By Chris Schneider
BassFan Staff Writer



Time is ticking down. The pattern that worked yesterday isn’t working today. It’s crunch time. There’s an hour left in the day. Nerves are starting to fray. What do you reach for when you absolutely need to generate bites?

We’ve been asking pro anglers from the various leagues that same question as a way to find out what their ultimate confidence baits are regardless of the situation, along with the reasoning behind their choices. As one might expect, the answers have run the gamut, from big-line, big-weight flipping to light-line finesse and from topwater to slow-dragging baits.

It’s no secret Takahiro Omori loves to throw crankbaits, especially shallow-diving versions. Many BassFans will remember his victory in the 2004 Bassmaster Classic came about thanks to a late-day rally while fishing a small crankbait at Lake Wylie. Ever since, it’s been a staple in his arsenal and a go-to option in many situations.

After checking out the latest installment in the series, head over to our Feedback page and let us know what your go-to bait is and how you rig it.

>Confidence bait: Stanford Baits Boom Boom Frog. Any of the 10 colors, but prefers black, bream and/or white depending on water clarity and conditions.

>Gear used: 7'3" Dobyns Fred Roumbanis Series Heavy Frog Casting Rod DC 736C FR (for thick-vegetation), 7'3" Dobyns Champion Series 735 (for open-water frog fishing), SixGill Hamarr Series casting reel (7:1), 50- or 65-pound Cortland Master braided line.

>Origin: "No matter where I'm fishing, if the water is over 58 degrees, I'm picking up a frog. I cut my teeth on the (California) Delta and Clear Lake throwing it."

>Why he trusts it: "I've cashed a lot of checks on a frog because I have tremendous confidence in it. If the frog bite is on, I know I can put a limit in the boat. It catches big fish, too."

>One more thing: "If I'm fishing around a shad spawn, I'm reaching for the Boom Boom Frog in the diva (color pattern). It's white and blue colors imitate shad and it seems to generate the quality bites, too."