Story & Photos
BY DAVID A. BROWN
O
n the national scene, Bassmaster Elite
Series pro Ish Monroe needs several
dozen rods to cover the broad diver-
sity of fisheries on which he competes. Back home, though, the California native said he
can drastically reduce that number when fishing
renowned toad-factories like Clear Lake and the Cal
Delta.
These treasured western fisheries are blessed
with quantity and quality, but Monroe’s only
interested in the latter. That’s why he typically
builds his game plan around a trio of big-fish
faves — the Whopper Plopper, a punch rig and his
signature series Snag Proof Ish’s Phat Frog.
“Those baits cover me for fishing to win
tournaments in Northern California, because
they’re made for catching big bass,” Monroe said.
“The Whopper Plopper is such a unique style bait
that catches a lot of big fish. The frog is great for
matted vegetation – where big bass live – and the
punch rig is great for when those fish are sitting in
the grass, but they get finicky and they don’t want
to come and chase a bait.”
WHOPPER PLOPPER
The Outfit: 7’, 7” Daiwa Tatula medium composite rod, 7.3:1 Tatula CT 100 baitcasting reel, 50-lb Maxima braid.
Application: “This rod has a mix of graphite and fiberglass so it has the sensitivity of graphite, the slower tapered reaction of fiberglass and the length to make that really long cast,” Monroe said. “The medium action ensures that I don’t pull the hooks out of the fish.”
The reel’s small profile, he said, fits well in his palm and facilitates those lengthy lobs often needed to reach spooky fish.
“Anytime I’m fishing topwaters, braided line is key, because it floats,” Monroe
said. “Braid won’t drag down the bait and instead, it allows the bait to work properly.
“The great thing is, braid will never break, so you won’t lose any fish. So, having this perfect combination of rod, reel and line allows you to get more bites and land more fish.”
Technique Tips: Monroe likes to start his Whopper Plopper presentations with a slow to moderate retrieve that uses the baits inherent gurgling, splashing motion call in the fish. Experimenting with retrieves is the best way to dial in the day’s preference.
“You let the fish dictate to you if they want stop-and-go, if they want it fast, if they want it slower,” he said. “As with all topwaters, you want dark colors on dim days, first thing in the morning and late in the afternoon; and light colors on bright sunny days, clean water and midday.”
PUNCH RIG/DROPPIN’ BOMBS
The Outfit: 8’ Daiwa Steez AGS heavy rod, 7.3:1 Daiwa Zillion HD baitcasting reel, 65-lb Maxima braid.
Application: Monroe’s punch rig comprises a Missile Baits D-Bomb with a 5/0 River2Sea New Jack flipping hook and a 1 1/2-oz River2Sea Trash
Bomb tungsten weight pegged with a Paycheck
Baits Punch Stop. In some scenarios, he’ll
enhance his rig with a Paycheck Baits Punch
Skirt.
“A punch skirt gives you a
bigger, bulkier profile,” Monroe
said. “Little fish shy away
from big baits and big
fish key in on big baits.
“If you want
more bites, go
without the punch
skirt; if you want
bigger bites, I’d go
with the punch
skirt.”
Of his punching
outfit, Monroe said:
SUMMER 2016
35