Would appreciate your input regarding a negative post from another forum

[senkosam]

Recently this reply to one of my posts got me thinking:

Look I have seen you complain about lack of interest in your posts in the past. I get you enjoy cutting up plastics and splicing them together. You may find it innovative/exciting and that is all that should really matter to your venture. Personally, I don’t see the wow in it. I don’t see any new skills to be developed. I don’t see it as creating something new or developing a new action/style of lure. I see it as no more then basic modifications of existing lures - not developing or building a new lure.

This is why I don’t give a lot of interest and likely why others are not jumping all over your posts. Show me something you  created and developed on your own vs hacking up baits and Frankensteining together then you will get my attention

I am only being honest and if you enjoy what you are doing keep at it. It’s your hobby that should be about your personal satisfaction and not extend to others who more or less yawn while reading your posts regarding new shapes that aren't really.

Granted, I do get a bit wordy at times, but explanations are like that in order to cover all bases and include key elements to consider. Am I wasting my time posting ideas that are unconventional at times but hopefully thought-provoking?

[Muskygary]

Love your post! It's thinking outside the box and it gives us new ideas. I'm a old timer and i'm always looking for some new ideas to try, be plastics, jigs and jig tying etc. The hot bait always changes with the time and it's good to see what others are trying new.

[Lamar]

 In today's world you need thick skin. Not everyone is going to like you or things you do. Back in the day we had clubs of maybe up to 20 guys and gals or so and we shared ideas. We would vote you in or out. We all needed to be on the same page because if 5 wanted to go other ways that was a fourth of the group. Today in a forum there might be 10,000 people from 10 different countries. So there's going to be a lot of ideas and a lot of different personalities. You're simply not going to like everybody and not everybody is going to like you. What I don't get is it's a simple fix all you have to do is not read their post or block them and never see their post. Sending a guy a message is not going to solve anything and is only picking a fight. Like my mom use to tell me " It's all sticks and stones, words will never hurt you ". So my advice is to block him. For you to respond to him is just continuing the fight. And why fight with a guy you don't even know ?

[Lines]

Muskygary and Lamar are both correct. Your posts make people think to try many different ideas, whether it be modifying existing baits or combining baits to make something new. How would anyone ever come up with a new bait if it weren't a variant of something in the past, only improved or modified. Maybe cutting one leg of a topwater frog would make it appear to be  injured and produce many more strikes on a certain day. Colors, shapes, actions whatever works for you. Internet approval is not required. Keep operating Dr. Senkosam. 👍

[Les Young]

A person that make's  a reply like that must a real  holier than though d*ck of a person. I've personally saw some great ideas with things you've made. Keep doing what you do. Besides it's all a part of the lure making hobby that we all like  anyway.   

[bigjim5589]

Frank, you & I have known each other a long time and have been involved in some great discussions about lures and modifications on various forums over the years. However, to some extent I can see this other persons perspective, since what you do isn't anything new. I recall reading about fixing up plastics and combining parts like you do, way back in the 70's. You certainly have taken it all to a different level, and not everyone will appreciate it.

I very much appreciate your posts, and the details you include, particularly with regard to how they work on a variety of fish species.  I enjoy reading what you post, but frankly have not tried most of what you've done. The fact is there's only so much fishing time, and any of us who make lures or modifications, can only use a limited number at any given time. I don't have much issue with catching, doing what I do, so trying what you do, is only something I put in the back of my mind.

I do however, pay attention to your posts as it never hurts to have some ideas for when you need them. IMO, you have some superb ideas too!

IMO, part of this persons problem may be that there's a lot of good lures on the market now, and not everyone is interested in modifying lures. So, only a limited number of folks will appreciate what you do.

I wouldn't get too upset over this persons comments and certainly would not want to see you stop posting what you do. I think there's probably more folks that it helps than you may realize, even when you're not getting many positive remarks, except for folks who regularly comment anyway, just as has happened here.   

[senkosam]

Thanks so much for the positive replies!

Yes, I do get a bit wordy at times, but that's because I want to cover all bases when it comes to why various action/profiles catch fish, from trout flies to the Flat Fish (ring a bell? The following touches on ideas many anglers can't or won't accept for whatever reason, but, my 50 years of having caught fish on most lure types ever made allows me room to speculate as to why fish strike objects that don't come close to being natural in shape nor action.

If bored easily or you find the topic of no value, don't bother reading. It is a long one. Comments that address various opinions based on personal observations are welcome. But repeating the usual mantra as to why fish attack lures is not only unproven but based on speculation and generalities. My premises are based on A + B=C, with A + B observations + test results (catching fish consistently) and C the only conclusion that can be drawn.

       Ove many yeas like most of you, I've bought hundreds of lures based on advertising pitches whether in print or on TV fishing-show content. It was nice to simply assume the reasons given why fish strike different lures and then order some from Bass Pro or Cabelas. But once I started making my own spinnerbaits and bass jig, interchanging parts such a skirt materials and colosr and blade shapes and sizes, it began to occur to me that lure design is like one's preference in products in general: here today/ gone tomorrow.
     What's more - and more important - is formulating some ideas as to why fish strike lures, thereby simplifying one's choices. (Not good for lure companies.)
     The premise for why fish strike, reduces fish to brain-simple predators, unlike land predators. Their senses have evolved but left the thought process behind whcih has been attributed to a fish's selection of lures. In fact, selection is based IMO on just a few things:

1. fish don't hunt or track prey like land predators (bird or 4-legged predator types)
If prey is present, it must fit certain parameters such as size, shape, action and speed before fish attack. (Lures are no different.)

2. fish don't necessarily attack prey because of hunger as attributed by many, which leads me to consider this possibility: fish and other predators are simply BULLIES. Small prey or soft plastics for example are not necessarily swallowed once in a fish's mouth, which leads me to wonder, why attack a moving object in the first place - any object - and especially lures made of lead, silicone, bronze, tin, plastisol, fur and any other non-protein material. Consider the following:

3. Anyone who believes that fish believe a lure is this or that prey animal and strkes lures based on that, may be right in their choice but not why fish struck. This is where lure design matters - ALWAYS!
    The number of lure action-profiles/shapes fish strike is infinite. Some are far better at provoking strikes due to unique strike-triggers that evolution has determined fish must strike that's a part of their DNA. In this sense, reaction-strikes are in the majority whether slow or fast reactions.

All of this relates to the hundreds of photos I've posted on many fishing forums as examples of the various strike-triggers most fish attack. Are they unique? Some are in size and shape, but all display actions, in general, that were discovered and promoted in the last century. None of what you or I produce is unique in action, but who cares? The fun of making and/or modifying lures is knowing which catch fish best.
Example:
Have any of you ever cut off the curl tail from a Mr Twister or similar grub? After I lost the tail to a fish, I left it on the jig and dang if it didn't do better than the curl tail. Once I got home, I made others similar and also in slightly different shapes and thicknesses. The various shapes range from a light bulb to a large pill to a ribbed blob. ALL HAVE CAUGHT 5 SPECIES OF FISH IN MANY SIZES! Ya think anyone tried that simple modification that works better on the slowest retrieve than the curl tail ?!! Nope.

Note: If anyone who has caught bass on the Zara Spook knows, it's not what the splashing-waddle represents when bass strike it on the surface. It's the waddle.
Most lipped crankbaits produce the same waddle and so does my no-action-tail grub except in miniature. Whereas the Spook and larger crankbaits catch mostly larger fish, this little waddling grub catches even the smallest fish.


Granted, it hasn't wowed anyone, but it is an example of a unique shape/action/size combination able to produce a particular strike trigger that's caught millions of freshwater fish. There are a slew of other examples, but I don't know if anyone else finds the above an eye-opener.

Again, thanks much for your kind words and encouragement to share ideas - something as important to me as fishing itself.

 

[senkosam]

Sorry, I can't help myself. I had to show you one last action-shape fish attack with gusto:
 Remember wacky rigged Senko? Check this one out:

Its action is unique and not similar to a w/r Senko.

In conclusion, it's not just catching fish that interests me most, but catching fish on my creations - especially those discovered by accident. Can you imagine the personal satisfaction the million or so inventors felt just after discovering something they knew would be of value to millions? The above is the same feeling I experience after fish confirming something only fish can after striking the crap out of a new action/profile I discovered!

[ctom]

I live on observation, since I have no way of communicating with the fish. Color choice, bait size, profile, action and the speed at which the lure is moving when a strike occurs is all stuff one can observe, but the "why" fish hit is still simple speculation, but I'm sure its a combination of the things I observe. Crappies have been life long habit of mine and over the years on several bodies of water I rely more on water temperature and chronological periods than I do on color or action or any other observable piece of the puzzle. Honestly, I fish three plastics: the Do-It 1.5" Thump-It, the Do-It 2.25" Fry and a 2" Kietech imitation, that is quite exact to the real McCoy, more than any other of the baits I carry. Color-wise I make these baits in 4 colors and each color without fail carries a very vivid chartreuse tail. No exceptions. I carry other baits of the Do-It ilk in those 4 colors too just on the off chance I might need to up-size just a hair larger. Most of the time the Crappie Fluke will fit the bill but the 2" Ripper and the 2-1/2" Thump-It add some body bulk at times that makes a huge difference. The Rad Tad, the Beetle Bug, the Glider and Flap Jack, the 2-1/2" Mos Magic, the 2,75" Fat Fry, the 2-1/2" Thumper Swim Fry and the 2-1/2" Stinger Wutzit are all baits I might use to change profile or action a bit however I very seldom need to move away from the 3 I mentioned as my first choices. If I stray from those first three baits metioned, I most likely will be found hanging a Gulp minnow on the line before I move on to another bait.

When I am on the water I don't think much about color since I have a very narrow color palate to choose from and to the point have never seen the need to expand that palate's color range. To me presentation is more important and the fish themselves are pretty good at showing little "tells" as they're caught that guide the how and when I might make a change in something. If a person knows that a particular water holds 14" crappies and all one is catching are 9 to 10 inch fish, nothing in the tackle is going to put you on larger fish. Knowing how crappies relate to other crappies within a rough school is more beneficial than spending time cutting and tying on a multitude of baits. Knowing how crappies relate to other crappies comes from observation. Knowing where crappies are likely to be based on water temperature is by far more reliable to the angler than a thirty pound tackle box full of a million colors of thirty different baits and that knowledge comes from observing crappie location at various times of the year. And when I speak of water temperature, I am not referring to water temps taken from a sensor on the transom of the boat: I'm talking water temperature that's found at the depth the crappies are actually hitting at. Knowing where crappies are likely to be found at any given period during the calendar year comes from observation.

I'm certain that Sam pays attention to things that the fish are telling him, the little "tells" I mentioned, based on the bites he's had success with. His choice of bait colors are most likely based on his confidence in them, just like I have confidence in primarily four colors  as long as they have a chartreuse tail. I'm banking that his observations regarding bait action and profile dictate what he's going to use. That's why I focus on observing what's going on while I am fishing more than I am fretting over other things.

Big river crappies move off the main channel of the Mississippi River in late fall/early winter and follow the shad into marinas and harbors where the water has a little more stability and less prone to
crazy wave action that comes with the turbulent weather patterns found about now. I fish a couple marinas simply because I know that some of the biggest crappies of the fall will be in those marinas along the dock pilings. The water is anywhere from 8 to maybe 23-24 feet deep. The big crappies might be lingering just under the massive schools of fry shad right at the surface or anywhere down to the bottom. Over the last ten years I have caught more 10 to 13 pound walleyes, while jigging right near the bottom, with crappie tackle, than I have while in a boat during the pre-spawn/spawning period, so my understanding of where crappies may be found at any giving time on any given day [all based on observations] while fishing those pilings has some peripheral advantages too.

When I was doing Panfish seminars, people often asked what my most important piece of advice was and without haste I told them that paying attention was by far the best thing they could do to put more fish in the boat. I also said to bring a spiral notebook and a pencil along and note the water temperature where the crappies were hitting using a submersible thermometer on a ten foot cord. To note the water conditions. To write down the climatological conditions for the day as well as moon phase. noting the depth and the size of the fish is valuable. Since my focus was generally on crappies I mentioned that people should read as much as they can about crappies and panfish in general so they are aware of where the fish may be lurking at any given time. The last thing I told people was that once they had gotten to where they had confidence in a couple baits or tactics to begin to focus on the larger fish. It's a fact that panfish are extremely size oriented and if you're catching nothing but dinks, you need to change something to start getting the nice ones and if you've been paying attention finding the big ones should be no problem.

[ctom]

Sam.... if I could give you any one piece of advice it would be to ditch handling the fish with forceps or pliers or any of those lip holding devices unless the fish actually had large teeth. Panfish are a treasure and should be respected as such when handling. Thumbs in small mouths is a no-no too.

[senkosam]

I'm fortunate to live near 9 different waters that I've fished for over 40 years. Some have deeper water 20' or more, but most fish are found in less than 15'. Knowing where fish are located is one thing (which I can do 95% of the time) using sonar to detect bottom info and baitfish; catching them another.

The whole point is not to get anyone to change lures that worked in the past, but to recognize and value good combinations of size, shape and action as well as certain presentations that give them life. This pertains to any lure ever made.

Of course, I only need to cast one of my favorites and would still catch decent numbers of fish most days of the year. But my thing is that lure variety is just plain fun to catch fish on - the more unique the lure the better. Lures vs live bait is a no-brainer most of the time because to find fish the lure is the best fish finder bar none. Live bait sits in a spot for a long time and must be moving whereas lures cover the most water effectively using good presentations.

Again, the reason for my long discussion was not to suggest that what I catch fish on is better than what you or anyone else uses to catch fish. But like any good lure found to be superior to others in its class, knowing why it does better negates the temptation to buy more stuff that won't be used. Why includes all that has been stated above.

Watching a lure's shape in action in the water - like the wacky rigged Senko dropping to the bottom - allows a better understanding of why its action is a winner. BTW, the Senko isn't the only stick that has a roll & wobble action. On the other hand, my wacky rigged grub example is not used like the Senko but works because of an imparted action that produces rapid tip flutters at any depth. It just happens to be one of the best lure actions I have ever discovered that has caught fish but was never meant to copy the Senko.

I keep track of all shapes and therefore actions that provoke strikes via photos taken on the water and stored by type on my PC. Picking what lures to take is a no-brainer because I only take a few lure designs that have been proven to get the most strikes where and when possible. But for some reason, most anglers and lure makers stay with conventional lures that are nothing more than copies - ctom's selection included. The word custom in custombaits.com, indicates: a usage or practice common to many that does not encourage thinking outside the box.

But, within each category of lures, modifications can be made that improve performance under certain conditions or provide better strike-triggers. The Mepps spinner evolved into the Beetle Spin which evolved into the spinnerbait which was modified into a short-arm version. Blade baits all, but each significantly different from the others where and how used.

That said, using lures just to catch fish is fine; catching fish on many different lure shapes and actions using different presentations is a never-ending quest - at least for some of us like Lines, Les Young, Lamar and Muskygary.

BTW, I don't believe using forceps to hold a fish still to take a photo is anywhere near as bad as a fish flopping all over the place on a flat dry surface trying to keep it still thereby damaging the fish's slime coat.

[Les Young]

 Sam,I like putting skirts on half senkos the midwest finesse bait, some worms, baby brush hogs, grubs etc. After all making colors & baits  everybody else doesn't have is a major part of this hobby & that's what it's   all about. You keep being you Sam & i'll definitely keep reading & using some of your ideas.

[senkosam]

Thanks Les. I very much appreciate your attention to detail and innovation and again. all of the positive comments by fellow lurecrafters!!!!
To conclude, I've caught bass and many other freshwater species on every lure type you can think of and now want to discover other lure shapes and actions that challenge what I already know from experience.

Here's a simple example that won't wow too many lure crafters on custombaits, but the first time I caught a number of fish on it, I was blown away! :

I was fishing a curl tail grub (Ribbon Tail) and was doing fine until a pickerel bit off the tail as I was taking the lure out of the water for another cast. For some strange reason I figured to work the pill-shaped body the same as a mini-stick using rod tip twitches to give the lure a darting action between pauses. The first cast a sunnie attacked it, then crappy, yellow and white perch and some bass.
 

...and then similar shapes that had the same action like these three:



What many anglers that only cast store-bought lures don't get is that custom baits mean making variations of lures as well as creating new ones that are out of the ordinary. The inventors of the first spinnerbait, first plastic worm and thousands of other great lure designs, were thinking outside the box other than just trout flies. Their satisfaction was not only knowing the money they could make, but the discovery of lures fish attack with gusto.

The above example is one all of you should try. I guarantee you or any child will catch fish on it and many species and fish sizes at that!!!

Have a warm and merry holiday and a Happy New Year!

Frank