One lure to rule them all

[brooowntrout]

I never sneeze to be demazed at the number of anglers who fish the same lures, the same way, in the same waters all year long...just because they caught fish on them one time.  ...or, that is the only lure they know how to fish.

Much better to accumulate a good mental database of info on the various waters you fish...for the species you target most...at different times of the year under different weather and water conditions.  And then go prepared with a range of lures that should produce under the prevailing conditions...and be prepared to go to plan B or C if plan A doesn't work.

But whatever you do, have fun and enjoy the experience.  The success of a fishing trip is not always measured by the number of fish you catch.  At least it shouldn't be.

So true. Guilty as charged. I love playing with our little homemade pugly bugs so much that I try to fish them in every situation. I will go home patting myself on the back cause I got a red- headed snort blat to bite it once when I am packing a bunch of items in my pack that fit the situation better and would have gotten more bites.

I always order pepperoni pizza too. Creature of hard earned habits I guess.

I am usually carrying a wide variety of lures and I am always quick to change if something isn't working. That is what actually got me thinking about this question in the first place. IF I had to pick just one, which one would I grab? Most of the lures people have mentioned on this thread are on my list of favorites too, but a couple surprised me. 

One of my favorites that nobody has mentioned yet is a Gold Panther Martin spinner. If I am on a river, it is probably going to make an appearance.

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Black and silver Rapala CD 7 is my go to from trout to catfish  and everything in between

CD Rapala is a great lure! I always carry a variety of colors, but if I had to choose one it would be black and silver. It mimics so many different baitfish and I am a raiders fan.