Long-lining for spotted bass with Jason Milligan by Jen Edgar

long-lining technique to catch bass with cast retrieve and gear tips from jason milligan

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L D w O ith N Ja G so L n I M N ill G iga I n N

uring the summer, most of us get on the

water before the sun comes up and turn

in when the sun is highest in the sky try-

ing to escape the heat. Well it’s this time of day when you’ll find Megabass pro Jason Milligan filling his livewell with the best of the spotted bass schools. What is his preferred method you ask? Long-lining.

LONGLINING NECESSITIES

First let’s discuss the necessities of the technique with Jason’s preferred gear. A 7’11” or 8’ Megabass

stretch than 10-pound-test, which plays a huge difference in getting the hook to penetrate past the barb.”

“I don’t use backing, because often times you will use dump the whole spool to get the depth you need.”

For their form and action, Milligan prefers the Megabass Deep 6 series of crankbaits.

The Megabass Deep 6 is a somewhat smaller, streamlined bait, which helps when trying to get to certain depths and maintain that depth. Milligan will switch out the hooks for a #2 Gamakatsu round bend treble.

Orochi XX Crank Launcher paired with a Curado 200

When the water is clear, he will use a translucent

6:3:1 filled with 12-pound Seaguar AbrazX as an

shad pattern. In stained water, he will use a blue back

abrasion resistant line is a must.

chartreuse color. For dirty water Milligan said “red

“With this line, I lose less fish and lures,” said

craw all the way!”

Milligan. “It has less

He offers up a good tip, to keep a file in the boat

while longlining.

forspotted bass

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