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Craig Lamb 19y

Pros' press conference

Switch hitting
Question: My question concerns lipless crankbaits. This lure seems to be the most simplistic of the "chunk and wind" crankbaits. Is there any other way to fish this lure?

Jerry Gibbs
Slidell, La.

Answer:
Arkansas pro Mike Wurm:
I like to use lipless crankbaits as a drop bait in late summer. This is a time when the bass become active in anticipation of bulking up for the coming fall and winter. The typical pattern finds the bass following shad as the baitfish migrate along ledges and points near the main lake.
Instead of tying on a topwater and waiting for the bass to school on the surface, I drop a lipless crankbait into key areas to reach the fish around deeper migration routes.
This differs greatly from the cast-and-burn retrieve style typically used for this lure. And that is what makes it such a great technique since the bass are rarely subjected to it. What's more, they can't stand the irresistible rattling noise made by the BB-filled chamber of this shad imitator.


Making a buzz
Question: How can you tune a buzzbait so that it steers to one side instead of tracking straight to the boat?

Bart Vander Velde
E-mail

Answer:
Alabama pro Randy Howell:
You can take a pair of needlenose pliers and bend the wire shaft ahead of the lead head to make it run around an object, like a piling, or directly into the object. To make the lure run to the right, slightly bend the wire that direction. Bend the wire the opposite way to make it arc to the left. You also can tune the lure to run straight, and steer it around, or into, the same objects without the need to use the pliers. Just be sure to use a 6-6 or longer rod.


Senko challenged
Question:
I'm trying to find out the correct way to fish a Senko. Do you fish it Texas rigged, wacky style or how?

Steven Gibson
Pride, La.

Answer:
Florida pro Bernie Schultz:
The most popular way to rig a Senko is wacky style. That is with the hook impaled through the middle portion of the worm, with the barb slightly exposed. I also like to rig it Texas style and weightless, with the hook barely tucked into the plastic. Try rigging it on the tail end for more action. This makes it a great skipping tool for docks, overhanging trees and undercut banks.


Cranky summer
Question:
I've always heard the best season for deep cranking is the summer, when the fish are relating to offshore structure. Where do the pros begin looking for the most productive areas?

J.T. Fugate
Jackson, Miss..

Answer:
Mississippi pro Paul Elias:
During midsummer, offshore bass relate more to the main river channel, so I concentrate on underwater humps and ridges, and at the mouths of major tributaries. In late summer, I move back into the creeks. When fishing offshore structure, look for areas with the most bottom cover by using your electronics. In the tributaries, look for those offering the most bends. The more bends, the greater chance you'll find brush washed up against them.


To the point
Question:
Can a lipless crankbait with all its treble hooks be used in grass?

Answer:
Rick Clunn:
YES. Where weeds top out just below the surface, active fish often will cruise the top of the bed, looking for bluegill or shiners. A fast moving lipless crankbait often triggers strikes in such circumstances.


Question:
In summertime, will bass hit in shallow backwaters located off big rivers?

Answer:
Brent Chapman:
YES. Oxbows and bayous connected to big, deep rivers can support year-round populations of bass. The keys are locating backwaters with adequate depth, bait and cover. Bass can and do survive all year in such habitat.


Question:
Can bass be caught on a low tide?

Answer:
Denny Brauer:
YES. In a way, the low tide can be one of the best times to fish a tidal river. The bass have fewer places to hide. The deepest visible structure nearest to the river or a creek channel has the highest potential.


Question:
Should you punt and go look for new water in a tournament if a hot area gets too crowded?

Answer:
Jason Quinn:
NO. You are fishing against the fish and not the fishermen. Let the other guys hammer the obvious while you look around the same area for a few pieces of obscure cover. Search bare banks and places that look as if they'd never give up a fish.

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