Lure choice based on media influence

The match theory belief that lures should be chosen based on the current forage has been around for decades. I remember the influence of the media (TV show, literature, videos) which got me thumbing through the pages of Bass Pro and Cabelas catalogs every December when they arrived in the mail. Regularly on weekends I'd watch fishing shows that presented respected, professional angler celebrities pushing certain lures - many of which were sponsored by those anglers. Bill Dance and others had their own shows which I and thousands looked forward to watching on weekends.

The usual reason given for buying lures was usually based on the logic of 'matching': a lure that represents a forage animal to predator fish is more likely to get it to struck. That's not to say that the lures hyped didn't or couldn't catch fish, but many times what was left out of the videos of large fish being caught were the basics of when not to use them and where they were less effective. The reasons to buy a color selection for each lure pushed were defined by those anglers which increased sales of each lure sold.

I'm not the first diehard angler to fall for hype regarding fishing tackle especially before I started fishing in tournaments with more knowledgeable bass anglers. But owning a sh**load of tackle doesn't guarantee better catches. I can't blame the media hype that strongly influenced my purchases - it will always be there for all products sold in a consumer society. But buyer beware ! should have popped into my head vs the b.s. fed to suckers such as myself via shows and magazine articles that were basically a form of slick advertising.

Propaganda is one thing but ultimately truth-in-catching is the final test of my lure choice and usage after having fished in different waters over many years.

 

But what's at the root of why anglers buy lures based on hype? In my case I think that in the back of my mind was the hope that just maybe my 101st lure purchase would turn out to be the ultimate lure that magically catches fish most times, anywhere. I remember daydreaming before I even got the lure in the mail in Jan. of me catching that 8 lb bass as well as a ****load of of fish of all sizes. Heck, Bill Dance (Dancing Eel) and Roland Martin (remember the Helicopter lure?) pretty much guaranteed it ! (Never did catch a fish on either lure....)

But I have to say, Al Lindner and Ron Lindner (rest his soul), were two of the most informative, dedicated and honest anglers when it came to lure selection and solid information. In fact anytime I read his articles or saw him on TV, Al always gave a selection of same-type lures to chose from that could do the trick in that particular situation on the water. Never one-lure-catches-all all the time. There were others in late 70's and 80's like Al worth watching or reading articles by them and you never got the feeling you were sold a bill of goods. I miss them, YouTube aside.

I'm like Fish4bass and Everydog - what to do with all those crankbaits still sitting in unopened boxes as well as the hundreds of soft plastic lures in zip lock bags. Maybe I'll open up a stand near the road....

 

I guess I could post photos of the lures still in boxes. Considering the current price range of $6 - $9 each, would 3 bucks seem out of line + lowest cost to ship?If so, where on SD would I post them?

Better someone else might be able to use them than sitting around in my basement.

 

Though I have to admit his giant willow leaf spinnerbait did catch bass - the one he won a BassMaster tournament on the Hudson R., N.Y.