Westernbass Magazine - Bass Fishing Tips And Techniques - December 2012, Page 50

Westernbass Magazine - Bass Fishing Tips And Techniques - December 2012, Page 50

Pre-FiSH strateGIes

Poe’s crankbaits, swimbaits and Yamamoto d-Shad soft jerkbaits.

HOLE SITTInG

The point here is to determine if bass are using a specific spot that has paid off in the past, and you have confidence the bass are there. This strategy is designed to tell you when the bite will turn on and which lures will be preferred. try as many different techniques and lures as possible. if the spot is in open water, typical techniques will include dropshots, C-rigs, jigs, shakey heads, tubes and occasional sh. fi - e r p in g in adapt d n a g in n r a le reaction baits. if the spot has heavy cover, anglers ited to d e r c in w t n A tourname flipping a jig, pitching Senkos and Flappin’ came in with a big bag? When Hawgs, punching mats, or working a Snag Proof you find yourself struggling to get a bite, consider Frog can be the ticket. making a major move to an entirely new region. Bass in a different region could be more active due to different forage, topography, shade, light, wind, REcOnnAISSAncE current, and water color. The main objective in this strategy is to explore as on a river this could be a different pool and on a much of the water as you can. Fishing is not involved, lake it could mean a move from the headwaters down so keep the tackle locked up. look for items on your to the dam, or from the lee side to the windy side. chart and study your sonar. look for differences in When testing regions, use lures and techniques that bait fish activity levels in various areas, differences in historically work, your confidence lures. Make only a few casts and then move on. topography, current, vegetation, and water color. test how much time it takes to get to places or back for weigh-in. This strategy is used by experienced pros SEARcH FOR THE mOTHER LODE and rarely by beginners (which makes little sense). on every body of water there tends to be one area where conditions are perfect and the bass are stacked. JuST GO FISHInG The run and gun strategy may help you find this; but you may not realize an area’s potential by leaving too soon. This strategy is probably the most commonly For this reason it is hard to determine you found used, particularly by those who are not analytical, or by those who simply want to combine fun-fishing a honey hole without sore-mouthing the fish in with pre-fishing. it is normally not the most effective practice. The point is to be aware this condition exists, strategy. Follow your instincts and try everything that and remember (after the pre-fish) which areas have this potential. When you find the mother lode, nothing looks good. to make this strategy effective, use the time to test important factors including current, cover, loads the boat as well as crankbaits and jerkbaits. structure, and different lures. Cover your deck with many different rods and lures and try them all. HunT FOR BIG FISH

TESTInG REGIOnS

ever fish a tournament where most everyone had a poor day and complained the bite was off, yet a few

likely the best strategy in a tournament is to swing for the fence, which means trying to get five big bites instead of dozens of small bites. Big fish lures and tactics are different than those used to catch numbers.

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