COLUMN : BALOG ON BASS FISHING
the baits ( and strategies ) that get the big bites
While lure choice plays a role in getting trophy bass to bite , the opinions of Jones , Lucas , Roy and Birge are all over the map when it comes to Heavy Hitters bait philosophy .
Lucas ’ s fondness for big , slow-moving plastics showed when he pocketed a hefty Heavy Hitters check in Florida , where he alternated between Texas and Carolina rigs depending on the cover he was targeting . Many of his big paydays have resulted from throwing a magnumsized Berkley Power Hawg , a substantial creature bait . Even his highly developed West Coast finesse tactics rely on upsized baits when big largemouth are his quarry .
“ If I need to drop-shot , I throw a 6- inch worm ,” Lucas says .
When spawning bass present themselves , expect Jones to be there with a
Texas rig in hand . But according to the Texas pro , his “ dream scenario ” for the 2024 Heavy Hitters event on the Kissimmee Chain features a jig . Clearly , he ’ s already played the scenario out in his head .
“ Give me a 1-ounce jig on the outside Kissimmee grass and I ’ m happy ,” Jones says . “ It ’ s high risk , high reward , but everything in fishing is about risk assessment , Heavy Hitters especially .”
Birge also admits to going magnum once he ’ s confident of making the cut , while Roy dances with the date that brought him : “ My bait choices don ’ t change much ( from start to finish ),” Roy admits .
One thing all four anglers can agree on , however , is the importance of picking a productive big fish area and fishing it thoroughly . Staying the course even when bites might be few and far between is part of the game — although it ’ s easier said than done when SCORE-
TRACKER ® is ringing . Getting “ spun out ” is the downfall of many anglers targeting big ones .
“ The mentality of big fish hunting is finding a technique that fits your strength and sticking with it ,” Jones says .
He should know . At just 31 years of age , Jones was one of the fastest anglers ever to hit $ 1 million in career earnings , thanks in large part to his $ 269,000 Heavy Hitters haul .
The 2024 rendition of Heavy Hitters will present a unique twist , as the 30 qualifying anglers will return to Florida ’ s Kissimmee Chain but do so May 18-23 . With bass likely to be done spawning , offshore tactics may prevail . But keep in mind , the Kissimmee Chain is currently chock full of grass , making traditional , heavy-handed tactics a given .
Will a true hydrilla gorilla make an appearance ? If so , history suggests Jones , Lucas , Roy and Birge will be the favorites to find it .
24 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2024