Do handheld fishing gizmos work?

George Cawthorn · Post by **George Cawthorn** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 5:22 pm

Hello and Happy New Year to all Prostaffers from most of the time sunny California.

OK, this is my first question and post for 2008 so just let me say thanks for all the great fishing tips I got from all the Prostaffers last year and I'm looking forward to a very good and productive bass fishing season in 2008. I wish all of you guys great fishing and the best luck and success in 2008 as well.

Question:
I've seen some handheld fising gizmos on the internet and in fishing catalogs that help fishermen chose worm and lure colors and also predict best times to fish by days, and hours.

I am tempted to try them out but sceptical as to their effectivness.

These particlar items are kinda pricey too when ya come right down to it. There's a lot of great stuff I can get to help my bass fishing for $100 if you include tax and shipping.

Have any of you Prostaffers used any of these handheld worm color selectors, fishing time selectors with succesful results. Do these things actually work. Are there any that you would recommend me spending my leftover Christmas loot on?

There's just something about things like this that remind me of the stuff you can put in your aftershave and have two beautiful blondes hanging on each arm at the next party you go to.... guaranteed!!

Your advice and thoughts are much appreciated.

Good fishing to you guys, later.......... geobass

mofish · Post by **mofish** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:14 am

I have one of the old Color C-lectors that Bill Dance advertised back when I first started fishing. It still works too! NOW do I use it? NO! I did when I first started and it helped me but I think it was more of a confidence thing than the Color-C-Lector making the choice for me.

Confidence is the most important think you can take with you in the boat, or from the shore! If the gizmos give you confidence to fish with a certain lure and you fish it and catch fish with it then by all means use it! But ask yourself did you catch it because the gizmo told you to or did you fish it harder or better because of confidence in the bait?

As I have progressed and learned more over the years of Bass fishing, the gizmos and gimmicks of the fishing industry just don’t appeal to me anymore. I have found that the simpler I can keep my tackle and equipment that I use the better off I am. There are very few colors that I actually use now because of CONFIDENCE that I have in my ability to find the fish. Remember you can not catch the fish if the fish are not there. I would rather spend my money on things to help me locate the fish. Electronics, such as new fish-finders like the Humminbird side image or a good GPS, are the things that I look for now. Things that can help me locate the fish, not what baits to fish for them with. I can make those determinations myself because I have the confidence in my equipment and bait selection to catch the fish, when I can find them.

Like I said it all comes down to CONFIDENCE.

I am sure that there will be others that disagree with me, but this is what works for me. I have seen over and over, folks spending money on gizmos and gadgets that have been disappointed with their purchases and feel like they wasted their money. I hate to see these things happen to fishermen and feel like the internet has brought out more of these companies that are just looking to make money off good folks that don’t know any better. Of course the internet has brought good things to the industry also, like Bassin’ USA, that try to help people also.

If it sounds to good to be true it usually is!

One of the best ways to figure out if something works or is just a gimmick is to ask a Guide! They are on the water almost everyday of the year and use all sorts of stuff to help them in their quest to catch more fish. Most of them will tell you if its a deal or not. Their job depends on putting clients on fish each and every time they go out. If it works, a guide will have it in the boat!

Good luck to you and have a great 2008!

johnnie crain outdoors · Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:17 am

Geobass- Sorry to tell you, but I think those gadgets are junk. You don't need a trinket to tell you that on a bright day use neutral color worms and on dark days use browns/blacks etc. I never worry about the best times of day to fish-I'm gonna fish all day most times. I learned long ago that the hours between 10:00am and 5:00 pm are usually best times to fish-yes, even in summer. Many fish in summer feed at night, by afternoon they're hungry again. Don't waste your money on any contraption, you can figure these things out by yourself through experience or from friends you fish withj. Good luck, buy yourself a nice rod and reel.

Roboworm99 · Post by **Roboworm99** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 9:49 pm

Hey Geo...I have an idea...what ever they charge for the gizmo, I will give you the information requested for 50% off...what a bargain just kidding buddy...save yur cash for some tackle we have to fish the lagoon this spring...
talk to you later

brendanc · Post by **brendanc** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:00 pm

Hey guys, let us know how you really feel? Don't hold back

Geo,

I think it's pretty clear that most anglers stick with the colors that work for them and try to keep it simple. Do these color selectors work? From everything I have read and seen, I would have to say that they do server their purpose, however, the advantage is not great enough to the average tournament angler, or everyone would be using one. To me that speaks the most volume.

I'd also have to say save your money for something better.

carl · Post by **carl** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 7:13 pm

I'd have to agree with Mo, and the other guys. I think alot of those gizmos are for beginners who lack confidence. When I started, I was shore fishing and bought into the Banjo Minnow thing. Ironicly it ocasionaly worked, but alot of things would have worked on those days. So if you're an avid fisherman, I would forego the gimmicks, and trust to experience, and the Bassn USA pros! Carl

brendanc · Post by **brendanc** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:09 pm

Thanks for the vote of confidence Carl. Funny you mentioned the banjo minnow... did you ever use the banjo frog? I have to say that thing worked great.

kspringer · Post by **kspringer** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 2:55 am

I totally agree with everyone else, use the money to buy some tacle or equipment such as rods or reels. Most of these things are designed to catch fisherman and not fish. The one gizmo that is legit is the BSX from Biosonix. That thing flat out works. I have to admit I was very skeptical, but after being in the boat with one, it was amazing. The fish and shad were not active at all when we arrived and were not catching anything, but once we turned the BSX, the shad became very active which turned the Bass on as well. Definately worth the investment.