Certain things never go out of style. Other things come and go over time. Many fads that were once deemed âcoolâ fade away never to be heard about again. When it comes to bass fishing lures, baits, and even techniques there are certain things destined to stay alive. You know… like denim jackets and Chuck Taylors.
In their heyday it was hard to walk into a tackle store without finding a wide assortment of wooden crank baits. Then the plastic cranks, being affordable and easily produced, took over the market. While they still demand a large part of the market, they once again have some fierce competition. With the resurgence of custom tackle companies, the consumer now has a choice. Companies like Bass Craft, Custom Lures Unlimited and Stanford are carving a name for themselves with high quality baits that set themselves apart from the crowd. Other companies like Rapala and Bagleys are finding a new following while sticking to proven wood baits that have stood the test of time.
While almost everyone would name the Pop R, Zara Spook or Jitterbug as an all-time favorite, a new breed of top water baits is coming about. Many of the baits making a splash (pun intended) are based off of older proven baits. For instance, the new Balsa Bull is a topwater walker designed after the heralded Balsa Pro. Original frog baits can bring tens of thousands of dollars, so itâs no surprise that some of todays frog baits are the most intricate ever designed. The Molix Popper would be just as at home in a museum as it would be on your local pond. The Moreau Baits Moreau BriFrog is a taxidermist designed replica of a real frog. While the technology of todayâs baits is vastly improved, itâs hard to beat mimicking the actual appearance of the bait youâre after.
Spinner style baits are another example of how technology can be an addition, but the basics remain tried and true to the original form. Take the Eco Pro Tungsten Spinner for example; itâs technologically advanced tungsten bait. The design, of course, is the same basic one thatâs been around for more than a century. A jigging spoon has been around longer than any fisherman that can tell about it. While these baits come in holographic colors, light weight alloys, or super dense materials the basic form and function of a spoon remains the same.
Next time you seen an ad, or read an article, for the ânewest bait or technique to hit bass fishingâ take the time to look closely at it. You may very well be looking at a prime example of why old school is cool all over again.