The Right Lure Selection

StrikeZone2311 · 06-23-11, 02:22 PM

Hey Guys, I'm about to make a trip to the "Big O" for my first time. My buddy said we're going to be fishing a lot of shallow water with heavy vegetation at times. I would like to use some top water because I've seen some video of how cool a strike on one can be. I've heard that there is so many "good looking" spots to fish at that it can be difficult locating the bass in general. Any suggestions on what kind of lures i should use to make my trip worth while? Thanks

DaveW731 · 06-23-11, 03:43 PM

There are a number of different surface baits: chuggers, prop baits, buzzbaits, "walk the dog" baits and weedless/frog-type baits are the most popular (I think) and there are more besides.
To keep it simple, given your setting (shallow, often weedy) I would focus on four baits:
Weedless plastics for cover: Frogs Many varieties, some common ones are Spro, Ribbit and Scum Frog. These are great for pulling across vegitation and letting them sit for a second in some of the open water between emergent weeds. Think of immitating a frog that is either injured (fish it slow) or trying to escape (fish it fast). Senko's: Although not traditionally a topwater, still a great choice for pulling over and around weeds, either T-rigged or wackey (w/weedless hook, letting bait fall into open pockets).

Hard baits for open water and around edges of cover: Prop baits have little propeller-shaped metal blades on the front and/or rear of the bait and make gurgling noises of different pitches and volume, depending on how fast you retrieve it. Smithwick's Devil's Horse is a classic. Think of immitating an injured minnow (slower) or of a smaller fish chasing something even smaller (faster). Chuggers have a concave front end that pushes water in front of them when retrieved. Rebel's Pop-R is the classic of this group. Stop/go retrieve of various speeds can make the bait either very subtle or very noisy.

Shake n' Bake · 06-23-11, 03:44 PM

For shallow fishing this is what would be in my tackle box:

1.) Worms, both 5" Senko's and 7" Berkley power worms. For colors I like green pumpkin with chartreuse tail, junebug, and tequila sunrise. I would texas rig these with a 1/16 ounce worm weight on a 4/0 EWG hook.

2.) Beaver style bait, I use Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver 4.20's. For colors I like corndog and sprayed grass. I would also texas rig these with a 1/16 or 1/8 ounce worm weight on a 4/0 EWG hook. You can also use them as jig trailers.

3.) Square bill crankbaits. I like the Bomber square A's, the Strike King KVD 1.5's, and the Luck E Strike Rick Clunn square bill's

4.) Jigs. I like finesse style jigs in 1/4 to 3/8.

5.) I would also throw in a spinnerbait, a chatterbait and possibly a lipless crank like a RattleTrap

keithdog · 06-23-11, 09:37 PM

As I understand your post your going to be fishing shallow heavily weeded water. How shallow is shallow? A few things stand out for me in this situation. As previously mentioned, a frog bait is a natural. I started using the Spro Poppin Frog this year and it has easily become by far my number one frogs. The hookup ratio is better than any frog I've used to date. And one you clear weeds and enter a pocket or the edge of the weeds, you can use it as a popper lure which has really produced for me, even in open water away from the weedline. Also the old weedless spoon is a VERY effective bait in heavy vegitation. The old 1/2 oz. black Johnsons spoon with a #11 black Uncle Josh pork frog still draws a lot of attention. This has worked especially well for me in lilly pads. The Jawbreaker weedless spoon is my favorite though. I will definately also have a heavy pitchin outfit rigged up with a beaver bait t rigged to a 4/0-5/0 EWG hook and a 3/8 oz - 1/2 oz. tungstin weight pegged to the bait. I'll make short pitches into any small opening in the blanket of weeds and let the bait quickly plumit to the botom which draws reaction strikes. And they can be HARD strikes. Something about a beaver dropping fast right up against a basses nose he finds irresistable. Another great bait for heavy floating weeds is a large 4-5 inch weightless t rigged tube, fished similarly to the way you would work a frog. Just pitch it out and slowly crawl it across the top letting it drop into any holes. The shape of the tube keeps it very clean allowing it to be worked in places even a frog bait struggles with. Another bait would be a large weightless plastic worm, like the Manns 9" Jelly Worm. T rigged on a 5/0 hook and slowly crawled over and through vegitation can be deadly on BIG bass. Lastly, I am a big fan of spinnerbaits and use them virtually every time I head out to the lake. If the weeds arn't too heavy, spinnerbaits a re great around cover. But if the weeds are as heavy as you make it sound, a spinnerbait definately wouldn't be my first choice as they will get fouled quickly. However, if you can find large open pockets in a weedbed, or a channel running through a weedbed, throw that spinner into that open water! Also, work a spinnerbait around the edges, especially early and late in the day.

Tavery5 · 06-23-11, 09:56 PM

As many have already mentioned a frog is going to be tough to beat in your situation, the Spro line of frogs are very good. Another bait that you might try is the Yum Money Hound, it is basically a soft plastic version of the Zara Spook, you can t-rig it with a large EWG style hook so it eliminates the trebble hooks fouling. A weightless t-rigged Senko would work well in this situation aslo. One thing I like to do is work a swimjig on the outside edge of the weedline, they come through the weeds very good and can draw allot of strikes, match the weight of your jig to the depth of water you are fishing.

IowaBasser · 06-24-11, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrikeZone2311

Hey Guys, I'm about to make a trip to the "Big O" for my first time.

I must be the only stupid one here, so I'll ask: what is the big O? I can only think of two things - #1 Lake Okeechobee in Florida? #2 ...well, let's just say I have visions of my girlfriend getting really excited!

DaveW731 · 06-24-11, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IowaBasser

I must be the only stupid one here, so I'll ask: what is the big O? I can only think of two things - #1 Lake Okeechobee in Florida? #2 ...well, let's just say I have visions of my girlfriend getting really excited!

I MUST be getting old. Never thought of anything except Okeechobee

FishinBass4Reel · 06-28-11, 11:59 PM

Lake Okeechobee can be a blast to fish with topwater. I believe the average depth is no more than 7 or 8 feet and the hydrilla grows outrageously. I was fishing there last year with my son and we had a guide taking us to his hot spots....I started throwing a frog popper and my 15 year old son had on a Yellow Magic Japanese bait. Both were high priced topwater baits and we came up goose egg the first couple hours. I started throwing a double willow 3/8 oz all white spinnerbait, but my son started fishing buzzbaits that came in a kit named "The Interchangeable" and caught 8 Largemouth Bass in about 3 hours. One bass weighed over 7 pounds! The kit was cool too, my sister had bought my son the buzzbait kit for the trip and all the components like blade combos, skirts and even weight could be changed.

keithdog · 06-30-11, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IowaBasser

I must be the only stupid one here, so I'll ask: what is the big O? I can only think of two things - #1 Lake Okeechobee in Florida? #2 ...well, let's just say I have visions of my girlfriend getting really excited!

Don't feel bad bud, your second thought was my first. hahahaha

dave0943 · 07-01-11, 03:57 PM

Frogs,Jitterbugs, Poppers, Spooks to name a few. Topwater is one of most exciting ways to catch bass. There's nothing better than to see the surface explode when your bait gets hit. Frogs work well in my part of the woods. If conditions are right I know I'll get bit. How you work them can be adjusted for any type of water to imitate whats happening at a given time of the season and water condition. Loads of fun!

Lvitch · 07-01-11, 07:13 PM

Your gonna need frogs, skinny dippers, traps, spinner bait, and a suspending jerk bait. Stay on the outside edges, or in the rim canal. Rig the skinny dippers tx rig 3/16-1/2 oz and either pump them or dead stick them. Senkos work every where. Colors are junebug or watermellon/blk flk. Whit or black for frogs, Chrome/blue for traps. Buzzers n poppers work also. Big O can be killer, can also be real tough. If your going alone don't try and go across the middle of the lake. It's huge and 6'+ waves are common. You can get lost back in the jungles of crap there too, for real.

06-23-11, 09:37 PM	#4
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	As I understand your post your going to be fishing shallow heavily weeded water. How shallow is shallow? A few things stand out for me in this situation. As previously mentioned, a frog bait is a natural. I started using the Spro Poppin Frog this year and it has easily become by far my number one frogs. The hookup ratio is better than any frog I've used to date. And one you clear weeds and enter a pocket or the edge of the weeds, you can use it as a popper lure which has really produced for me, even in open water away from the weedline. Also the old weedless spoon is a VERY effective bait in heavy vegitation. The old 1/2 oz. black Johnsons spoon with a #11 black Uncle Josh pork frog still draws a lot of attention. This has worked especially well for me in lilly pads. The Jawbreaker weedless spoon is my favorite though. I will definately also have a heavy pitchin outfit rigged up with a beaver bait t rigged to a 4/0-5/0 EWG hook and a 3/8 oz - 1/2 oz. tungstin weight pegged to the bait. I'll make short pitches into any small opening in the blanket of weeds and let the bait quickly plumit to the botom which draws reaction strikes. And they can be HARD strikes. Something about a beaver dropping fast right up against a basses nose he finds irresistable. Another great bait for heavy floating weeds is a large 4-5 inch weightless t rigged tube, fished similarly to the way you would work a frog. Just pitch it out and slowly crawl it across the top letting it drop into any holes. The shape of the tube keeps it very clean allowing it to be worked in places even a frog bait struggles with. Another bait would be a large weightless plastic worm, like the Manns 9" Jelly Worm. T rigged on a 5/0 hook and slowly crawled over and through vegitation can be deadly on BIG bass. Lastly, I am a big fan of spinnerbaits and use them virtually every time I head out to the lake. If the weeds arn't too heavy, spinnerbaits a re great around cover. But if the weeds are as heavy as you make it sound, a spinnerbait definately wouldn't be my first choice as they will get fouled quickly. However, if you can find large open pockets in a weedbed, or a channel running through a weedbed, throw that spinner into that open water! Also, work a spinnerbait around the edges, especially early and late in the day. __________________ Just one more cast, and then some!

06-23-11, 09:56 PM	#5
Tavery5 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 2,427	As many have already mentioned a frog is going to be tough to beat in your situation, the Spro line of frogs are very good. Another bait that you might try is the Yum Money Hound, it is basically a soft plastic version of the Zara Spook, you can t-rig it with a large EWG style hook so it eliminates the trebble hooks fouling. A weightless t-rigged Senko would work well in this situation aslo. One thing I like to do is work a swimjig on the outside edge of the weedline, they come through the weeds very good and can draw allot of strikes, match the weight of your jig to the depth of water you are fishing. __________________ They call me Ishmael

06-23-11, 02:22 PM	#1
StrikeZone2311 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Mark Twain Missouri Posts: 1	The Right Lure Selection Hey Guys, I'm about to make a trip to the "Big O" for my first time. My buddy said we're going to be fishing a lot of shallow water with heavy vegetation at times. I would like to use some top water because I've seen some video of how cool a strike on one can be. I've heard that there is so many "good looking" spots to fish at that it can be difficult locating the bass in general. Any suggestions on what kind of lures i should use to make my trip worth while? Thanks

06-23-11, 03:43 PM	#2
DaveW731 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lansing, Michigan Posts: 229	Keep it simple There are a number of different surface baits: chuggers, prop baits, buzzbaits, "walk the dog" baits and weedless/frog-type baits are the most popular (I think) and there are more besides. To keep it simple, given your setting (shallow, often weedy) I would focus on four baits: Weedless plastics for cover: Frogs Many varieties, some common ones are Spro, Ribbit and Scum Frog. These are great for pulling across vegitation and letting them sit for a second in some of the open water between emergent weeds. Think of immitating a frog that is either injured (fish it slow) or trying to escape (fish it fast). Senko's: Although not traditionally a topwater, still a great choice for pulling over and around weeds, either T-rigged or wackey (w/weedless hook, letting bait fall into open pockets). Hard baits for open water and around edges of cover: Prop baits have little propeller-shaped metal blades on the front and/or rear of the bait and make gurgling noises of different pitches and volume, depending on how fast you retrieve it. Smithwick's Devil's Horse is a classic. Think of immitating an injured minnow (slower) or of a smaller fish chasing something even smaller (faster). Chuggers have a concave front end that pushes water in front of them when retrieved. Rebel's Pop-R is the classic of this group. Stop/go retrieve of various speeds can make the bait either very subtle or very noisy.

06-23-11, 03:44 PM	#3
Shake n' Bake BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 58	For shallow fishing this is what would be in my tackle box: 1.) Worms, both 5" Senko's and 7" Berkley power worms. For colors I like green pumpkin with chartreuse tail, junebug, and tequila sunrise. I would texas rig these with a 1/16 ounce worm weight on a 4/0 EWG hook. 2.) Beaver style bait, I use Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver 4.20's. For colors I like corndog and sprayed grass. I would also texas rig these with a 1/16 or 1/8 ounce worm weight on a 4/0 EWG hook. You can also use them as jig trailers. 3.) Square bill crankbaits. I like the Bomber square A's, the Strike King KVD 1.5's, and the Luck E Strike Rick Clunn square bill's 4.) Jigs. I like finesse style jigs in 1/4 to 3/8. 5.) I would also throw in a spinnerbait, a chatterbait and possibly a lipless crank like a RattleTrap

06-28-11, 11:59 PM	#8
FishinBass4Reel BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1	Lake Okeechobee can be a blast to fish with topwater. I believe the average depth is no more than 7 or 8 feet and the hydrilla grows outrageously. I was fishing there last year with my son and we had a guide taking us to his hot spots....I started throwing a frog popper and my 15 year old son had on a Yellow Magic Japanese bait. Both were high priced topwater baits and we came up goose egg the first couple hours. I started throwing a double willow 3/8 oz all white spinnerbait, but my son started fishing buzzbaits that came in a kit named "The Interchangeable" and caught 8 Largemouth Bass in about 3 hours. One bass weighed over 7 pounds! The kit was cool too, my sister had bought my son the buzzbait kit for the trip and all the components like blade combos, skirts and even weight could be changed.

07-01-11, 03:57 PM	#10
dave0943 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Iron Mountain, MI Posts: 174	Frogs,Jitterbugs, Poppers, Spooks to name a few. Topwater is one of most exciting ways to catch bass. There's nothing better than to see the surface explode when your bait gets hit. Frogs work well in my part of the woods. If conditions are right I know I'll get bit. How you work them can be adjusted for any type of water to imitate whats happening at a given time of the season and water condition. Loads of fun!

07-01-11, 07:13 PM	#11
Lvitch BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 180	Your gonna need frogs, skinny dippers, traps, spinner bait, and a suspending jerk bait. Stay on the outside edges, or in the rim canal. Rig the skinny dippers tx rig 3/16-1/2 oz and either pump them or dead stick them. Senkos work every where. Colors are junebug or watermellon/blk flk. Whit or black for frogs, Chrome/blue for traps. Buzzers n poppers work also. Big O can be killer, can also be real tough. If your going alone don't try and go across the middle of the lake. It's huge and 6'+ waves are common. You can get lost back in the jungles of crap there too, for real. __________________ Big gals always make us smile!

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