On the ongoing subject of what lure to fish with, every year we see a new style, concept, or hot item which usually wrangles another $30 out of our pockets.

With consistency, there is new buzz around some fancy new lure every single year, even though it is almost always a variation on an existing theme.   You hear about the newest  lure catching 50% of the fish being reported.   So hot damn, I need to buy a few more of those!

However, once I temper my excitement to throw the hottest item, I realize the truth is always the same.    The people reporting that all they caught fish on the new lure were throwing it 100% of the time.   Hmmm.   

So in the end, it is really a self fulfilling prophecy.   If a lure is leaving the shelves of every bait and tackle store at lightning speeds because the salespeople are recommending them, has created buzz around town, and it is being thrown more than any other – do you think it might catch more fish than the boring old standby’s that are fully capable of catching fish - but just sitting in your tackle box?

For a change I can tell you one thing about Muskie fishing with absolute certainty:  I catch more fish with the lures I use than I do on those lures that I do not.

So am I recommending that you do not buy the newest hot item?   Yes, please don’t waste your money.  I need the stores to to still have stock of them when I get to town!!!

Bruce Michael