Tweaking Zman Soft Plastics for Better Performance

Zman Fishing's soft plastic baits are known for their unique material and design, which set them apart from traditional soft plastic baits offered by other companies.

Zman baits are made from a proprietary material called ElaZtech. This material is extremely durable, buoyant, and flexible, providing a lifelike action in the water. ElaZtech is more durable than traditional soft plastics, which means that Zman baits can withstand more bites and catches before needing replacement.

ElaZtech is buoyant, allowing the baits to float naturally in the water. This feature is especially beneficial when using techniques like the Ned Rig, where the bait stands upright on the bottom, imitating a feeding or injured prey.

Although ElaZtech is a buoyant plastic, Zman does add salt into the formulation helping to add weight and adjust sink rates. The salt content also decreases the buoyancy sometimes causing bait to lay flat on the bottom especially if any current is present in the waters you're fishing.

Nick from the Bass Hookup YouTube channel created a pretty cool underwater video showing how a simple tweak to Zman's finesse soft plastics can greatly enhance a bait's buoyancy and performance.

Take a few minutes to watch and see what I mean...

When to Use Flat-Sided vs. Squarebill Crankbaits

When it comes to shallow diving crankbaits, two popular choices rise to the top: the flat-sided crankbait and the squarebill. While they share some similarities, their subtle differences can make a big impact on your fishing success. 

Let's dive in (pun intended) and explore what sets these crankbaits apart.

Body Shape:

Flat-Sided: As the name suggests, these crankbaits have, well, flat sides. This gives them a wider profile and a more subtle wobble compared to their squarebill counterparts.

Squarebill: These crankbaits have a wider body and prominent, square-shaped lip that deflects off cover and digs deeper. This creates a wider wobble and a more aggressive action.

Action and Vibration:

Flat-Sided: The flat sides creates a tighter wobble with a higher-pitched vibration. This can trigger more reaction strikes, especially in colder water, in finesse situations or when fish are pressured.

Squarebill: The square lip creates produce a wider, rolling action with a low-frequency vibration. This can be deadly when aggressive bass are hanging around shallow cover waiting to ambush unsuspecting forage.

Diving Depth and Use:

Flat-Sided: Can dig a little deeper, allowing you to crank around thicker cover or target sluggish, suspended fish.

Squarebill: Choose for situations when bass are staging on shallow cover and bumping the cover helps trigger reaction strikes.

Bass pro Bill Lowen loves cranking the shallows for bass throughout the year. Take a few minutes and watch as he explains his process for chosing between squarebills and flat-sided baits as well as the line he uses to maximize success with each...

Using Castable Sonar to Catch More Bass

New castable sonar devices like the Garmin Striker Cast GPS are giving bass anglers an exciting new tool to use when fishing from shore or a boat. This type of sonar removes the need to permanently mount a transducer on your watercraft and allows you to cast a floating sonar sensor from shore. 

Most castable sonars are designed with the angler in mind. They connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, and the included app displays the sonar data in an easy-to-understand format.

While this new technology shows a lot of promise, there are some key pros and cons to consider before investing in a castable sonar setup for your next bass fishing adventure.

Advantages:

- Portability - Castable sonar gives you the flexibility to quickly scout new fishing spots without installing permanent mounts or transducers. You can use it from the shore, a kayak, canoe, or small boat without modifications.

- Cost - Castable sonar units are very affordable compared to permanently mounted fish finders and transducers. The Garmin Striker Cast retails for under $200.

- Ease of Use - The castable sonar lets you read the underwater terrain and find promising spots like drop-offs, submerged vegetation, or structure where bass may be hiding. This allows for better shore and boat fishing.

- Personalized Contour Maps - Many GPS-enabled, castable sonar units can scan to depths over 100 feet, giving you the ability to not only find fish in fairly deep water but also create more detailed contour maps of the spots you fish. This allows the savvy angler to idenitfy the nuances in subsurface cover (rock piles, stumps, weed edges) and structure (breaklines/drop offs) and help understand the ways fish relate to them. 

- Predator Identification - The Garmin Striker Cast offers Garmin's ClearVu technology which provides higher resolution target separation allowing you to distinguish bass from other gamefish species or cover objects.

Disadvantages:

- Limited Sensor Range - While castable sonar can scan to depths over 100 feet, its wireless sonar signal is limited to about 200 feet from the handheld device. So you have to stay relatively close to where you cast it.

- Battery Life -Castable sonar devices have limited battery life span ranging from 4 to 10 hours depending on the model and settings used. You'll need to recharge after each trip.

- Slower Scanning - Scan rates are typically slower than permanently mounted transducers, meaning your scans update less frequently.

- Can Spook Fish - The splashing of the castable sensor floating on the surface may spook more wary fish in very clear and shallow water.

Overall, castable sonar opens up a lot of new opportunities for bass anglers to quickly locate fishable structure, vegetation, baitfish, and bass without extensive equipment installations. However, the limitations in range, battery life, and scan speed need to be considered. With realistic expectations, this new technology can take your shoreline or small watercraft bass fishing to the next level.

A Quick Guide to Ultralight Rod Actions

Ultralight fishing is a unique and exciting way to target bass. It's not about brute force; it's about finesse, feel, and the thrill of the fight. But to truly master this fishing style, you need to understand the different actions of ultralight rods and when to use each one.

U/L Rod Actions Explained

The action of a fishing rod describes how it bends when pressure is applied. In ultralight bass fishing, there are three main actions to consider:

Fast Action: These rods bend only in the top quarter to one third of the blank, making them incredibly sensitive and ideal for feeling light bites and working small lures with precision. Finesse rigs like small worms, jigs, and drop shots are best suited for fast action rods.

Moderate Action: More forgiving than fast action rods, these bend throughout the middle third. They offer a good balance of sensitivity and power, making them suitable for a wider range of lures, from small crankbaits, topwaters to spinners.

Slow Action: Bend throughout the entire blank, providing maximum forgiveness and shock absorption. They're perfect for soaking baits, live bait, fighting big fish on light line, and absorbing headshakes from aggressive bass.

Matching the Action to Fishing Situations

Now, let's break down when to use each action:

Fast Action:

Ideal for:

• Pinpoint accuracy when casting to tight cover
• Feeling subtle bites from finicky bass
• Working finesse worms, jigs, and drop shots

Moderate Action:

Ideal for:

• A wider range of lures and techniques, especially moving baits
• All-around versatility for different fishing situations
• Ned rigs, small crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwaters
• Balancing sensitivity with fighting power

Slow Action:

Ideal for:

• Soaking baits like live minnows or nightcrawlers
• Fighting large bass on light line
• Absorbing headshakes and preventing pulled hooks
• Deeper crankbaits, minnow baits and swimbaits

Although I have often included ultralight rod combos in my bassin' tool kit, I honestly did not give much thought to the rod actions and how they might optimize success with different presentations. 

I mean a buggy whip i a buggy whip, right? 

Well that's what I thought until I came across Ethan Huyvetter's Fish Anything YouTube channel when my insight on the details and nuances of ultralight grew exponentially...

Take a few moments and watch Ethan's 2022 U/L rod breakdown where he not only discusses the different actions and uses but also provides some great insight into great combos at several different price points!

Understanding the nuances of ultralight rod actions allows anglers to tailor their gear selection to different techniques and conditions. Whether you're aiming for precision, versatility, or flexibility, there's an ultralight power rod action that best fills your need.

Want to learn more regarding ultralight fishing?

Ethan's YouTube channel, Fish Anything, is definitely a great place to explore the world of U//L fishing.

5 Best Bass Hooks for Plastic Baits

Choosing the right hook for your plastic bait can be the difference between catching bass and a pretty empty livewell at the end of the trip. With so many options on the market, it's easy to get overwhelmed. 

To help weed through the options, this guide will break down the 5 best bass hooks for different types of plastic baits and show you when to use each one to maximize your hook-up rate.

The Extra Wide Gap (EWG) Hook:

The EWG is the undisputed king of bass fishing hooks. Its wide gap and offset bend provide a huge target for bass to slam, while the strong shank stands up to even the biggest bruisers. Use an EWG for paddletail swimbaits, creature baits, bulky craws and Texas rigged thick-bodied stickbaits and worms.

The Wacky Rig Hook:

The wacky rig is a deadly finesse technique, and the right hook makes all the difference. Look for a straight shank hook with a weed guard and a keeper barb to hold your worm in place. Use a wacky rig hook for worms/stickbaits, weedless drop shot rigs, and neko rigged worms.

The Straight Shank Flipping Hook:

Don't underestimate the classic straight shank hook! Its simple design and strong construction make it a workhorse for specific situations. Use a straight shank hook for flipping, pitching and punching into heavy cover.

The Offset Straight Shank Worm Hook:

The offset straight shank worm hook is a Texas rig specialist. Its bend keeps the plastic bait weedless and provides a good hook angle for solid penetration. Use an offset shank hook for relatively thin worms, lizards, and creature baits all benefit from the weedless presentation whether rigged with a weight or weightless.

The Drop Shot Hook:

The drop shot is a delicate dance, and the right hook makes all the difference. Look for a small, lightweight hook with a long shank and a wide gap. Use a drop shot hook for finesse worms and baits. The light wire hooks help small worms and creature baits come to life and work with the drop shot's subtle action.

It just so happens that bass pro Brandon Cobb concurs with the list of hooks provided above as he describes in the following short video:

Bonus Tip: Remember, hook size matters! Match your hook size to the size of your bait, the cover you're fishing and the size of the bass targeted. A big hook on a small bait will hinder action, while a small hook on a big fish might bend or break, especially if fighting the fish through heavy cover.

Using Deep Diving Crankbaits in Winter

Mastering the art of deep diving crankbait fishing in 40-degree water temperatures requires a combination of the right gear, understanding bass behavior, and strategic lure presentation. By targeting key structures and adjusting your techniques to suit the conditions, you can increase your chances of landing that elusive winter bass. 

In this post, we'll explore the best types of cover and structures to fish with deep diving crankbaits when water temperatures hover around the 40-degree Fahrenheit mark.

Understanding Deep Diving Crankbaits:

Deep diving crankbaits are lures designed to reach and explore water depths ranging between 12 to 20+ feet. They typically feature a large, bill-shaped lip that helps the lure dive deep and maintain its trajectory. In colder water, bass tend to move to deeper structures, making these lures a valuable asset for anglers.

Selecting the Right Crankbait:

Choose crankbaits that are specifically designed for deep diving, typically those with a larger bill and a slender profile. The goal is to get the lure down to the bass's level while imitating the appearance and action of their preferred prey.

Optimal Water Depth:

When water temperatures hover around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, target depths ranging from 12 to 20+ feet. Select a model where the diving depth of your crankbait matches the targeted depth. This will help ensure it runs just above the underwater cover and structures where bass might be lurking during the cold water months.

Targeting Key Structures:

a. Rocky Structures and Bluffs: Bass often seek refuge around rocky structures and bluffs in colder temperatures. Crankbaits with a tight wobbling action are effective in mimicking injured baitfish around these areas.

b. Submerged Timber and Brush: Deep diving crankbaits can be worked effectively around submerged timber and brush piles. Slowly retrieve the lure through these structures, enticing sluggish bass hiding in the cover.

c. Channel Drops and Points: Bass tend to migrate to deeper channels and points during colder months. Work your crankbait along the edges and over these structures to entice strikes.

Retrieve Techniques:

In cold water, a slow and steady retrieve is often more effective. Allow the crankbait to reach its maximum depth and maintain a consistent retrieve speed to keep it in the strike zone for an extended period.

Truth be told, most anglers braving the weather conditions for wintertime bass rarely even think about probing deeper cover with crankbaits. Those that do are offering a bait and presentation that most deep water winter bass haven't seen for several months triggering a few additional strikes at a time when any bite is "warmly" received.

Need to add a few deep diving crankbaits to your winter tackle box? Check out the selection available via the folks at Omnia Fishing by clicking on the following link:

Deep Diving Crankbait Selection

Go With the Flow and Catch More Bass

Bass fishing is often praised for its methodical nature, its reliance on precision, patterns and strategic thinking. But there's another side to the sport, a side where instinct takes over and the only guide is the feeling in your gut. That's what it means to "fish the moment."

It's that fleeting window of opportunity when everything seems to align. The sun breaks through the clouds, a previously unseen piece of cover. A bass explodes from the depths, shattering the stillness with a splash. Or maybe it's a subtle twitch on your line, a hint of movement beneath the surface.

Whatever the trigger, you react. Thought gives way to instinct. Your cast is smooth, precise, and instinctive, the lure landing right where it needs to be. You work the bait with a rhythm that feels natural, not calculated. Your focus is laser-sharp, attuned to every ripple, every swirl, every telltale sign of a lurking bass.

In those moments, you're not just fishing; you're actually living as part of the moment. You're reading the water, the fish, the environment, and responding without hesitation. It's a beautiful blend of skill and intuition, a testament to the deep connection between angler and nature.

Fishing the moment isn't about guaranteed success. It's about embracing the unknown, the thrill of the chase, the satisfaction of a well-timed strike. It's about trusting your instincts, letting go of the plan, and simply being present in the moment.

Here are a few tips to help you capitalize and "fish the moment":

• Pay attention to your surroundings: Be observant of the water, the weather, the time of day. Look for changes, subtle or dramatic, that might signal feeding activity.
• Trust your instincts: Don't overthink it. If something feels right, go with it.
• Experiment: Don't be afraid to try new things, new lures, new techniques. Sometimes the best results come from breaking the mold.
• Relax and have fun: The more you enjoy yourself, the more attuned you'll be to the moment.

Fishing the moment is about more than just catching fish. It's about connecting with the natural world, experiencing the thrill of the chase, and pushing your limits as an angler.

When Switching Lures Catches More Bass

So you've tied on your lucky crankbait, cast to your favorite spot, and...nothing. Minutes turn to hours, and the only thing tugging on your line is frustration. Sound familiar?

Here's the secret weapon you might be overlooking: adaptability.

Bass, like all creatures, are fickle. Their preferences shift throughout the day, influenced by changing light, water temperature, and even the mood of the moment. Sticking to one bait, no matter how "hot" it is, can leave you stuck in a bite-less rut.

There aren't to many anglers who have spent more time on the water chasing bass than TV bass fishing celebrity Jimmy Houston. Take a few minutes and watch as Jimmy explains his approach to changing baits throughout the day and put more bass in the boat...

The Best Time of Day for Winter Fishing

When it comes to bass fishing in winter with water temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the "best" time of day isn't as straightforward as warmer months. 

Bass become less active in colder water, so the timing becomes more situational than predictable. However, here are some factors to consider to maximize your chances of success:

Sun exposure:

• Midday: When the sun is highest, it warms shallow areas slightly and increases visibility, potentially activating lethargic bass for brief periods.
• Late afternoon: The warm surface layer from midday might linger for a while, creating pockets of slightly warmer water that could attract bass.

Forage activity patterns:

• Dawn and dusk: These times sometimes see increased feeding activity from baitfish that bass prey upon. Targeting areas near baitfish concentrations during these periods can be productive.

Weather conditions:

• Sunny vs. cloudy: Warm, sunny days can offer a slight edge over cloudy ones due to the aforementioned surface water warming.
• Wind: Moderate winds can stir up the water, potentially bringing oxygen and prey to areas where bass are holding. But strong winds can make fishing difficult.

Overall, when fishing in cold water, remember:

• Focus on areas with potential bass hiding spots: Sunken logs, rocks, docks, and weed edges hold heat and offer ambush cover for prey.
• Slow down your presentation: Use finesse techniques like Carolina rigs, drop shots, and small jigs with minimal movement.
• Experiment with bait color and size: Some colors stand out more in cold, murky water, and smaller baits might be more enticing to sluggish bass.

Bass pro Randy Blaukat has his own thoughts regarding the best time to be on the water for a successful day of winter bassin' as hes duscusses in the following video...

Remember, the best time to fish may vary depending on your specific location, waterbody characteristics, and weather conditions on any given day. Experimenting with different times and adjusting your approach based on the factors mentioned above can help you find success even in the coldest winter months.

Fishing Brush Piles for Cold Water Bass

When the winter bass bite gets tough, one productive type of cover to target dormant largemouth and spotted bass is in brush piles. Using jigs is an effective technique to entice cold, winter bass that are usually holding tight to cover in deeper water or at least close to it.

The Ideal Brush Pile

Focus your efforts on brush piles located off main lake points, at the mouths of creeks, or along channel swings in major coves or suts. Submerged brush piles located in about 10-25 feet of water are considered prime winter habitat. The best piles have a mix of branches and occasional stumps or logs that bass can tuck into waiting to ambush unsuspecting forage.

Gearing Up Properly

A 7’ heavy power, fast action rod with a high speed reel spooled up with 15 to 25 lb test fluorocarbon line makes it easier to muscle bass out of thick woody cover. Tie on a 1⁄2 oz. or heavier bass jig in black blue, brown, or green pumpkins colors tipped with a chunk-style trailer. The combination of heavier jig and line makes it easier to saty in contact with the jig and also reduces snags in the brush.

Finessing Your Presentation

Position your boat upwind and make long casts past the edges of the brush pile. Let your jig sink to the depth of the cover and work with a slow, dragging retrieve mixing in occasional hops. Watch your line for any ticks indicating a strike. When you make contact with a branch, slowly pull and pop your jig free, letting it fall back to the strike zone. Concentrate on thoroughly working all parts of the brush pile.

Set the Hook!

The light tap of a bite can quickly change to the weight of a solid bass rapidly inhaling the jig. Be ready to set the hook quickly but not too aggressively to ensure a solid hook set and not pull the jigs away from lethargic bass. Use a heavy power, fact action rod to expertly guide the bass away from the snag filled pile.

North Carolina bass pro Brandon Card relies on his jig fishing system for enticing and extracting winter bass from offshore brush piles. Take a few moments and watch as Brandon explains his process to locating and catching sluggish winter bass from his favorite deep water tangles...

Does Bulging a Spinnerbait Work?

Waking or bulging a spinnerbait is a presentation used to retrieve a spinnerbait just below the surface of the water. This retrieve creates a wake or bulge often attracting bass since it mimics fleeing baitfish. This technique is most effective when bass are feeding actively and are close to the surface, particularly in shallow water. 

To wake or bulge a spinnerbait, you will need to use a rod with a medium-heavy power and fast action along with a reel with a high gear ratio (> 6:1). You will also need to use an appropriately balanced spinnerbait with a mag willow leaf, Indiana or Colorado blade, as these blades will create the most disturbance at the surface of the water.

Here are the steps on how to wake or bulge a spinnerbait:

• Cast your spinnerbait to your target area.
• Reel your spinnerbait back at a fairly fast speed.
• Pay attention to the action of the spinnerbait. You want the blade to be creating a wake or bulge on the surface of the water.
• If the spinnerbait is not creating a wake or bulge, adjust your retrieve speed.
• If you are not getting any bites, try changing the size or color of your spinnerbait or using different blades.

The bulging spinnerbait retrieve is one I have used for many years after reading an article by bass fishing celebrity Jimmy Houston on his favorite spinnerbait presentations. Take a few minutes and watch as he gives his thoughts on when, where and why to use the bulging and bubbling retrieves when targeting bass with a spinnerbait...

When Crawling a Crankbait Shines

Crawling a crankbait is a slow, deliberate retrieve that is designed to imitate forage moving in and around cover. 

This technique is very effective for fishing submerged brush and grass for bass, as it allows the bait to slowly bump and grind periodocally ticking the cover, making it irresistible to bass that are lying in wait. looking for an easy meal.

Take a few minutes and watch as long time fishing personality Jimmy Houston demonstrates his approach to crawling crankbaits over and around submerged cover...

Here are a few more tips re: crawling a crankbait:

• Use a crankbait with a tight wobble and close to neutral bouyancy. This will allow the bait to stay down close to cover, where lurking bass are waiting to ambush unsuspecting prey.
• Reel slowly and steadily. The goal is to keep the bait just ticking the tops of grass beds, rock piles and submerged wood.
• Pay attention to your line. If you feel the bait get heavy, stop reeling and let it sit for a moment. The bass may be trying to take the bait; pausing the bait typically results in more hooked bass.

Crawling a crankbait can be a very effective way to catch bass, especially around submerged cover. With a little practice, you can master the crawling retrieve and use it to put more fish in the boat!