What did it for me? The definitive Shallow Runner list

If there is one question I get asked more than any other it is; 'where can I catch bass?'. And it is a question that I'll politely avoid answering. It is after all a significant part of my trade - the where to find fish thing. If you are a client then there are no secrets, I'll happily point you at shore marks but catch up with me on the harbour wall with a 'eer mate, eard you no were to catch bass local like' and I'll tell you little.

So marks are off limits (unless you like to geek my photography - yes some do - for the occasional background clue). However I am happy to talk lures. This is a big mind set change for me and one that didn't come easy. I've had to learn that keeping lure secrets is pointless. After all one man's dream catcher will be another man's dead loss. Added to that fact is I believe 'the be all and end all' is in the instant in time that a lure swims past a fish. No one can replicate that as the variables are too endless. Think about it in this way; you will never fish the same spot for the same fish in the same conditions ever. So mimicking my lure choices will do little to enhance chance.

The important issue is one of confidence. Buy a lure online 'blind' and you will have no faith in it and if it has not caught in 20 mins of fishing, it will rust in the bottom of the box. By a lure online that you know others have caught with then your faith and therefore confidence will grow. So my advice is clear don't listen to those that say 'try this'. Listen only to those that say...'I have caught plenty with this'.

So here it is season 2014 Shallow Runner 'plenty of fish' catchers. In no particular order of preference but all caught well. Remember please that this is not a list of every lure that caught fish this year, just the ones that caught consistently.

1. Rapala's subtle but oh so effective Max Rap. Casts poorly by today's standard, swims slowly and they love it.
2. Luckycraft's Flash Minnow 110. Welcome to lure heaven. Fake and burn it or simply wobble it home either way its deadly in any ones hands.
3. Rapture's Momoko 120. The surprise of the season. Fish it slow'ish'. Fed up with £25 lures then this is the baby. Get 5 for the price of 1!
4. Rapala's xrap. No good in a head wind but want depth (c.2.5m) and this little lure is unbeatable. Yes unbeatable.
5. IMA Sasuke - the Ferrari of the shallow runner world. All glitz, all poise, all expense.. But hell it catches.

Next time = top water and here, as a tease, is one of the sexy ones!