| I know a lot of fisherman in Colorado mainly | | | | onto fish as well. So many different companies |
| target trout, but the bass fishing can be excellent | | | | have Senko style worms now its hard to keep |
| at times too!!! During the summer months I spend | | | | up, but the Zoom Centipede is my favorite. With |
| most of my fishing time on smaller ponds | | | | this lipless crankbait and Senko combination you |
| targeting those big old bucketmouths. They bite | | | | have the arsenal to attack many of the metro |
| hard, fight hard, and will have any angler addicted | | | | area bass lakes!!!Now its time for my favorite |
| if given the chance.A lot of trout fisherman have | | | | way to catch fish, hands down...Topwater!!! |
| problems making the transition to bass for a few | | | | Everyday during the spring and summer months |
| reasons. When you're used to throwing out tiny | | | | I'll be at one of my bass lakes before the sun |
| spinners and spoons, a big bass plug or jig looks | | | | comes up tossing out Zara Spooks and Buzzbaits. |
| huge. Bass routinely eat bluegills, baby bass, | | | | If you've never caught a bass on topwater lures, |
| bullfrogs, and even snakes, so don't be shy about | | | | you,re truly missing out. Although I've caught fish |
| using big tackle...its amazing how many small fish I'll | | | | all day on topwater lures, the best times are low |
| catch using a big Zara Spook.Do you have to buy | | | | light periods...early in the morning, and as the sun |
| a new rod and reel for bass fishing? No!!! You can | | | | goes down. First, lets talk about using a Zara |
| get away with using light tackle in certain | | | | Spook...If you're not familiar with a Zara Spook, its |
| situations...actually for most smaller ponds in the | | | | what we call a walking bait. Basically thru a series |
| metro area light tackle is perfect. It limits the | | | | of short jerks with your rod tip, you can make |
| baits you can throw, but smaller baits can really | | | | your Zara Spook "Walk the Dog". It takes time |
| shine at times. If you're going to use your trout | | | | and practice but once you get used to walking |
| rod and reel, I suggest no lighter than 6lb test and | | | | the dog, its cake. With a Zara Spook you're |
| stick to lines without too much stretch. If small | | | | limited to areas where there isn't too much weed |
| diameter lines are what you're comfortable with, I | | | | growth on top, due to having a couple of |
| would use a braided line...Berkley Fire Lne is | | | | exposed treble hooks. My favorite way to fish a |
| awesome. I always prefer a rod with a lot of | | | | Zara Spook is parallel to shore lines.Casting 3 or 4 |
| back bone to ensure good hook sets!!!Let's talk | | | | feet out from shore and walking the dog all the |
| about some basic lures and plastics to get you | | | | way in will get some explosive strikes. When |
| started. Lipless crankbaits such as the Cordell | | | | fishing topwater lures, it's really common for bass |
| Spot or Rattlin' Trap are great lures that don't | | | | to miss the lure a couple times before taking it. |
| take years to master. Using a basic slow retrieve | | | | So if you get a hit, but don't hook up, cast back |
| will get you hooked into a good number of fish at | | | | to the same spot as fast as possible. 9 times out |
| many local lakes and ponds. Early in the year a | | | | of 10, the fish will hit again. Another thing thats |
| Firetiger Rattlin Trap is killer on Spratt Platte(100th | | | | hard for fisherman who have just started fishing |
| and Mckay). Like I said, just make long casts and | | | | topwater baits is to wait until you actually feel the |
| a slow retrieve...Don't worry about jigging or | | | | fish on before setting the hook. I know its hard |
| complicating things. Cast her out and reel her in!!! | | | | to hold back when you see a fish smack your |
| Senkos!! Senkos!! Senkos!! These plastics are fish | | | | lure, but you'll catch a lot more bass if you wait |
| catching machines even though they don't look | | | | until you feel the fish before setting the hook. My |
| like much. If you're not familiar with the Senko | | | | all time favorite Zara Spook color...hands down...is |
| style plastic worm, it pretty much looks just like a | | | | red and white.Buzzbaits are really effective top |
| pen. You can rig a Senko style worm a number | | | | water lures and on average produce larger fish. |
| of different ways, but for me the most | | | | No need to get fancy just casting out and reeling |
| productive has always been "wacky | | | | in fast enough to keep your bait above water is |
| rigged".Basically all you do is get a light wire hook | | | | perfect. To really maximize results when fishing a |
| and stick it right in the middle of your Senko style | | | | buzzbait, bumping cover is a must. If you see a |
| worm. After you make a cast, the Senko slowly | | | | fallen log floating in the water cast over it and |
| flutters to the bottom and it drives fish crazy. | | | | bring your lure right over the top of it. Something |
| Bite detection is a little different when fishing a | | | | about buzzbaits hitting objects in the water drives |
| Senko...although there will be times that your line | | | | bass nuts. Sure you'll get hung up and lose a few |
| darts off and, without a doubt, you have a fish | | | | but its well worth the numbers and size of fish |
| on. There will also be days when the only | | | | while bumping cover. My favorite color buzzbait is |
| detection of a bite is a little twitch in your line. | | | | black!!!Hopefully this helps out a little. If you have |
| Basically any little ticks or pauses on the fall...I set | | | | any questions, use the forum or email me and I'll |
| the hook. After the Senko hits the bottom, leave | | | | gladly put you onto some great metro area bass |
| it there for as long as a few minutes, look for | | | | lakes. Spring is just around the corner and to the |
| little ticks in your line, and set the hook. A great | | | | people in the know, it means great bass fishing in |
| place to use Senko's is Quincy Reservoir in | | | | our own backyard!!!Eric Allee is a tremendous |
| Aurora!!!I suggest waders to get to some of the | | | | fisherman in Colorado. His greatest joy is helping |
| brush piles, but right off the dock will put you | | | | others catch more and bigger fish. |