Spring 2025
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pictured here is Frosted Purple. The three-inch long plastic is a ribbed, thick-body plastic with a pin tail that shimmies for attention.
BLADED JIG ROD, REEL, AND LINE
Monroe touts the use of the JackHammer/ Spunk Shad combo often as a go-to on the Delta – his home water. The gear he uses for this is a Daiwa Elite Brent Ehrler Bladed Jig rod. It is a 7’4” medium-heavy rod which Monroe explains is conducive to making long casts and has the right tip to allow the bait to be eaten before it pulls into the power of the rod. The Daiwa Tatula 200 reel with a 6.3:1 gear ratio pairs nicely for those that prefer the lower speed reel. Monroe gives two reasons for the reel. First, so he can easily stay in contact with the cover at all times, and secondly as it provides the power to turn a big fish’s head and direct them into the boat. Spooling with another Daiwa product – Daiwa J-Fluoro will get a Delta bass into the boat.
TIP: When fishing the ChatterBait at the Delta, look for slower water, where the sun will hit south-facing banks. This is a great place to start
Another one of our favorites for springtime Delta bass is an Anglers King Swim Jig. Good color options for Delta water are white or white/chartreuse. It can be fished on the same gear as the ChatterBait.
TIP: When fishing the swim jig, look towards areas around hard cover, such as trees and brush. •
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