"Sees-koo-wee-hah-nay" wrote in message
oups.com...

I stayed out of the favorite bait thread because I don't use what
everyone else does and that begs the question "am I missing out"?

I fish 2 small lakes in central Pennsylvania. I used to fish them with
my grandfather in the late 70's. He always caught his share of bass
while I usually went hope disappointed. He only fished with one lure, a
gold floating Rapala minnow. After he passed away I only fished now
and then and with spinnerbaits and an occasional rubber worm. I'm not a
fan of the rubber worms because I really have a hard time hooking up on
a hit or telling when I even have a hit.

The past 3 years have found me with more free time and a renewed
interest in fishing but last year was enough to make me quit altogether
as I just didn't have much luck and spent more time wondering what I
was doing wrong than I did casting. This year has been much different
as I got my kayak rigged and am fishing in the same areas my
grandfather did in years past and using grandpa's Rapala technique with
the excpetion of using a silver Rapala instead of gold.

When fishing from my kayak I am on the water from 5 to 6 hours, always
starting just before sunrise and averaging about 4 to 5 fish an
hour.They range from 12" to 18".
It seems that I am the only person around using a Rapala, most others
are using spinnerbaits or tubes with the occasional crank bait. Some
days I'm catching what seems to be more than my share while others are
not even getting any hits.

So my question is should I try something else or stick with what I'm
doing? I'm catching lots of fish (it seems to me) but they are always
in this same size range. I want to catch something bigger (the lake is
a big bass waters lake, big for PA anyway, with a 15" min).
I very much enjoy the metheod I am using with the lure taking the hit
on top of the water 75% of the time, but would I be getting more action
fishing something else deeper? I keep seeing the Senko mentioned but it
makes me think of my frustration with rubber worms in the past.
Any suggestions?


If you're happy with the results of your trips, using the methods you're
comfortable with, then you're not missing out on anything. But, as good as
a Rapala can be, there are times when the fish will want something else,
presented differently. Plus, if the fish are buried in cover, it's next to
impossible to fish a Rapala in heavy brush or thick vegetation.

My suggestion would be similar to what has already been proposed. Fish what
you have confidence in, but do spend some time practicing with other lures,
methods and locations.

The "difficult" thing about fishing soft plastics is that sometimes the
bites are subtle, it's not tossing a Rapala and getting blasted by a fish.
Many times, all you'll notice is the line will take a little jump, will move
off to one side, or sometimes even just stop falling earlier than it should!
Fishing like this requires paying attention and concentrating. Braided line
like PowerPro and a good, sensitive rod will make the job easier, but even
then, you won't necessarily "feel" the bite.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com