First off, intresting find on the 80% said they use spinnerbaits. I can
catch fish on a spinnerbait, but it is not a high confidence bait for me.
The thing that stood out to me is "80%" thats quite a few people throwing
spinnerbaits. I knew Bass saw a lot of spinnerbaits but not that many. Which
is Why I am even more confident now with the two baits I usually end up
using as a search bait. The Cranibait, usually a shallow diving Bandit but
I go to deeper versions depending on the lake. The second one I go to is a
fluke on a mojo rig because it is very versatile, I can fish all depths with
a single bait. Sometimes a Rattle Trap or Diamond Shad creeps in but for the
most part it is the first two, and more times than not the fluke. I probably
catch 50% of my fish on a mojo rig, I am very comfortable with it.

Those would be my choices on a lake I am seeing for the first time, things
may change on the water


---
Chuck Coger
http://www.fishin-pro.com


"TNBass" wrote in message
...
What is your search bait of choice on a new lake?

My answer: "Depends on what I see when I study the lake." Will I be
fishing
cover or open water? Do I see bait fish or evidence of active feeding?
What
are the weather conditions? What is the water visibility? Time of day (or
night)?

Most times, I end up reaching for the rod with a spinnerbait tied on. As
those of you who have fished with me will attest, though, when I think
bass
will respond better to a lipless crankbait, I don't hesitate to switch.

I came across an interesting fact in the first of a three-part series by
Dennis Bryant, "Fishing-Professor," at the Bass on Hook site:
http://www.bassonhook.com/zap/zap01.html. (To access parts two and three,
in
the URL change "zap01" to "zap02" or "zap03".)

He wrote that some years ago he asked ten pioneers of modern bass
tournaments, "If you were to be limited to using one single lure on a body

of water that you had never fished before, what would it be and why?"
Eight
of them said they would choose a spinnerbait. One said a "jig & pig" and
one
chose a plastic worm. Then last year, he asked 1,485 pro and amateur
tournament the same question, and still over 80% said "spinnerbait"
followed
by jig & pig and then a lipless crank-bait and jerk-bait.

Joe Haubenreich
www.secretweaponlures.com
First real spinnerbait innovation in decades