Your new baits/techniques for 2012

[Jrob78]

I was just thinking about some of the new baits I've gotten over the winter and I was wondering what new baits or new techniques you guys are looking forward to trying out this year. They can even just be new to you baits.

The baits I am most looking forward to trying out are the Live Target Field Mouse, the Rapala X-Rap Pop and X-Rap Prop and the Lucky Craft Fat Smasher. I am really planning on focusing more on topwater fishing this year. I have always thrown them but not as often as I should and it was mainly limited to standard, round body poppers and Sammy/Spook type walking baits.

Another thing I am looking forward to trying out is swimbaits with a jig head. I've always fished paddle tails with a screw lock weighted hook and haven't always had great hookup ratios. I think a jig head will help with hook ups and also allow the bait to fish off the bottom differently. I bought some Big Hammer Swimbait Tails along with various jig heads to try out. I think the smaller Big Hammer Tails will also make good swim jig trailers.

I have also bought some new hooks to try out. Specifically, straight shanked hooks with plastic keepers. I bought some Trokar and Gamakatsu flipping hooks and Trokar finesse hooks. I think these super sharp hooks with straight shanks should really stick some fish.

So, what baits are you guys looking forward to fishing this year?