Winter 2018
As Griffith noted, seasonal patterns will help you narrow down the question of main lake or pockets? And even then, applying the principles of water temperature, sky conditions, wind, etc., further refines the search. From there, Uribe wants to work on habitats with plenty of feeding options within easy reach.
“The cages are everywhere and some are definitely better than others if they have the right type of bottom around it,” he said. “I prefer to look for good hard and rock bottom around the Habitat that the crawdads prefer so they will be more productive. Grass around the Habitat is also good.”
Similarly, Griffith likes a main lake hab with that thick, carpeted Havasu grass nearby. This, again, keeps food sources close to the habitat, while also allowing angler options. “You can target fish two different ways; if you can’t get bit over the hab, you can switch over and do a couple of different things.”
Before we address baits, let’s consider a little background on these manmade bass Meccas.
HOW TO FISH THEM
When fish are suspending over habitats or patrolling their perimeters, jerkbaits can be a deadly option. Griffith keeps this tool in his box, but one of his favorite presentations is a heavy swim jig — something of 3/4- to 1-ounce with a 6- to 7-inch swimbait on the back.
“You bomb it out there and then you reel it, reel it, reel it and as soon as it comes over the side of one of the square habitats, they’ll come out of there and hammer it,” he said. “A (vibrating jig) is another good one. When it smashes into those cages, as soon as it comes out, it’s lights-out. When they hit the bait, it’s like a freight train.”
Now, when fish tuck inside the habs, they’re not likely to come racing out to slam a moving bait. So, if they’re playing hard-to-get, Griffith gets in their face by dropping right into the structure. His choice is a dropshot with a straight tail worm, but wacky-rigged Yamamoto Senkos, shaky heads and flipping jigs can also make big things happen.
“You can drop right into the plastic habitats,” Griffith said. “You can’t really get through the wooden ones because they’re a little harder to get through. But with the plastic ones, if you get stuck, you can shake it a little and it will come free.
“A dropshot is perfect for this, but the issue is getting the fish out. But worry about getting one on first before you worry about getting it out.”
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