We just came back from a month long Overlanding trip out West and while I did bring my spinning rod and a couple of lures it occurred to me that I really didn’t pack the right lures. Of course, I had no idea of what kind of fishing I’d get into but that’s life.

So what I’m asking is if you were going to choose about 6 to 10 lures to take that would provide you with a decent chance to catch some fish what would you put in your small tackle box? Fish could be anything from trout, to crappie, to bass and even catfish.

I have a similar set up for my fly rod but I’d like to also use a spinning set up when it’s more convenient.

Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
We just came back from a month long Overlanding trip out West and while I did bring my spinning rod and a couple of lures it occurred to me that I really didn’t pack the right lures. Of course, I had no idea of what kind of fishing I’d get into but that’s life.

So what I’m asking is if you were going to choose about 6 to 10 lures to take that would provide you with a decent chance to catch some fish what would you put in your small tackle box? Fish could be anything from trout, to crappie, to bass and even catfish.

I have a similar set up for my fly rod but I’d like to also use a spinning set up when it’s more convenient.

Thanks!

I would take:
1. variety of size hooks/weights/corks for live bait fishing. crickets, worms, minnows.
2. rooster tails/spinners/beatle spins
3. bass hooks/weights for texas or carolina rigging. Zoom trick worm and finesse worm in watermelon seed color.
4. silver and gold spoons in a few different sizes
5. assorted rubber/hair crappie jigs
6. rapala original countdown in silver/black

Rooster Tail spinner
Jig head with Mr. Twister tail
Colorado spinner
Rapala minnow
Johnson Silver Minnow- They can be used with the Mr. Twister Tails

Salmon eggs
Worms

YellowJacket has a pretty good list - especially the various hooks/sinkers (depending on where you're going they may have to be non-toxic).

Other than the hooks sinkers for local live bait - hair jigs in various sizes and colors. Appropriately sized hair jigs will catch anything that swims and is one of my go-tos on the river during much of the year.

Good ideas listed above.

However, this might be a working solution as well, you migh consider this: If you are in different states then you probably have to buy a fishing license for each.

Buying a fishing license locally should give you the chance to also buy what they recommend for that area, because that's probably all they sell (lures/hooks/etc for that area).

Just a thought

Best wishes and have fun.
.

There are 18 different artificial lures per species.

Then there is live bait and recently live bait.

Yes some lures will work for more than one species.

Season, weather, light, all matter.

Just like a bullet type or caliber is relative to a particular task.

So is fishing gear.

Local knowledge is always great but it’s also getting harder and harder to attain. And you can buy a fishing license on your phone and go fishing immediately.

Finding a good spot and knowing how to work the lure is what its all about. I went fishing every night until the lake froze over. Those were the good times when I lived in rural Wisconsin.

Dynamite brings them to the surface real quick. LOL

Good Times, Dynomite, JJ Evans' Old School of Fishing.

Back to the topic, live bait. What do the local fish eat? Use that.

Crayfish, frogs, worms, minnows, etc. Artificial soft plastic versions work too and can be rigged weedless.

Is live bait an option??? I've caught plenty of fish on lures and I've caught bass, trout, catfish, flounder, croakers and weakfish on live bait. If you prefer to use lures the best option may require you to do a little homework and investigate what type of bait the fish in the area you're visiting naturally eat and then build your lure collection from there.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Dynamite brings them to the surface real quick. LOL

Electricity is quieter.

A lot of states out west don't allow live bait. I suck with a fly rod, which limits my options, but if I can find nice deep pools I've had good luck with small spinners on light spinning tackle for trout.

Here in Indiana I spend a lot of time bass fishing from the boat. Yamamoto Senkos are my go-to artificial bait, rigged wacky with an o-ring to preserve the bait. Green pumpkin with black flake are my go-to around here, but that probably varies based on on environment. I've also used white tailed jigs and spinners on occasion, especially when the pike are running because they tend to go for those. My son and I caught 26 bass in 2 hours yesterday on wacky-rigged Senkos. I'm not really skilled and don't have a very refined technique...just put it in the water, preferably in an area that has some cover and looks "fishy", and hope something eats it.

We also bobber fish for bluegill and perch with nightcrawlers from time to time. That's typically when we want to eat some, because we don't typically keep bass.

I wish I could help you, but the fish you catch, we would use as bait.

Don’t sleep on the various Berkely Power Baits. The different grubs can get bluegills and panfish as well as live bait and can live in a tacklebox for quite some time.

Spool up fresh line every new fishing season and learn to keep the line from twisting as it goes on the spool. Your reels will be less likely to be a problem.

Have you thought about using your flies? You do it with a spinning rod by using a bobber to give you the weight to cast the fly.

I would have some Parachute Adams, woolly buggers, hoppers, copper John’s and pheasant tail nymphs and couple of wet flies in my box.

I’d throw in some “trout magnets” if you’ll be river fishing. It’s a jig head with a short fork tailed rubber worm, I’ve caught all kinds of trout, white bass, sallies, and even black drum. I primarily fly fish but will take a spinner with me when kayaking.