Kriet: Increasing Topwater Hookups
For the average bass angler, there's nothing more frustrating than getting an explosive topwater strike only to haul water and wonder how in the world the bass didn't hook up. In the world of professional bass fishing, the difference between a near miss and a successful hookup on topwater can mean the difference in thousands of dollars. Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jeff Kriet has a few tricks to up the odds when it comes to hooking bass on top.
Lowen: Early Spring River Fishing
Anglers who have been confined to the house during the winter are now counting the days until spring finally arrives and they can get back out on their favorite lake in pursuit of bass. However, Elite Series pro Bill Lowen, an acknowledged Ohio "river rat," is quick to point out that lakes and reservoirs are not the only places fishing action will be hot come spring.
Menendez: Tube or creature?
During the 2009 Elite Series campaign, a variety of baits and techniques where used to secure victories. However, in many of those wins, the lure that put an angler in position to win faltered in the home stretch and had to be replaced by an alternate bait on the final day of competition.
Menendez: Suspending vs. floating
Each spring, as bass anglers head to the water, ready to dust the cobwebs away from a winter-long hiatus, they're faced with a conundrum; suspending jerkbait or floating jerkbait?
Reed: Carolina rigging
Elite Series pro Matt Reed is best known as an east Texas power fisherman, given his roots around the big waters of Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn. However, he has proved over his career that he's one of the most versatile anglers in the sport today.
Robinson: Catching bass
There are certain times when Elite Series pro Marty Robinson likes to fish fast. While the prop on his trolling motor may be barely spinning, the South Carolina pro is burning and turning on the front deck, making long casts and reeling as fast as possible. When watching this technique in action, it appears to be pure madness. But Robinson explains that there's a reason for the speedy retrieve.
Robinson: The double Fluke rig
When the band Three Dog Night covered the song "One Is the Loneliest Number," it's safe to say that they weren't singing about fishing a soft plastic minnow bait called the Fluke. However, the way that Elite Series pro Marty Robinson fishes a Fluke, the 1969 hit might be applicable.
Reed: Contending with turnover
We've all heard the term "turnover" used to describe an annual fall event on many of our favorite lakes. Bubbly water, floating vegetation that's generally related to the bottom of the lake or a stagnant sheen on the surface are all clear indications that the lake is experiencing turnover.
Robinson: Pencil Popper
Big baits are nothing new in bass fishing; 8-inch swimbaits, 12-inch plastic worms and big crankbaits are now commonplace in both professional and recreational anglers' tackleboxes across the country. But when it comes to topwaters, the biggest lure in the tacklebox is often a 5-inch Zara Spook.
