WesternBass Magazine April 2011, Page 21

WesternBass Magazine April 2011, Page 21

STRATEGIES

VERTICal fishing

T

he best times to vertical fish are late fall

through early spring, but you can catch

bass vertically all year round. You need

good electronics. I personally use Lowrance HDS-8 and 10 with side finder and network system.

drag bite. The baits, weights, line size, and movements, vary and you will have to experiment with these

I am constantly watching my screen for the

and let the fish tell you

appearance of a mark which looks like it’s catchable.

what they want. This

The things I look for are marks on breaks, rock piles,

can change from day

brush, feeding flats and so forth. Generally speaking, to day. Have an open

the odds go up if you target marks fairly close to the

mind. Sometimes you

bottom and in 25’ or more. This doesn’t mean that

need to drop your bait

you do not drop on a mark in 20’.

down, let it sit and move the boat away from being over

Once I locate a mark I hold the boat in position,

the fish. They can feel the sonar and the presence of

dropping down. I like drop shotting a Roboworm,

the boat, and you will not get bit until you have moved

Yamamoto grub, creature baits, nail rigged senko,

away. Patience is a virtue. When they are feeding you

heavy jig, texas rigged worm, and spoons. You

drop down, and the bites come right away. Most of the

can watch your bait go down on the screen and

time it will take a little coaxing to get the bite.

sometimes you will see the fish move down to the

After spending a lot of time watching your Lowrance

bait or sideways. It’s so exciting anticipating that

electronics and looking for marks and dropping various

you’re going to get bit. I just love it! Just let it sit there

baits down vertically at 25’ or more, you will start to

with no movement. He knows it’s there, and be ready! understand which marks are more catchable than

Sometimes they could be on a shake bite or a

others. It just takes time and patience. Good luck!

Issue 1  April 2011

21

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