How many of you love lures like I do? I love their bright colors, their sleek shapes, and their promise of fish. I once made a fishing wreath for a boyfriend and it had old fishing lures, old fish catch postcards, etc. He told me that his tough buddies would come over and they loved that wreath, which surprised him, since there was flora in it too. However, I got a lot of the flora from fields and ditches, so it had a pond and meadow look.

I think there is a saying lures were made to catch fisherpeople not fish ;)

I feel the same as you, there is a certain "promise" when you look at a lure. Finding out if it can live up to that promise is fun as well. There is something fun about the anticipation of using it....

T

quote timatkn: "I think there is a saying lures were made to catch fisherpeople not fish ;)


I feel the same as you, there is a certain "promise" when you look at a lure. Finding out if it can live up to that promise is fun as well. There is something fun about the anticipation of using it....


T"

Yeah, that anticipation is key. I anticipated seeing the funny Avengers movie yesterday, but even with 200 million dollars of special effects, it still can't match the explosion of a bass or pike on my surface lure and that explosion is neck and neck with the anticipation of an explosion.

With the allure, there can often be disappointment. Lures are made to catch fishermen not fish. I guess it comes down to why you bought the lure. I've caught so many fish on the basic rapala black and silver minnow. But standing at Bass Pro I often get tempted to buy the $20 lure that is similar but has a tail that is jointed 20 times and seems more life like. I buy the lure, only to not use it because I become afraid on snagging it or breaking it off.

I have bought a Daiwa lure for $14 before....and man even though it was pricey, it was well worth it's price. I have caught so many fish on this bait. So versatile. I have been snagged and stripped down to my boxers and swam for this lure. It's an interesting topic. Do you have a favorite lure that maybe doesn't catch the most fish? Just your favorite?

When we were juvenile delinquents we used to play "purse". We would tie a fishing line on a purse or pocketbook, toss it on the sidewalk and hide in the bushes. When someone would come along to grab it we would pull the string. People in cars would actually pull over and get out to grab the purse. Tricking a big fish into biting gives me that same feeling of joy. I guess maybe I'm just cruel.

As far as fishing lures though, I think fish will sometimes react to anything shiny. If you look around at a jewelry shop I think most of their inventory would get a bite.

I agree Arlo, in certain conditions, fish will bite anythings. I've caught crappie on a gold hook. No bait.

I think some look a lot better than others, but I typically go with the plain lures. I do like throwing chartreuse though, but not because I like the color, but because the fish seem to like something they can see from a mile off in a clear lake or something they can see in a murky river.
I think what is most important to me is the triggering factor. A fluttering, walk the dog and suspended zulu at times can be the best. A popper and chugger seem to work too.

Daiwa Mouthwasher Popper is the lure that has made me go for a swim more that once. Love it.

If you haven't been to one, visit an antique fishing lure show some time. I could spend hours...

quote chris77mcgrath: "Daiwa Mouthwasher Popper is the lure that has made me go for a swim more that once. Love it. "

So are you reeling this popper in like a crankbait and having it dive, is that how you get this topwater lure snagged? Or maybe a fish has pulled you into a snag that made you dive?

I do use this popper like a crankbait sometimes, it only dives a few inches. I love that it has vents cut on it to create bubbles out of the gills.Also has rattles. QuecticoMike I have to admit something I consider myself a great fisherman, but on occasion when fishing too close to down trees or cattails I actually throw the lure directly into the object I am trying to get close to. Have you ever caught a stick bass before? Not such a unusual breed of fish for me. When fishing soft plastics or weedless set-up I usually don't catch these stick bass, but with a treble hook.....the stick bass can be deadly.

It is a good looking lure I will give you that. I like the way it looks when it is sitting in the water. I looked up some pictures of it. I am sure it is deadly up north during the right times.

Better in Ohio than up north. Largemouth lure. I love it because it has propeller blades, popper, rattles, bubbles, and even a feather tail. Very versitile. I don't think they make it anymore? Up north I like Walleye to eat, but I'm really after trophy pike. I've seen your pics. Last year in Ontario I got a 40 inch 17lb pike. Hope to get a nice one in the Bdub this year. Couple years back I got a huge pike in Insula. No measurements or weight. We were getting out of the canoe when he flipped out of the dip net. He landed in shallow water and then bolted. The one that got away? I know in my heart he was over 48 inches. My buddy holding the net just sat there with it jaw dropped. It was about a hour fight in and out of the weeds. A gator.

There's also the fear that the fish will be hitting that one bait/color/action that your buddy has....that you don't. I've been on both sides of that coin....agony and ecstasy! Like the Boy Scouts say...be prepared.

quote chris77mcgrath: "Better in Ohio than up north. Largemouth lure. I love it because it has propeller blades, popper, rattles, bubbles, and even a feather tail. Very versitile. I don't think they make it anymore? Up north I like Walleye to eat, but I'm really after trophy pike. I've seen your pics. Last year in Ontario I got a 40 inch 17lb pike. Hope to get a nice one in the Bdub this year. Couple years back I got a huge pike in Insula. No measurements or weight. We were getting out of the canoe when he flipped out of the dip net. He landed in shallow water and then bolted. The one that got away? I know in my heart he was over 48 inches. My buddy holding the net just sat there with it jaw dropped. It was about a hour fight in and out of the weeds. A gator."

I'm surprised a pike could fight for an hour. I've caught 'em over 40 inches and they tire quickly. I've caught muskies up to 48 inches and they too tire quickly. You must have caught a real water wolf, able to run and run.

quote TeamTuna06: "There's also the fear that the fish will be hitting that one bait/color/action that your buddy has....that you don't. I've been on both sides of that coin....agony and ecstasy! Like the Boy Scouts say...be prepared."

Been there and had that happen. I'm surprised at the number of times the fish focused on one lure in a particular color.

quote missmolly: "

quote TeamTuna06: "There's also the fear that the fish will be hitting that one bait/color/action that your buddy has....that you don't. I've been on both sides of that coin....agony and ecstasy! Like the Boy Scouts say...be prepared."

Been there and had that happen. I'm surprised at the number of times the fish focused on one lure in a particular color."

Same here. That's why I'm always surprised at some folks who'll pack only a small ziplock of lures on a BWCA trip. I always bring way too much stuff but I'd rather be lugging too much than be unprepared. Besides, most of my winters are spent rearranging my tackle boxes and recalling what was caught on each lure.

quote Ingvald: "

quote missmolly: "

quote TeamTuna06: "There's also the fear that the fish will be hitting that one bait/color/action that your buddy has....that you don't. I've been on both sides of that coin....agony and ecstasy! Like the Boy Scouts say...be prepared."

Been there and had that happen. I'm surprised at the number of times the fish focused on one lure in a particular color."

Same here. That's why I'm always surprised at some folks who'll pack only a small ziplock of lures on a BWCA trip. I always bring way too much stuff but I'd rather be lugging too much than be unprepared. Besides, most of my winters are spent rearranging my tackle boxes and recalling what was caught on each lure."

Yeah, it's fun to fiddle with them!

We should get a contest going on what time tonight T G O will chime in on this thread Im going with 8:30 pm.

quote Basspro69: "We should get a contest going on what time tonight T G O will chime in on this thread Im going with 8:30 pm."

Heh-heh. I started another thread for him.

quote missmolly: "

quote Basspro69: "We should get a contest going on what time tonight T G O will chime in on this thread Im going with 8:30 pm."

Heh-heh. I started another thread for him."

LOL

In response Molly, I caught the fish in a weed bed. Johnson Silver Minnow skipping across the top. I had 8 lb test I believe. No leader. I was "babying" the fish a lot, but every time she saw the boat, she would head back to the weeds like a submarine burning up the drag. I would spend 15 minutes at a time pulling weeds off the line praying that the fish was still on. It truly was an Epic battle. To make matters worse, the fish would not fit in our smaller dip net. Head out one side and tail out the other. Bent the fish like a U. But I learned a lot that day. A year later I caught a 40 inch 17lb fish in around 10 minutes. But that fish was in open water. In the weeds...I often wonder is this fish big or am I pulling ten pounds of weeds, in this situation it was both a lot. Molly, I'm only 34 but this is the tallest tail I have. Beside me and my best friend from high school, no one will ever understand the one that got away with no picture, measurement, or weight. But I kind of enjoy that ending. It keeps me going. The worse part is...the images in mind get foggy.

quote chris77mcgrath: "In response Molly, I caught the fish in a weed bed. Johnson Silver Minnow skipping across the top. I had 8 lb test I believe. No leader. I was "babying" the fish a lot, but every time she saw the boat, she would head back to the weeds like a submarine burning up the drag. I would spend 15 minutes at a time pulling weeds off the line praying that the fish was still on. It truly was an Epic battle. To make matters worse, the fish would not fit in our smaller dip net. Head out one side and tail out the other. Bent the fish like a U. But I learned a lot that day. A year later I caught a 40 inch 17lb fish in around 10 minutes. But that fish was in open water. In the weeds...I often wonder is this fish big or am I pulling ten pounds of weeds, in this situation it was both a lot. Molly, I'm only 34 but this is the tallest tail I have. Beside me and my best friend from high school, no one will ever understand the one that got away with no picture, measurement, or weight. But I kind of enjoy that ending. It keeps me going. The worse part is...the images in mind get foggy."

Yeah, I remember every big fish I lost. I had a BIG smallmouth in my hand a couple years back. I was fishing below a waterfall, so there was roar and mist and I hook this fish with fluorocarbon, not knowing that you have to use a uni knot with that line. Anyway, I'm leaning over the canoe with the fat bass teetering on the palm of my hand and I see my knot unraveling. It twitched and was free. Even worse, I once sunk a boat when I boated a big pike. We were so excited we tipped the boat, executing a lightning quick catch and release. A 48-inch plus pike would be a monster! I've never seen one and likely never will and you've seen one, but I don't know if I'd rather be you or me.

quote Basspro69: "We should get a contest going on what time tonight T G O will chime in on this thread Im going with 8:30 pm."

8:30 might be past TGO's bed time...:)

Part of the enjoyment of fishing for me is more than catching a fish. It's picking through my stuff, deciding what to bring up,deciding what to use, remembering specific fish I have caught with certain baits, trying something for the first time, finding an x-rap in a clearance bin, sharpening hooks, tinkering/modifying/making my own stuff. It's all part of the package for me....

Fishing opener in MN this weekend!

I agree that there is a certain "promise" that comes with a new lure. There is also a certain depression that comes with losing it on the first or second cast.

quote Jeriatric: "I agree that there is a certain "promise" that comes with a new lure. There is also a certain depression that comes with losing it on the first or second cast."

I agree but not as depressing as losing an old favorite...

In all deference, Miss Molly, my "Zen" moment comes in preperation, planning, coming up with a gameplan, in order to make the best of my time on the water. Over the years, I have tried lot's of techniques, lines, rod actions, and once I settle on what works for me, I stick with it...and then refine, explore, extend the usefulness of a particular lure genre. All of this boils down to being prepared, schooled, before ever hitting the water.
It's never been about color. The guys at Infisherman taught me it's all about depth...presentation...speed. The newest color of worm or crank does not, in the least, interest me. What Does interest me is a new action, what new does it bring to the table.
Look at the evolution of Sluggo-Fluke-Senko. All are available in a rainbow of colors, but their action is the key. Erratic, but only the action you give it. The manufacturers(Sluggo, Fluke) built a soft plasctic that correctly mimiced the profile of a baitfish...swam, glided, appeals to 90% of the fish at any one time. It was a pleasure to explore all the uses of these plastics. All Senko did was add extra salt as weight, was add another use for a plastic worm...no weight, gliding, erratic, nevermind that it vaguely resembles a baitfish. In reality, the improvement over the Sluggo-Fluke types are improved hooking ability(sluggo-fluke big hunk of plastic...can get balled up on hook), and salt in Senko adds weight without using nail weights. All three are excellent gliding, "killing", flipping(weedbeds at night-killer!), carolina rigging...but hands down, Senko more versatile. (sorry, QueticoMike)
THE MOMENT is making an excellent knot, sharpening a hook, making a perfect cast to the exact spot I think is holding a predator, quiet boat movement(including turning off graph at times), working the lure in a manner to make the fish think(brain size of a pea!!??) this is an easy meal. I could fish all season using the same lure color, but it's most fun to learn new retrieves, uses for all of the lure genres, keep equipment in tip-top shape. Things I can control(line, hook,location, action), things I can't control(weather, water temp.) I try to do my best at the things I can control.
Sorry Miss Molly, no "promise" for me, lures are tools to achieve the goal of hearing that wonderful cry: GET THE NET!!!!

More and better ways to catch bigger and better fish.

quote Ingvald: "

quote Jeriatric: "I agree that there is a certain "promise" that comes with a new lure. There is also a certain depression that comes with losing it on the first or second cast."

I agree but not as depressing as losing an old favorite..."

I don't have any old favorites. They don't last long enough to me to fall in love with them! It's those little pike with their razors.

I do have one old lure that I love. I cast it and the water erupted. 1.2604 seconds later, the lure came whistling past my head. The wire backbone in the F-13 Rapala was yanked out of the balsa and the hooks were straightened and deformed. I love that lure and from time to time, I remember the sound and fury that mangled it and yes, this is a tale told by an idiot, but it means something...to me.

quote Ingvald: "

quote missmolly: "

quote TeamTuna06: "There's also the fear that the fish will be hitting that one bait/color/action that your buddy has....that you don't. I've been on both sides of that coin....agony and ecstasy! Like the Boy Scouts say...be prepared."

Been there and had that happen. I'm surprised at the number of times the fish focused on one lure in a particular color."

Same here. That's why I'm always surprised at some folks who'll pack only a small ziplock of lures on a BWCA trip. I always bring way too much stuff but I'd rather be lugging too much than be unprepared. Besides, most of my winters are spent rearranging my tackle boxes and recalling what was caught on each lure."

Believe this or not, but I can remember by looking at a picture what lure I was using on what fish from 40 years ago till today, for some reason I have a photographic memory for this and I dont know why. My wife can ask me something sometimes and I forget 5 minutes later, but when it comes to lures and fish I remember everything .

That's ok BassPro....I'm the same way. We only remember the important things!

not at romantic response but only use alure because never liked waiting.