What's workin now...Bass!

[Corey Bechtold]

I made it out today for a small Bass fishing tourney. The T'Storms that moved through had me a little worried about how it would effect the fish. I started fishing some bars next to deep water and only managed one good Largemouth on a Dark red Storm rattle worm. Later I tried a few different areas and finally settled on a shallow flat area that had 4 different kinds of weeds in several areas. What I found that worked was a Lake Fork Ring Fry. I was rigging it weedless and fishing it in and around the slop areas. The fish would hit pretty hard and I had to hit hard back to get them out of the soup. Having the sensitivity of Fireline definately helped distinguish between the Bass bites and the Sunfish bites. I was using 7' Berkley rods and felt that a longer rod may have come in handy a few times. These fish were fiesty and if you let them turn you down in the weeds it was hard to get them out. Finding the pockets in Lilypads and Bullrushes seemed to be holding the majority of the fish. Water temps were right around 67 degrees. All in all I caught about 20 good fish today and had a blast doing it! I can't wait to get out again to see what new things may be working for Bass. I hope you all have success this year and I hope to see "What's workin now..." from all of you too.

Here's a nice Bass from today.

Good Luck,

Corey Bechtold

[Metroguy99]

i tossed a slug-go around a metro lake for about an hour, while helping my brother with another activity. Picked up several bass right at the inside weedline and shallow backwater. They were hammering it when i got them.

[riverrat56]

I've been having good luck on Floating Raps, Rattle Traps,And Spinners. My buddy owns all of 3 bass lures ( No lie ) a floating Rapala in silver and black, a chartruse and white spinner bait, and a Lepord Frog ZARA Spook, he has been doing well on all three, fishing the spook reallllllllllly slow, and slow cranking the other 2 lures.

He out fished me by a long shot last time....

[Deitz Dittrich]

I was up on the Whitefish Chain of lakes fishing the LETS tounament. The NEW Exude Comida was the lure of choice for me. Man did it catch fish! Caught a few on the rapala X-rap, and a few on spinnerbaits. fish were shallow and there were a lot of them!

[Superduty]

I was out near Paynesville over the weekend and the smallies were up shallow-tail end of the spawn I believe. Pretty much wore 'em out on tubes, senkos, and drop shot rigs. Also got a few on spinnerbaits burned over the flats. Lots of 3 to 4 lb fish.

[grip-em+rip-em]

My buddy and I, who live and die with topwater lures had alot of fun this weekend. We must of caught 50 plus in about 3.5 hours of fishing. All the fish were caught on moss bosses, in shallow bays. I was suprised at how agressive the fish were. I think were finally getting the water temps up to where they need to be. Biggest fish was 4lb 3oz. with the majority being in the 2.5lb range. I love nothing more then coming home from bass fishing, and having my wife ask "Did you get any?", and I just smile and show her my scuffed up right thumb.

[carlcmc]

its a good fishing day when your thumb is scuffed up!

[Slyster]

What is a "Exude Comida"... I checked mister twisters HSOforum and downloaded their 2005 catalog and no mention of Comida.

Is it a lure? or a plastic?

[Lunker]

Evening topwater bite here in the MPLS chain. Senkos in the pads on one other lake I've been out on recently.

[Redline]

I also couldn't find the comida. Also Deitz, if you don't mind, could you send me a message of some of the spots you fished. I have a cabin on the Chain but I am in summer classes tillt he end of this week at Iowa State, so I won't make it up to the cabin till next weekend. I am on Daggett so I fish that and Little Pine and the channel between Daggett and Cross a lot. Thanks! My email is [email protected]

[Deitz Dittrich]

Th Comida is brand new.. many stores do not even have them yet.. Its just Exudes verson of a senko copy....

[st.crioxfishin]

have been doing well on the zoom fluke and the YUM dinger(senko type bait) in 5 FOW or less.

[Metroguy99]

5 FOW water for sure. Was at Harriet tonight for less than 45 minutes, and caught 3, lost two. all on senkos. Weren't very big. Hooked into a real pig (20+) , but he jumped and threw it.I like those senkos alot. Only second time using them. It has very good action, much improved from my previous favorite - sluggos.

[Corey Bechtold]

After the T-Storms we are supposed to get this week, what would be some places to look for Bass? I have had some success under docks and also just off the sharp drop off's adjacent to shallow water. Just thought I'd see what works for all of you.

Good Luck,

Corey Bechtold

[d.roy]

A buddy and I had a great outing last thursday on a smaller metro lake. He was pulling 'em in on a super slow texas rigged power worm. I tried a carolina rigged worm but not much success. I later switched to a light mushroom head jig rigged with a 4" finesse worm and was slammed in no time! Was working it in sparse weed beds and in pockets. Caught multiple fish on that including my first 20"er of the season. Also caught multiple fish on a scum frog, including another 20+"er. We both caught lots of fish, including quite a few larger ones - all in 5 or less fow. Looking forward to my next outing...can't wait until the big girls move deep!!

As for the t-storms - depends on how much thunder and how much the water might rise. I'll be looking in the same places as I've previously found them (shallow and super shallow) on my next outing. If I don't find 'em there I'll look deep and work it slow.

[Gopher_Guy]

Anyone tried the x-rap yet? My dad & I caught about 25 on opening weekend on that lure. They were mainly little ones but it was still fun. They really hammered that lure.

[Slyster]

I just bought 2 X-Raps at Gander.. can't wait to try them!

[deeky]

I went looking for the X's at the Fleet Farm in Alex the other day. Usually a very good selection, but they were entirely sold out, not one left. Must be working.

[driftboat]

Ahh X-rap = smallmouth magnet

Tried the x-rap this year on Island Lake Res a week ago, worked awesome on the big smallmouth. These lures will definetly be on my line a lot this year.

Senkos have been working on the St. Louis River in thick heavy wooded, pilings areas. Monday on the river I had a large smallmouth hold on to the worm at least a good 10-15 seconds b4 I set the hook set. I was amazed how long it had it for, crazy

I use the senko alot for docks, wooded cover and thick structure, can't beat it.

[Redline]

How are you guys fishing the x-rap? I might pick one up and try for some smallies when Im up in Sioux Narrows, Canada.

[dan sexton]

What a crappie!!

A couple of new products hitting the market that are catching numbers and big fish at that:

1) The "swamp donkey" is a new frog that can "walk the dog" very well and has a good hook up ratio in the slop.

2) Boo Yaa (Bill Dance endorced) baits makes a spinnerbait that is called "counter sink" . This spinnerbait is a double willow with a minor differance that gives it a fish catching advantage. The blades have holes for the swivel that are off-set to give the spinnerbait unresistable action.

Let me know how those Minnesota Bass like 'em,

Dan

[Corey Bechtold]

"Crappie" don't southerners call em Specks I haven't picked up any of the Booyaa's yet, I'm waiting for them to go on sale. They do look very nice and functional. I'm not sure but are they made from titanium? I am still a fan of the Terminators, they seem to hold up a bit better.

Good Luck,

Corey Bechtold

[waltinader]

Small jigs right now are working the best.

[FI Guide]

Now is the time to start hitting up the docks in the afternoon with tubes. As the water heats up the fish are attracted to shade so the docks provide perfect shade and an ambush point to attack their prey. Combine the docks with structure and you got yourself a bass holding area.

[Gopher_Guy]

Quote:

---

How are you guys fishing the x-rap? I might pick one up and try for some smallies when Im up in Sioux Narrows, Canada.

---

I fished it like any jerk bait. Just reel, rip it, let it pause, repeat. They seem to hit it on the pause the most.