My Top 10 Bass Baits of the past Decade
I recently did a piece for the Versus Network about my top bass baits of 2009, so to do one better, I am presenting you my top baits of the 2000's. There is a little overlap, but this is a larger list as well. Here are my top producing baits of the last 10 years.
1. Lake Fork Ring Frys (Both Sizes) - Primarily the larger size weightless skipped under docks and around shallow vegetation, and the smaller one on a mojo rig for scattered deep grass and rocky river banks.
2. Rapala DT-6 (Especially Parrot Color) - Best crankbait for extracting bass from typical MN weedlines
3. Baby Brush Hog - Paired with a 3/16oz Tru-Tungsten sinker and flip it around anything you see.
4. 3/8oz Tru-Tungsten Jig - If you read this blog, I need to say no more.
5. Yellow Magic Popper - A must have for the Mississippi River.
6. Reaction Innovations Vixen (Discontinued) - I think it kicks butt against spooks or sammys.
7. Rat-L-Trap - This is probably in every anglers top 10.
8. Secret Weapon Lure Quickstrike Spinnerbait - Most versatile spinnerbait around, fueled huge comeback in 2007 Weekend Series Nat'l Championship.
9. Lake Fork Tackle Fork Craws (on a mojo rig) - Great anytime you are around smallmouth.
10. 7" PowerWorm (primarily for jig worms) - Simple and super productive on weedlines.
I am sure many of these baits will catch me plenty of fish in 2010 and probably even be baits that carry me through the next decade any beyond. Happy New Years all!
1. Lake Fork Ring Frys (Both Sizes) - Primarily the larger size weightless skipped under docks and around shallow vegetation, and the smaller one on a mojo rig for scattered deep grass and rocky river banks.
2. Rapala DT-6 (Especially Parrot Color) - Best crankbait for extracting bass from typical MN weedlines
3. Baby Brush Hog - Paired with a 3/16oz Tru-Tungsten sinker and flip it around anything you see.
4. 3/8oz Tru-Tungsten Jig - If you read this blog, I need to say no more.
5. Yellow Magic Popper - A must have for the Mississippi River.
6. Reaction Innovations Vixen (Discontinued) - I think it kicks butt against spooks or sammys.
7. Rat-L-Trap - This is probably in every anglers top 10.
8. Secret Weapon Lure Quickstrike Spinnerbait - Most versatile spinnerbait around, fueled huge comeback in 2007 Weekend Series Nat'l Championship.
9. Lake Fork Tackle Fork Craws (on a mojo rig) - Great anytime you are around smallmouth.
10. 7" PowerWorm (primarily for jig worms) - Simple and super productive on weedlines.
I am sure many of these baits will catch me plenty of fish in 2010 and probably even be baits that carry me through the next decade any beyond. Happy New Years all!
Posted by Rich Lindgren at 1/1/2010 9:26 PM 
Categories: Product Reviews, Top Lists
Tags: Crankbaits fishing tackle soft plastics Topwater
Categories: Product Reviews, Top Lists
Tags: Crankbaits fishing tackle soft plastics Topwater
Rich,
Love the blog and the exchanges we've had on Twitter. I'm a huge believer in Rat L Traps and have a couple of Tru-Tungstens on order since I hear nothing but good things about them.
The question I have is on those Yellow Magic Poppers. What makes those so much better than a Pop R? I read about the paint and feather work on them, but is there something in their movement that really draws fish? $15 is a lot for a bait (for me at least) but top water lures, especially poppers, are so crucial to success down here in TN I'm interested in the advantage one of those Yellow Magics might give me. Thanks and keep it up, I learn a lot when I read your stuff.
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I believe 2 things make the Yellow Magic standout, color or paint job not being one of them. Both have to do with sound, the rattles are unique in this bait and move very freely, so often when you pause the bait, they continue to rattle around in the current or light waves.
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I see we like some of the same baits. DT's and traps are essential. I'm with ya on the Lake Fork Craws too, although Big Bite Baits makes the exact same design now with an anise scent instead of LFT's rather strong garlic that knocks me to the ground.
I too am intrigued by the Yellow Magic. I briefly read about them last year. At $14 and $15, they are a bit too rich for my blood, pardon the pun. Sure would hate to lose one.
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Man those yellow poppers are good in just about any murky waters. We use em all the time down here on the nottawasaga. Can't go wrong with power worms either! Good choices!
-Jim
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I came to ask the about the Yellow Magic too! Funny. I used to fish poppers quite a bit, but haven’t really used them for years. However, I killed with the Spro Bronzeye popper last season and it got me thinking about my old Pop-Rs and Hula Poppers before I even saw this. I hope to hear more on what makes this YM a fave for you Rich. I know the Storm Chug Bug is popular here in MN and that’s, what, $5? I’ve also read about a mid-priced Yamamoto popper but have never actually seen one in a shop. Then there’s that $25 Rico. Pretty, but pricey. What makes a popper worth $15-25 a pop?
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Hey Guys,
First of all, thanks for all the comments, engaging conversation from readers like this, is what makes the time spent worth it!!
I believe 2 things make the Yellow Magic standout, color or paint job not being one of them. Both have to do with sound, the rattles are unique in this bait and move very freely, so often when you pause the bait, they continue to rattle around in the current or light waves. Then probably the biggest deal is the sound of the chug/splash. It just does an awesome job of emulating feeding fish, and I believe that is the biggest reason why I have outfished so many Chug Bugs and PopR's in the same colors that were being thrown to the same schools or along the same banks. $15 does seem a lot, usually throw mine on 30lb braid, rarely loose one. I fish to catch fish, and life is short, an extra $8 for a lure is a drop in the bucket compared to gas, insurance, oil, rods, reels, line, why stop with a cheap popper? Plus if you fish tournaments like I do, one more good fish will pay for a whole box of $15 plugs.
Tight Lines,
Rich
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I've tried a similar bait to the Lake Fork Ring Fry, it was the Berkley Powerbait ribbed worm and it worked really well on bass. I'll have to try the Ring Fry this spring, maybe it will work really well on walleye.
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I have caught a few accidental walleyes on the Ring frys before
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I target walleye much more than bass. The Ring fry work well for walleyes as well.
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When are we starting the fantasy fishing this year
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First FLW tournament is Feb 10, they have not opened the site yet, but there will be leagues for both BASS and FLW this year, I hope to have even better prize this year!
Stay tuned, there may even be a Fantasy Fishing Radio show in the works.....
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Hey! That a good and detailed list you have got there.
There is a couple of them that I haven't tried.
Thanks for sharing.
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I see we like some of the same baits. DT's and traps are essential. I'm with ya on the Lake Fork Craws too, although Big Bite Baits makes the exact same design now with an anise scent instead of LFT's rather strong garlic that knocks me to the ground.
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The ability for a crankbait to crash and bounce off of cover and to trigger that inactive, reaction type strike is uncanny. Even when the bait is running in open water or hitting clean bottom areas, I use techniques to cause that bait to change movement.
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