TAKEOFF
TECHNIQUES
By Joe Balog photos by joe balog
HOW JOHN COX GETS SHALLOW
THE FLORIDA PRO HAS UNIQUE TECHNIQUES FOR REACHING OTHERWISE UNTAPPED FISH
In the eight years he ’ s been on the FLW Tour , John Cox has developed quite a following . Dubbed the “ Tin Man ” for his use of an aluminum boat in professional tournament competition , Cox took the world by storm in 2016 with a win at the Forrest Wood Cup .
In nearly all the events Cox fishes , he looks for a situation where his shallow-water , tin-boat approach can get him to fish that other anglers can ’ t reach . He often finds it necessary to push his gear to the limit to get there .
First Things First
Before delving into his tactics , it ’ s important to note that Cox , like many other FLW pros , goes to any length necessary to win big-money bass tournaments , and often damages equipment in the process . It ’ s a financial tradeoff that works for him , but might not for the average angler . For that reason , readers might want to consider his methods a general overview , rather than step-by-step instructions .
Also , Cox has a unique skill-set , which he ’ s developed over many years of competition . He knows how to “ 4x4 ” through the shallows safely . Two rules to glean from his approach : Never push yourself into a situation you ’ re not comfortable with , and always wear a life jacket .
The Boat
The first key to Cox ’ s shallow-water program is his boat – an aluminum Crestliner that ’ s much lighter than a glass boat . It features a hydraulic jack plate and a unique , massive battery system to ensure his trolling motor never loses power . All are keys to the system .
Stage One : Use the Outboard
Cox uses his outboard to access skinny water the majority of the time . In most cases , logjams are child ’ s play , and access is about brawn over brains . While many bass boaters have driven over logs , Cox does so at faster speeds than most .
“ You have to make sure you have enough speed to get over the log , but not drop off it and get hung up ,” he says . The most common mistake is winding up with a log stuck between the outboard and transom .
When jumping and sliding over logs , the lower unit of the motor will frequently contact the log on the “ downslide ,” as might other items attached to the transom such as the Power- Pole brackets . There ’ s potential for damage . Also , it ’ s entirely possible to gain enough speed to climb a stationary log , but lack the momentum to clear it . In that case , the only option is to call for a tow . It ’ s not a method that just anyone should try .
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FLWFISHING . COM I AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2018