What is the Most Important thing you look for in a Lure?

[bassjunky]

I was hoping to make this into a poll, but I could not figure out how, so here it goes

What do you think is the most important feature in a lure. 

1) Size

2) Colour

3) Action

4) Scent/taste

5) other


I probably missed something, but "other" should cover it

[Hookset]

A     T     O     
    C     I      N!!!!

Action of a lure causes the instinctual bite, the one they just couldn't prevent if they had to.  If you can make the hard-wired nature of a fish respond involuntarily, you are on the way to a productive day on the water.  All else is secondary, in my humble opinion anyway.  Honestly, my number 2 would be the profile of the bait.

[Scott]

For me, it's all in the action followed by color, size and finally scent. Most important is, I know that someone  has been hammering something with it some where on some lake.    


-Scott

[grumpymoe]

Firstly....Action....then size....followed by color......one of my favourite cranks for example (ShadRap).....usually produces in almost any color....from natural colors to extreme bright such as the Clown with its vibrant yellow and flourescent red...so yes....action if the most important for me....Grump

[Big Zig]

None of the above.
I need to have confidence in what I'm throwing before any of the other aspects come into play.
Without confidence, even the best lure for a given situation won't put a fish on the other end. Why? We fish differently with a confidence bait.
I'm not talking about a particular lure, but a certain style/type of lure.
 
Curiously enough, I would put action of a lure last. I control the action of a lure - how it "acts", not the lure.
Of course, I still wish I could tell a crankbait that hunts by just looking at it. Someday I'll figure out what makes a certain crankbait hunt and not the next.

Good topic for discussion.

[bassjunky]

My vote alsp goes to action. I disagree slightly with BigZig's comment, although you have control over the speed and movement, the action is built into a lure, that nice tight wobble or those huge loops....

a tie for second in my books is colour and and size...its all about matching the hatch

[ice dude]

Im with BIg Zig. Confidence.  After that it really depends on the day.

[baginwal]

When trolling or trout fishing:  Action, color, size
When bass fishing:  Action, size, color

[devil-man]

Action!
There is a certain degree of controlling how your bait moves through the water, but it is limited by the level of your ability and skill.

Color is a close second.
There have been many times that I was using a lure, then switched to a different color and started catching them. As stated earlier- It depends on the day...

You've been starting a lot of great threads, BJ! I like it. 

[vancouvercanuck]

Hooks. If the lure doesn't have a hook on it, it's no good.................... :blink:

[devil-man]

You're a funny one, VC.
Why the hell would you throw a lure without a hook?

[bassjunky]

I contemplated putting hooks down as a choice.  We had talked about it in a jig post recently, and alot of the guys said that hooks were A1 important.

[flipstick]

I think color is #1 for me.  I've had many days (actually most days) where just changing the color of a bait makes the whole difference.  Obviously they all play a big role though.  As for the hooks, they are the number reason for me having to put my drink down.  

[Water Wolf]

I feel when looking at a lure you have to match what to use to the sport fish you are going for. For instance, color or action don't play as much a factor in catfish or sturgeon fishing, but scent is tops. For the most part though I feel the action of the lure eather naturally created by it moving through the water or how you retrieve it is good to have, followed by, color, scent and then size.
 Big Zig made a very good point, confidence in yourself and how you handle any lure or bait, makes all the difference, if you are confident in what you are using, folks will generally fish with more enthusiasm and skill. In short it depends on how you feel about a lure, and the species of fish that makes you look for certain things in lure.
Just my 2 cents.

WW

[TGF]

You guys are forgetting another one... shape.
For me its
#1) Size
#2) Shape
#3) Color