A successful fishing trip is influenced by a number of factors, including environmental conditions and the time of year. While you can't control these conditions, you do control your fishing techniques and choice of lures and baits. To choose the correct lure or bait, consider the fish you're pursuing, the size and color of the bait, tackle and additional accessories.
Size
As a general rule, the size of the bait and lure must match the size of fish you're pursuing. Bluegills and other panfish, for example, have small mouths that require a small bait, lure and hook. For these small fish, you can use a 1/32-oz. or 1/64-oz. jig with a thin wire hook. For bigger fish such as walleye, however, increase the size of the bait and lure to 1/4-oz. to 1/2-oz. depending on your fishing techniques and the water conditions. You can decrease the size to 1/8-oz. for fishing in shallow water, but increase to 1/2-oz. for rough or deep water.
Color
The color is an important factor when choosing the proper bait and lure. According to Virginia Pierce from the Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide website, color choice is determined by the three Cs: clarity, conditions and confidence. Use bright, florescent-colored baits for high visibility in muddy and dingy water, and switch to natural, shad-colored baits in clear water conditions. In low light conditions, choose darker-colored baits such as black, chrome or green, and use lighter-colored baits under bright light conditions.
Tackle
Matching your rod, reel and fishing line to your bait and lure is essential for a proper bait presentation. Joe Schwartz, fisheries supervisor for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, suggests using lightweight tackle and line ranging from 2- to 4-pound test while fishing for smaller fish such as bluegills and panfish. Similar to increasing the size of the bait and lure to match the size of the fish, increase to an 8- to 10-pound test when you are fishing for bigger fish such as walleye.
Accessories
Adding accessories to your bait or lure helps increase their attraction to surrounding fish. For example, some baits have built-in rattles that produce sound and reflect light so nearby fish can see and sense the bait to provoke a bite. Dr. Keith Jones, director of fish research at the Berkley fishing equipment company, says fish use smell to detect potential food. As a result, you can add different smells and scents to the lure or bait, according to the fish species.
References
- Iowa DNR; Fishing for Bluegill; Joe Schwartz
- Bass Pro Shops OutdoorSite Library; Walleye Fishing Tackle Guide; Justin Hoffman
- The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide; Color Perception; Virginia Pierce
- Fine Fishing: Fishing Bait Guide -- Best Fishing Bait and Tackle Tips
- The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide; The Impact of Odors on Bass; Ronald Dodson
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