TAKEOFF
IN SEASON
seasonal tips and tricks
By Paul Strege other odds and ends
” TRAP DITCHES FOR WINTER BASS” flW tour pro Joseph Webster’ s favorite wintertime pattern is ripping Rat-ltraps through ditches in southern reservoirs.
“ fish are always positioned near the mouths of the ditches and will move up into those areas when the water warms,” he explains.“ those ditches can be anywhere from 4 to 10 feet deep. the grass stays pretty green year-round because the pools are drawn down to lower levels in winter where sunlight can reach the grass. those weeds help to filter the water while the ditch provides a current break.” Webster throws a 1 / 2-ounce trap shallower than 6 feet and a 3 / 4-ounce model in deeper water.“ the heavier size allows you to maintain a fast retrieve. You are looking for a reaction bite, regardless of the depth.”
Pro choIce: Go-to WInter baIts
1. bradley dortch Jenko Fishing Persues 110 Suspending Jerkbait“ it’ s a killer bait; a great alternative to a jigging spoon. i like to throw the chartreuse and orange colors in dirtier water, and shad patterns when the water is clearer.”
thIs or that
travis fox, 2017 forrest Wood cup runner-up, shares his selection process for his two favorite wintertime baits: the Rapala shad Rap crankbait and Rapala shadow Rap jerkbait.
|
shad rap |
shadow rap |
Weather: |
Warming trend |
high winds |
Forage: |
Baitfish in the shallows |
Baitfish offshore |
Cover / location: Main lake, creeks, sloping banks |
Main lake, deep drops, channels |
Shadow Rap
Shad Rap
2. andrew upshaw 1 / 2-ounce Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap“ i always have at least one tied on throughout winter. the tight wobble gets a reaction bite regardless of the conditions. any of the red patterns like Rayburn red are dynamite in the months of January and february.”
home fIeLd advantaGe? no doubt florida anglers have insight into the quirky behavior of florida-strain largemouth bass, but does that experience translate into tournament wins? Will a florida pro win again on okeechobee when the costa flW series season kicks off on Jan. 4, or at the flW tour opener on the same pond Jan. 25? here’ s what the numbers have to say.
BREAKDOWN OF WINS IN FLORIDA BY STATE OF RESIDENCE |
|
FLW |
FLW Series |
Costa FLW Series |
|
|
Tour |
Eastern |
Southeastern |
Total |
Wins by Floridian |
3 |
3 |
9 |
15 |
Wins by Out-of-Stater * |
11 |
1 |
7 |
19 |
Winning Percentage |
|
|
|
|
By Floridian |
21.42 % |
75 % |
56.25 % |
44.11 % |
* Randall Tharp and Tom Mann Jr. have each won in Florida at a time when they spent a significant amount of their offseason in Florida, but were not Florida residents. Tharp now lives in Florida, and Mann guides on Okeechobee. Bradley Dortch lived in Florida for a spell before he won there, but he was living in Alabama at the time of his win.
3. shane Lehew Shane’ s Baits Blades of Glory“ fish typically feed on shad in the winter, and the [ umbrella ] rig is a great imitator. it has nine arms, which give it a large profile. i like to rig it with smaller 3- inch swimbaits.”
16 fLWfIshInG. com I january 2018