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Now there's 4 versions of that Flash Point: 2 sizes (the standard 4.25" and the 4" Jr – with regular and deep versions of both. Jason really likes these baits, so we wanted to ask him why and how he fishes the different versions. BB man Andy "Griffith" Greene got him for 5:
1. When do you choose a Flash Point deep vs a standard one?
> "When to choose one over the other seems obvious – one is deep, one is shallow. But if you're using FFS, you can see how deep you want to cast, whether it's to a brushpile or fish. [So] you can adjust the baits for your target.
> "Without FFS, in very clear water, I like the deep one. For not-so-clear water, I like the shallow standard one. With the shallow one, you can throw it around the bank and not dig bottom."
2. What about the standard size vs the Jr?
> "It's the same idea. There are some scenarios where the Jr shines over the standard. Use the Jr when the baitfish are smaller, there's more fishing pressure or you're fishing for smallmouth. The Jr can also be better on a bright day in really clear water – more of a finesse tactic.
> "You just have to play with it. You have to throw both and see what they want."
3. How do you work out the cadence of your jerks?
> "My go-to is the jerk-jerk-pause. But you have to put the pieces together. Are the bass hitting it as it's moving, as it's sitting or with a longer pause?
> "If they hit it as it's moving, I may speed it up – work it as fast as I can – or just never stop it. It typically has to do with water temp. Above 60, you really can't work it too fast. Below 60, they like a pause.
> "I like to pause over structure like brushpiles, stumps and grass. It makes them react to it.
> "If fishing strictly for smallmouth, you want a faster retrieve than if you're fishing for largemouth...true day in and day out. Even in colder water, speed it up around smallmouth.
> "I've seen days where I'll have a guy in the back of the boat, and one of us will get dialed in on a cadence. You can see a drastic difference between one or the other.
> "Some days it doesn't make any difference. Other days it's just the opposite of what you think will work – ripping it in low 40-degree water or long pauses in over 60-degree water. You put the pieces together when you start getting bites."
4. Has the process changed at all with FFS?
> "Yeah. You're playing the cat and mouse game. 10 years ago, before FFS, I'd kind of imagine there's one following it and I needed to do things to make him bite. Make the cadence inconsistent or, when you got past structure, speed it up like it was trying to get away.
> "FFS is the same, but now you can watch them. Here's what I've learned: Once they start coming, I keep it moving and try to get it away from them. If you pause it when they're coming, they nose up to it and don't bite it. When you keep it coming, they eat it – the whole thing!
> "There's days when they want the bait 4-5' above them so I'll use the shallow version. Some days they want it deeper – right in their faces. And if they don't eat it, switch colors or cadence."
5. What if someone doesn't have FFS – what's the best way to work through jerkbait size, cadence and color?
> "Match your conditions. Brighter colors for dirtier water [and] the clearer the water, the more natural you want your bait.
> "I fished a jerkbait a ton before FFS. You always want to fish it around something. A bigger population of fish live around structure – drops, docks, stumps. Use your eyeballs. Look for bank features like transition banks or channel swings – normal places where bass live.
> "When all else fails, throw it on the windiest banks you can find on the lake.
> "And don't be scared to throw it in off-colored water. You only need 1' visibility as a minimum."
Bonus Q : Do you alter the Flash Points at all or just fish 'em straight out of the package?
> "I don't alter them. It's a premium bait. It has good hooks on it [BKK SS trebles]. I don't have to tune them. I fish it 100% straight out of the package.
> "To be honest, they haven't been around long enough for me to tinker with them a whole lot, but so far I don't see a need. I tinker when I see flaws in a bait. I haven't seen any flaws in the Flash Point series yet."
His jerkbait setup
He uses all sizes/versions of Flash Points depending on the conditions. If he had to choose 1 color for every condition, he said it would be 'copper shad':
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