automatically default to 2 types of areas.
The deepest main lake point I can find and
the most vertical bluff type bank. A bank with
both of these “in-zones” would be the utopia
of wintertime haunts.
Once again a
suspending jerkbait would be a killer starting
bait with just a few modifications to the
approach and technique. First off, I would
position my boat tight to the bank and fish the
bait parallel. I would downsize my line to
around 10lb test and even add some weight
to the hooks to get the bait a foot or two
deeper.
“
The action I would impart on the
bait would be a lot more lethargic
with longer sweeps of the rod and
longer pauses between jerks. The
fish often suspend on these deeper
areas in the winter and a jerkbait
fished correctly can often do some
damage.
”
While conjuring up some bites on the jerkbait
I would be looking for subtle changes or
evidence of additional cover along the bank
to soak my football jig in. a ½ Ounce football
jig with an oversized trailer will normally coax
a sulking winter bass into taking a bite of it.
With 60 minutes on the clock on a depressing
winter’s day, these baits would be the 2
options on my front deck. If I don’t get a bite
on one of these baits, then trust me I am not
going to get a bite!!
An hour to crack the code under any condition
is a pressure deal, but even if you have the
luxury of a day on an unseen venue, adopting
some of these tactics will undoubtedly
increase your chances of success. Sometimes
having a limited amount of time will help you
skip the negotiations and get straight to the
fish catching, that’s when memories are
created!!
Angling Times Weekly SA
31
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