Learn to use many Lures for Bass
by Ken Sturdivant
Southern Fishing Schools Inc.
The day is off to a slow start
and your crank bait is not working. Your fishing partner has not had
a bite on the usually dependable worm rig. Is it time to go home or keep
casting with no results? Are the fish trying to tell you something and
are you listening?
Tournament anglers have reputations about being exceptional
with certain baits. David Fritts is a cranker. Zell Rowland is a top
water
man. Tommy Biffle is a flipper. But what happens if their favorites
don't work. Three years ago, David Fritts won a tournament on a Carolina
rig
in two feet of water. Zell Roland had to fish with a grub to make the
Bass Master Top 150 trail last year. Tommy Biffle finished in a recent
tournament
in the top five casting a spinner bait. So what do we learn from the
worlds greatest anglers. Learn to use as many lures as possible.
Tournament
anglers
are allowed seven rods and reels in competition. And most of these
anglers pre fish the lakes and may carry as many 15 pre rigged rods
and reels.
And each rod and reel has something different tied on. These anglers
have learned to use all the tools available to catch bass.
When the
fish are
biting your favorite baits, resist the temptation to stay with
the same lure. Now is the time to experiment. Rig up a split shot on
light
line
and cast a small plastic crawfish or noodle worm. Run a spinner
bait through the same fish. Change colors and sizes of crank baits and
find out what
the fish will strike. Not only change lures, but speed can make
a
world of difference. Cast a Carolina rig on the bank so it will not
splash in the water. Then swim it fast, swim it slowly, and even hop
it.
Take
a buzz
bait and throw it on open water points. Rig up a crank bait so
it runs left or right and run it under docks. Experiment with colors
and
start
out with plain colors. Then rig up a bright orange spinner bait
and cast it into the fish that have been located. Use large baits and
then
use
tiny baits.
There are no rules on the books about what fish will
bite. But here
are three colors that are famous all over the country for bass,
green, pumpkinseed, and red shad. Rig them up any way you want and
experiment for
more bass.
