Bass Fishing Dec 2019 - Jan 2020 | Page 29

cHAmPIonSHIP — laKe CuMberland — oct. 31-nov. 2 42 lbs, 15 oz Andrew upshaw, tulsa, okla. upshaw exploited a transitional pattern where smallmouth bass were setting up on bluff banks in the lower end of the lake near where they’ll eventually winter. the best spots were where the depth shallowed up from 45 to 50 feet deep to 22 to 24 feet deep, and where the river channel swung in close to shore. with the exception of a couple bass he caught on a buzzbait during the first morning, when rain and wind pounded central Kentucky, upshaw caught all his weight by finesse fishing with a ned rig and small jig. he rigged the ned rig with a green pumpkin strike King ned ocho worm on a 1/8-ounce Gene larew ned rig pighead jig head. his jig was either a 3/8- or 1/2-ounce strike King bitsy Flip jig paired with a green pumpkin strike King baby rage Craw trailer. upshaw says the jig was his go-to. he worked it slowly down the slope through 5 to 14 feet of water. wInTEr 2020 I FLwFISHInG.com 27