Spring 2021
®
was high enough and
Photo: Zach Rinn – Providence
LIPLESS: Covering
the current was strong
water on a flat is in the
enough to make a hole in
job description of a lipless
a section of land, forming
crankbait. I like to use a
a depression.
BOOYAH One Knocker
because of its unique
STILL A HUNT FOR SWEET SPOTS
sound. Once I have that ditch pinpointed, I can make a long cast with the One Knocker and retrieve
Now, like most
the bait through the cast
things in bass fishing,
length of it.
you want to be
looking for something
SPINNERBAIT: From
different in that ditch or
shallow to deep water, or
depression.
targeting deep ditches to
There is likely going to be that sweet spot where the
slight depressions, a spinnerbait in the spring catches bass.
bass will congregate together or replenish over the course
My favorite is the War Eagle in either a single Colorado or
of the day. It could be just a slight turn, a hard spot in an
tandem Colorado/Indiana blade combination. Depending on
otherwise soft bottom area, or the spot where current may the depth of water, I’ll use either a 3/8- or 1/2 ounce bait.
just be slightly different in one section of the ditch.
To search out hungry bass lurking in ditches, reaction-
VIBRATING JIG: A great option for covering water in the
style baits are proven fish catchers, as they allow the angler spring as the vegetation becomes more developed is the
to cover water quickly and will generate a reaction strike
vibrating jig. It is also a great option when fishing a shallow
from a bass laying in that ditch as the lure is retrieved over flat and the depression is not much deeper than the flat
their head.
itself. I like the Z-Man Jackhammer
Depending on the depth of water of the flat and the
ditch, along with the cover that is present will dictate what
With spring moving closer, the bass you are seeking
style of reaction lure to use. Some of my top choices include: are moving closer to the bank and there is no better way to
target them then finding a good ditch or depression. •
JIG: When the ditches I am fishing are a little deeper or
have isolated pieces of wood or rock adjacent to them, I like
to work a 1/2-ounce All-Terrain Tackle Jig through that ditch
and bring it alongside the adjacent cover.
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Photo: Zach Rinn – Providence