MATT STEFAN ’ S LITTLE NUGGETS
ig baits catch big fish . No question .
Yet a look at new lure types and prevailing techniques shows the bass world suddenly getting smaller . “ Mini-Me ” jerkbaits and crankbaits are doing yeoman ’ s service . Nedsized plastics are frontline players . Micro versions of popular baits — and even crappie jigs — are more frequently summoned for bass duty .
Downsized baits of all types are clearly in vogue , and the trend has little to do with fashion or a shrinking world . High-level tournament pros regard the downsizing trend as an outcome of intense fishing pressure . Innovations in tackle , technique and technology have accelerated its development and validated its effectiveness , all while expanding our understanding of bass behavior .
Of course , targeting bass with small – even panfish-sized baits – is nothing new . If you ’ re old enough to recall Charlie Brewer and his do-nothing “ Slider ” grubs , you know the early history of small baits for bass . Northern smallmouth anglers have caught
cold-water giants on small hair jigs for generations . Quiet cells of Midwest and West Coast anglers counted coup on bass with 3- inch Reapers and the Jackall I-Motion and I- Shad . Then came the Ned rig .
Until recent years , however , small baits played a minimal role in most tournament angler arsenals . Often , they were relegated to specialty situations or dire-emergency service .
But , not so coincidentally , small baits have become mainstream as forward-facing sonar ( FFS ) has advanced and taken over the sport . Watching how bass — even big bass — respond to smaller baits has weakened any lingering resistance to spinning rods and downsized presentations .
Why fish small ? Reasons abound !
BITE-SIZED SNACKS
Simple science and plain logic lay at the foundation of the “ small stuff ” trend . Small forage in the form of baitfish , insects , tadpoles , small crustaceans and the fry and young of any fish that swims comprise an abundant food source that is readily available to bass and seldom far away .
MATT STEFAN ’ S LITTLE NUGGETS
Matt Stefan likes to downsize when the bite gets tough . That ’ s when he pulls out his “ little nugget box .” Inside are the new Berkley Finisher 5 , Berkley ’ s Frittside 5 Jr . crankbait , a 1 / 8- ounce buzzbait , ¼-ounce spinnerbait and # 0 and # 1 Mepps inline spinners , as well as the following :
COLOR : BONE
COLOR : HD BLACKNOSE SHINER
PHOTO BY ROB MATSUURA
BERKLEY POWERBAIT POWER SWITCH The bait ’ s pre-rigged , weightforward design makes for fast fall and accurate placement . One of Berkley ’ s new “ FFS Optimized ” creations designed to maximize control , the Power Switch offers bite-sized 1.75- , 2.5- , 3- and 3.5-inch offerings along with more standard 4.25- and 5-inch meals . “ It matches a lot of batfish species and has a fast , darting action that elicits a lot of strikes ,” says Stefan .
DON IOVINO SPLASH-IT This compact , 2 1 / 4-inch popper with a feathered tail treble is a favorite when bass are corralling small baitfish at the surface .
COLOR : PURPLE SHINER
BERKLEY GULP ! MINNOW Nothing new about this longtime cult favorite ! With 1-inch , 1.5-inch and 3-inch options to choose from , it ’ s a scent-rich , small bait that fish never seem to tire of . “ I absolutely love it as a drop-shot bait ,” says Stefan , “ especially on smallmouth fisheries .”
APRIL-MAY 2024 | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM 47