| We continue our journey through the most | | | | summer long for those who stick with it. |
| comman bass fishing lures. | | | | Toss either a plastic worm or jig-n-pig into a |
| Next up is... | | | | pocket in a weed bed, next to the shady side of |
| When To Use Plastic Worms | | | | a stump or leaning tree, under a boat dock, next |
| Most anglers' favorite lure is the plastic worm. But | | | | to a submerged rock, along riprap and near boat |
| it's not a simple stalk of colored plastic that it | | | | ramps and points. |
| used to be. Now you have straight worms, snake | | | | When To Use Topwater Baits |
| worms, plastic lizards, curly tail worms, j-tail | | | | The topwater bait is broken down in two |
| worms, and worms with holes, dimples, air | | | | categories: slow moving and fast topwater lures. |
| pockets molded in, bumps and nubs and flavorings. | | | | Examples of slow movers are Zara Spook, Rapala |
| Then you have the colors. Probably no other | | | | floating minnows, chuggers and poppers. Fast baits |
| category of lure comes in as many colors as | | | | are Jitterbugs, buzzbaits, and various propeller |
| plastic worms. But if your just beginning to stock | | | | lures. |
| your tackle box, here's some simple advice. You'll | | | | Surface lures begin to draw interest just before |
| need two basic styles: a straight worm for flipping | | | | the bass move onto the spawning beds and they'll |
| and a worm with an action tail for more open | | | | continue to be hot until the water cools down in |
| water fishing. | | | | October or November. In the spring, try buzzbaits |
| The j-tail and snake worms provide tantalizing | | | | and the Zara Spook or Rapala near stumps or |
| motion in the water and they give off vibrations | | | | standing timber on shallow banks. |
| that draw fishes' interest, but they also can catch | | | | During the summer, work topwater lures early |
| on small sticks, weeds and twigs and foul up an | | | | and late in the day, or when the clouds are heavy |
| angler's presentation when he's flipping. As far as | | | | and the wind is calm. Bass will move a long way |
| colors go, stock worms in black, blue, grape, and | | | | to hit a topwater under such conditions. In the fall, |
| motor oil. And perhaps a metal flake variety in | | | | try a surface lure near points and cover in bays |
| electric blue or motor oil. | | | | made by creeks that feed a lake or reservoir. |
| When To Use Jigs | | | | Buzzbaits work best when retrieved with a fairly |
| They are great for flipping shallow cover or | | | | quick pace. Allow them to bump the objects in |
| casting to deep structure. They are best fished | | | | the water just as you would with a spinnerbait. |
| when they are in close proximity to under water | | | | With a Spook or Rapala, however, a different |
| cover. There are two basic varieties: | | | | approach is necessary. |
| The open-hooked plain jigs dressed with marabou | | | | Cast one out and let it set until all the ripples from |
| or plastic grubs and the bass-style jigs with a | | | | the splash-down are gone. Then twitch the lure |
| snag guard and a rubber or rubber and hair skirt. | | | | slightly. Often the strike will occur then, but repeat |
| These often are tipped with a plastic worm or | | | | the stop and twitch throughout the retrieve. |
| pork rind trailer to add bouyancy and action. You | | | | Sometimes the strike will occur well away from |
| can fish plastic worms and jigs in much the same | | | | the cover; sometimes it'll be right next to the |
| way. You should keep the lure in close contact | | | | boat. With a Zara Spook, each twitch should be |
| with the bottom as much as possible, twitching it | | | | made on a slack line. When you jerk the Spook, |
| in short hops. | | | | it'll dance right to left and stay within a small area |
| The jig-n-pig is a top choice when the water is still | | | | for a long time. That give a bass plenty of time |
| cold in the spring. It is meant to imitate a | | | | to get angry at the intruder. A strike under those |
| crawfish, which is one of the bass' favorite foods. | | | | conditions is a moment to remember! |
| Many fishermen switch over to plastic worms | | | | Johns website help beginners and advanced bass |
| when the water begins to warm around spawning | | | | fishermen to catch a boat load of fish. Please visit |
| season, but the jig-n-pig will produce fish all | | | | the site for more info... |