Summer 2025
bone that will get that big bass into the boat! Once I feel the bite, I reel up the slack and give my rod a sideways sweeping hook set.
TACKLE: Even though I’m using spinning tackle and light line, I still need to use a sharp and strong hook, such as the TroKar Pro V Drop Shot hook. The possibilities of the baits you can rig on your hook are endless and experimentation is key to finding out what the bass wants that day.
BAITS: My top choices include a wacky-rigged four-inch Yamamoto Senko, or a nose hook Yamamoto Shad Shape bait. Deciding on which bait to use has a lot to do with what the bass are feeding on in the lake or river I’m fishing. If they are feeding on minnow, then I want my bait to resemble a minnow.
Most times, I’m not fishing directly over the area that I’m targeting, so I cast the drop shot to the weed line, rock pile or point and let it sink to the bottom. The amount of weight needed to get down there should be kept as light as possible, depending on the wind and the thickness of the
vegetation. The length of the dropper will depend on how heavy the cover is; along with how far off the bottom the bass are suspended.
Whether they are feeding on top or down in the depths of a deep-clear water lake, smallmouth bass can be targeted in a wide array of ways. Having several lure options rigged up and ready to go will help you take advantage of the bite when it is hot. •
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