Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

how do you build confidence in a lure you have never used before

Use it, use it, use it.  And use it where you know you are going to catch fish. ;)

The best way to build confidence in a new bait is to go fishing and only take that bait with you. By only bringing that one bait in the boat you will be commited to use it and not think about tying something else on.

Back when I was a youngster my dad and I fished lots of tournaments and I always struggeled with the jig-n-pig. I couldnt get the feel for it and therfore I just wouldnt use it. So, he took me fishing for 2 days and all we had in the boat were Jig-N-Pigs and that was all I had to use and By golly I learned how to use it.

So only take the new bait out you want to learn and then figure out the best situation to catch a bass with on it and then you will have the confidence in that lure when you choose to use it again.

Also, go fishing for a day with a guy who is proficient at it.  A buddy of mine couldn't catch a fish on a Senko to save his life, but I'm decent at it.  So we fished together and I showed him how to do it.  Now he's "a Senko guy". 

I would also suggest watching videos that target your specific lure/presentation.

You can google the net to find videos or articles on the type of lure or you can see if "Classic Patterns" has a pro using that presentation.  I really like the Classic Patterns series and when I want to learn or see how the pro's use a certain bait or fish a certain pattern, I order that video.\

Once you've seen how someone else does it you have a general idea how to present the bait out on the water.  Get your butt out on the water and practice practice practice with it.

Some baits, no matter how much you practice with them will never be your confidence baits.  That's just the way it is.  If you work with them and gain a bit of success with them you atleast know if money is on the line and this is the only way you are going to catch fish, then atleast you know you can do it.  I'll give you an example.  I am not a jerk bait guy.  I know how to present it, I have success with it and I can do it if I have to but I really dont like jerk baits.  They arent my go to baits and I dont spend alot of time on them.  I will spend all day with a jerk bait if I know it's what the fish want and the money is on the line.

Hope this helps,

B

B