FULL POWER
ZACK BIRGE
n bass fishing, there are two predominant
ways to catch fish:
power-fishing techniques on baitcasting
gear and finesse applications
with spinning equipment.
Sure, the lines are blurred with
some light-line baitcast rigs and heavier
spinning outfits, but for the most
part, it’s one or the other. Both styles
of fishing have their time and place,
and the majority of bass fishermen are
adept at fishing both and equally comfortable
no matter what type of rod
they’re using. Whatever the situation
calls for, most bass anglers are ready
to adapt in order to catch fish.
But what if you could make a living
using only power-fishing strategies?
What if you didn’t need to slow down
or fish finesse except in extreme
cases? Is there an advantage to the
heavy line and high speed of powerfishing
only, or would there be a major
handicap?
Major League Fishing pros Ish
Monroe and Zack Birge are proof that
power can pay off virtually all the time.
They are both more than capable of
picking up spinning gear and succeeding.
They just prefer not to. They’re
power fishermen, and they’ve made
their power-fishing approaches work.
They generally fish their way and find
success wherever the Bass Pro Tour
schedule takes them.
We asked them to divulge a few of
their power-fishing reasons and strategies
for success.
PHOTO BY JESSE SCHULTZ
PHOTO BY GARRICK DIXON
ISH MONROE
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FLWFISHING.COM | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING.COM | JUNE-JULY 2020