Summer 2023
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PLOPPING BAITS: Plopping baits have become staples over the past several years and many companies are now making them. Two good ones are the Deps Evoke Zero, which is very loud and has a strong metal prop for a unique sound. It’s a premium bait but catches big ones. The Berkley Choppo is another option and comes in four different sizes so you can match the conditions and what the fish are eating.
FROG FISHING: Frogs are another category of topwater that everyone should own plenty of. The Strike King Sexy Frog is a great choice and provides excellent hookups because of how soft the material is. This allows the bait’s body to collapse and you will hook more bass than you would with a frog with a more rigid body.
DEEP CRANKING
Another rite of summer is the chance to get out deep and fish a crankbait. The modern crankbait comes in several options that reach deep depths and allow you to crank into offshore cover like rocks and other objects.
One of the leaders in this category is Strike King with their XD series, which means “extra deep,” and they have several different crankbaits in this lineup. One of the most popular is the Pro Model 6XD, which will get down to 19- feet deep and slightly deeper with lighter line.
It’s been around for years and has won many summertime events. What makes it so good is how easy it is to get down, thanks to a curved bill. It comes in countless different colors and casts excellent, which helps get the bait down and in the strike zone longer for more of your cast.
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