As anglers, new fishing baits and techniques naturally attract us. Tournament anglers and recreational anglers alike love to have a bait that produces fish that not everyone else is using. It gives us an edge. Sometimes that edge isn’t the new stuff but rather old lures from years past.
This summer I’ve actually been reverting back to decades-old fishing lures that can still be purchased for an edge that isn’t as flashy as new products but can be just as productive. Think about it, the reason they’re producing is that these older lures are the ones the bass haven’t seen in a while. The old is now new. Check them out.
Old Lures: The Buzzbait
With all the attention the River2Sea Whopper Plopper has been getting, the buzzbait has been forgotten or shelved by many. While the Whopper Plopper does have some advantages, the clank-clank spit of a good buzzbait still calls from the depths.
I also think a buzzbait is more effective in windy and weedy conditions. The noise coupled with the significant surface disturbance can make for some amazing triggered strikes on top. The hook point on a buzzbait being on the surface side versus the downward dangling treble hooks of the Whopper Plopper makes the buzzbait a better choice in grass and vegetation.
Old Lures: The Jitterbug
While wake baits are trending on many tackle websites, the Arbogast Jitterbug remains relatively untalked about. I don’t know the last time I heard someone say they were catching them on that Jitterbug bite. Quiet as the rumblings are, the Jitterbug is one of the original waking baits and still catches fish every day. It excels early and late but can draw great strikes throughout the day, especially near shade and cover.
I’m not the only one who loves the Jitterbug, here’s what customers from Bass Pro Shops are saying about the Arbogast Jitterbug.
1. Customer Review: Awesome Jitterbug caught a Monster Largemouth, lake was low and lots of weeds … this thing jitters along the top, and I could actually see the bass attack the lure… SO COOL! By MaryBassLover from Illinois
2. Customer Review: The Best Lure to Use at Dusk & After Dark. By WilkesKayakFisher from North Wilkesboro
3. Customer Review: My favorite Topwater lure by far simply because I catch the most bass with it. It out fishes all of my plugs, original floaters, frogs, any kind of topwater it will beat. By Bass Pro Shops customer basshath323 from Lexington, NC
The Jitterbug is one of my favorite nighttime baits. I throw the black one along shorelines, start it with a slow retrieve to wake the bait, and hold on for a startling explosion. If you need a little more action, Arbogast makes the Jitterbug in a jointed version as well.
Old Lures: The Plastic Worm
Nick Creme came up with the idea of a plastic worm in 1949 and people have been trying to perfect it since. If you go to your local Bass Pro Shops, it’s likely you’ll see thousands of packages of plastic worms with varying scents, attractants, and buoyancy.
A worm that still produces and has for more than 65 years, is still the Creme Worm. You can get a Creme Scoundrel worm in the purple color scheme and it’s pretty close to the original. At less than $5 for a 20 pack, it’s an old classic that still performs as well as the new stuff that’s $8 a pack for 8 or 10.
Fish it Texas rigged or even on a drop shot and I think you’ll see the old worm still gets eaten.
If you need to buy something new to change up the game, maybe look at some of the old lures that started the game and buy one of those. I think you’ll be glad you did!