Tube Baits:  I love using Tube Baits.  They are extremely versatile and effective.  Below is a picture of one.  They come in an endless variety of color combinations.  White is a good place to start. I've had very good luck with white ones. 
     There are many ways to rig them.  In the second picture there's a Tube Jig Head.  Most people rig them with these.  I usually don't.  I feel that putting that weight inside the lure kills most of its action. 
    If I am going to use them with a weight I'll rig them like a plastic worm, Texas Style.  Better yet is Carolina Style.  To rig it Carolina Style first put a worm weight (as light as conditions allow for) on your line.  Tie a tiny barrel swivel to the end of your line to keep the weight on.  To the other end of the swivel attach an eight inch piece of line then a kinked shank worm hook.  Then hook the Tube Bait, Texas Style.  This kind of rigging allows the bait to swim freely, off of the bottom plus the worm weight banging into the swivel will attract fish. 
    My favorite way to fish a Tube Bait is rigged Texas Style but with no weight at all.  I usually use a large four inch tube for this.  I like to cast the lure into the worst stuff possible.  I'll pull it over the mat very slowly.  When I come to a hole in the mat or to the edge I'll let it drop slowly then work it slowly across the bottom with a series of light twitches.  One of the beauties of a Tube rigged this way is that it will float as long as you want it to.  When you want it to sink just give a short downward tug.  It will blow a bubble and slowly sink. 
     I love this lure because almost anything will hit it.  I've even caught a Snapper Turtle on one.  This is a lure well worth learning to use. 

Edit:  Tube baits are hollow.  This is good because it allows you to jam a lot of fish attractant into them prior to use. 

Edit:  I went fishing with a friend and his young son two weeks ago.  We canoed on the beautiful Mullica River way upstream.  Three bass were caught that day, all by me, all using a four inch white Tube rigged with just a 3/0 widegap worm hook.  Good lure.

And here's a how to on Carolina Rigging.  They use a bead between the weight and swivel.  I'm fine with this.  I often use a small single red bead with my Carolina and Texas Rigging.  They also use a shorter piece of line between the swivel and hook than I do.  I like to use a longer line because the areas I fish sometimes have mucky bottoms with lots of vegetation.  The longer line helps the lure to stay above such garbage. 

https://sportfishingbuddy.com/carolina-rig/

Jabames wrote on Jul 22^nd, 2024 at 11:16pm:


Nice fish.  How did you catch it?

Stupid looking lures:
    If your in your sporting goods or department store and you come across a really weird, stupid looking lure buy it.  There used to be a plastic lizard called Bubba.  Bubba was big, black, and had two huge rattling eyes with eyeballs that jiggled.  It was totally bizarre.  I tried to find a picture of one online to no avail.  Once I came across a spoon, maybe 3/4 oz with big, stupid looking crossed eyes on it.  It was such a pathetic looking thing I had to buy it.  There have been many others but these are two of the strangest looking ones.
    Both kicked butt.  When a new lure comes out it will work incredibly well for the first year or so.  Then the fish get used to it and it becomes just another lure.  Sluggo was like that.  Sluggo was the first soft plastic stick bait.  I ordered some from the manufacturer the year before they were available in the stores.  For the first year it was amazing.  Then everybody had them and though they still catch fish, these days they're just another plastic stick bait. 
    Fish see the same lures over and over, year after year, decade after decade.   Using something different will get you hits when everyone else is getting skunked.   So buy that stupid, hideous lure because the fish never saw such a thing and it will probably be effective.

hello RM

   What are the absolute best and worst times for fishing?  Most of us have or had to work so we fished when we could regardless of the conditions.  But what are the absolute best and worst times?
    The aforementioned Edge Theory comes into play a lot here.  But first let me mention the Solunar Tables. https://solunarforecast.com/ These tables are based on the position of the sun and moon relative to the earth.  They supposedly predict the best fishing times.  I've read in many reputable publications that say they work but I've never experimented with them so I can't intelligently comment. 
     The Solunar Tables aside, the best times to be out on the lake are in the early Spring and mid-Fall.  In the Spring, around early April depending on where you live and the weather, the lakes and rivers are just starting to wake up.  Fish are coming out of their Winter dormancy and they're hungry.  The weeds haven't grown yet so they will be around whatever little bit of cover there is making them easy to find.  Also food is scarce so they'll be ready and willing to take your offerings. 
    Summer fishing is harder because there is much cover making it harder to locate fish.  Also there is plenty to eat, so they won't be that tempted by your offerings. 
     IMO Fall fishing is the best.  Mid to late October.  The weeds have retreated forcing the fish to congregate around what little cover remains and they know Winter is coming so they're in a big rush to fatten up so they don't starve to death during the cold weather.  Why Fall is better than Spring is that many sportsmen and women put away their fishing gear and hunt instead.  Less competition.
     Fish can be caught in the Winter but it's hard.  You have ice to deal with and the fish are very lethargic.  You have to fish veryyyyyyyy slowly and patiently. 
     Dusk and dawn are the best times to fish.  First light and sundown the fish are very active.  I prefer very early dawn because there is usually no competition.  I like to be out on the lake at four in the morning so I'm set up and fishing when first light occurs. 
      Weather effects fishing in a big way.  Your very best time to fish is just as a strong cold front is moving through.  Why this is I couldn't tell you but it holds true always.  The worst is the day after a big storm when you have bluebird skies.  The water will be murky so fish will have trouble seeing your lures.  Plus lots of bugs and other edibles have washed into the water so the fish aren't hungry.  Also the water is colder slowing the fish down.  It is possible to catch fish on days like these but you have to work hard and do a lot of casting. 
      All of that said the very best time to be fishing is October 21st at five in the morning just before a cold front comes through.  The worst is August 1st at noon on a clear day after a big storm. 
The end.

    Lures come in an endless parade of colors and color combinations.  How do you know which to use and when?  There is a method to it.
    One might assume that it's best to use a lure color that stands out by contrasting the ambient conditions.  Actually the opposite is true.  You want a lure that reflects, not contrasts the ambient light. 
    Let's say your fishing at first light in clear water.  A big orange sun rises over the horizon.  A focal orange lure would be a good choice.