Only one bait.

[Fishbusters]

If you could only have one artificial bait, lure or fly what would it be? I personally would not want to ever cut my chances by just fishing one thing but I have decided that a size 12 muddler minnow would have to be my choice if I was stuck with only one bait forever. I am by no means a long time or good flyfisherman but I have used a muddler to catch bream(shellcrackers, bluegills and such), warmouth, white bass, perch, jackfish(chain pickerel), and largemouth bass (from 1# up to the 5# fish I got yesterday). I would hazzard a guess that crappie would take them but I have not tried it yet. I am going to bet things like trout, smallmouth bass, walleye and other things I don't have here would take one as well. If i can find one tied on a stainless hook I will even try it saltwater and would bet on success. I have had some luck on a size 6 but the size 12 seems to be something everything wants and can eat so my choice is a size 12 muddler minnow. BTW it used to be a small beatle spin but the muddler actually is easier to fish and seems to be more readily taken.

 

[ChampionHead]

Re: Only one bait.

I only do a little fly fishing, but my favorite bait for my spinning reel is a Banjo minnow. Unfortunately they went out of business (I think).<br /><br />I used the Banjo minnow in lakes where artificial bait just wouldn't cut it, and I had great results. If anyone knows where I can get these baits, or something that can be fished like a dying minnow, I'd sure appreciate it! crosedj@aol.com

 

[RJS]

Re: Only one bait.

A bucktail is the most versatile lure IMHO.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Only one bait.

A jig. I have caught just about every species in Lake Champlain on a bass jig. Bass, walleye, pike (when I catch a pike I am always accused of retrieving too fast by my fishing partner ), laker trout, sheapshead, and even snagged a huge alligator gar with one.<br /><br />It is like old reliable depending on how I use it but, nothing beats mother natures worms.<br /><br />Bob

 

[JB]

Re: Only one bait.

I think I have to go along with Bob. I have caught more different species of fish with jigs than any other type artificial lure.<br /><br />My second choice would be a spoon, followed very closely by a Mepps-style spinner.<br /><br />That said, I fish spinners (including spinner-baits) and crankbaits more than any other type lures.<br /><br />

 

[GarageGuy42]

Re: Only one bait.

I have for the past few years only fished for crappie and have had more luck with bass assasins. They come in all sizes. the size I use are 1 1/2". Caught a 7lb blue cat once. Hell of a fight on a crappie rig.<br />The record flathead in Ks. was caught on a crappie jig w/20# line. Something like 125#. Scary

 

[Dman]

Re: Only one bait.

Most any Smithwick crank would do the trick for me.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Only one bait.

honestly,, for fly fishin' ,, i've been maulin' it over ,, an i'd have to agree with muddler minnow .. hands down.. it's flat-out alsome.. for non fly & ponds/fresh water,,, these little little trout worms.. get # 2 , not 2/0 but # 2 offset hooks ( hard to find but available) texas rig 'em.. put a split-shot just up the line so to give castin' wieght.. be prepared for anyting !! anything ...

 

[fishthebay]

Re: Only one bait.

The Rebel Wincheater is my favorite lure. Blue in color is the best.<br /><br />I only fish saltwater and it produces a ton of rockfish, trout and puppy drum.

 

[derwood]

Re: Only one bait.

man, you did'nt ask a tough question did ya. there are so many to chose from.... dang now your gona make me think....thinking usally gets me in a lot of trouble....the smoke detectors going to go off soon....well....uh....ok, i love floaters in black and silver. shallow divers, and none of those water pigs they try to sell ya, you know the ones i mean, they look like they just swallowed a basketball. saltwater and fresh they have always suprised me as to what will hit one next. i just got this little dark brown and white skipper plug last month and i caught two bass and a mangrove snapper on it on the same river. the chasahowitzca river has salt and freshwater fish in it. i don't know what it was called or who made it, and of coarse my brother borrowed it a week later and lost it on a big gator gar down at the spillway. he's now on my black list till he finds me a new one. the way my lucks been lately....he must have been paid off buy the fish gods. if there was ever a reason to use my hidden dragon style on someone, losen my new top water plug is it. i'm gona pee in his bait bucket when he aint looken. sorry i just had to vent.<br />derwood.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Only one bait.

CHASAHOWITZCA.... what- in-the-heck kinda american indian/aztec inca/jew named that river ...???

 

[derwood]

Re: Only one bait.

it is pronounced chaz-ah-how-its-ka and i don't know what they were drinken when they named it. in seminol it means "pumpkins to pick" not that i have seen any pumpkins out there. it is a short, very clear river...like looking into blue glass the color of the sky. very pretty. there is alot of turtle grass and bright white sand at the bottom. its a tiller killer, but if ya go slow she has alot to offer. bass,seatrout,stumpnockers,bluegill,mangrove snapper,snook and all kinds of critters. manetees,otters,hawks,owls,deer,coons,hogs and all kinds heroens an storks. the mouth comes out to the gulf and any sea trout fisherman worth his salt will get a woody just looken at it. its full of nooks and crannys,bays and islands and darn fine fishen spots. i'd better stop written, i'm starten to feel frisky. <br />derwood

 

[JB]

Re: Only one bait.

Sounds like an awesome fishin' hole, Derwood. Now, tell me exactly how to get there. . .

 

[crab bait]

Re: Only one bait.

CLEAR CLEAR water is hard to fish..( stalkin' mantus style )alittle color makes it more forgivin' ( laughing money style )..sounds AWLSOME.. but were the hecks the pink flamingos... ?? an don't tell me in every trailer park lawn in s.fla.....

 

[derwood]

Re: Only one bait.

it's about 15 minutes south on us 19 from homosassa FL. when ya get to the blinken yellow light turn right and head west till your hat floats. i have not seen a hole lot of those stupid pink chickens in the yards arround here thank god. the rednecks here have all replaced them with old fords on blocks( there is a pink cadilac on blocks not to far from here though if it makes ya feel beter crabby. i did'nt want to totaly shatter your vison of FL.) <br />derwood<br />P.S. its easer for me to fish clear water if i keep real close to the shore and bushes and wear flanel or something that breaks up my shape...not camo though...we are still fishen here.