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