Gitcha weight up! Time for the Special 2023 Pre-Spawn Baits 'n Stuff BassBlaster – here's part 1 and like always is mostly stuff from the amazing BassBlaster sponsors but not only!
Start this'n off with a quiz: What baits do NOT work in the pre-spawn? Answer:
|
|
Heck yeah doc! Let's go, in no particular order...
|
|
Reminder: If your email program cuts off the bottom of this email, click "View this email in your browser" up top to see the whole thing. Sorry bout that – email programs keep changing stuff.
|
|
How many Classic-winning baits have there been? How many have been sorta new to bassin'? Not many! This one is more of a system than just a bait, as Jason Christie has been explaining. Here's a good start to the system:
|
|
If Neddin's your jam, you might be outta your noggin not to fish this bait – 2.5" of MaxScent juice in the bass version of steak. 'Nuff said!
BioSpawn ExoNed
|
|
A unique-shaped Ned bait (it floats) and jig trailer, especially on that sweet Tightrope Baby Firework Super Finesse Jig. 3" but segmented to you can easily make it even more bite-sized if you want. Ultra-durable stretchy plastic.
Good quick YT vid on it right here. No truth to the rumor that this bait is modeled after Gary the snail minus his shell, but I believe Catch Co head man Ross Gordon is a big yellow spongedude fan:
|
|
Is it Slinko or a Slink-O? Doesn't really matter, what matters here is that it's ribbed (creating bubbles) and it floats. So if you're finessin' with a Neko, a Carolina rig or a jig, this'll float and get the greenheads' attention and/or slow your presentation down. 5.5" long so you got at least a couple finesse baits in one!
FishLab Nature Series Nymph
|
|
Comes in 3.5" and 4.25" and guaranteed your bass have never seen this soft-plastic before. You can fish it as is, shorten it, pluck off 2 or all of the swimming wings, whatever you want.
VMC Ned Rig Jighead
|
|
Seems like this is an emerging trend, not just because BFS (finesse crankin') but also cuz it seems like finesse is having another resurgence.
Rapala OG Tiny and OG Slim crankbaits
|
|
Couple flat-sides designed by Ott DeFoe – and bear in mind they are the Tiny 4 and Slim 6, the numbers representing max running depths:
> OG Tiny is a small and thin flat-sided balsa bait with a tight wobble and finesse-like action. The thin design and lightweight circuit board lip moves less water and provides a sensitive feel of bottom structure. [Ott says this bait is his bite-getter.]
> OG Slim is a slightly larger and slightly harder-thumping bait, also has a lightweight circuit board lip, also catches 'em.
Ott talks Tiny vs Slim in this good YT vid.
Yo-Zuri 3DR-X Series
Yo-Zuri pros seem to really like these baits, meaning they get bites because pros don't mess around with stuff that doesn't (der!). Here's some tiddybits from 'em:
Zack Birge – 3DR-X DD
> This is a bait I LOVE throwing around in the winter and spring...a great bait to fish in the 8-15' range [steep banks] depending on line size. I like the patented 3D internal prism scale finishes that send off light in all directions and the internal-painted crayfish patterns. Translucent brown crawfish and red crawfish are my favorites.
He fishes it with a 7' Alpha Angler Rebound Rod, Shimano Bantam Reel (8.1 – "I mentally make myself retrieve it slowly"), 12lb Yo-Zuri T7 Fluoro.
|
|
Justin Hamner – 3DR-X DD
> "I went out on the Warrior River yesterday and my 5 biggest went 23 lbs, all on the 3DR-X DD in translucent brown crawfish. I caught them paralleling channel-swing rock banks in the larger creeks."
He fishes it on a 7' Halo Cranking Rod and 12-lb Yo-Zuri T7 Fluoro.
|
|
Brandon Cobb – 3DR-X MR
> "A perfect pre-spawn crankbait because of its size. Small crankbaits shine during the cold/ pre-spawn time of the year.
> "This bait excels during dirty-water situations which is the reason I prefer the crawfish and firetiger patterns – firetiger seems to outfish the craw when fish are feeding more heavily on shad.
> "...I look for any type of bank irregularities. Points with rock are a good place to start, but the location does not have to be as specific...could be small mini-"points" such as a few rocks jutting out from the bank. These will make little corners fish will set up on when moving back into creeks and pockets.
> "Even with the small size of the 3DR-X crank it will still get down around 8' on 10-lb Yo-Zuri T7 Fluoro. The fish are often shallower than this but the bait needs to grind into the rocks to trigger a bite."
|
|
Cole Sands – 3DR-X Flat Crank
> "This has quickly become my favorite pre-spawn crankbait. Guiding on a highly pressured lake like Chickamauga requires throwing something a little bit unique. The 3DR-X flatside is just that.
> "It has a unique coffin bill which gives it a great action and makes it deflect off cover better than any other crankbait in my box. It also offers a slightly thicker back on the body which gives it a wandering action...makes it excel in cold muddy water.
> "My favorite place to throw it during the pre-spawn is where bluff ends meet flats. These are great intersection points where fish can move shallow on warm days and pull back to the bluffs on colder days."
|
|
Comes in 1/4 and 3/8, and like all the new Berkley Powerbait Jigs has that Powerbait skirt – BUT all these jigs were designed by one of the best jig fishermen/designers/innovators of all time: Gary Klein. Meaning the heads, the hooks and a dozen other details makin' a good jig way beyond just the stinky skirts. 😁
The new Berkley Swim Jigs also had to get an "A" from Bobby Lane before they were put out on the market.... The regular-size Swim Jig is here.
Catch Co Tightrope Firework Super Finesse Jig
|
|
Very good ball-head finesse jig specifically designed to fish rocky, zebra-musseled water. A good cold water (or "ice out") jig. Skirt is right, hook is a 2/0 Mustad Jig Hook.
If you wanna learn how 2 regular bass-heads created and developed this jig, here's their story (YT) vid. Popcorn and Jay Pee!
Jewel EF Finesse Flip'n Jig
|
|
Real tempted to highlight the OG Jewel Finesse Jig, but this time how 'bout the EF Finesse Flip'n Jig – because we all wanna flip. 😁
Smaller/sparser-profile bait, only comes in 3/8-oz, has a rattle, custom-designed Mustad Ultra Point Hook. Stick a Jewel Finesse Craw on the back for the ultimate finesse presentation.
Berkley Powerbait MaxScent Power Chunk and MaxScent Meaty Chunk
|
|
They ain't real durable but they're worth it!
Yamamoto Yama Craw
|
|
New Yamamoto bait, also floats so it stands up, 4" but you can cut it down – and I hear Yamamoto colors are pretty good...😁
Z-Man MiniMax ChatterBait
|
|
Ooooo gotta have 'em! Comes in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 oz, 2/0 hook, smaller profile and a little less vibration. In this vid Luke Clausen it has a tighter vibe, he likes 'em for clearer-water situations, and especially likes 'em for smallies and spots.
In that vid he's using a 3.75 Z-Man StreakZ as a trailer, but also likes a Slim SwimZ for slow-rolling and a 3" Baby GoatZ rigged vertical, gp to imitate crayfish or bluegill.
3" Yamamoto Zako
|
|
Personally I think this is a winner – but Brett Hite hates this AND the JackHammer! 😆 Just messin'. Anyhow, a full inch shorter than the regular Zako, looks like it'd go real well with that MiniMax. Kinda drolling about fishing that combo right now...so why don't I have 'em yet?? 😭
7' 2" MF Alpha Angler Finesse Spin Rod
|
|
Jay Kumar's BassBlaster is a daily-ish roundup of the best and funniest (sometimes worst) stuff in bassin', picked by me – Jay Kumar. I started BassFan.com, co-hosted Loudmouth Bass with Zona, was a B.A.S.S. senior writer and a bunch more in bassin'. The Blaster is the #2 daily read on any given day in the wide world o' bass so thanks for readin'!
|
Sign up another bass-head!
|
If you're forwarding every Blaster to other bass crackheads, tx much – or you can email me the addys and we'll take care of it! We'll never send spam or sell the list or anything else crazy....
|
|
Gitcha BassBlaster social at these links:
|
|
|
|