Alabama Rigs Weren't the First To Sport Multiple Lures

Renowned lure designer and inventor of the original umbrella rig, Andy Poss, released the Alabama Rig to the public in 2010. However, as I learned from my research in recent days, there were two-lure bass rigs already being used prior to that date to catch more than one fish at a time.  According to outdoor writer George Fiorille, the two-lure tactic was designed to imitate a small school of baitfish, which will get the attention of multiple bass more quickly than a single offering.

It also was surmised that these two-lure rigs may have looked like a larger forage species trying to eat a smaller one. And bass, being prime-time opportunists, as fishery biologists tell us, would see the presentation as an ideal feeding moment. It made sense then that one or more minnows swimming erratically by would be more enticing to a bass than just one offering.

The history of two-lure rigs dates back to when Heddon and Rebel introduced the Drop Zara Spook and Drop Pop-R, respectively. These lures, which consisted of the plug, along with a jig attached via dropper line, were used to catch fish that missed the topwater bait and could be caught on the second dropping lure.

Lunker Lure also introduced the Carolina Jig Weight some years ago. This rubber jig rig is intended to replace the weight on a Carolina rig. With this setup, you have one lure at the weight and another at the end of the leader. Although both rigs have accounted for fish that otherwise would not have been caught, neither proved to be a huge success.

It wasn't until bass pro Terry Scroggins used a two-lure rig to score victories in the 2001 CITGO Bassmaster Eastern Open on the St. Johns River, as well as the January 2003 CITGO Bassmaster Tour on Lake Okeechobee, that these setups came into their own. Scroggins went on to win more than 300 tournaments on the St. Johns River with the two-lure rig.

While most of Scroggins' fish were caught on a Carolina-rigged Zoom finesse worm, some key fish also were taken on a gold/green Heddon Zara Spook, with a white Norman Front Runner teaser tied inches in front of it. He used the Spook whenever he spotted schooling bass periodically surfacing in the areas he was fishing.

Tournament angler Mark Burgess also used the same two-lure setup as Scroggins.

"Although it's rare to catch two fish at a time on the rig, you can do it," he said. "It's a great rig to get a quick limit...of usually smaller fish."

Burgess especially liked to throw the rig in tournament practice to help find schools of active fish. He preferred using the rig on clear bodies of water that had lots of smallmouth bass, such as Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. He used other two-lure rigs as well.

While fishing a tournament on Lake Hartwell in Georgia, a premier clear topwater lake, a local angler showed Burgess a two-lure rig using two Zoom Super Flukes. The Lake Hartwell rig consisted of tying your main line first to a three-way swivel. Then you tied leaders of approximately 1 and 2 feet long to each of two swivel eyes. Next, you tied on two unweighted hooks and rigged two soft-plastic jerkbaits on the hooks. Burgess used a pink jerkbait to ride on top and a silver jerkbait on the other hook. He cast the rig over points and extended sandbars and worked back to resemble a small school of baitfish that were fleeing. The rig could be used during postspawn periods to find schools of females suspended over deep water.

Meanwhile,  Alan McGuckin, public relations and promotions manager for Terminator lutes and an avid bass angler, used a unique two-lure Carolina rig. He first slid a half-ounce Top Brass sinker on his main line. Next he tied on a three-way swivel. Then he tied on a short leader with Berkley 20-pound-test Big Game line to one swivel eye. The first leader--only being about 4 to 6 inches long--was connected to a 1/0 or 2/0 Mustad Mega Bite hook. Next, McGuckin attached the same hook to a 3-foot leder on the other swivel eye with 15-pound-test Berkley Big Game line. McGuckin liked to use either a Gene Larew Salt Craw or Twin-Tail Skirted Grub with the shorter leader. On the longer leader, he liked to use either a Gene Larew Salty Lizard or a HooDaddy.

The reason he used 20-pound test on the shorter leader was because it was so short there was no room to give," explained McGuckin. "I catch about half of my fish on the short-leader lure and the other half on the long-leader bait. No matter what level of angler I'm fishing with when I use the rig, I'm always questioned about the setup."

As allowed by writer Fiorille, the rigs mentioned here more than likely are not the only two-lure rigs used by bass fishermen today. With ever increasing pressure on bass-fishing waters, anglers are coming up with unique ways to catch bass. By employing two lures on your line at once, you, too, can increase the odds of finding and catching more fish.

A Man With a Bass Boat for Sale

Rob Peppers is his name, and bass fishing is his game.

The boat in question is a 2006 Ranger 520VX, powered by a 2018 Evinrude outboard.

If interested in knowing all the other particulars, give Rob a call or send him a text at 757-404-4012.

He asked me to keep it "short and sweet," and I'm aimin' to please.

Pride Runs Deep in This Family...And Rightfully So!

 

Had a conversation and some email swaps with my longtime friend, Jim Bauer, in the last couple of days, including a report about a nice fish (right) his great-grandson, Jackson, caught while fishing with his dad, Philip, from the bank of a neighborhood pond. They surmise the bass was gearing up to build a bed.

Seems it took Jackson a while to entice the "big girl" into taking his bait, a wacky-rigged Senko, but alas, he was successful. It turned out to be the only fish they caught that particular outing, but seeing as how her estimated weight was around 4 pounds, both father and son...and for that matter, the grandfather, too...were all mighty proud of the catch.

I as well share in their joy because, as I learned, Jackson was using the baitcast rod I passed to Jim sometime ago to give to the young man. The rod had a busted reel seat at the time I passed it along, but the boy and his dad put it back in working shape with a little two-part epoxy.

I take my hat off and extend a hearty Well Done! to both Jackson and Philip on a mighty fine catch.

Being Dragged by My Heels, Kicking and Screaming All the Way...

That pretty well describes how I have navigated the electronics age we live in today. It all started while I was serving as the assistant public affairs officer at the old Naval Supply Center. I'll never forget the day my boss at the time came and told me that my dear ol' typewriter was soon going to be replaced with a Wang computer. Let's just say the happy little smile on her face soon changed when I told her what she basically could do with that Wang.

And later, when the dreaded piece of new equipment showed up on my desk, and she realized I wasn't just discontented but was armed for "war," she and I ended up having many "heart to heart" conversations, which usually ended in a stalemate. Let's just say she was ill-prepared to deal with a retired Navy chief, especially one who never had a problem telling someone else what he thought...whether they wanted to hear it or not. She seemed taken aback by the thought of having to do battle with me for the long haul.

Long story short, though, technicians eventually installed the Wang, I attended some classes to learn how to operate it, and my boss and I signed a truce...followed shortly thereafter by my taking a new job.

Then came cellphones, which I actually welcomed at first. It gave me peace of mind, having a means of communication anytime I was on the water alone. What I didn't realize, however, was the giant pain in the arse cellphones soon would evolve into. Once they reached the pocket size, complete with Internet access, and people could drive down the road while yakking to all their friends or playing games, my opinion of them changed dramatically.

It's anything but pleasant to get behind someone wobbling all over the road while trying to talk on their cellphone or get stuck behind someone who sits through a whole light-change cycle because they're paying more attention to the phone than their driving. It's just a crying shame about all you can do to people like that is lay on your horn.

However, I did see a bit more justice meted out one summer day a few years ago. Seems a car full of young folks had the car stereo cranked up at a traffic light they were ignoring, and a fella in a jacked-up pickup in the next lane tossed his iced drink into their convertible (with the top down, I might add) as he passed by 'em. Can't remember a time when I ever laughed any harder.

And finally, I come to the topic of all the electronic devices that you find on bass boats today...all of which, as far as I'm concerned, are nothing more or less than trip hazards looking for a place to nab the first unsuspecting soul. More importantly, though, I think too many people are letting themselves be blindsided by what all these "gimmicks" are doing to our sport.

You don't have to take my word for it. Click on the following link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FJVq90_CYU) and listen to what one of the "grandfathers" of our sport, Hank Parker, had to say  recently about the topic of forward-facing sonar. His comments are included as part of the Randy Blaukat show at the above link.

April Showers Bring May Flowers...

We've all likely heard that oft-repeated phrase and know it to be true. However, there can be a downside to that rain, insofar as fishermen are concerned, especially if it's the kind that resembles "a cow peeing on a flat rock." Specifically, when springtime rains...of any kind...begin, a bass angler has to adjust to changing conditions in order to be successful.

Initially, fish may hold at the original water level before moving shallow. But soon afterward, bass adjust to rising water, presenting opportunities for catching aggressive feeding bass by following the water as it rises into newly flooded areas of shallow water. A smart angler is one who first starts ultra-shallow (if the water temperature permits) and works to deeper water.

Fish visible cover, such as trees, buck brush, and laydown trees, as well as lawns, pastures and other clean areas with "search lures," such as spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, topwater baits, and shallow-running crankbaits. When contact is made with a fish, take note of the depth, type of cover, lure retrieve, and how the fish took the bait. Then slow down and repeat the scenario. Use slower baits, such as jerkbaits, lizards, worms, jigs, etc., to pick off any of the less aggressive fish and to find larger bass that may not have bitten on the first pass.

Another consideration when fishing after heavy rains is the influx of muddy water (e.g., when visibility is restricted to 12 inches or less while using a white bait). Bass in lakes that are clear will be affected more than bass that live in stained water. When a lake muddies, the fish "should" move shallow and tight to cover. This makes it easy for an angler to locate fish. Just look for any visible cover, such as logs, stumps and laydowns.

Also consider fishing vegetation. Grassy areas help filter the water and will clear up faster than non-grassy areas. Remember to slow down and try to keep the bait in the strike zone as long as possible. First try horizontal baits, such as spinnerbaits (with chartreuse blades and skirts, as well as black baits with copper blades), jerkbaits, crankbaits, and topwater baits. Chartreuse and bright reds and black are preferred for jerkbaits and crankbaits. Use crankbaits with rattles and a wide wobble to displace lots of water to help bass locate the bait.

If these baits don't produce, try bulky vertical baits, such as jigs-n-pigs, brushhogs, worms, and craw-worms that stay in the strike zone longer. Shake the plastics while fishing cover to trigger a strike and help bass find your lure. Also remember that scent and sound become more of a factor when water muddies. Try using rattles on soft plastics, or use baits that make a lot of noise. And use scent on plastics to increase your chances of a strike. Above all, FISH SLOWLY!

When waters begin to recede, fishing can get really tough. Fish will become inactive and suspend. Often, they will move into deeper water, suspending around cover or near break lines away from the bank and shallows. Try moving out to the next line of visible cover away from the bank in your search for fish. Use a slow methodical approach to your fishing. Remember to try to appeal to the bass' senses of sight, sound and taste, as well as reaction baits. If the reactionary flash of a spinnerbait doesn't produce, try vertical plastics and jigs fished slowly, making repeated casts to cover to entice a strike.

You have to be confident the fish are there, so be patient and persistent. Keep the bait in the strike zone, and keep up your confidence. If the fish are there, they will eventually bite.

This is a slightly altered version of an earlier article by outdoor writer Danny Russell.

Another Old-School Bait That's Still Hard to Beat

The centipede, made by Zoom, has its roots in "French fry" style soft plastics, so-called because they resemble a crinkle-cut fry. Back in the day, this 4-inch piece of flat, bumpy, soft plastic was most popularly dragged on a 3- or 4-foot leader behind a heavy weight as the business end of a Carolina rig.

One of the last crinkle-cut fry baits left, Zoom's centipede is the easiest to find at well-stocked tackle shops.

As noted by Dave Mull, a kayak angler and writer, "One of the cool things about being older is seeing how certain lures fall out of popularity but then make a resurgence. That's certainly the case with the centipede," he said.

"When the Carolina rig fell out of fashion, so did the centipede," he continued. "Necessity is the mother of invention, but in an angler's world, it's more accurate to say running out of one kind of lure can lead to trying another that's similar. Sometimes the replacement proves to be more effective than the original."

Such was the case for young Cooper Nutting of Grand Rapids, Michigan. A bass angler talented enough to earn a bass-fishing scholarship to Auburn University in Alabama, Nutting had run out of a favorite Bass Pro Shops worm he liked for wacky rigging, so he tried a Zoom centipede, instead. And, as you may have guessed, the result was so good that a wacky-rigged centipede took up permanent residence in his arsenal.

"I think it's the rate it falls that makes it so effective in shallow water," said Nutting, who puts a light-wire hook through the middle of the bait, so that slight twitches can make both ends wiggle. However, he usually doesn't twitch it, instead allowing it to sink slowly to the bottom.

"I want it to soak a while," he noted. "I might give it some real light twitches, but mostly I just want it to sink slowly. The No. 1 size Neko hook from VMC that he uses is lightweight and doesn't speed the fall.

Mull watched Cooper catch several fish right at the end of a kayak bass tournament one summer (enough to beat him) and couldn't see what he was using until afterward, when he asked him. The young fella was forthcoming about his wacky-rigged centipede, explaining that it had saved more than one fishing session for him.

Said Mull, "I don't know what fish find so attractive about a bumpy piece of soft plastic, but it must have some intrinsic appeal. After editing a story about how effective a centipede is as a finesse presentation when Texas-rigged, I gave it a try. Initial results were so good that a centipede on a 1/0 Matzuo hook with a sliding, 1/8-ounce bullet sinker in front of it nearly always is now tied on one of my rods whenever I go bass fishing."

The writer went on to note that it's an easy lure to use and catches fish of all sizes..."a great one to tie on especially for someone new to bass fishing," he said. "I  like to throw it upstream and reel up slack, while the current pushes the lure back to me. Since the hook point is stuck in the plastic, it doesn't often snag. In lakes, it's a good lure for easing through weed beds, too."

As a result of Mull's success with fishing the centipede this way, he started replacing the standard 4-inch finesse worms on split-shot rigs with centipedes, which proved successful.

In one kayak tournament on Muskegon Lake, Mull needed two more fish with just a half-hour to go and caught both on a split-shot centipede rig, tossing it across a wind-blown point. It was enough for a third-place finish. A couple days later, in a night tournament, he caught all four of his fish on a bait from the same package. Besides catching the big bass of the tournament, he finished third among 20 competitors, with just four fish.

There is one final way to rig a centipede, as described to Mull by Mark Zona, who told him about how a flat-sinking, weightless centipede provokes bites from neutral bass. Zona had learned to rig the centipede Tex-posed on a 5/0 extra-wide-gap hook and fish it without additional weight.

About a month later, Mull had a chance to try a Tex-posed centipede on Lake Superior...before the start of the bass spawning season. The local giant smallmouths were everywhere but were ignoring most lures until Mull and some of his buddies started throwing the centipede. The fish couldn't resist that slow-sinking soft plastic, and they caught lots of 'em, including some trophy-sized specimens.

"So, if you want to try a simple lure for bass, try a centipede," concluded Mull. "It's one of those old-school lures that's still around and still catches fish."

For Pro DeFoe, It's All About Keeping Bass Fishing Simple

KISS, an acronym for "keep it simple, stupid!", is a design principle first noted by the U.S. Navy in 1960. First seen partly in American English by at least 1938, the KISS principle states that most systems work best if they are kept simple, rather than made complicated. Therefore, simplicity should be a key goal in design, and unnecessary complexity should be avoided.

Pro angler Ott DeFoe of Blaine, TN, seems to have learned that principle well in nearly 30 years of fishing bass tournaments. However, he doesn't claim credit for the success he has enjoyed, instead opting to give God all the glory. "His divine intervention has been the key," said DeFoe.

Here's a man who tries not to think about tomorrow until tomorrow arrives. He also doesn't think about yesterday, because that day already has passed, and that means he can't do anything about it. Similarly, he only thinks about the next bass he hopes to catch when he's fishing.

"After I catch that bass and put it in the boat, I generally don't think about it either, instead concentrating on catching the next bass. In the four days of a Bassmaster tournament, I likewise try to fish one day at a time, fish for only one bass at a time, and make the most of every day I have to fish," said DeFoe.

When fishing a tournament, this pro usually doesn't start using a new technique or lure, or listening to what other contestants are telling him that they believe are the best patterns and the most productive lures to use on a given day.

Of course, I know a few other fellas...one in particular...who chooses to blow off dock talk, too. As a matter of fact, saw this "one other fella in particular" come up with his own idea just this past weekend, without any fanfare, and then prove, right before my very eyes, that it would work...extremely well, I might add. And from my subsequent Internet research, it appears that few, if any, other anglers must have tried this idea, because I could not find one documented case anywhere during my research.

As Ott DeFoe explained, "I just try to fish like I know how to fish. "For me, that's the nuts-and-bolts and meat-and-potatoes kind of bass fishing. If I have a bad first day of fishing a tournament, I may venture off the path.

"I fish a spinnerbait, a jig and a crankbait. I use lures that my grandpa taught me to fish with years ago. That doesn't mean I won't fish new lures," he continued. "One lure that was really hot for me one year was the Spy Bait, a fairly new lure at the time and a new technique for bass fishing. I mix new lures into my fishing as I feel I need to," he explained, "but basically, I fish to my strengths and use the lures and the techniques with which I feel I'm the best"...in other words, those that brought him to the dance.

For those who may not have familiarized themselves with the Spy Bait, it's a minnow-type hard bait with no lip that sinks, and the body resembles a jerkbait. It uses a very subtle finesse technique. It has a prop on the front and rear and looks much like a Devil's Horse topwater lure.

Noted DeFoe, "I'll cast this bait out and let it fall to the depth where I think fish are holding. Then I'll slowly reel it back to the boat. As I retrieve the bait, it will rock back and forth under the water."

The first year he used it, the bait was extremely effective on many of the smallmouth lakes he fished. However, it's also effective on largemouth and spotted bass.

Everybody Catches Fish in Season Opener

Looks like a lot of anglers have been suffering from cabin fever, if today's 2024 season opener of the Dewey Mullins Memorial Bass Tourney Series is any indication. A total of 22 anglers in 13 boats showed up at the Pungo Ferry boat ramp this morning to do battle against one another.

When the dust had settled from the 3 p.m. weigh-in, the tally sheet revealed that these anglers had caught a combined total of 63 bass, weighing a grand total of 124.31 pounds. The math further revealed an average weight per fish of 1.97 pounds.

Leading the charge today was the team of (from left) Donald Armstrong and Andy Morath, with a five-fish limit weighing 13.06 pounds. Their big fish weighed in at 4 pounds even. In addition to finishing in first place, they also went home with the bigger of two side pots.

Claiming second place and the smaller of the side pots was the team of (from left) Gary Coderre and Dave Anderson, whose five-fish sack weighed 12.29 pounds. They didn't have a big fish.

Finishing in third place today was the solo angler (right) Mark Ingram, who also brought five fish to the scales for a total weight of 11.28 pounds (after one dead-fish penalty). His big fish weighed 2.77 pounds.

Coming away in fourth place was the team of Wayne Hayes (left) and Ken Testorff (man behind the camera), whose five fish tipped the scales at 10.98 pounds. They didn't have a big fish.

And concluding the list of money winners today was the solo angler Gabe Himmelwright (right), with the tournament's big fish, which weighed 4.30 pounds. His total weight was 10.77 pounds (after one dead-fish penalty).

The remainder of the field finished in the following order:

     * Team of David Dozier and Richard Hall, five fish, total weight 10.78 pounds, no big fish.
     * Team of Steve Bailey and sister, Jennifer Hannah, five fish, total weight 10.44 pounds, no big fish.
     * Team of Doug LaBrecque and Aaron Leigh, five fish, total weight 9.77 pounds, no big fish.
     * Solo angler Bob Clarkson, five fish, total weight 8.41 pounds, no big fish.
     * Solo angler Chris Fretard, five fish, total weight 7.98 pounds, no big fish.
     * Team of Rob Peppers and Mike McCluskey, five fish, total weight 7.50 pounds, no big fish.
     * Team of Chris Vitovich and son, Sean Vitovich, four fish, total weight 6.21 pounds, no big fish.
     * Team of Jim Leavis and Ken Matthias, four fish, total weight 4.84 pounds (after one dead-fish penalty), no big fish.

Our next scheduled tournament is April 20th (exact times TBA). Everyone is provided details of all our events by email. To ensure you receive these notices, simply provide your email address to Ken Testorff, email: kenneth34@cox.net, if you haven't already done so.

In the meantime, congratulations to all of today's winners and thanks to everyone who came out to participate. Hope you keep coming back.

(Click anywhere on this chart for a larger version.)

Windy Days Can Be Bad Hair Days for Some...

Especially those of the fairer sex, like professional woman angler Kathy Magers (left), but when you're an old "chrome dome," like yours truly, a windy day on the water more likely becomes just a major battle with boat control. I even have difficulty remembering back to the day when I had enough hair for it to get in my eyes on a windy day of bass fishing.

You see, I was one of those unlucky dudes who started losing his hair while still only in my early 20s, debunking one of the great myths, I might add, that my dear ol' dad used to share with people during my childhood. He always was telling someone that his premature baldness was due to the fact he had had to wear a combat helmet so much in hot climates during World War II. For the record, I've never had to wear a combat helmet a day in my whole life, and yet I've been able to count the number of hairs on my head for the better part of 60 years.

Believe me, I was "crushed" when I had to give up my much prized DA (or "duck's ass" hairstyle for those who may not be old enough to have heard the term) at such a young age.

All that aside, though, I was reading an item the other day by Magers, who was talking about how, when she first began fishing tournaments, she always panicked anytime the wind forecast was more than 10 mph.

"I hated the wind because it made boat control challenging, drained trolling-motor batteries, caused constant backlashes, and left me with some 'punk' hairdos before they were in style," she said. "I detested the wind...it blew my mind and gave me a bad attitude. I was defeated before I ever made my first cast."

Then came a day, though, when Magers happened to read an article about the wind being a fisherman's friend. It said success would improve for those who quit fighting it and instead worked with it.

"So I studied that article in depth and began readjusting my attitude," she explained. "I learned the wind stirs the food chain and activates it so every level of life, from algae to baitfish, begin to move around, and the bite turns on. I also learned it's much harder to catch fish from slick water on still days.

"When others would complain, 'Oh, no--it's going to be a miserable windy day tomorrow,' they were subconsciously defeating themselves by worrying about it. Meanwhile, I thought, 'Oh great! The fish will be active. If I just throw the right lures and fish the best banks, I might load the boat.' It's incredible how attitude can make such a difference."

Magers further found that following a few common-sense rules prepared her well to handle the windy day. For example, instead of trolling with her bow into the wind and letting it eat up her batteries, she put the wind to her back and only used the trolling motor for occasional course corrections. In addition, she bought a wind sock (a cone-shaped canvas bag) and towed it behind her boat to slow the drift rate.

By listening to the weather forecast, Magers knew what wind velocity and direction to expect and prepared for it. Using a lake map, she marked fishable, wind-protected areas in case her open areas became vulnerable and dangerous. She knew calmer waters were warmer and attracted heavy female bass during the spring spawn, so she marked the most fishable of her practice waters. She omitted windy shorelines on days when winds were high and saved them for a calmer day.

"For safety's sake," she said, "I learned that launching near my best fishing areas eliminated the need to run and gun all over the lake, fighting heavy waves and whitecaps. I drove the boat slower in rough water, even coming off plane once the waves became too far apart to keep from falling in between them. Other boaters would come in breathless, telling horror stories of losing trolling motors and windshields in the rough water. It was apparent they simply had driven too fast in water that was too rough.

"Using heavier lures and tightening cast-control knobs lessened the number of backlashes I got," she continued. "I tried not to cast into the wind and kept it at my back when possible. Using line conditioners also helped. Fast-moving noisy lures like spinnerbaits and crankbaits produced more from windy banks because the wind activated those fish into a chasing mood. But the spawners stayed in warmer, protected waters."

Meanwhile, Magers always ensured the boat had plenty of gas and fully charged batteries. And while life vests were required by tournament rules when the big engine was running, she usually kept hers on when fishing rough water, just in case she fell overboard. She had fallen over once during a rainy, cold-weather tournament while wearing a heavy cold-weather suit and snow boots.

"I watched the surface light above grow dark as I sank, fearing my clothes would soak up water and pull me under," she explained. "Fortunately, the trapped air in my clothes popped me back to the surface instead.

"I always had heard that getting back into a boat is much more complicated than you think when wet, slippery, and wearing heavy, soaked clothing. Frightened beyond my wildest imagination, I remembered hearing about using the engine's lower unit for a step. I grabbed the engine in a bear hug and asked my partner to hit the trim switch. Sure enough, it worked, lifting me right up out of the water. Getting from the engine onto the back deck was still a challenge, but it was much easier than trying to climb up over the side of the boat. I promised to always file a 'float plan' or 'fishing plan' with someone any time I fished alone because had I been alone that day, I probably wouldn't have been around to write this column. Accidents do happen."

In concluding her article, Magers urged readers never to let their attitude defeat them if the weatherman predicts a windy fishing day.

"Instead, take heart," she said. "Try using these windy-day fishing trips to build self-confidence and put you in the winner's circle. Of course, there are limits. When small-craft warnings are posted, heed them. No one's life is worth losing over a fish. Be safe, good fishing, and remember: What matters most isn't the size or number of fish you catch but the memories you make. Don't forget the camera. And, by all means, wear your hat, so you can protect your hairdo."

A Lot of Anglers Have Cast 'Em Aside...

I'm talking about spinnerbaits, which seem to have lost favor about the same time bladed jigs came on the market. One fella who has kept them in his arsenal, however, is bass angler and Wired2Fish writer Walker Smith. In particular, he has spent a lot of time fishing the Advantage Double Willow Spinnerbait.

When the bass start moving shallow in the spring, he usually has this spinnerbait on his front deck. Why? Because the blades on this bait are no run-of-the-mill concoction.

In his words, "These blades emit the most flash I have ever seen in a spinnerbait...not by just a little bit, either," he said. "The difference is significant.

"You notice their unique appearance the moment you remove one of the baits from the package. The blades are made with what Advantage calls EFT (Extreme Flash Technology," Smith explained. "They produce a holographic flash underwater, and from first-hand experience, I can attest to their drawing power. I love fishing the bluegill color around shallow grass. You can see the bass waking toward the spinnerbait several feet away."

Smith described these blades as being much brighter than hammered blades, noting that they "have a jewelry-like clarity to them," adding that "whatever Advantage has figured out with the blades is something incredibly special."

Another reason for Smith's enthusiasm about this spinnerbait is its nice wire diameter.

"I don't like a big diameter," he said, "because I feel it restricts both the pulse of the lure and my ability to feel the blades turn. If a wire is too small, it'll break after only a handful of fish are caught on it.

"In my opinion," he continued, "the Advantage Double Willow Spinnerbait is a happy medium of the two extremes. It has an excellent pulse in the water, and I can easily feel the blades turn on a medium-heavy casting rod. It also has proven to be quite durable...haven't had any issues at all with the bait."

Smith went on to note that if you really lay the wood to a 5- or 6-pounder in heavy cover, the wire will bend, and the spinnerbait will open up a little bit...just like any other one you have. However, a quick adjustment with pliers is all it takes to get back to fishing.

Having seen a bunch of funky-looking spinnerbaits over the years, Smith is of the opinion that people try to do too much with the aesthetics at times, and they lose sight of making them look simple and realistic.

"I want my spinnerbait to look as much like a bluegill or shad as possible," he said. "I fish spinnerbaits a lot in the summer when we don't get much rain, so I have to deal with a bunch of clear water. I don't need a bunch of crazy stuff going on with my spinnerbait aesthetics. Just keep it simple."

The Advantage Double Willow Spinnerbait does a great job at toeing that line for Smith. It's simple looking but also features small, realistic details that fool a bunch of clear-water bass. And he also points out that the heads are all hand-painted, with each one having flared-gill highlights and ultra-realistic 3D eyes.

Something else that Smith digs about these baits are their skirts.

"I've never liked spinnerbait skirts that are held on by a cheap rubber band," he said. "They'll either shred after a few fish, or that rubber band quickly will dry rot in your tacklebox. You'll find this with a lot of bargain-bin spinnerbaits you see in tackle shops.

"These skirts, however, look awesome and stay intact without any issues. The color patterns are very realistic, and I like the two elongated strands on each skirt as well. They add a little more 'flow' underwater and add to the forage profile, in my opinion. The skirts are attached to the spinnerbaits with a heavy-duty band that doesn't slide down, and it keeps all the 90-strand silicone skirts in the perfect position.

"This is a great-looking spinnerbait for sure, but it performs even better. The blades spin freely at low speeds, the Mustad hook is an absolute tank, and the blades will blow your mind when you see 'em in the water," said Smith. "If you're a serious shallow-water angler, I'd definitely recommend that you try out one of these."

Lookin' for That Big 'Un to Fill Out a Tourney Limit

We've all been down that road more than a few times as the hands on our watches tick down toward weigh-in time. "What to do?" is the $64,000 question we all would like the answer to. Frantically running around the lake or river isn't ever a viable option. And, let's face it: Hoping for blind luck isn't a very good strategy, either. In reality, we need something more...like a magic kicker bait.

Found an item by Ed Harp here recently, in which he had interviewed three bassin' legends...Bobby Gentry, Ish Monroe, and Bill Lowen...and asked what they use to, as Larry the Cable Guy says, "gitter done." Following is how they each responded to that question.

Longtime professional guide and seasoned tournament angler Bobby Gentry (right) knows the feeling we're talking about all too well. He's been there dozens of times and fished all over. His kicker choices begin with the Norman DD22 Crankbait.

"When I really need a big largemouth for a tournament, I reach for the DD22," said Gentry, who calls Dale Hollow Lake his home water. "I nearly always throw a shad pattern that'll match the local forage. There's really 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 to 25 feet of water and then cranks them from every angle imaginable and with every technique known to man. 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.

"I use the 10 1/2-inch Zoom Old Monster Worm whenever largemouths are shallow," he continued. "I fish it on a Carolina rig with a half-ounce sinker, a couple of beads, and a 3-to-4-foot leader. 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."

Gentry's 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 his 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.

If the situation calls for a big smallmouth ASAP, Gentry turns to a Texas-rigged Brush Hog or Baby Brush Hog.

"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," said Gentry.

There's nothing fancy here. Just 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. Despite the popularity of this lure, few giant smallies ever have seen one, especially one that's Texas-rigged. Take advantage of that. If they aren't in the mood for a Brush Hog, go back to the DD22.

"Don't believe that smallies always want a small lure with a finesse presentation," Gentry noted. "That's one of the biggest myths in bass fishing. Some of my best brown bass bags have come off my old DD22. They'll kill it when the bite is on."

California native and top-rated professional bass angler Ish Monroe (left) offers two lure choices for those afternoons when your back's against the wall, starting with the Snag Proof Ish's Phat Frog.

"This is my go-to bait when I need a big bass, and the fish are reasonably shallow," he said. "It's got a lot of bulk and can be worked through the nastiest stuff in the lake...the stuff 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. Color is optional. Pick one you like and then change if necessary."

Take note: Monroe is talking about big bass waters. He isn't fishing for bass less than 5 pounds, and a lot of times, even one that big won't do him any good. He wants a serious bass and is willing to fish a long time for one big bite.

"If the bass are a little deeper, and there's no topwater bite," said Monroe, "I'll almost always go with a Jerry Rago Swimbait. There's nothing on the planet as natural-looking, or as versatile, for a 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 hear how veteran angler and native of Brookville, Indiana Bill Lowen (right) has put the seal on his many victories.

"If I need a largemouth kicker at the end of the day on a Midwest or Northern lake or river," he said, "I'll be pitching and flipping. My lure choice will be a 1/4- or 3/8-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 either can't or won't go and find the bass they missed."

That combination will allow 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.

"When I want to catch a big smallie," said Lowen, "I go with a big Brass 'n' Blades double willowleaf spinnerbait. The blades should be at least Nos. 4 and 5, but 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 are even better. My colors are standard, chartreuse or white."

This lure will allow Lowen to fish almost anywhere. It'll handle weeds and grass, as well as rock and wood, and will withstand the abuse monster bass routinely dish out.

What a Day! Hope It Gets Better Going Forward

I had decided earlier this week to make the maiden voyage of 2024 in my ol' Skeeter this morning, and if I hadn't figured I would be tested sorely, given that fact, I might have just shelved the whole plan before I ever left the house this morning. The problems...nothing major, just a whole littany of minor things...started nearly as soon as my feet hit the floor this morning, and they continued until I returned home this afternoon.

I don't mind telling you my butt was...and still is...dragging after only four hours on the water. If not for the two small bass I was able to muster in the last hour today, I likely would be looking at my day as a total loss. Probably my smartest move was my last-minute decision after launching the boat this morning to remain in West Neck, rather than tempt fate and make a run south as I originally had planned.

Water color was anything but pretty. My biggest surprise of the day was how well the new mono line I have on a couple of reels now performed all day. There wasn't a single backlash, overrun or anything of consequence. Perhaps my anxiety in the beginning may have been exaggerated. Time will tell.

Wanna Do Better in Team Tournaments?

Having fished team tournaments since a teenager, angler and Wired2Fish writer Walker Smith knows a thing or two about how to put big bass in the boat and take home a little extra spending money in team bass tournaments, all the while having a good time with an old fishin' buddy. He espouses 10 major factors as contributing to his success in these events.

Smith's first suggestion is for team members to target different parts of the water column.

"One of the quickest ways to end up frustrated during a team tournament," he said, "is by targeting the same water column as your partner. Now if one of you starts whacking 'em at a very specific depth, that's a different story, but whether you're fishing from the front or the back of the boat, never underestimate the power of differentiation and experimentation.

"For example, most team-tournament trails get pretty hot and heavy, starting in the spring. We all know the majority of anglers are going to throw a topwater lure first thing in the morning. There's nothing wrong with that. After all, giant bass eat topwaters, but let one person take care of that. To increase your team's chances of finding a secondary or even an overlooked primary pattern, one of you should make an effort to find some sort of subsurface bite with something like a soft jerkbait, wakebait or a floating worm.

"The same theory applies to deeper sections of the water column, too. If your buddy is throwing a 5-to-7-foot running crankbait, try to expand the pattern by tossing a crankbait that runs a little shallower or deeper...maybe even make a few casts with a suspending jerkbait. Even if your partner is out-catching you, don't let it bother you. Besides, the partner who doesn't catch quantity often ends up catching the kicker fish."

Smith's next suggestion is for team members to utilize different profiles.

"After you and your partner have targeted different depth zones throughout the morning," he said, "it's likely you'll zone in on the most productive depths within a few hours. When this happens, avoid the temptation to throw the exact same thing as your buddy. Instead, target the same depth but throw the bass a curveball.

"It can certainly happen, but very rarely will you catch a big bass casting the same bait into the same area your partner has already saturated. These big bass don't get old by being stupid. They've seen hundreds of artificial baits throughout their lives, and if they don't bite the first time, they usually won't bite the second time.

"Using a different profile than your partner also will give you the opportunity to further concentrate your pattern. If your buddy is catching 10 fish to your one, that's when you need to consider matching his bait's profile.

"Although things can change, depending upon fishing pressure, weather conditions, and the mood of the bass, here is a more specific outline of my thought process. These are a few of my favorite combinations, but the possibilities are endless.

     Partner throwing a walking topwater--try a topwater popper, soft jerkbait, floating worm, or a topwater frog.
     Partner throwing a Texas rig--try a jig, shaky head, or Carolina rig.
     Partner throwing a wide-bodied crankbait--try a flat-sided crankbait, jerkbait, or soft jerkbait.
     Partner throwing a spinnerbait--try an inline spinner, underspin, or small swimbait."

Smith's next suggestion is that both anglers should watch the electronics.

"If you're a boat owner with electronics," he said, "chances are you have a decent understanding when it comes to interpreting your graphs. If your partner is inexperienced with electronics, don't worry. Try to take some time before blastoff or during your practice day to educate them on the essentials. I'm not necessarily talking about a day-long, extensive training course. It won't take them long to pick up on the simple cues to look for, and as the old saying goes: two heads are better than one.

"If you're anything like me, you can get really dialed in when you're fishing and tend to overlook small signs or telling environmental cues throughout the day. If your partner can understand your electronics and help you keep an eye on things, both of you will have a much better chance of dissecting the fishery on any given day.

"These are some of the things I believe both anglers need to understand when it comes to electronics.

     

     Contour lines. Paying close attention to contour lines throughout the fishing day can pay huge dividends in tournaments. Make sure your partner knows the indications of steep drop-offs, channel swings, and flats.

     Water temperature. Sometimes, just a single degree of difference in water temperature can make the difference between catching a giant sack or a limit of pecker snots...my affectionate term for 12-inchers. It's good practice for both anglers to pay attention to small changes in temperature, as it can change from creek to creek or short pocket to short pocket.

     Bait. Wherever you find large concentrations of bait, you're probably going to find some bass in the mix. Teach your partner how your electronics indicate bait, and they may tip you off to some bonus schoolers."

Smith's next suggestion is to, if possible, practice in separate boats.

As he said, "Everyone fishes differently, so it's a good idea for you and your partner to practice in your own boats. Sure, you won't be able to split gas money or joke around on these days, but there are some definite advantages to it. Quick tip: If you're able to practice in two boats, try going to a totally different area of the lake than your partner. The bass may be doing something completely different, which can result in a great backup plan.

"When you're in your own boat, it's a lot easier to experiment with things. You have all your soft plastic colors, hard baits, and fishing rods and know where to find them, which makes you less resistant to change. I do it all the time when I'm fun fishing from a friend's boat. I'd love to change to a different color, but then I'd question whether it was really worth digging through their stuff for 15 minutes to find what I was looking for. Most times I'd just stick with what I had. If I, on the other hand, had been in my boat, I'd have stopped to find my desired color and would have been ready to roll again in under a minute.

"Practicing in separate boats also drastically increases the amount of water you're able to cover in any given day. Very few of us are able to fish whenever we want due to work or family obligations, so we're often left with a single day--or maybe just a few hours if we're lucky--to practice for Saturday's derby. By having two boats performing a little recon, you'll be able to sit down to dinner and a beer on Friday night, compare notes, and develop a legit game plan."

Smith's next suggestion is, if you practice together, net your fish.

"If I had a nickel for each netting mishap that's blamed for losing a buddy tournament," he said, "I'd be one rich, ugly redneck. Joking aside, you're flirting with potential disaster every time your partner jabs the net toward a tournament-winning fish. To increase your bite-to-livewell ratio, break out the net during practice.

"It's so important that you and your tournament partner have a solid netting system in place. With nothing but a few hooks and some line between you and a nice payday, the net man's job is critical. It's not ideal to go stick a bunch of nice bass the day before a tournament, but in the event someone hangs one, use the opportunity to practice your netting skills.

"In my experience, partners and I have had our best luck employing a simple netting practice. When you stick a fish, you need to tell your partner immediately. Don't waste time estimating its size or replaying the bite. Save that for when the fish is in the livewell. As your partner is fighting the fish, go ahead and get the net in the water at the side of the boat, and whatever you do, don't stab at the fish. It will spook the fish, causing it to surge to deeper water, drastically increasing the chances of it coming unbuttoned. With the net in the water, slowly play the fish out until you can easily direct him into the net.

"Try not to lose concentration once the fish gets in the net. Lift it up and place the net in the floor of your boat--never on the front or back deck. If the fish flops out of the net while in the bottom of your boat, you don't have to worry about it going overboard."

Smith's next suggestion is to alternate trolling-motor operation between fish catches.

"You never know until it happens," he said, "but sometimes a single fish catch can ignite an entire school into an absolute feeding frenzy. If your partner is in the floor of the boat, trying to untangle their crankbait from the net or the bass' mouth, jump on the trolling motor and pick up where they left off. You want to capitalize on the opportunity by getting your bait in the strike zone as soon as humanly possible.

"If your partner is unfamiliar with your trolling motor, let him use it in practice if possible. This aids in seamless operation, and nobody will get tossed overboard from an unfortunate mistake. This also helps when your partner is re-rigging, re-tying, or fumbling through the compartments, looking for a specific bait. Taking control of the trolling motor will help you keep the boat in prime position, maximize fishing time, and avoid spooking wary, shallow bass."

Smith then suggests that both anglers should know how to operate the livewells.

"It'd be nice if we all had high-end boats with livewell controls on the bow, but that's not the case," he said. "We're bass anglers, so we make do with what we have. My boat's livewells are controlled from the console, so I make certain to teach my partners how to correctly operate them.

"Fish care is my ultimate priority on the water, so to say I'm anal about it would be a drastic understatement. Instead of jumping all around the boat, constantly tinkering with livewell switches and knobs, ask your partner to help.

"Whether I'm in the back of a friend's boat or in the front of mine during a tournament, the system holds true--whoever is in the back needs to keep an eye on the fish. Every 10 or 15 minutes, take a quick peek at the fish, make sure they're upright and kickin', pump some fresh water in, and make sure the recirculation pumps are running correctly. It only takes a few seconds, and it also cuts down on boat noise because you're not stomping around like a mule going back and forth between your bow and the console."

Smith's next suggestion is to keep a follow-up bait unclipped and ready.

"Missed fish are bound to happen," he said, "but that doesn't mean you can't make them bite again. Whether you're in the front or the back of the boat, watch for any swings and misses by your partner. Before they have a chance to reel their bait back to the boat, you need to have a bait in the same exact area.

"For my follow-up bait selection, I like to have a weightless stick worm and a half-ounce jig on standby at all times. They're not clipped to my reels or line guides or stuffed inside my rod lockers--they're usually hanging over the side of the boat at all times. If I hear the unmistakable whiff of a partner or vice versa, a bait needs to be put in front of the same fish without hesitation.

"It takes some practice and the right mindset, but try not to let it bother you when your partner immediately pitches to an area in which you missed a fish. Remember, it's a team tournament, so it doesn't matter who catches the fish--getting it in the livewell is what's important."

Smith's next suggestion was to devise a plan for dividing costs and earnings before the tournament.

"Before you even back the boat into the water," he said, "make a fair plan regarding any incurred costs or earnings for the tournament. I've seen this break up a lot of powerful fishing teams--anytime there's money involved, make an effort to get it all figured out before the tournament.

"Each team is different, and that's totally cool. Some teams let the angler who caught the big fish keep the big-fish pot, some teams split it all down the middle. Either way is fine, but just make your expectations clear before any cash starts getting tossed around. In my experience, splitting everything--boat gas, truck fuel, and winnings--down the middle is the easiest way to do things. This will avoid anything coming between you and your best fishing buddy."

Smith's final suggestion was to keep things loose.

"This is the most important part of this entire article," he said. "There's nothing wrong with embracing the competition of tournament fishing, but be careful not to get carried away with it. You never want to lose a good fishing friend because you take things too seriously. It's just a buddy tournament--not the Bassmaster Classic--so do your best to relax throughout the day. You're off work, you're healthy, and you're spending the day doing what you love. There's no reason to be uptight, so try to smile and cut up a little bit. In the big scheme of things, does it really matter if you don't catch a limit?

"Try to remember: It's just fishing, so whether you catch 25 pounds or 6 pounds, try to smile, laugh, and have a great time. We're all blessed to have such an awesome hobby.

"Small things like a misplaced cast, a brush-pile snag, or an inconvenient backlash are going to happen throughout the day. They may not show it on television, but it even happens to the best professionals in the world. Give each other a hard time about it, fastball a Gatorade at their gut when they ask for a drink, or bump their rod butt to make them think they have a bite. Just do something to keep the mood light and morale up.

"Team bass tournaments are a great way to spend a Saturday. Beautiful scenery, good fellowship, and a fishing rod in hand are all the makings for some unforgettable memories. If you can practice these 10 tips, I believe you'll catch a lot more bass, but most importantly, you'll have a lot more fun along the way."

Bass Pro Shops XTS Minnow Catches Everything

Those were kayaker Ron's words in the emailed fishing report he sent me earlier this evening. He also let me know he had been out of town for a couple of weeks but found little had changed on the freshwater scene upon his return, as revealed in the accompanying collage of his latest trip.

Oh, I almost forgot one other thing he mentioned in his note. He said he doesn't like catfish...adding that he may have to start trying something other than the XTS Minnow since ol' "whisker face" seems to fall for it too often.

It's a Game Changer When You Can Find Your Comfort Zone Anywhere You Fish

Avid angler and outdoor writer Luke Stoner said "little to nothing compares to that feeling of working your favorite stretch of water on your home fishery, be it a farm pond, stream, river, or major body of water. Anglers find it hard to match the comfort and confidence of fishing their "juice" on known waters. No matter the conditions, you constantly expect to feel that tug at the end of your line."

Stoner continued that train of thought by saying, "Imagine having a similar comforting feeling all the time, on any fishery, all over the country. You'd think an angler who harnesses that kind of comfort and confidence would be able to catch them most anywhere and everywhere, and if you were talking about Blanchard, Oklahoma pro Zack Birge, you'd be right."

Here's a young man who, in 2015, began his rookie season as an FLW Touring pro with a victory at the Rayovac Championship on Wheeler Lake and ended it by capturing Rookie of the Year honors, with a ticket to the Forrest Wood Cup. Not bad...huh?

"What's so intriguing about Birge's award-winning year," said Stoner, "is that he was able to rack up these accolades while fishing his way...fishing in his comfort zone."

"With the exception of Lake Chickamauga," noted Birge, "my boat didn't see water deeper than 8 feet all year. I grew up fishing the Arkansas River in water no deeper than the length of your fishing pole. Fishing shallow is what I know how to do best, so it's usually what I look for when fishing a tournament."

As Stoner explained, "It's like you've moved away from home but brought along your favorite old recliner. Your surroundings may be different, but hey, you get to sit back and relax in your homey chair each night. Same deal with fishing your comfort zone. Whether you get five bites or 50, you're going to be happy, because you're doing what you like to do.

"Birge keeps it as simple as possible when he's looking for his comfort zone on any fishery," continued Stoner. "Of the six stops the FLW Tour made in 2015, Birge had only ever fished Beaver Lake. Instead of getting all hung up with dock talk or where and what he 'should be'  fishing, he would go out and let the current conditions tell the story."

"When I fish," said Birge, "I just launch my boat and go with my gut. I prefer to fish shallow, so I go out with a handful of lures I have confidence in and cover water 'til I find quality fish. I learned pretty early on in my fishing career that you can't always judge a book by its cover.

"Take Lewis Smith Lake, for example. I had heard time and again that you needed to be fishing for big spotted bass to win there," continued Birge. "But after my first day of practice, I had pretty much committed to fishing for largemouth in skinny water. And wouldn't you know, that largemouth pattern turned into my leading days two and three of the tournament."

Stoner pointed out that unfavorable weather conditions, coupled with local pressure, resulted in Birge finishing the Lewis Smith event in sixth place. Even though a victory slipped his grasp, Birge was able to go against the grain, fishing his comfort zone, with great results to show for it, and he maintained his confidence. Birge attributed that confidence to being able to focus on fishing his strengths and being confident in what he was doing.

"For me, confidence is absolutely everything in fishing," said Birge. "It gives you that positive mindset that you need throughout a fishing day. It is much easier to lose your composure or psych yourself out if you aren't confident in what you're doing. Being confident also is going to make you ready for the bites you get, helping with your execution."

There's a long list of anglers who have thrived with this same plan of attack, according to Stoner. Among them are guys like Tommy Biffle and Denny Brauer, who have made careers out of flipping and pitching in shallow water, as well as Kevin VanDam, who favored fishing fast with a crankbait. These anglers found what worked for them and parlayed that into long-term success on every fishery they visited. Instead of trying 20 different lures and techniques that the fish should have been biting, they stuck to what they knew and made it work, regardless of the body of water, the conditions, or the time of year.

As Stoner explained, "My dad often stressed the importance of using the K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid) philosophy. That's exactly what we fishermen oftentimes fail to do. If you're confident in a certain style of fishing, there is usually a way to catch fish doing it on any given fishery. There is no need to over-complicate the game of fishing at any level.

"Of course," he continued, "if we're talking about winning high-level events, there are going to be some exceptions to this rule. But if you're looking to catch some fish on an unfamiliar fishery, take Birge's advice and give fishing in your comfort zone some time."

Much like the other facets of his game, Birge keeps his bait selection simple, especially when dissecting the shallows of a new fishery. He sticks to a few lures that have produced for him and expands on them only when necessary.

Squarebill crankbaits are among his staples. He uses the 6th Sense 25x and 50x to fish shallow rock piles, laydowns, edges of bushes, and grass lines. He adjusts the size and color, depending on the forage present in the body of water. If there are fish in the area, they usually will eat a squarebill.

Swimbaits also are among Birge's staples. He uses the Spooltek Fatty Swimbait to cover a lot of water. "I've found that a lot of guys will ignore throwing a swimbait in shallow water, and bass aren't yet conditioned to it," he said. "I throw the 4-inch version of this bait because I grew up fishing for numbers of fish. It's not really my forte to go out and fish for five big bites. I'd rather catch 20 or 30 in a day and weed through some smaller fish. That's exactly what this bait will do, while giving me the opportunity to have a few of those bigger bites."

Another staple for Birge is buzzbaits. "It's hard to beat a Santone buzzbait or a topwater frog for tournament fish," he said. "Not only can you put these lures in places you can't get a lot of other lures, they're also fun to fish. Watching a topwater bait come across the water, you just always have that feeling that a giant bass is about to grab it."

And if conditions call for a slow presentation or getting real tight to cover, Birge picks a Tightlines UV Beaver or Tightlines Whisker Beaver. "Again, since I like fishing shallow, I want to show the fish something they haven't seen," he said. "Something like 80 percent of the light in shallow water is UV, so I believe fish can see these baits better, which gets me a few more bites."

As Stoner explained, "Whether you favor shallow-water power fishing like Birge, or you would rather use your electronics and fish offshore, make a habit of giving your comfort zone a chance next time you go fishing. The time of year and transitional phase the fish are in certainly moves them around, but it's worth trying to fish with what you're confident in, no matter the conditions or the fishery.

"You are likely to find that you can apply 'a little home-cookin' to most any body of water throughout the year. It will give you confidence to stick with proven techniques longer and find ways to apply them to different bodies of water. Many guys in professional bass fishing go on stretches of top finishes because they carry one technique from lake to lake and keep making it work through confidence and that comfort with what they are doing is the right thing for their fishing."

Zoom Soft Plastics Get This Hall of Famer's Nod As Best Big-Bass Bait

In this case, the Hall of Famer is none other than Virginia's Woo Daves (right), who, during a 2013 interview, stated he had  reached that conclusion after 20 years of seeing at least three or four big bass caught each month on a Zoom plastic.

"I would bet if you added up all the photos of big bass over the past quarter century," he said, "85 percent of them would show the fish were caught on plastic baits, and 60 percent of them would be Zoom lures.

"What this tells me," he continued, "is that if I want to catch a big bass, I'd better be throwing a Zoom plastic bait, such as a fluke, old monster worm, a big brush hog, Magnum 11 worm, a lizard, or, of course, my favorite, the centipede.

"I have always said big bass like a slow moving bait, so they don't have to exert a lot of energy. This gives the huge edge to plastic lures because they can be fished extremely slow and still give a lifelike look to a bass."

Daves went on to note that while fishing his Nitro Z8 in southern waters like Florida and Texas, he loves to dead-stick a plastic lure.

"I simply cast out and let it go to the bottom and just lie there," he explained. "With just a little wind or current, the bait's tail and little legs will move just enough to make a big fish suck it in. Big fish really don't like to chase baits.

"Whether you are Texas-rigging, dropshotting, or Carolina rigging, you can fish ever so slowly through and around cover where big fish like to hide. Most any other lure you use has to be moving fairly fast to generate action. This means the bass has to exert energy to get the lure, and the fish only has a couple seconds to decide if it wants the lure or not. Believe me, if it's a big bass, it's going to pass up the bait 99 percent of the time."

Daves also knows from experience that big bass like heavy cover, and with the exception of a jig, there is no other bait that you can fish down in heavy cover like a plastic bait.

"When fishing a lifelike bait, like a Zoom worm, lizard, brush hog, etc., you can cover every limb of a tree or brush pile really slow," he noted. "You also can jig a lure up and down countless times in one place and make a big bass bite. You just can't do this effectively with any other lure.

"If you are fishing a grassy lake or river, the plastic baits, such as a worm or creature-type bait, again can be fished efficiently so much better than any other lure," Daves continued. "When I catch a big bass in grass, it's almost always under a mat.

"I'm not saying you can't catch a big bass on any lure, because if you throw one enough, the law of averages is going to catch up with you. There are times when a jerkbait, crankbait or topwater bait are good, but these are normally short periods of time during the seasons. Day in and day out, your odds are 100 percent better throwing a plastic bait."

Daves prefers creature baits like a lizard or brush hog in spring. In summer, his choice is a centipede or old monster worm. In the fall, he goes with the Magnum 11 and the Magnum finesse worm.

And he says, "If you only can afford to buy two colors, I think you should get green pumpkin and watermelon/red. In darker water and darker times of the day, go with green pumpkin. In clear water and on brighter days, use watermelon red. You just can't go wrong when you stick with Zoom baits."

If you need proof of the fact Daves' suggestions work, you shouldn't need look any further than the fact he's in the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. I know for a fact, too, he is one of the best friends Dewey Mullins ever had. I just happened to walk in the West Neck Marina Store one day when Woo had come to visit his ol' buddy, and for two solid hours, I was regaled with some of the best fishin' stories I've ever heard.

March 2024 Bass Fishing Forecast

(For a slightly enlarged version, click anywhere on this chart.)