Bass Fishing Dec 2016 | Page 20

LIVeWeLL

ask THE EXPERTS brIdGe basIcs Any tips on winter

Q. bridge fishing?

A.

Tracy Adams, Wilkesboro, N. C. –

For starters, I like cranking the riprap on the banks. My go-to crankbait this time of year is a Rapala Shad Rap – one that dives about 6 feet deep. I cast parallel to the bank, keeping it close enough that it bounces off the rocks.

If that doesn’ t produce, I will back off the bank a bit and throw a Megabass Vision 110 jerkbait for suspended fish. If the fish aren’ t around the rocks, my next stop is bridge pilings, and I will work the jerkbait around them for a while.

If all else fails, I like to try a drop-shot, shaky-head jig or umbrella rig on the pilings, focusing especially on the corners.

PHOTO BY CHARLES WALDORF

Q. A.

Q. A. jIGGInG season

What are your favorite wintertime jigging baits?

Terry Bolton, Paducah, Ky. –

In winter, I use three types: Rapala Jigging Raps, traditional jigging spoons and blade baits such as a Reef Runner Cicada or Silver Buddy. The Jigging Rap, however, is my favorite among those. In my experience, it’ s most effective in 20- to 30-foot depths when bait is schooled along sheer drop-offs and vertical structure. It provides more action and glide compared to traditional spoons. It’ s versatile, too. You can fish it straight up and down, or cast it out and rip it back to the boat with a lift-and-drop retrieve. I like black / silver and chartreuse / white in No. 9( 7 / 8 ounce) and No. 7( 5 / 8 ounce) sizes.

jerkbaIt shades

How do you select jerkbait colors? Any favorites?

Q. A. dIGItaL preparatIon

How do you conduct lake studies heading into a new tournament season?

Randy Blaukat, Joplin, Mo. – A lot of it depends upon my familiarity with the body of water. If it is one where I have past experience, I look for current information on four primary water conditions: temperature, level, clarity and changes in cover. Once I find out those four things, I can establish an approach for the event.

If I am going to a new body of water, the first thing I do is check out Google Earth and get a visual for how it lays out. Google Earth has really transformed tournament preparation as it lets you pre-fish from your laptop in the comfort of your own home. I also conduct some basic Internet research on past tournament weights, techniques and other relevant information, in addition to current conditions.

Ask the Experts is compiled by Paul Strege. If you have a question that you’ d like answered, email it to questions @ flwfishing. com.

Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla. –

As a general rule, I select the most natural color I can for the body of water I am fishing, based on the baitfish. In my experience, darker hues work best in stained water while lighter ones seem to work best in clear water. I really like the 6th Sense Provoke series of jerkbaits, and I have two favorite colors: copper green shad for stained water and shad scream everywhere else.

18 fLWfIshInG. com I december 2016