simple, no-nonsense lure. It also squeaks like no other buzz bait I have ever used. I think this important in pissing fish off.

The Super Spook

The Super Spook has been a part of my arsenal for a long time now and I think it walks the best out of all the different sizes of Spooks.

The Zenith Lures Z-Claw

This is sort of an odd, walking bait with one large lead ball in it. It is made of a slightly different plastic than a lot of lures and makes a low knocking noise.

The Bloodshot Raptor

If you do not have a wood lure in your topwater line up, you need to get on the ball.
There are times when a wood lure can make all the difference in the world in turning lookers in to all-out killers. This particular wood lure is not made any longer, and when I found this out I purchased as many as I could (about fifteen or so).

The MegaBass Pop Max

Not all poppers are created equal – and let me tell you: this Japanese lure maker came up with one hell of a popper.

The Deps Buzzjet

This lure came out a couple years ago and raised a few eyebrows; it certainly got my attention and has become one of my favorites.

The Lucky Craft Splash Tail

This is a great lure in clear water reservoirs with small mouth and spotted bass in particular. It can be ripped and fished really fast.
These baits get some explosive strikes almost like a buzzbait.

The Lucky Craft Gunfish

This is a great subtle topwater bait when the fish are slap-happy and you can't seem to convert strikes into fish in the boat. Before you switch over to a jerk bait, give one of these things a shot.

Well – it’s coming up on 5:00 and still about 80 degrees out so I think I am going to go do some topwater fishing.