Glass and Brass For Bass Fishing

Have you heard of "glass and brass" for bass fishing? For years we have been putting plastic beads between the lead and swivel on Carolina rigs and between the lead and worm on Texas rigs. The beads protect the knot from the heavy sinker and are also supposed to make a clicking sound to attract bass. I usually put two beads below the lead and one above it. I am not sure the sound helps, but I try!

Several articles have been written about brass sinkers and glass beads. This combo is supposed to make a much better sound and attract more bass.

At night, I feel sound may help. I often shake my rod tip to make the worm shake and the beads rattle during the day but I do it constantly at night. Does it help? Who knows?

Cost of Brass and Glass for Bass Fishing

Brass sinkers cost about 5 times as much as lead, and glass beads are 7 or 8 times as much as plastic. If you break off while fishing a brass sinker and a couple of glass beads, you can loose as much as a plug costs. And they may not help you catch any fish.

Rattles

You can also buy rattles to insert into baits. Some are tiny plastic or glass tubes with shot inside and they rattle when the bait moves. Others are designed a little differently but all do make sounds - and might help attract bass.

Colors

Colors are also important to the fisherman. A few years ago a dye was put onto the market to dip worms into and change the color. Its not like you can't buy worms and baits in thousands of colors already. Now you can custom color them on the lake. Many folks carry markers and paint to change colors fast. I even have a selection of fingernail polish in my boat. I can quickly put a red dot on a plug, add a blue back or a white eye.

Do all these things help. They help your confidence and that is one of the most important facets of fishing. If you think it helps, it probably will. I will say - again - that pretty colored lures and worms are made to catch fishermen more than fish. They may make a difference in the water but the purpose it to make a difference in the store so you will buy them!

Fishermen are crazy! We will try anything! Know where I can find some brass sinkers?

Do you use glass and brass? Do you carry markers, dye or fingernail polish in your boat? Tell me about it. Do you have some fishing stories related to the tricks you use? If so, you can also post information about it for others on my message board - you must register to post but can read the board as a guest. Also, if you have a story about glass and brass, dyes or other ways to color your lures, or anything else about fishing, let me know about it at fishing.guide@about.com for a "Fishtale". Tell others what you like.