Boating on the Hudson, October 2002
The Easy Fishing "No-Name Bait"
(Editor's note: this is actually about our Bass Bone bait.  The name was changed due to legal considerations.)

I rarely do an article on bait; most of you readers know all about the old stand-byes, but about 3 months ago I was introduced to a bait called the "No-Name". It is a soft plastic stickbait made by JDC lures from Connecticut (860-741-7704), It is impregnated with plenty of salt, which makes it very weighty. The bait is very soft, yet tough. It is about 5 inches long with twin nubbed ends. It also haswide collars in the center for making the bait stay on the hook longer. It is a well thought out design incorporating every modification you could ask for in a "standard" stickbait.

I was introduced to this bait by Dennis Krell several months ago. I first thought it to be a gimmick. After seeing the action in the water I was sold. "Man" does it catch fish! It's just so simple. That's the hardest concept to grasp. Just toss it out and let it sink, that's all there is to it! The built in action is something that bass associate with wounded prey. They cannot help but eat it. Like Dennis says… "Its magic "

Dennis is an expert on fishing the No-Name. He rigs it "Wacky" style. He impales a Mustad (800-453-4540)1/0 Big Bite hook right through the middle collar. This makes the bait perfectly balanced. He throws it on 6-lb. test monofilament using spinning tackle. I, however, like to use baitcasting gear. I up size the hook to a 3/0 Big Bite hook and use 10-12 pound Cortland Camo Monofilament on a 7-foot Medium action American Rodsmiths rod. I just feel like I have more control over the fish with casting gear.

There is no wrong place to throw this bait! You can cast it to points, bulkheads, eddies and grass, it is very universal. The No-name comes in an array of colors. I recommend using Watermelon w/ black fleck, green pumpkin w/ black fleck, black w/ blue fleck, and my personal favorite cinnamon w/ purple fleck.

I hope many of you will try this bait. I honestly believe that it will make you a better fisherman. It's a simple technique that really pays huge dividends. Just remember to allow the bait to work for you, it takes patience, but its well worth it! Give it a try and let me know what you think (whoopbass@hotmail.com / 845-756-3500) Good luck and Bass wishes !

BOB MATHEWS