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Spring 2023
page
18
DEEPWATER TACTICS
Once I have a few areas located, I will pick up crankbait to start. The reason for this choice is I can cover water a little bit faster than just using a football jig. When it comes to crankbaits, I have a few favorites I will use a Rapala DT16 or DT20. This is a non-rattle crankbait. I use this as I do not want to spook bass in clear water conditions. I will also add a suspend strip to the belly of the bait to keep it in the bite zone longer.
When I get my bait down to the target area, I will try a slow steady retrieve to see if I can trigger bites. If not, I will try a stop-n-go retrieve a few casts later. With the suspend strip, I am hoping that my bait will hold and suspend with a slow rise, triggering strikes from bass holding in the cover looking for an easy meal.
I will also make this same modification to Strike King XD6 crankbait. I will use this crankbait in stained or dirty water conditions when I need sound to help the bass find my bait and trigger bites.
Before I leave, I will fish a football jig in these areas as well. When bass are keying in on craws there is no better jig that imitates a craw than a football jig teamed with a craw trailer. A football jig represents your craw in a standup position, the same
way a craw stands to defends itself. This helps in triggering bass to strike as well.
MAKE THE MOVE
As the sun get higher in
the sky and the days get longer
this warms the water and
moves the bass’ food source to
head shallower with the bass
trailing not far behind. Once
again, I will target points that
reach out to the deep-water
basin. I will also target key
drop-off areas that I targeted
earlier that have bass and
food sources in the weeds or
holding on the weed edges.
Prime locations include
deep weed areas that have
rocks butted up against them.
Many times, these areas offer
two food source options –
craws and shad/bluegill.
As you travel down the weedline looking for signs of bass also take a closer look at your map looking for a small point or a steeper drop off irregularities that offer the bass and food a path in and out of deeper water quicker.
Look for active bass in these situations, covering the water will be key. Active forage and bass will be on the weed edges and above the weeds taking advantage of the sun and the water it is warming. Use baits that allow you to move through these areas at a faster pace.