Northwest Fishing Reports

Just wondering what brands everyone uses the most. I`m a hard bait guy and use Rapala the most. There baits just seem to suit me more then others. They also run true straight out of the box. They also seem to have the best or should I say more colors that match the hatch around here. Not saying I don`t throw other brands but I have more Rapalas then anything else. I like other brands and the way the baits run out of the box but they don`t seem to have the colors and designs that are needed around here. There geared more for the south or the east. Just curious what brands you guys have found to be effective in matching the hatch around here.

Another questain I can't answer, some info I just can't divulge, sorry. I'll tell you in person, but not in an open worldwide discussion.

For hard baits, I have always liked Rapala too. I especially like the old balsa baits but the newer designs are good too. The Husky Jerk line is great.

When fishing cranks, I use a lot of Rebel Crawfish but I have found the deep divers don't always run true at moderate to high speeds out of the box and the diving lips are notorious for breaking off is you hit a dock, log, rock, or side of the boat.

Among my topwater favorites are Heddon Torpedoes in various sizes. They are pretty consistent. I also like wobblers like the Argogast Jitterbug but prefer the larger sizes like those made for musky fishing. I have a few lures from the obscure Dalton lure company, formerly of Florida. They were hand carved and some featured a jitterbug style wobbling lip. They have been out of production for quite a while so I carve my own these days and outfit them with old jitterbug lips.

For the past several years, I have used plastics more than anything else so I am not up on all the newer hard bait manufacturers out there. I live very near Cabelas and am sometimes overwhelmed when I see the prices on some of the newer import baits.

God help me but I have been searching E-Bay and came up with some nice used lure packages. Check out these vintage rapalas. 3 for $7 including shipping. The third has some paint damage but the first two are in very good condition. I'm in rapala heaven!

I favor the green pumpkin boo jig, booyha that is, they match the hatch in every Lk I've fished up here in the winter. I have changed skrits from the booyha jigs to spinner baits and have done well. The price of some of these lures....,it makes you buy braid just so you don't lose the lure,much less the fish. The things we as fishermen do to catch a fish!!!

The HAWG HUNTER wrote:I favor the green pumpkin boo jig, booyha that is, they match the hatch in every Lk I've fished up here in the winter. I have changed skrits from the booyha jigs to spinner baits and have done well. The price of some of these lures....,it makes you buy braid just so you don't lose the lure,much less the fish. The things we as fishermen do to catch a fish!!!

This one? E-Bay

When I buy jigs usually the only ones I buy are Booyha. Went to Bass Pro two weeks ago and picked up a few. I`m thinking more along the lines of cranks but Trent I know how you are about your jigs.

WARNING !! Don't use this jig unless your gear can handle big bass. Yea Mike thats it. I use the 3/4 oz but they like 1/2 oz also. It's not complete with out trailors. Two work better than one. Tie the rattles befor use. You get what you fish for!...lol WARNING don't use this jig unless your ready to get big bass.


rjn: The most productive lure I use is the black 10,10.5,12 inch culprit worm the second best is junebug the jig; I only tell people to use the jig so they don't buy the worms.....lol Just this morn had one take my last worm so it's off to BPS again!

May as well buy some more jigs too and trailors man this cost more, the more I write.

What do you mean by trailer and tying a second one? Do you mean another rattle?

I like Strike King for hard baits!

Check out lucky crafts for jerkbaits. They have great finishes and depths.

koppers and lucky craft make great hard baits.

Only thing I'm brand specific for is Gamakatsu hooks for my plastics. I do prefer Yamamoto or Zoom tho for plastics...but there are many other great plastics. I use too many things to be about brands...just me. Mike, what Trent means is to double up on a twin tail grub on the jig trailer, instead of one. Just thread two on and hold on! All about rate of fall and profile.

Mike Carey wrote:What do you mean by trailer and tying a second one? Do you mean another rattle?

I worm one of the trailers on the jig hook, and hook the end of the second trailer and slide it just past the barb. You'll go through trailers fast when the bites on. BPS split tail grubs are great:money: . They also make a new split tail called tripple ripple. It works very well.

Mike, I cast alot, there are times I will cast over 100 Xs befor the first fish, but don't set your rod down you could loose it. Use it slow just like a plastic worm and watch your line use braided line, if you can most of the fish will be LARGE. I know you have watched Bob J He hooked me one this money pit lure.. Do tie the rattles on to the jig or they will come off after the first fish or dock. I tie them just like there sent to you around the skirt. When the rattles are gone the fish bite slows on that jig. Good Luck


Thanks Bob J.

rjn cajun wrote:Just wondering what brands everyone uses the most. I`m a hard bait guy and use Rapala the most. There baits just seem to suit me more then others. They also run true straight out of the box. They also seem to have the best or should I say more colors that match the hatch around here. Not saying I don`t throw other brands but I have more Rapalas then anything else. I like other brands and the way the baits run out of the box but they don`t seem to have the colors and designs that are needed around here. There geared more for the south or the east. Just curious what brands you guys have found to be effective in matching the hatch around here.

Dang! Looks like we have that in common and I couldn't agree with you more.

Outside the Rapala sphere, I have had decent success with Cotton Cordell Crankbaits and homemade crankbaits. Unfortunately, outside of these, other brands, while I like them, just don't seem to be as productive with the exception of the cotton cordells. I picked up the cordell cranks in cali at a walmart, but our walmarts don't seem to have them.

In addition to them working out of the box, I trust the VMC hooks the use on their baits.

The new Jackall line is as close to real colors and patterns I have ever seen. Tried a few out in perch and can't believe the appearance in the water. I think I may be going that direction for the future on all my cranks. Yes, a bit spendy but I am looking for results and so far this bait has all the qualities I am looking for as a tournament guy.
Plastics are all over the place. That's another subject altogether different.

Rapala is good, Strike King as well, and I have Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops brands as well, a few Bandits, a few ..................

But, River2Sea produces some of the best lures out there in my opinion.

Amx wrote:Another questain I can't answer, some info I just can't divulge, sorry. I'll tell you in person, but not in an open worldwide discussion.

Grow the sport brother !!:pl:

Rapala
Rebel
Blue Fox
Panther Martin
Luhr Jensen
Rooster Tail
Senko
Yum
Zoom
Chuck Woolery
GitZit
Sluggo