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Summer 2024
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challenging. In these cases, I will drop to an 8-pound FC leader, trying to entice reluctant bass into biting.
If I am still having trouble getting bass to commit or to hold on, I will change to a monofilament leader. Mono has more stretch than fluorocarbon, so I am using the characteristic of mono to build a little more stretch into my leader. I still get added sensitivity out of my setup, because of the braid, but it also gives my presentation enough stretch that the bass is challenged to feel me. The result is more hook-ups before the bass gets a chance to drop the bait.
On super tough days, I may still pick up a straight fluorocarbon set up as a final choice to see if I cannot get bites, but in most cases, these days are getting rare.
JIG HEAD CHOICES
Regarding jig heads, there are multiple options in today’s market. I make some of the jig heads that I use. When I make my own, I have better control over the size and brand of the hook I used.
My preferred choice is a football shaky head that is made with a screw lock to keep my bait choice in place. I use a Do-It Mold (FBB-6-SLA). My reason for the football head instead of a ball head is that:
• It keeps the bait from falling on its side when it is
on the bottom.
• It has better action as it works across the bottom.
• It allows my bait to ride higher in the water, which
will help it get noticed when using a bait with a
tail that floats like the Shaking Squirrel or just a
floating worm option.
Another head that I stock, and carry is the Missile Baits Warlock Head. This jig head is equipped with a sticky sharp Gamakatsu hook and has a screw lock to keep your bait in place. This head is also designed to stand up on the bottom to help get your bait noticed triggering more strikes.
TIP: I would suggest carrying an assortment of head sizes to match the conditions that you may encounter. I carry 1/16- to 3/8-ounces sizes in my mix.
SHAKY HEAD BAITS
MAGIC WORMS: When it comes to bait selection, I carry a few options to give the bass different looks and better match the areas I am fishing. I am using a Missile Magic Worm as my leading shaky head choice. There is a six-inch Magic Worm and a Mini Magic Worm that is a four-inch option. I let the bass tell me which size they prefer that day and adjust as needed.
FLOATING WORMS: I will also add a few floating worm options to the mix. This worm’s tail will ride higher up off the bottom and has better action, triggering more bites along the way.
CRAW FATHER: When targeting rock, I have been adding a Missile Baits Craw Father to expand my options. Yes, it is a little harder to get my jig through these areas, but it has also paid big dividends on the other side. Many times, when fishing rock areas, I get bigger bites. These bass are
notorious craw eaters, so the Craw Father bait option fits their food choice.
TRD CRAW: I will also throw in a Z-Man TRD Craw to expand on the standup floating characteristics. The craws of the TRD will rise off the bottom, acting like a defensive craw daring bass to bite. This has been instrumental in creating more strikes from reluctant bass in the area.
TUBES: One of my sleeper bait choices is a tube. This can mimic a few different things to a bass. It can represent either a craw or a minnow trying to scoot away as it moves across the bottom.
Since I have expanded to use more bait options for my shaky head presentations, I am getting more bites instead of just one here and one there. I have had days making multiple passes with a different bait and have taken more bass out of a school than just one or two on a pass. Use this to your advantage. It will help you put more bass in your boat.
I hope these Reloaded tactics assist you to catch more bass when fishing a shaky head this season. Be flexible and expand your bait choices instead of locking into one option, and you will see better results. Now all you have to do is hit the water – Best of Luck!!! •