Wake up those bass by inserting rattles to add big
sound that fish can home in on. When bass are active these virtually weedless
rigs can't be beat for hauling in hungry lunker size bass. Use your preference
for color although many anglers will tell you that the most popular colors
are black and purple.
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Place
plastic or Pyrex rattles as illustrated into the plastic craws claws. An
optional rattle can be added in the
tail section when using
a Carolina
or Texas rig.
Move the rattle to the thicker body area of the craw when using |
a flippin'
jig rig
or else it will make rigging the plastic more difficult.
Click on the links
within the article itself to view the mentioned rigs or they can also be
visited with the menu at the bottom of the article.
Knowing where big
bass are and the proper lure presentation are key to landing your limit
of quality fish. In the spring concentrate on areas of shallower water
with plenty of structure. Downed trees, underwater stumps and brush, large
rocks along with docks are key holding points. These areas are better fished
with the flippin'
jig rig. Hop the bait through the structure resting it on bottom momentarily
then repeat the retrieve to within a few feet of the boat. The flippin'
rig allows you to get the bait right into the structure where the bass
are. When your bait is in the thick of the structure keep it moving, this
will lessen the chance of getting hung up. While you fish the lure, pay
attention to the feeling of it bumping amongst the brush. With a little
practice you will be able to feel the difference between a bite and a bump,
and the chance of getting hung up will be lessened.
Summer bass are a little
more difficult to locate. Fish stream and river mouths that 'flush' into
larger bodies water. These areas hold bass that hang around to pick up
crayfish, minnows, leeches or whatever floats their way. Fish breaks in
the current keeping a lookout for big boulders. Typically fish here will
be holding in depths of 8 feet or less, with the safety of deeper water
close by. |
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Lakes with no major stream or river flushes will hold fish in 'wind generated'
flushes. Aided by the wind, areas with islands close together or deep underwater
points usually pinch the water into a flush. The fish will be holding deeper
than many bass anglers are accustomed to, 20-35 feet, but these depths
will hold the majority of big fish. In these areas use a Carolina
rig with a 3/4 to 1 1/2 oz
egg sinker. Let the sinker drop to the bottom, then sweep the rod tip up
until the sinker is a few feet off the bottom, drop the rod tip quickly
allowing the sinker to fall back to the bottom. When the sinker hits bottom
it causes the craw rig to shoot forward imitating a fleeing crayfish. Repeat
the retrieve until the lure is past the targeted structure.
Flush areas also hold schooling
bait fish. If you pick up schools of suspended bait fish use the Texas
rig with light weight. Bass actively feeding on suspended bait fish
won't be able to resist the slow fall of the bait. Use a rise and fall,
medium speed retrieve. After the jig has fallen below the suspended bait
fish raise your rod tip up to the 1 o'clock position while retrieving then
drop the rod tip, stop reeling and let the jig fall again. Repeat this
technique until the bait is back to the boat.
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A.After
the jig has fallen below the suspended bait fish raise your rod tip up
to the 1 o'clock position while retrieving.
B.When the rod tip
has reached the 1 o'clock position drop the rod tip, stop reeling and let
the bait fall slowly below the bait fish again. Repeat this technique until
the bait is back to the boat. |
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