No Matter the Season, There's No Denyin' That Jerkbaits Can Git-R-Done

At least, that's Yamaha pro Brandon Palaniuk's take on the situation. He fishes 'em year-round and especially likes to use 'em during the hotter months.

"Most fishermen think these baits are only effective during the winter months, but I use these lures throughout the year," he said. "The only difference is simply the speed at which I present 'em. In warm water, I work 'em really fast, as opposed to cold water, where I fish 'em much more slowly."

Palaniuk varies his jerk-jerk-pause cadence to match the mood of the bass. In his opinion, jerkbaits are usually most effective in water depths of less than 12 feet.

"Summer bass have a high metabolism rate," he continued, "so they're feeding more aggressively than they do in the winter, which is why the faster retrieve works so well. Bass must think it represents an easy meal, because a lot of quality fish hit it...not just small bass."

The Yamaha pro used a jerkbait to help him win the 2013 Bassmaster Elite Series tournament on the St. Lawrence River in New York, an event in which he made daily one-way runs of more than 100 miles downriver and out into Lake Ontario. On the final day of the tournament, with the lake extremely rough, he used a jerkbait near a rocky shoreline to cement his winning catch.

"My favorite places to use the jerkbait during summer are over wide, often featureless flats, where bass are roaming, rather than relating to any specific cover or structure," noted Palaniuk. "But when bass are suspended or around cover, like standing timber or deeper ridges, I won't hesitate to use the jerkbait there, too. I prefer to use lighter 10-pound fluorocarbon line, because it allows the jerkbait to move freely from side to side. Around heavier cover, though, I may change to 12-pound line.

"A jerkbait, especially when fished with a fast retrieve, often will cause bass to show themselves with a quick follow, even if they don't actually hit the lure. You can make a quick follow-up cast with a jig or plastic worm and often catch them. In that sense, a jerkbait also is a perfect lure to use when you're searching for bass."

Palaniuk's favorite color for jerkbaits is a hue he calls mossback-shiner, which features a darker back, with a lighter silver belly. Pearl-blue is another combination he's used successfully. Overall, he prefers to fish jerkbaits in clearer water, where he feels bass are probably feeding by sight. His fast retrieve makes the lure that much more tempting, since fish feel its vibrations but don't really get a good look at it.

In conclusion, said Palaniuk, "Jerkbaits will catch bass year-round. And the reason they're so versatile is because you easily can vary your retrieve speed to match the conditions. I always have one tied on and ready to cast, but among all the Elite Series pros, only a few of them fish jerkbaits during the summer like I do, and that suits me just fine."

September 2024 Bass Fishing Forecast

Hmm...We Aren't All Liars After All

We've all surely heard the old TV commercial with the following slogan: "When E. F. Hutton talks, people listen." Well, as I found out yesterday, while doing some online research, writer and blogger Pete Robbins suggests that Virginia pro angler John Crews (left) deserves the same kind of respect when he speaks. In the piece that I read, Robbins referred to Crews as "the last honest man in bass fishing."

And to think, here I was, believing, as I've read and heard far too many times, that "all fishermen are liars." OK, so maybe I'm kiddin' just a bit here, but let's face it, there are very few of us anglers who haven't, at one time or another, listened to...or perhaps told...one whopper of a story about the big 'un that got away.

In the piece that I read, Robbins took note of the fact that, over the course of thousands of interviews he's had with pro bass anglers, he cannot begin to count the times that the interviewee asked him to refer to a product as "unnamed reel" or "prototype lizard," because the angler in question wasn't getting paid by the company that actually produced it. Robbins also noted there probably have been an equal number of times when the angler said, "Look, I was actually using X, but I'd appreciate it if you'd say I was using Y."

Said Robbins, "This is a vexing and complicated situation for a not-quite-journalist, but it is the realm in which we currently live. That's why I pay attention whenever a pro bucks that trend."

One who did is Virginia's John Crews, who at the time of his interview, had amassed an Elite Series win and 10 Classic appearances. And in case you didn't already know it, he also founded and owns Missile Baits, a tackle company that produces a broad line of soft plastics, among other things.

"Based on my experience-based prejudices," said Robbins, "I assumed he never would knowingly promote or commend any other brand of soft plastics. But I was wrong."

Robbins then explained that friends and buyers from big-box stores repeatedly have asked Crews to produce a Senko look-alike, and each time his answer has been the same: "If I want to fish with a Senko, I'll just buy a Senko. I'm not going to design something that already exists. I'm trying to design something that doesn't exist or a better way of doing something. When I go to flip, you can rest assured I'll be using a D Bomb, a D Stroyer, or a Missile Craw, but if I want a horizontal fall, nothing beats a Senko."

As Robbins then said, "My big bosses at Yamamoto, who provide me with this space, should be glad to hear that. But you, as a consumer, should perk up your ears, too. It says you should be fishing a Senko and not a knock-off, because that's what successful pros do when their livelihood is on the line. It also tells you that if John Crews produced something, it's not just because a peg at the tackle store is available, or because he thinks he can make a quick buck. Rather, it's because it's something he needs to earn his living. Sometimes, complimenting someone else's product reflects positively on you and your product. When Crews says something in the future, you can be certain I'll listen even more attentively."

As Surely Everyone Expected, the FFS Fury Is Spreading

Yesterday came word from B.A.S.S. that its 2025 Elite Series and the Bassmasters Classic will limit the number of FFS transducers on each boat to just one, and it must be mounted only on the trolling motor at the bow of the boat. B.A.S.S. further will provide a list of acceptable live transducers from all major electronics manufacturers. Equipment not on this list is banned from usage in Elite Series and Classic competition. And finally, this equipment list will be vetted and updated annually.

As noted in this latest announcement, FFS has been controversial since day one, with many anglers arguing the technology goes too far, giving fishermen an unfair advantage. [My 2 cents worth: For God's sake, folks, take your head out of your butt. Alabama rigs were banned because B.A.S.S. believed they made it too easy for anglers to catch fish and eliminated some of the skill required in tournament competition. So just how is that any different from competitors using a sonar system where all they have to do is look at their screen and drop the bait directly in front of the fish? C'mon...What do you take us for...complete idiots? If I were a pro angler right now, I'd be demanding that the ban on Alabama rigs be lifted immediately. Call these decision-makers out for the fools they are for trying to brainwash you into believing there's a difference between Alabama rigs and FFS. They both fall in the same category. The only right thing to do is allow or ban both.] In Mississippi, some biologists seemed to agree and recently reduced the crappie creel limit on certain lakes, specifically because of the proliferation of FFS technology.

However, supporters of FFS argue that just because they can see the fish (or their lures) better, it doesn't mean they can make the fish bite. It's the old argument that, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." [My 2 cents worth: Isn't it funny, though, that a lot of hitherto unknown tournament anglers, using their FFS units, suddenly are going home with all the marbles? 'Twould seem to me that at least some of them have figured out a way to lead a horse to water...and make him drink, too.]

Like any new technology, there is a learning curve in how best to use it. In the last year or two, many professional tournament circuits have seen many of the best FFS users in the winner's circle. [My 2 cents worth: In other words, if these guys--likely all or mostly electronic nerds--had had to compete back in the day with the likes of Bill Dance, Roland Martin and Hank Parker, they would have remained nothing more than "also rans"...and probably never cashed a check.]

Meanwhile, other anglers have been forced to get onboard the FFS train. In the top circles, it has become the norm for some anglers to have almost as much money invested in electronics as they do in their boat and motor.

B.A.S.S. stopped short of outlawing FFS completely as NPFL did, but along with FFS restrictions will come other B.A.S.S. rule changes, including the following:
     * Elite Series and Classic competitors will be limited to a total of 55 inches of screen, including bow and dash head units. The trend to add more and bigger head units to boats is becoming a safety concern, as the bigger screens may create blind spots, impacting the safe piloting of boats. [My 2 cents worth: The way I see it, "blind spots" aren't the only concern here. I would suggest that having all that crap on the bow of your boat also creates a "trip hazard." Unless all FFS users are "twinkle-toed," I'd bet money that some of them will be caught in the act of taking an unintended splash. Just gotta hope they don't hit their head on something as they go.]
     * Elite Series and Classic competitors may now have only one electric motor mounted to their boats. There has been a rise in the use of electric motors mounted to shallow-water anchors, which makes the enforcement of current rules (like long-lining and trolling) very difficult.
     * B.A.S.S. will focus on a more diverse Elite Series schedule, creating a wide variety of fishing styles demanded for success. While live-sonar technology will remain a consistent tool used at the very highest level of competitive bass fishing, experience and a deep-seeded understanding of fish behavior, movement and patterns also will be needed for success moving forward on the fisheries scheduled. [My 2 cents worth: Sorry, but this sounds like nothing more than a lame attempt to make those seasoned anglers without the tech savvy of the younger guys feel like they still have a chance of winning once in a while. Good luck with that...although you probably will find a few "fish" who'll "swallow your bait" for a little while.]

Said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson, "The use of live sonar at the Elite level has sparked tremendous debate. Our technology committee spent a tremendous amount of time reviewing post-event surveys, comparing equipment on Elite boats to success rate and considering both fan engagement and bass-community feedback related to the use of new technology." [My 2 cents worth: Let's all understand what's really going on here. B.A.S.S. is worried that some of their money is going to go away if they don't play ball with the boys with the deep pockets (e.g., companies like Rapala, Shimano, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Lowrance, Humminbird, and others). In short, these companies are essentially funding the sport by paying a premium to have their brands plastered everywhere B.A.S.S. can put it. With this kind of sway, it's all but a given that they would be adverse to the banning of any one or more of their products, most especially something like FFS, from the pro tours. Hence, B.A.S.S. officials are having to walk a tightrope, trying to keep both the companies and the anglers happy enough to stay in the game.]

Major League Fishing (MLF) has yet to announce whether or not there will be any rule changes for its 2025 season. Likewise, none of the major crappie-fishing circuits announced any rule changes.

Gettin' His Licks In Before Those Darned Northeast Winds Arrived

DMac got on the water twice last week, and from the looks of the weather forecast for this week, it's a good thing he did. By this next weekend, I suspect the water will be low enough to walk across West Neck Creek with your pant legs rolled up and never get 'em wet.

According to his report this morning, DMac launched out of the Pungo Ferry ramp last Monday and fished the other side of the river. At day's end, he had caught 14 bass with a combination of topwater baits and rubber worms...his best a 3.27-pound bass. The water was on the low side that day, too, but at 73 degrees, it provided a setting the fish seemed to like.

On Thursday of last week, then, DMac fished West Neck, with topwaters again as the table fare. He managed to lip 12 bass, with his best of the day a 4.97-pounder.

Those successes had DMac all jacked up about heading to the river again this week...until he saw all those 20-mph winds forecast for the next few days. As he aptly put it, "Our Virginia water will be vacationing in North Carolina."

In his latest note, DMac also let me know that, at the urging of his oldest son (who won two big-bass challenges last year in NC on a frog he gave the young 'un), he's now in the market for a legit bass boat to replace the tin boat he's been running. 'Twould seem son wants to get serious about his fishin'.

NPFL Bans Forward-Facing Sonar for 2025

That announcement came today from Brad Fuller, president of the National Professional Fishing League, which launched in March 2021.

Said Fuller, "After many sleepless nights and countless hours of discussions that touched every corner of the fishing industry, we at the NPFL have come to realize several important things about live forward-facing fishing technology.

"First, the issue is complex and compounded by the fact that it elicits an emotional response from many. Second, for rational discussions and decision-making, it's helpful to remove as much emotion from the process as possible. And third, there are serious policy and business ramifications associated with taking any position on this technology.

"There is no way to make every stakeholder happy where a technology policy is concerned. For what it's worth, I enjoy using forward-facing sonar in my personal fishing, and I'm grateful for what it's taught us about bass behavior. It's an incredible tool, and no matter your attitude toward the technology, it's undeniable that it's impactful for bass catching. Our concern at the NPFL is whether it's a proper tool for competitive bass fishing."

The president went on to point out that just like major league baseball, auto racing, and professional golf, tournament bass fishing needs rules to protect the integrity and appeal of the game.

"At NPFL," he explained, "we do not want competitive bass fishing to become a technology arms race, where anglers stare at a screen, targeting pixels and losing their connection to the fish we love so much. Forward-facing sonar is changing the ways that anglers approach competition and the ways that fans consume content. It's also reducing the methods and baits that anglers use to compete.

"Our sport is too important and too diverse to allow technology to shrink it to a handful of methods and tackle," he continued. "Robust competition requires variety, experience, and broad skills. It must be more than an expensive video game.

"The early sonar units of the 1950s were revolutionary. Since that time, most of the advancements have been changes of degree. With the introduction of FFS in 2018, the change was qualitative--a change in kind that threatens to alter the very nature of our sport. It's a technology we can appreciate and admire, without allowing it to undermine our ultimate goals: to deliver the highest level of competition in the fishing world, to raise the sport to greater heights, and to share our passion.

"Starting with the 2025 season, the NPFL will prohibit the use of real-time imaging units--commonly referred to as 'live forward-facing sonar'--during official practice and competition. Other sonar (e.g., 2D, side imaging, 360, et al.) will continue to be permitted. The use of future technology will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

"The 2025 NPFL Championship will be conducted using 2024 rules. It's only fair that the anglers who qualified for the Championship be allowed to compete under the same rules with which they qualified.

"We considered intermediate measures that fell short of a complete restriction but believe they would be insufficient to protect the sport. Limiting transducers or screens or only allowing the technology on certain days or hours are half measures that may quiet some opponents of the technology, but they are unlikely to reduce its impact.

"Our decision was neither easy nor made quickly. It is ultimately a business decision made after much due diligence and unclouded by conflicting business relationships. We are committed to upholding the tradition and integrity of competitive bass fishing.

"This decision will be met with some approval and some criticism, but we're confident that this is the right decision at the right time for the sport and for the NPFL."

Original story by Brad Fuller. Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons.

Note: This decision by NPFL does not impact the other two professional bass-fishing organizations: Bassmaster and Major League Fishing.

OK, So Maybe You're No Good at Reading Tea Leaves, But...

How good are you at reading what fish are trying to tell you by the way they're hooked? Don't laugh, 'cause there's a message in how every fish you catch is hooked. That's not what I say, but rather, what the folks at Wired2Fish say.

They understand it's tempting to unhook your catch quickly and keep casting, but their advice is to first take a few seconds and make note of a few things...important things, that is, which may spell the difference between your having a good or bad day.

For example, if you're fishing a lure that the bass are continuously sucking down toward the back of their throats, it's a safe bet you're doing the right thing. Major adjustments aren't required in this situation.

To drill down a bit farther, though, this also can help you determine the most productive areas on a particular fishery. When you're only getting a few bites, but the fish are choking your lure, that might signal that you're missing part of the puzzle. Your bait selection is spot-on, but perhaps it's time to start checking other areas. It can be as simple as switching from primary to secondary points, or even a slight change in casting angles can be a huge difference maker. If the bites are few and far between, don't be afraid to branch out to different areas.

On the other hand, when you're fishing crankbaits or jerkbaits, you'll sometimes notice the fish are being hooked in the bottom of the jaw...not in the mouth, but under their chin. This isn't a big deal for your landing percentage, as that's usually a high-percentage area for hooks to grab. However, it signals you could be missing out on an even hotter bite.

This situation often means you're fishing a bit too deep in a particular area. Given the popular belief that bass prefer to feed upward...attacking baits from underneath...you should try keeping your moving baits a bit higher in the water column than where you believe the bass are sitting. You'll likely catch a few fish while running your jerkbaits and crankbaits under them, but you'll catch a lot more with a slight depth adjustment.

As an example, if you're fishing a 10-foot diving crankbait over a point and hooking bass under the jaw, try switching to a 6-foot diving crankbait. The difference sometimes can be remarkable.

Then, there are those times when you'll hook a big bass on the outside of the mouth. When using treble hooks, this gives a bass a lot more opportunity...and leverage...to twist the hooks during the fight and come unbuttoned.

Bass hooked outside the mouth also can mean they swiped at your lure out of reaction or pure predatory instinct...not because they're actively feeding. This can be your clue that repeated casts will produce more action on that particular day. When bass are lethargic, it's not unusual to have outstanding success by making up to a dozen casts at each good-looking piece of cover. A big bass very well could be there, but you'll have to make it mad enough to swat at your lure.

And finally, there's the situation that can result in your losing fish throughout the day. When using treble-hooked moving baits, it's never ideal to hook fish on only the back hook. The message here is that they want your lure, but something isn't quite right. This  is where experimentation comes into play.

It's tough to change baits when you're getting bit, but more times than not, it leads to greater things. Avoid being stubborn, and try several different things. Understand that there's no cut-and-dried solution here. It could be a slight color change, switching to rattling vs. non-rattling model, or even adding a dot with a marker that gives the bass something to target. Some people even may try changing to a red hook on the front of their bait. If those changes don't work, you might try switching from a 1.5 to a 2.5-sized squarebill (or vice versa). Try not to be robotic or resistant to change. Small things can make a big difference.

Granted, They Don't Look Like Much...

And there may be flashier, sexier-looking crankbaits on store shelves today, but "these little dudes flat-out still catch 'em"...bass, that is, as noted by accomplished angler, former guide, and Wired2Fish writer Walker Smith. The crankbaits in question here is none other than Tom Mann's Baby 1 Minus. "I'm telling you," said Smith, "big bass absolutely will gag on these crankbaits in just inches of water."

A lot of shallow crankbaits from the past had a serious issue with durability. For instance, many would split, crack and break in half after just a few weeks of abuse. The Baby 1 Minuses, however, were made to be slammed into all types of cover in order to entice ridiculous reaction strikes...and that's exactly what Smith always has done with these baits.

"I bang 'em on rocks, dock posts, stumps, and laydowns every time I use them, and I've never had a single one break on me," he said. "It has a one-piece molded body and lip, so bill separation never is anything you need to worry about. Regardless of how many errant casts you make (boy! can I ever relate to that!), or how often you crank thick stuff, the bill stays in place without any special precautions."

As Smith also pointed out, "The paint on these crankbaits also is very durable, which is a major selling point for me. After a few months, you'll notice a little hook rash on the side of the body, but I've never seen it bad enough to alter the color quality or appearance of the lure. When you bang around in shallow cover, you won't have to worry much about rock chips, slips or anything of the sort."

So, why does anyone want or need a crankbait that only runs an advertised 1 foot deep? The answer is simple. While you always can high-stick deeper running squarebills when fishing super-shallow water, you run into trouble when trying to set the hook on a fish. In high-sticking, you're forced to set the hook upward, which drives the top of the lure's body (the part with no hooks) into the roof of the bass' mouth and risks pulling the bait away from them. You avoid this risk when you can set the hook to the side.

Continued Smith, "The Baby 1 Minus gives you two awesome options in shallow water. If you utilize a slow retrieve speed, you'll notice it bulging right beneath the surface. When it's early morning, and the bass are aggressive and 'feeding up,' this lure can be an awesome way to whack a quick limit. This also is a great presentation to use when fishing over submerged vegetation.

"If you keep your rod tip further down and retrieve the Baby One Minus at a moderate speed, it dives about one foot deep, give or take a few inches, depending upon your line size and type. When fished in this manner, it has a surprisingly tight wobble. I know the words 'tight' and 'wobble' seem contradictory in regards to crankbait action, but hear me out. It doesn't have a very wide side-to-side swimming action, but the body of the lure rolls on its side throughout the retrieve. Whether you're fishing for aggressive bass or finicky post-frontal fish, the unique action of this crankbait will produce bites."

When you shake a Baby One Minus in your hand, it sounds like you're shaking a maraca. It has a bunch of internal beads that produce an authentic rattling sound, instead of a "thump" or "knock." Not surprisingly, it was designed like this for a reason.

"Most of the time (not all the time)," noted Smith, "bass inhabit insanely shallow-water depths when it's heavily stained or muddied. Muddy water is much denser than clear water, which allows it to warm quicker in direct sunlight. The heaviest stain often will be located close to the shoreline, due to precipitation runoff, so that's where you can find the bass. This time of year, bass want warmer water, which makes this situation a common occurrence.

"So when the bass are in this shallow, muddy water, they need a little help honing in on your lures," continued Smith. "They can't see very well, so extra sound and water displacement can be necessary. The Baby One Minus accomplishes this goal because its loud rattles and aggressive rolling action make it easier for the bass to locate."

In Smith's opinion, this little crankbait is a must-have for anyone who likes to fish shallow water. "It's built like a tank, it operates effectively in skinny water, and its rattles are great weapons in dirty water," he explained.

It's a Matter of Finding a Kicker or Getting Kicked in the Teeth...So To Speak

That pretty much spells the difference between winning or losing a bass tournament...on any level, from local open groups, to bass clubbers, and, of course, the pros.

Read an article recently by Texas pro Todd Faircloth (left), in which he described some of his tournament philosophies that have helped him catch bigger bass and win competitions over the years.

As he explained, "I sometimes hear a tournament fisherman say something like, 'I just go out there and fish hard all day and bring my best five to the scales.' That's fine, but without any way to measure performance throughout the day, you're fishing blind and can't make the kind of adjustments necessary to be successful. You can't afford to wait until you get to the scales to find out if you had a good day or not. I always have a weight in mind before I launch my boat each day.

"That number might be big, or it might be small, depending on the fishery involved, but it's important," continued Faircloth. "It's the number I have to reach to be competitive and to get paid. And while some people will tell you that they only fish to win, or that they never fish for a check, the reality is that checks and tournament points are important. They pay the bills and get you the championship. If you ignore them, you'll have problems."

Faircloth cited an example of what he was talking about.

"Let's say my target number is 12 pounds for a five-bass limit. I have confidence that 12 pounds a day will get me in the money and keep me competitive," he said. "Hopefully, in practice, I've found the bass to do that, and I can catch them pretty quickly. Time is critical in a bass tournament. We're all fishing under the gun, and the guys who manage their time best tend to cash the most checks.

"Once I reach that target weight, my comfort level goes up, and I'm ready to explore and try something different. Until then, I'm doing all I can just to catch the quality fish I need to get there. I want lots of bites from respectable bass until I reach that target.

"My tournament mindset always has been to go for a limit first and to upgrade later. If I know where I can go and catch lots of 2-and-a-half pounders quickly, I'll do that, rather than go to another spot where the bass are bigger but the bites are fewer and farther between."

As noted by Faircloth, "That plan has to be flexible, too, and there are times when I'll go after big fish first and then work on a limit. An obvious time to do this is in the spring, when you've spotted a giant female or two on beds, and you have to go to them right away, before someone else does. Ordinarily, though, I'm focused on a limit first. When I have what I believe to be a respectable limit, I'm ready for some exploring."

Changing things up and getting away from his primary pattern is more than just changing locations. It's also about changing his mindset. Instead of wanting and needing lots of bites to fill a limit, Faircloth now is thinking about getting a couple of bites from the kind of bass that really will help his bottom line. He's not looking to cull up an ounce or two, but by several pounds.

"Over the years, I've caught most of my best bass from isolated cover," he said, "and that's usually where I'll go after I have a solid limit. The cover doesn't have to be big, but it does need to be away from other similar cover.

"I like to target isolated logs, boat docks, brush piles, mats of vegetation, or anything else that might hold a big fish," he continued. "The isolated cover is a big-fish magnet because it's the only holding area around, and other anglers often will overlook it, preferring to fish bigger spots that might hold more bass but which take a lot longer to fish and generally don't hold the biggest bass in the area.

"Once I have a solid limit, I also may consider making a long run to get to an out-of-the-way spot, or making another change that's otherwise too time-consuming or risky. Having a solid limit is freedom...to do other things that have the potential for a big payoff.

"A lot of guys will make those kinds of moves after they've had a bad first day or two in a tournament, but then it's almost always too late. You need to make those moves when you're in a position of strength and have the right mindset, not when you're in a position of weakness and pressing too hard."

Over the years, Faircloth has seen a lot of tournament fishermen really milk one spot.

"Maybe they're catching a bunch of 2 pounders on a main-lake point and have 10 or 11 pounds in the livewell. Instead of leaving those fish and going to look for a kicker that really will help them, they stay on the spot and continue to work it over, adding an ounce here and there but basically adding very little weight to their bag."

Faircloth thinks that is a mistake...for two reasons. First, that time could be used to make a real change in their catch. If they gamble just a little and try targeting some better fish, they could go from merely making a check to winning the tournament.

"You don't often do that by playing it safe with average fish," he explained.

Second, they might need those fish tomorrow. By catching too many today, they could be wrecking that spot or school for the rest of the tournament.

"They should be saving those bass," he said. "By culling all day with more average fish, they think they're gaining ounces, but they're really losing pounds from their catch over the next day or two.

"I'll be the first to admit that my method of upgrading a tournament catch doesn't always work, but neither does anything else," he continued. "What I can tell you is that it's worked for me a lot more often than not, and I'll be using it until I find something better. Of course, a little luck helps, too.

"'Hero or zero' is a popular phrase for the guys who gamble with their tournament strategy." According to Faircloth, though, "It doesn't have to be that way. I much prefer 'hero or still-in-the-money.'"

During my research for the aforementioned, I also ran across a piece by the late Ed Harp of Georgetown, OH, detailing some top kicker bass baits used by three of the pros for tournament success. Those pros included Bobby Gentry, Ish Monroe, and Bill Lowen. Following are their suggestions.

The list of choices for longtime professional guide and seasoned tournament angler Bobby Gentry (left) starts with the Norman DD22 Crankbait. "I nearly always throw a shad pattern that'll match the local forage. There's nothing better for deep largemouths. It gets down quick, forces reaction bites from neutral bass, and is big enough to get the attention of heavyweights." Gentry's approach is simple enough. He locates drops, ledges, stumps, rocks, or shell beds in 15-25 feet of water and then cranks them from every angle imaginable and with every technique imaginable. Basically, he circles his spot and brings his bait back slow and fast, steady and with jerks, bouncing off everything in the area until he finds what they want.

Gentry's second choice is the 10-and-one-half-inch Zoom Old Monster Worm, which he uses whenever largemouths are shallow. "I fish it on a Carolina rig with a half-ounce sinker, a couple of beads, and a 3-to-4-foot leader," he said. "The idea is to get something that'll attract big fish and that can be worked through stumps, rocks or weeds. This bait is perfect for that style of fishing. Any color will do, so long as it's plum." His favorite technique is to pull the worm along, while allowing it to float up a bit and then slowly settle back to the bottom. Most of the strikes come while the bait is lying motionless on the bottom. He cautions anglers not to be in a hurry, regardless of what the clock says.

Gentry's last choice is a Texas-rigged Zoom Brush Hog or Baby Brush Hog for big smallmouth. "I can't tell you how many smallmouths between 3-and-a-half and 5 pounds I've caught just dragging or hopping one in green pumpkin or watermelon on the end of a main-lake point. Use a heavy enough weight to keep the bait on the bottom and move it along until you get a bite. The idea is to show lethargic smallmouths something different...something they've never seen before. Few giant smallies ever have seen one of these before, especially one that's Texas-rigged. If they aren't in the mood for a Brush Hog, go back to the DD22."

California native Ish Monroe (right) has two favorite choices, starting with his Snag Proof Ish's Phat Frog. "This is my go-to bait when I need a big bass, and it's reasonably shallow. This frog has a lot of bulk and can be worked through the nastiest stuff in a body of water where giants live. I try to keep it in the strike zone as long as possible and change my retrieve from quiet to noisy, as necessary," said Monroe. "Color is optional. Pick one you like, and then change if necessary."

Monroe's second choice is Jerry Rago Swimbaits. "If the bass are a little deeper, and there's no topwater bite, I'll almost always go with this swimbait," he said. "There's nothing on the planet that's as natural-looking or as versatile for big fish. You can fish them shallow or deep, fast or slow, and around almost any kind of structure or cover." In the spring and fall, or anytime they're releasing trout, Monroe throws a rainbow trout pattern in the same size as the fish they're releasing. Beyond that, his primary goal is to match the prevailing forage. Swimbaits are not reaction baits...they mimic natural forage.

If the bass you fish for aren't super-sized, you might be interested to know the choices of Bill Lowen (left), starting with the D&L Jig, with Tightline UV Beaver Trailer. "If I need a largemouth kicker at the end of the day on a Midwest or Northern lake or river, I'll be pitching and flipping," he said. "My lure choice will be a one-quarter- or three-eighth's-ounce D&L Jig in black and blue, with a matching Tightline UV Beaver as a trailer. I'll toss it into the heaviest stuff I can find, no matter if it's grass, wood, rock, or a combination of some or all of them. My goal is to get inside places where other anglers can't or won't go and find the bass they missed." That combination allows his presentation to work its way down fast enough to get a reaction bite but slow enough to give the fish a good chance to get it in the heavy cover he's fishing.

Lowen's second choice is a Brass 'n' Blades Double Willow-Leaf Spinnerbait. "When I want to catch a big smallie, I go with this bait. The blades should be at least Nos. 4 and 5, but a 4-and-one-half and 5-and-one-half size is even better. My colors are standard: chartreuse or white." This lure allows Lowen to fish almost anywhere. It will handle weeds and grass, as well as rock and wood, and will withstand the abuse monster bass routinely dish out.

For 2nd Week in Row, Top 3 Tourney Weights Nearly the Same

I'm not kiddin' ya; the top three spots last Saturday totaled 41.05 pounds, and the top three today came in at 39.08. The way I see things, you can't get much closer than that. What does it mean? I think the simple answer is that the fishing is tough right now...as I've already said in another recent post. It's just "that time of the year again."

Overall, today's tournament gang consisted of 17 anglers in 10 boats. Collectively, they weighed 44 bass for a total weight of 87.88 pounds and an average weight per fish of 1.99 pounds. Here are the folks who went home with a little payday for their efforts:

The team of (from left) Don Carter and Rob Peppers took 1st place with five fish weighing 14.94 pounds. Their big fish crossed the scales at 4.43 pounds. They also took the day's only side pot.

The team of (from left) Dave Dozier and Michael Brewer claimed 2nd place with five fish weighing 13.73 pounds. They didn't weigh a big fish.

And 3rd place went to Gabe Himmelwright, who also brought five fish to the scales, for a total weight of 10.41 pounds. He also had the tournament's big fish, which weighed in at 4.90 pounds.

Here is how everyone else finished the day:
     * Jim Crist had five fish, weighing 10.18 pounds...no big fish.
     * The husband-wife team of Andy and Diana Morath had five fish, weighing 9.79 pounds...no big fish.
     * The team of Dave Anderson and Gary Coderre had five fish, weighing 8.82 pounds...no big fish.
     * The team of Wayne Hayes and Ken Testorff had five fish, weighing 8.12 pounds...no big fish.
     * Mark Ingram had five fish, weighing 6.38 pounds...no big fish.
     * The team of Jim Leavis and Tommy Dewittt had four fish, weighing 5.51 pounds...no big fish.
     * The team of Craig Jones and Rob Chatham didn't weigh any fish.

Two more anglers now are eligible to fish our season-ending Classic tournament as a result of having now fished five qualifying events. The latest additions to the list include Diana Morath and Jim Crist. The current total now eligible to fish the Classic is 19.

Congratulations to all of today's winners, and thanks to all those who came out to give it the old college try. For planning purposes, our next tournament is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 15. Stay tuned to this space and/or your email for details as that date draws closer.

Dewey's Tournament Scheduled for Tomorrow

The tournament director says, barring the unforeseen, we still will be launching from West Neck Marina in the morning as scheduled. All other details as published in my note of yesterday remain the same, too.

Call 'Em "Dog Days" or "Summer Doldrums"; Either Way, They're the Pits

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell us that late summer is a tough time to bass fish. As observed by Virginia's John Crews (right), "Many of the fish are suspended, and they're about as hard to catch as it gets. At the same time, others are super deep. Still others are shallow. Along with all of that, a fair number of bass are relating to structure."

So, yeah, it's tough fishing, but as Crews added, "At the same time, it presents us with a wealth of opportunity. It's a matter of the glass being half full, instead of half empty."

Crews went on to note that, when it comes to shallow bass, "there's no better way to target them than with a topwater bait. Buzzbaits, Whopper Ploppers, Zara Spooks, frogs, toads, and Pop-Rs will all get their attention. The trick to being successful is to alternate your topwater offerings until you start getting bites. Not every lure will do that. Sometimes, they want a little noise, and sometimes they want things soft and subtle. It's our job to figure that out.

"I'm not going to tell you there are any hard and fast rules," continued Crews, "but here's the way I select my baits, at least to start. Buzzbaits are good around light cover. Whopper Ploppers cover bare banks really well, and a Zara Spook or Pop-R can be the deal when you're targeting weed lines."

Another great bait this time of year, according to Crews, is a crankbait.

"The key to being successful with them is to make sure there are baitfish around," he said. "There is something about the vibration of a crankbait in the late summer and fall that gets their attention.

"At SPRO, we have a complete line of crankbaits that'll cover most every depth you'll be fishing," continued Crews. "When they aren't too deep, I really like a Little John. It's a great fall lure, and because the water is clear in most lakes and rivers in the late summer and early fall, they can see it from a ways away, as well as feel it."

A man who seconds that motion about crankbaits is David Fritts (left).

According to him, "A lot of guys feel more comfortable in August fishing way up the river or way in the back of creeks. That's because they can find current. What's good to know is that, in this situation, bass will get on flat-sided crankbaits when nothing else will work, especially if you've had plenty of rain and there's water moving where you're fishing."

The last bait--really a technique--that Crews mentioned is a drop shot, which is about as subtle and natural as you can get. Another nice thing he pointed out is that it can be fished at any depth, depending on how you rig it.

Crews uses spinning tackle for this technique. He pays special attention to the color of the baitfish.

"It seems like color matters more with a drop shot than it does with some other lures," he noted. "It's critical that you match the hatch."

Color also matters to Fritts. As he pointed out, "Your chartreuse colors start to come back in August. I love the rubbertail bream and lone ranger colors, which are sort of a chartreuse baby bass and chartreuse/silver back. Your baitfish colors like honey shad and chartreuse/blue also will be good. The first two colors, though, are extremely good for getting big bites."

Even though it's hot in August, and the fish don't seem to be interested in many offerings, Fritts urges anglers to keep looking for them in places that are off the beaten path, away from all the rest of the boats and fishermen.

"Bear in mind that August also is the start of the time of year when fish really start hanging around wood better than anything else," said Fritts. "You start seeing them around isolated brush and stumps. You just have to fish enough places to find ones where they're biting. At Buggs Island, for example, out of 100 brush piles you fish, you might only find 10 where they're biting."

As both Crews and Fritts urged, "Give these suggestions a chance, and I'm guessing you'll be glad you did."

Dewey's Tournament Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024

Launch site is West Neck Marina. Registration will open at 4:45 and cut off sharply at 5:45...DON'T BE LATE!!! Boats will shove off from the boat basin at 6:15...in no particular order. Weigh-in will be at 2:30...all boats again must be in the boat basin at that time. And finally, check this space again on Friday, Aug. 23, to make sure nothing in these details have changed for any reason (e.g. low water or otherwise). As always, call Wayne (757-478-3387) if you have questions.