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Summer 2025
page 50
Referring to the previous paragraph, it becomes simple to select which bait to tie on. We want to use baby bass and sunfish-colored presentations. Baits with an action that replicates the act of feeding, letting down their guard chasing shad and fry.
LURE CHOICES
Here are my favorites to have tied on for some explosive midday action.
Being a swimbait fisherman I will always start with a floating glide bait. One that can be twitched, waked and burned. This erratic action will draw some of the largest summertime strikes. My next choice would be a walk-the-dog style bait fished in a variety of sizes from 4- to 9-inches, depending upon what the predators are chasing. And finally, a plopping style bait rounds off my must have arsenal. Again, bass and sunfish patterns with commotion on the surface is the key.
Finding the fish that are active with this approach and pattern takes some time and scouting. However, it can all be done with your eyes and bait of choice. I am not always looking for big fish, I am looking for small ones too. If you draw little fish from a select area that look like your presentation, you are on the right track. There are larger bass in that area waiting for the right opportunity. Waiting for someone to let their guard down evoking the midday feast. At this point we just hope our offering is their next meal. •