THE BASS COLLEGE

What is a searchbait? and what do you guys use ?

thanks.

Look here this will help get you started. CLICK HERE SEARCH BAITS<<

Most people consider a Spinnerbait, Chatterbait, etc fast moving baits a Search bait, but there are other choices. Click that link above for using a jig as a search bait.

One of my favorite new search baits is the swimbait! I typically use a 4in version depending on the size of fish im around and fish it like a spinnerbait. If i am fishing stained or dirty water, i like to fish a dark colored swimjig with a swimbait that has a deep thumping tail action like a colorado blade spinnerbait. I find that most people dont throw these much and seems more natural to me that a gaudy spinnerbait when fishing in clear water

In clear water i like a perch colored jerkbait twitched at a good speed like a LC pointer or a rapala X-rap.

A good ole' chrome/blue rattletrap!

Even so wont you be searching for a good while with that bait? I mean to work it right, even on a faster cadence, it takes a while to work back, limiting a jerk bait, as a search bait in my opinion. A search bait is something that finds the bass you are looking for quickly then allows you to slow down and work an area more thouroughly after. 

i use a 3/8 jig to search out for structure. once you get good at the feel of the bottom, you can tell the difference in rock, wood, bushes, and fishing line

Pizz Customs at January 3, 2012 at 4:14 PM

i use a 3/8 jig to search out for structure. once you get good at the feel of the bottom, you can tell the difference in rock, wood, bushes, and fishing line

right a jig is a great search bait. You can work a jig much faster than you would think and a swimjig ?? LOL Forget it. It is a great search bait.

Delawarebass at January 3, 2012 at 4:13 PM

Even so wont you be searching for a good while with that bait? I mean to work it right, even on a faster cadence, it takes a while to work back, limiting a jerk bait, as a search bait in my opinion. A search bait is something that finds the bass you are looking for quickly then allows you to slow down and work an area more thouroughly after. 

I agree, i can't use a jerkbait to search.  It's just to slow if utilized properly.

You can twitch it pretty fast if the bass are active, or just straight crank it back like a crankbait, yes there are other options but im not going to be fishing a firetiger spinnerbait in clear water like the pond by my house. But this is based off free fishing as it is a technique i have grown to like alot, in a tournament when it counts other things are done.

Alan Rosenberger at January 3, 2012 at 4:28 PM

You can twitch it pretty fast if the bass are active, or just straight crank it back like a crankbait, yes there are other options but im not going to be fishing a firetiger spinnerbait in clear water like the pond by my house. But this is based off free fishing as it is a technique i have grown to like alot, in a tournament when it counts other things are done.

I would downsize the spinnerbait or chatterbait or jig and change the colors and or blades of those baits and use fluorocarbon if it was clear, not use a jerk bait to search. i find them with the others, then maybe slow down with that, but I don't think it is productive as a search bait, especially where a time element is involved, but hey what do I know?? lol 

Thats why i said in my free time, ie free fishing, like if ive got a little time to kill at my pond and want to catch a good sized fish. And yeah what do you know?? Youve just been fishing for like 40 years or so, thats nothing!

Mine is a jig. I can fish a jig just like someone that fishes a spinnerbait, chatterbait, crankbait etc.. a jig doesn't have to be a slow presentation as most fishermen think. Let them think that and I will come behind you and catch the fish you missed.

I don't really have one search bait. I just try to use the bait to match conditions. Time of year, water clarity, water temp. Pre spawn, spawn,  post spawn. Predominate forage. Maybe I misunderstood. I thought you meant one go to bait for everything.

No its a search bait used to find bass quickly then slow down with other baits. Hence the term, Search bait. 

Smaller spinners, in my opinion, are the best search baits. Its the first thing I throw when testing the waters. They get smashed.

i agree fast moving baits, spinnerbaits, rattlebaits , swimjigs ect.. i personally dont consider a jerkbait a searchbait!

This question really has no right or wrong answer,i used zara spooks early in the morning to locate fish,to find location and if their hanging around topwater.Search baits can be the only thing that catches fish,you might not need to slow down and switch baits.

You cant go wrong with a crankbait