Rapala DT crankbaits are
Jacob Wheeler’s go-to plugs
for just about any depth.
2. JIGS FOR BIGS
“You always have to have a jig tied on, no matter where
you go,” says Wheeler, echoing pretty common sentiment
among top professional anglers.
There are countless head designs for jigs, but for Wheeler,
who has no sponsor connection with a jig company, the best
all-around jig (which he buys just like everyone else) is the
ER Lures Flipping jig, a modified version of the old-standard
Arky head.
“They’re hand-tied, and you can do it all with them, from
flipping cover to skipping docks or fishing offshore,” explains
Wheeler. “That head design is the most versatile for me, and
it goes through cover great.
“I’ve had great tournaments flipping it into bushes and
laydowns, and it can also be fished offshore. I’ve started to
go away from the football head offshore and started to drag
this jig away from the bank, and it does a great job.”
Color selection is pretty simple, too.
“I use a green pumpkin, black and blue, brown, and a
green pumpkin with blue. Those four will cover all of the different
water clarities,” Wheeler says.
PHOTO BY BRODY MCWILLIAMS
3. CREATURE COMFORTS
Another versatile bait in Wheeler’s arsenal is a creature
bait. His current pick is the Googan Baits Bandito Bug, which
he uses in a variety of ways.
“That is my favorite jig trailer, but it’s also an excellent flipping
bait,” he says. “I’ll also fish it on a Tokyo Rig.
“There are a lot of scenarios where I use the Bandito Bug,
and it just gets bit.”
The advantage of the creature bait is its ability to be
fished anywhere from deep brush to shallow cover. Really,
nothing is off limits due to Wheeler’s extreme confidence in
this style of bait.
“If I need to get a bite or two, I know I can do it with a
Bandito Bug, no matter where I am in the country,” he adds.
Though he rotates through six or seven colors, Wheeler
says blue baby is his top pick for its versatility.
“My next favorite would be Bama bug, and I’ll use Alabama
craw when I want to add an orange flair to my jigs.”
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020 | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING.COM | FLWFISHING.COM 47