The Most Versatile Baits Everyone Needs! Save Money And Space!

[@aarongreenlee7867]

Matt, I have a Beta fish and once he said to me "Nobody is going to believe you that I can talk", and never spoke again. 🤣. I am smoker and I use scents to cover the smell on my hands and also sent the bait. Great topic. I think you are spot on, they work.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Love that!

[@ericwakeman6665]

I wade small rivers for smallies. I’ve found in line spinners like Mepps, Rooster Tails, and Blue Foxes are insane for covering water. Cranks & spinnerbaits when fish go deep in summer. Love lipless for noise when water is cloudy. Great list here Matt love the content!

[@MattStefanFishing]

All great baits!

[@kbone87]

I became a pitboss believer last year. Extremely versatile bait. Tokyo rig. C-rig, Texas rig, excellent trailer for just about anything, dropshot and more. It definitely catches em

[@MattStefanFishing]

Right on!

[@matthall8378]

I agree on all those. I'd throw in a topwater like a popper. I caught some big bass on a popper. You can fish it slow and keep it in the zone around laydowns and edge lines. It's a fun reliable lure when they are hitting top water!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Right on

[@petehayduk8051]

Man, that information on the lipless crankbait was awesome!!! I never thought about it that way, but it makes so much sense! Pure Juice! They sink and wobble just like any other crackbait. Thanks!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

yep!

[@Motorcyclewindtherapy]

Not sure I could add much different, Matt - sound choices. Tomorrow AM I have decided to ride my Harley to a small fishing spot over an hour away. 2 telescopic rods...one with a baitcaster, one a tiny UL. A small pack of lures (close to what you mentioned) and I may not even catch a fish...but I'll gonna enjoy the ride no matter what! :) I'm gonna give the canoe and kayak and jon boat options a rest for a few weeks. It's been over 100 here for so long, the water temps were 92 and 94 the last time I went...the poor fish i did catch looked awful and they looked tired. A few weekends of riding will be good for me and I'll be more excited than ever to get back to some fall fishing in late Sept. (Arkansas is still in the 90s in October sometimes, lol)

[@MattStefanFishing]

Sounds like fun!

[@WesleyKennedy]

My newest pick is the Zman Goatz. Extremely versatile bait. Topwater finesse toad, jig trailer, chatterbait trailer, punching and flipping, Texas rigged and Carolina rigged.

[@pauleyplay]

Have you seen or used the berkley Boss ?

[@WesleyKennedy]

@@pauleyplay I have and have used it many times - including using it as a jig trailer to catch my largest smallmouth of this year - fantastic bait. Have you seen or used the Zman Goatz?

[@pauleyplay]

@@WesleyKennedy I have not. Back into bass fishing few years ago. Saw Zman thought this is the answer to all my questions & than some. Bought everything. Storage problems. difficult rigging. Just nagging problems, if that makes any sense.Great idea, hard to work with. So do you favor the goat or carry both. Always can learn new things ! Thanks for the reply

[@MattStefanFishing]

they are great baits!

[@mikeeller557]

Great line up. I would have a flat worm in there, drop shot, For year-round fishing

[@secretbassrigs]

Absolutely affective presentation on the most pressured fish. 🤫

[@MattStefanFishing]

great bait!

[@richardmajewski3815]

I like the thought process and choices. Some of your selections I need to use some of these more throughout the year than I currently do now.

[@MattStefanFishing]

give them a try!

[@Cochran53]

Another great tip. I’m a “do as I say, not as I do” kind on guy on this. It is what I should do, but I have a JDM/swimbait addiction.

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha! I hear yeah!

[@nawinchester]

The Xcalibur XR50 lipless crankbait is absolutely the gold standard. When they went out of business I picked up as many of those things as I could get my hands on and all the different colors, so I'll never have to worry about running out of Xcalibur lipless crankbaits. I also agree with you that the war eagle is probably the best spinnerbait I've ever used. I catch large mouth and smallmouth on it no matter where I go, it's super rugged and durable, and I seem to have less issue with my line wrapping around the blades on long casts. I think you did a really good job in choosing five versatile baits that you could fish multiple different ways throughout the year.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks so much!

[@jasonfullen134]

Out here in western PA. Can you do something for us for fishing for smallmouth in river systems. Love the channel thanks!

[@MattStefanFishing]

ill put it on my list. done lots of river fishing vids in the past. ill do more in the future too!

[@Cbill1987]

Western pa here as well, zoom speed craw is pretty versatile

[@paulbruemmer9629]

GREAT video as always. One bait or technique I like is the shaky head.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Right on

[@mxbass1036]

3-4 inch soft swimbait is good for so many things. I complicate it with color and different brands, but you don't have to.

[@MattStefanFishing]

it really is!

[@fishingwithvance]

Good video. Very informative Matt. The best thing about fishing is how we all have different approaches. Having caught 1000's of bass over my life, and almost never use 3 of these baits is so cool. I will subscribe and try some of these this season. The fact that you produce a video every day is amazing to me. Fish on Matt. My go to.... Tube, Fat Baby Finesse worm, Gary Yamamoto red shad laminate, Fluke, Shad Rapp.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@Triaz357]

A local Walmart here put yum dingers and Christie craws on sale packs of 100 for $10. I stocked up lol. When I’m headed out for bass and want to keep it light. I usually carry a light and a dark Yum Dinger. Usually black/blue and watermelon/pearl. I carry a light and dark Yum craw usually black/blue and either green pumpkin or watermelon red flake and a few rooster tails.

[@MattStefanFishing]

holy smokes!

[@joshuacampbell1383]

My most versitile bait is a 2 inch grub on a 1/16 jig head. I have caught crappie, bluegill, catfish, and bass on it. Both the bodies and heads are super cheap as well.

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds great!

[@chrisboyd1408]

A blue fleck power worm has been a classic Texas rig for years. Great list

[@MattStefanFishing]

yep!

[@mikeantes9597]

Great picks I would add a 4" swimbait to that list

[@MattStefanFishing]

solid pick!

[@dysisjoel]

Great video on a topic that is important to a lot of anglers. Thanks!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@50JoshLovesFishing]

I love the Berkeley pitboss it's awesome

[@MattStefanFishing]

Me too

[@barefootgrl]

i have to say thanks to you i love the dirty jigs one of the best matched with the pit boss deadly combo

[@MattStefanFishing]

its so good!

[@mgdwj]

My wife gets aggravated with me when lures and tackle go on clearance. A few years ago my local Walmart put 90% of their fishing department on clearance ( .10-.40 cents on the dollar) Last 3 years friends and family that fish have gotten lures and tackle for birthdays and Christmas.

[@secretbassrigs]

She should be thanking you.

[@midwestfischerman]

Hey buddy, my birthday is Oct. 15th!🎂🎁🎉🎈

[@mgdwj]

@@midwestfischerman lol!! I can’t deliver though. You’ll have to come to Texas to pick them up, then we can go to lake Ivie and test out the baits. A lot of people have caught some massive hawgs there this year.

[@pauleyplay]

Wife gets aggravated ? I get that myself. I hav no control. I feel your pain !!!

[@mgdwj]

@@pauleyplay she is going to be really aggravated with me when I see a lowrance hds live go on sale.

[@alanwinge8775]

I like the topic and jigs are hard to beat. Matt just did a video on small baits, the small ones catch it all.

[@MattStefanFishing]

yes they do!

[@jerrymoore6227]

The pit boss is a great choice. Thanks for all your advice

[@MattStefanFishing]

you bet!

[@rodcashman4793]

Great selection of baits.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@harrybuzinski3334]

Great tip Matt 👍, I enjoy the videos.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you like them!

[@calebpartenheimer7636]

I have had success with the pit boss in black and blue and June bug up to this point. I always hear the stick bait is a classic fish catcher so that was one of the first baits I bought along with a jig. I can't figure out why but as many times as I have thrown the stick bait and regular sized jig for the past 5 months, I have only caught one fish with the jig and that almost tied my personal best the other day. I have caught a good amount of bass with any other soft plastic, even a ribbon tail worm, but still nothing with the stick bait in black/blue. I have dirty water most of the time.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Keep trying it

[@shannonkirby9295]

All great choices, Matt. I love the rage bug

[@MattStefanFishing]

its a good bait!

[@alcav54]

Awesome fisherman’s sunburn!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Oh yeah!

[@jamescoleman5864]

great video. I fish kayak tournaments and carry way too much stuff. one of the most versatile baits i've found is a 5 inch hula grub. you can texas rig it. cut the skirt off and have a double tail trailer or cut everything off and have a ned bait. works great.

[@MattStefanFishing]

its a great bait!

[@mgdwj]

Thanks for taking the time to make your videos and teach us things.

[@MattStefanFishing]

My pleasure!

[@LowBrowFishing]

Great list. The stickbait, jig, and Pit Boss, especially. I can make do most days with just those three. Ever since I started using the Pit Boss, it's nearly replaced my need for every other creature/craw style plastic. I use nothing else on my punching rigs. So go to your local outlet store, buy all the closeout bags of Havoc Pit Boss baits for cheap and never look back.

[@bassman6211]

If you can still find the havocs you're one lucky guy, the power bait pit boss just isn't as durable. Both are excellent though

[@440-fishermandrock8]

Variety Variety Variety, never stick with 1 brand

[@LowBrowFishing]

@@440-fishermandrock8 I stick with what works. If one brand works, I do that. If many brands work, I do that.

[@LowBrowFishing]

@@bassman6211 I can find piles of them at my local Ollie's store. Not bad prices too. Usually about $3 a bag.

[@bassman6211]

@@LowBrowFishing I live in Wisconsin and can't find a pack to save my life. Lol

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺Thanks Matt. Solid video backed with examples. Nice job.👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@anthonygehl3563]

Those are great baits!!! I would just add one more green pumpkin Berkeley power warm 10 inch curly tail

[@MattStefanFishing]

such a good bait!

[@gobarbless3871]

I enjoy learning about the baits you use and the way you use them. My favorite baits are the top-water baits because I just enjoy top-water fishing. My go-to bait is the Zman Pop-Frogz. Do you do much top-waterfishing? I am thinking about rigging a pop-frogz to hover rig or ozark rig to bring my favorite top-water bait to the depths. I remember you mentioned a floating bait that you put on a hover or ozark rig.

[@MattStefanFishing]

i love topwater fishing!

[@rodneyhudson4252]

Love to go to the clearance aisle.

[@MattStefanFishing]

me too!

[@sergiocerdabeltran5338]

This is a very useful piece, thank you!

[@MattStefanFishing]

you bet!

[@Stumpjack]

Great top 5. Solid video and excellent advice for limited tackle box and budget.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for the support!

[@jamierice3189]

Really enjoyed this one

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@robertchadwick1552]

Thanks for sharing your opinions. Those are great suggestions. I like small swim baits on a jig & plastic worms also as my go to baits.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for watching!

[@jeremyowen1]

I fish for smallmouth in a river and found that a Mepps/Blue Fox as a search bait and plastic craws, critters/creatures, curly tails and smaller ned style baits in green pumpkin or black/blue are really all I need. At least at this time of the year when it's as low as it is. I'm sure some other stuff will come back out of the dungeon once the water temp starts coming down. Also, I caught my pb 4.2lb smallmouth two days ago with a Berkley Pit Boss texas rigged on a finesse rugby jig head. Appreciate the tips.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@Triple87]

I’m the same way with the pit boss. If it isn’t a pit boss, it’s a googan crackin craw. They work well on jigs, Texas rigs, and trailers for spinners baits and buzz baits because the claws flap around a ton.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@kevinbeaudean704]

Thanks Matt, I gotta have a straight tail worm ( netbait t mac ). I can't believe you didn't say a swim jig, it can replace the spinnerbait and the jig in a limited capacity. Senko is is always up there when times get tough.

[@MattStefanFishing]

i dont think the swim jig is as good in cold water

[@MoMan.88]

Almost the same list I put in your comments last time you did a video kinda like this, only difference for me is instead of a regular stick bait I use the Strike King Rage Tail Cut R worm which is a stick bait with a little swimming tail which adds to the versatility cause if I don’t want that swim tail I can tear it off and have a normal stick bait, and on my list I had a underspin rather than a spinnerbait both great options, other honorable mentions, Chatterbait Fluke Tube Curly Tail Grub Toad

[@MattStefanFishing]

All great choices!

[@rvfishingyet]

Love your picks +ned. thanks for the video Matt

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@ukstorm2727]

I think a tube is versatile , I throw them weightless, on a texas rig, on a free rig , a carolina rig , drop shot, tokyo rig, jika rig and the orginal tube jig head , a new tube that came out that I have had success with is the Bio Spawn Vile Tube , as far as beaver style baits the old Big Bite Baits Dean Rojas Fighting Frog has caught me a lot of nice fish this summer

[@MattStefanFishing]

its a great bait

[@juleswinnfield826]

Good point about depth range of the lipless. Like a lot of folks I have a senko/stick worm tied on all year, great bait. Thanks for the vid.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Right on

[@vernervanschalkwyk2280]

Awesome video for me as a bank angler. Matf, can you perhaps explain to us the difference between a crankbait and a jerkbait and when to fish them along with the best conditions for them?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Great suggestion!

[@cedarburgbassin8320]

Great choices….question… I have used senko because of fast sink rate.. do you know how the general compares to the senko for sink rates. Texas rig is my most versatile from swimming to flipping. Thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

it sinks faster than a senko

[@tagg946]

id toss a dropshot in with the list. you can fish any style of soft plastic on it, you can powershot and punch with it texas rigged, you can fish small worms and swimbaits, and you can always change leader length between the weight and hook depending on the situation.

[@MattStefanFishing]

solid pick!

[@emilianobanzi9432]

I agree with you Matt but since all of us are fishing in different type of water and for different bass species I'll add a suspending jerkbait, good in pre spawn and later at the end of the summer through all the winter season. But just my opinion based in my own experience

[@MattStefanFishing]

another solid choice!

[@littlerich2644]

Matt. I like the choices My stickbait changes regularly. I like the two-tone better because I can see them better. Swim jigs with a paddle tail trailer seem to work well as a follow up to the spinner bait. Take care

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@tomoverbey5526]

If its summertime i would have to have a frog jig swimbait lipliss and senko would be mine solid video chief that is a tough one

[@MattStefanFishing]

all good choices!

[@shawn_r_schultzfishing4883]

I'm pretty close, Nichols 1/2oz double willow spinnerbaits, Rage Menace, Vibrating jig 1/2oz in green pumpkin or black/blue, small popper, and some stick baits 🎣

[@MattStefanFishing]

good picks!

[@johnrayner5599]

Those are all solid choices and could not disagree with any of them, me personally, I would need to throw in some sort of shakey head but that may be because its one of my favs.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thats a solid choice!

[@Eyesofthasouth]

Great stuff Matt, simplicity eliminates confusion giving you more focus on fishing. 🎣. Question-I’ve really tried to like war Eagle spinnerbaits, their color combos are great. Just don’t care for the short shank or the O’shanassy style hooks either. A lot of people do, just not for me. Could you recommend another? Also, blade size options. Do you pick one spinnerbait for the spring/stained water with larger blades fished slower and another for the summer/clearer waters to fish a little faster? Thanks again for all the content! Blaine

[@MattStefanFishing]

Bassman spinnerbaits are great as well. I like coloroado blades in muddy water and a tandem in clear water

[@rodgermerritt8067]

Great info..how about the Gear to throw said baits..

[@MattStefanFishing]

good idea!

[@notyetabassmaster2356]

Thank you. Good information. Great video. Brush hog is big and seemingly effective here in KY. I fish mainly from kayak and struggle with efficiency and confidence in baits. Plus am new to fishing so my ceiling is limited. Thanks for your content. Am a subscriber to your channel. Good luck on your branching out.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for the support!

[@JohnSmith-ut1hq]

Great video like always still very informational

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@senyilie]

I would add some sort of top water lure. Maybe frog.

[@MattStefanFishing]

not a bad choice at all!

[@ro-cl2do]

I hear you on to much tackle. This summer I gave away over 200 bags of plastic. I just didn't use them. In our area we have a HS league. Found one of the guys in charge and he took it and share with all. Now comes the cranks. Same process. I just don't all that anymore.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thats awesome!

[@tylerabel4631]

Love your videos brother

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@neilgwinn7378]

Great video. Thanks buddy

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet

[@davidthreegun5278]

Great video!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@k1llerdir]

Stick bait like the Maxscent General, Fluke, Swim jig, Spinnerbait, double tail grub like rage menace or boss grub are my choices.

[@MattStefanFishing]

good picks!

[@camhester4251]

i never used a jig other than a vibrating jig but the first time i used a jig last yr it got hung up on wood and broke off so i still don't have confidence in a jig even though i know most anglers swear by jigs i just can't get in to them , i have confidence in the vibrating jig because i've caught fish on them straight retrieve and stroking it , i use a texas rig beaver style bait or worm mostly i've used a wacky rig and caught fish to my surprise it just looks wacky and i like top water hollow body frogs i've caught my biggest two fish on frogs i like a buzzbait also , i like fishing a fluke , i don't use treble hook baits either , i like padddle tail swimbaits they produce fish for me also , i guess i'm just simple or old fashioned

[@MattStefanFishing]

stick with what you have confidence in

[@douglasspickler4925]

Well I definitely qualify as a tackle junkie. I try the new tactics but day in day out I stick to the basics I started tournament fishing with...jigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastics, topwater. I just fun fish now so some days I fish just topwater or crankbaits or just pitch/flip a jig and cover water instead of fishing everything.

[@MattStefanFishing]

i hear yo on being a tackle junkie!

[@MrMichaelDodd]

Great list! Maybe it is assumed, but a couple different weights of jig heads adds major versatility. I don't fish much wood, so the a simple jig worm, rip the same stick bait in half for a ned rig-like profile, sometime even the pit boss. Today I rigged it vertically and swam it like a bluegill. Maybe this is just ignorance, but I live the versatility of working a jighead presentation when in deep water. This may be too remedial, but maybe do a video on why I am misguided. For example, does the disconnected nature of a Texas rig weight change the physics of landing fish?

[@kellymoore4517]

Leverage, the ability to throw the bait.

[@MrMichaelDodd]

@@kellymoore4517 Thanks. I appreciate the education. So the majority of the weight of a rig either slips out of the way or at a minimum it is "hinged" so it doesn't lever business end out or create a bigger hole.

[@kellymoore4517]

@@MrMichaelDodd That's rite Mike, great explanation, have a great weekend.

[@MattStefanFishing]

good idea!

[@secretbassrigs]

Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap, Black and Chrome "Bleeding Shad" 1/2 oz. My other "go to" in unfamiliar waters.

[@MattStefanFishing]

good ones!

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Great video!!!👊🏻 Thanks for sharing!!!Stay Safe & God Bless!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks! You too!

[@acon2834]

Great tips Matt. What rod/line are you throwing with that deep sinking, 20 ft+ lipless?

[@MattStefanFishing]

15ft fluorocarbon with a 7'3" MH baitcaster

[@tomrippen6570]

And you can launch them! They work great through the spring for me, then can’t get a bite. What might I be doing wrong?

[@paulprice9953]

Great video, as always. Appreciate all the info. Would like to see what your thoughts are if you were to pack a bag as a co-angler. Even better would be the bag to hit Mead or Mohave…Thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

hula grubs, drops shots, small swimbaits, finesse jigs, topwaters have cashed me lots of checks int he US Open on Lake Mead

[@paulprice9953]

@@MattStefanFishing thanks Matt! Excellent answers! Those are all in my bag every time out (hula grub from your video!) Mohave is getting tougher and tougher by the day with Mead off limits.

[@clintperry799]

Nice choices, I fish out of a Pelican pond prowler 8 . I carry 1 bait caster and one spinning reel and 1 tackle box. I like those 5 choices, but plastic worms work the best for me . I am super patient and love worm fishing 🎣

[@MattStefanFishing]

they work great too!

[@joefish63]

Check out the LUNKER CITY OZMO...a slept on, awesome creature bait. Designed to be "morphed" into multiple configurations.

[@MattStefanFishing]

ill check it out!

[@lucaslogg1024]

It's interesting to see how pros recommend different baits with comments like "This one is a absolute killer!" but in tournaments now days you mostly see baits like livescope + dropshot/a-rig/swimbait/jerkbait, not the "killers".

[@MattStefanFishing]

These are the baits I use day in and day out. watch my tournament recap videos and youll see me using them. Plus livescoping baits are not necessarily versatile. So what guys are winning tournaments with may be technique specific and not versatile.

[@nnamrehck]

Love your channel. You have been in Wisconsin long enough. We will make you an honorary Cheese-head 🙂

[@MattStefanFishing]

Sounds great!

[@operationexploration9831]

Grate video. Would you still use the lipless crank bait and the jig down in Florida with a lot of Hydrilla? I am struggling to buy a bite down here, any suggestions?

[@MattStefanFishing]

swiiming worms and stick worms are hard to beat!

[@robertcook8187]

Good video and information thanks and good fishing

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@jasonrutherfordbassfishing]

Great choices! How’d you guess my top 5!?

[@MattStefanFishing]

they are great baits!

[@fishaholic122]

Great vid. Thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for watching!

[@questor_xl]

Great choices. I tend to reach for a Super Fluke before a Senko. I usually carry both in my tackle bag, though.

[@ukstorm2727]

I used a fluke primarily for year but last couple of years and been throwing a senko instead, need to get back to the flukes

[@MattStefanFishing]

good one!

[@Tossing_Lures]

If only one, I’d take a zoom trick worm for versatility and value.

[@MattStefanFishing]

good one!

[@jeffreypennekamp7101]

I use all of them!

[@MattStefanFishing]

nice!

[@dclark583]

You nail it

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@TheBigsouth08]

What are your 5 favorite or recommended tube colors?

[@MattStefanFishing]

grenn pumpkin, green pmpkin purple, smoke purple, goby, and watermelon charturese

[@TheBigsouth08]

Thanks! Friends see these kits with 300 pieces but aren't sure if it's worth the price if they don't use all the lures. I'll show them your suggestions

[@bassman6211]

Super surprised with you being a fellow wisconsinite that a tube didn't make your list!

[@MattStefanFishing]

tube is a great bait!

[@johnm2617]

Hank will make alot of those tackle room baits disappear in the up coming years ! Dont get rid of nothing! Both the boys will have fun sticking fish !

[@MattStefanFishing]

you got that right!

[@billpatterson6249]

Matt Do you have confidence throwin the Warr Eagle spinnerbait without a trailer hook? I just always felt that was an awful short-shanked hook.

[@MattStefanFishing]

i prefer it without a trailer hook

[@billpatterson6249]

@@MattStefanFishing Thanks

[@oldtoad76]

Senko, trick worm, keitech 4.0, jig, popper

[@MattStefanFishing]

good picks!

[@jamesbarron1202]

I went down to my pond today because I saw buzzards everywhere. All my bass and crappie died because of the Texas heat and we finally got a rainy day. The cloud cover depleted the oxygen because my ponds full of cheese mats. I had some big bass in there. Same thing happened about 4 years ago. I’d throw a weedless in with those also. I can’t think of anything it can’t do. You can throw it across grass mats,Punch it, Flip trees and bushes, open water schoolies, fish it deep on a underspin or jig head, dropshot it, or just fish visual targets with it.

[@douglasspickler4925]

WOW I'm so sorry for your loss. That's a terrible thing.

[@jamesbarron1202]

@@douglasspickler4925 I had one over 7 in there. Same thing happened I think it was 3 years ago we had a few rainy days in August. Unusual for Texas. I had a bass very close to 9 lbs die back then. She was 8-10 when I caught her and put her in there and she lived 2 years. This has only happened twice since I built the pond in the 90s. I guess I'll have to either start raking the cheese mats out or buy tilapia every year. Grass carp will eat the plants before the algae and I want the floating plants to give shade for my bass. Especially how low it gets during summer. It's probably only 5' deep if that. 11' when full.

[@CA-sl2xw]

James, I’m in Mansfield TX and we just got rain for the first time in over a month. Temps here were 100+ for about 27 days straight. All my ponds are 4&5’ low, but no fish kill yet. Hope this cooling trend sticks around. Lots of rain coming next week. Sorry to hear about your fish, that sucks.

[@CA-sl2xw]

Where in TX are ya? Just curious.

[@jamesbarron1202]

@@CA-sl2xw I'm 5 minutes from the boat ramp on Ray Roberts. I've been raking out cheese mats all afternoon using a leaf rake on a long painters pole. I guess I'll have to make a trip to Lindsey every year and buy tilapia. My pond is old and really mucky mud from years of dead vegetation build up. That probably contributes to the kills. Anything decaying uses up oxygen. I got 3/4" of rain. First rain since May. It poured down 2 days back to back last week just south of me and not a drop here. I farm pecans and need the rain. I wont have a crop worth harvesting this year.

[@astrophysicistguy]

The other important aspect of minimizing bait as is color selection. The peer-reviewed science is pretty clear that bass only have dichromatic vision with only red & green cones in their retina. Studies showed that bass can distinguish red, green, dark colors and light colors only. Browns, blacks, blues all basically look the same to tell and they could not distinguish between different bright colors - white & chartreuse for example. So you can stick with just green, red a dark color & a light color & you should be good to go …

[@MattStefanFishing]

very much agree!

[@justinwilterdink4430]

Lipless retrieve video please

[@MattStefanFishing]

will do!

[@joeenglish7403]

I thought there should be a topwater among the five, but I wouldn't want to leave any of your five home. Probably why I have a boat full of stuff.

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha

[@TheRecon1a]

Honorable mention paddle tail swim bait.

[@MattStefanFishing]

good one!

[@nills2gills811]

Ned rig cuz u can fish it wacky, Texas, swim it, dead stick, drop shot, throw as a trailer, neko rig it and they all produce

[@MattStefanFishing]

great bait!

[@BarryCountyLyfe]

Matt Stephan for president!

[@MattStefanFishing]

nope!

[@adammitchell3462]

Im everone saw this coming but as bad as i hate to fish it you just cant beat a senko... although if you see me throwing im probably having a hard time but its a killer bait

[@MattStefanFishing]

Great bait

[@caseycherrington2812]

If your looking to get rid of tackle you can always send some my way lol.

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha

[@seizedcarcass8440]

A jig is very versatile. You can do so much with them and use almost any plastic as a trailer. I think a bulky craw or creature bait has a lot of different uses. Even as a a makeshift buzz toad is you’re in a pinch. Like the pit boss or a rage bug.

[@MattStefanFishing]

agreed!