A True "No Twist" Jig Head?

The Big Bite Baits Pendulate jig head is an open hook jig designed for suspending soft plastics when fishing vertical presentations especially when using modern sonar technology like forward facing sonar.

It features a unique, pendulum-style head with a built in swivel that helps to keep the bait in a more natural, horizontal position in the water. This makes it ideal for fishing in clear water situations, where fish can be more easily spooked.

The Pendulate Jig Head is available in a variety of sizes and weights, so you can choose the perfect one for your fishing application. It is also available in a variety of colors, so you can match your bait to the forage in the water.

Here are some of the features of the Big Bite Baits Pendulate Jig Head:

Pendulum-style head with a built-in swivel that helps to keep soft plastics in a more natural position in the water.

Built-in swivel that helps prevent line twist and keeping fish from throwing the bait.

Available in a variety of sizes and weights.

Available in a variety of colors.

Take a few moments and watch as fishing pro Wade Middleton gives an on the water presentation about the construction and benefits of Big Bite Bait's Pendulate jig head...

Fishing Spinnerbaits for Summer Bass

Spinnerbaits are a versatile bait that can be effective in a variety of conditions, but they can be especially deadly during the summer months. When bass are actively feeding in the summer, a spinnerbait can be a great way to get their attention and trigger aggressive strikes from big bass.

Here are several tips on how to fish spinnerbaits for summer bass:

Use the right size and color. The size and color of your spinnerbait will depend on the water clarity and the type of cover you're fishing. In clear water, use a smaller bait with a bright nickel or white, willow-leaf shaped blade. In dirty water, use a larger bait with a copper, gold or chartreuse colored, Colorado or Indiana style blade. Always  try to match the bait to the baitfish that the bass are feeding on when possible.

Vary your retrieve. The best way to fish a spinnerbait is to vary your retrieve. You can retrieve it slowly, quickly, or with a combination of both. You can also impart occasional twitches or pauses to imitate struggling baitfish. Experiment until you find a retrieve that's triggering strikes each time you hit the water.

Fish it around cover. Spinnerbaits are great for fishing around cover, such as rocks, weeds, docks and timber. Bass will often use the cover as hiding spots and ambush baitfish that swim by. When you're fishing around cover, make sure to work your spinnerbait close to it making contact as often as possible.

Burn it when working shallow flats. In the summer, bass will often move over shallow flats to feed, especially in low light conditions. This is a great time to burn a spinnerbait over and around cover found in the shallows to trigger staging bass waiting to ambush schools of baitfish. 

Take a few moments and watch this short video from the folks at Sportsman’s Outfitters discussing three specific patterns where spinnerbaits excel in catching summertime bass:

Are These Bass Lures the Best Pond Baits?

Ask ten anglers any question on how to fish for bass and you're likely to get a dozen or more different answers! 

That's definitely the case when asking about the "best" lures for fishing for bass in anysituation, especially the best baits for catching bass in ponds as we did in a previous post entitled "Best Lures for Fishing Ponds" :) 

The folks from Sportsman's Outfitters just released a video with their selections for the best pond baits; give a watch and see if you agree!

They offer some interesting options, some matching ours, others, not so much.

To me the bottom line is that just about any bait will work. It all comes down to personal preference, confidence in the bait and the type of cover present in the ponds you fish.

How to Pick Lures for Skipping Under Cover

Skipping docks and other overhanging cover is a great way to catch bass, especially in the summer when the fish are looking for shade and protection. When it comes to skipping however, not all lures are created equal. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a lure for skipping docks:

• Lure size: Smaller lures are easier to skip, but they may not be as visible to the fish. Larger lures are more visible, but they can be more difficult to skip. A good rule of thumb is to use a lure that is about 3-5 inches long but always experiment to see what lure is best for the conditions you’re facing.

• Lure shape: Lures with a flat side will skip better than those with a rounded bait. This is because the flat side helps the lure to glide across the water's surface just as flat-sided rocks do.

• Lure weight: Heavier lures will skip better than lighter lures. This is because they have more momentum and are less likely to be affected by wind or waves. However, too heavy of a lure can be difficult to skip and may not be as effective at attracting fish. Again experiment to see what’s best.

• Lure action: Lures with a lot of action, such as paddle tails or swimbaits, can be more effective at attracting fish. However, they can also be more difficult to skip.

Here are a few specific lures that are good for skipping docks and other cover:

• Soft plastic jerkbaits and stickbaits: These lures have a lot of natural appeal and are easy to skip. They are a good choice when skipping cover located in shallow water.

• Tubes: These lures are also easy to skip and have a lot of action on the fall. They can be a good choice for both shallow or deep water by altering the weight of the tube-style jighead.

• Jigs: Jigs with a flat side will skip well and can be dressed with a variety of flat-sided soft plastic baits. They can be a good choice for any water depth since different weight jigs can be used.

When trying to decide when to select a soft plastic bait like a soft stickbait versus a jig and trailer for skipping, it’s often best to consider the type of the cover you’re fishing.

Take a few minutes and watch as Pete from Omnia Fishing describes his approach to selecting the best skipping bait when he’s out on the water…

Fishing Paddletail Swimbaits for Deep Summer Bass

As summer progresses, bass tend to move deeper in search of cooler water and active forage. This can make them difficult to target, but paddletail swimbaits can be a great way to get their attention.

Paddletail swimbaits are soft plastic baits that feature a large, paddle-shaped tail. This tail creates a lot of water disturbance, which can be very attractive to bass. The baits also have a lifelike swimming action that can fool even the most finicky bass.

When fishing paddletail swimbaits for deep summer bass, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you'll need to use a heavy enough rod and reel to cast the bait effectively. You'll also need to use a line that is strong enough to handle the occasional big fish.

Second, you'll need to fish the bait in the right spots. Look for areas where there is deep water with some structure and cover, such as ledges, humps, or brush piles. Bass will often hold on or near these areas during the summer months.

Third, you'll need to use the right retrieve. A slow, steady retrieve is often the best way to fish paddletail swimbaits for deep summer bass. As always if a one retrieve is not producing, vary your retrieve to see what it takes to trigger the bass into striking.

Want a little more insight from a Bassmaster Elite pro?

Take a few minutes and watch as bass pro Buddy Gross describes his approach for using swimbaits to trigger deep, structure-oriented bass into biting!