Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by P.J. Koshi on May 9, 2011 at 5:32pm

Well my first piece of advice would be to get back if you know they are cruising a shallow flat.  Your odds will go up quite a bit if you are making a long cast to the area versus sitting on them and trying to fish for them.  I'd say right now fish a reaction bait...

Permalink Reply by troy kelly on May 9, 2011 at 5:57pm

I like to rig a yamamoto flappin hog backwards with a nail weight.  Cast ahead of cruisers and just shake your rod.  Two problems are these baits tear easy and I lose alot of fish for whaterver reason.  I've also done good this spring with a squirrel tail worm on a shakey head for cruisers.   

Permalink Reply by Joel Alinen on May 9, 2011 at 7:12pm

If you see them they see you and you probably wont catch em unless thier on beds. 

Permalink Reply by Russ Baker on May 9, 2011 at 7:23pm

Square bill shallow bill crankbaits are my go to bait.

Permalink Reply by Rob Maglio on May 9, 2011 at 7:38pm

What the other's have sad about them seeing you is absolutely true. Mark specific areas you have seen them then come back later and cast into the areas. If the weather is clear (yeah right) then soft plastics slowly worked can be good. Weightless Senkos are an early spring standby. If there are clouds and/or rain (most likely in this state) then reaction baits will work and allow you to cover more water. My favorite is a spinnerbait. Come back through the areas several times during the day until you get bit.

Permalink Reply by Pat on May 9, 2011 at 8:19pm

http://www.wafish.com/group/bassfishing/forum/topics/what-do-you-gu...

 

try these

What do you guys think of these new bluegill baits?

So does anyone have any of these yet?  What, how or where could you use these baits, it seems to me it would be a niche bait, but what applications would you guys use these for? Which lakes would you use them? Why would you use them over a regular jig?

 

Permalink Reply by David Parnicky on May 9, 2011 at 10:44pm

Everyone that has said to make long casts has hit on the most important aspect of catching super shallow bass in my opinion.  Particularly if the water is clear! If it is pretty stained you can get closer and make quieter presentations.  Since you can see them I am guessing the water is pretty clear.  I would make long casts with reaction baits if there is some chop on the water or dark skies.  If it is calm and bright, I would make long casts with a small subtle jerkbait, topwater, or weightless plastic.  If you catch them on a weighted plastic bait, there is a good chance that same bait will get shallow spooky fish weightless. This is just my approach though, not saying its the best way to go by any means.  Good luck! Those can be some tough fish to catch sometimes!

Permalink Reply by eric mccarthy on May 9, 2011 at 11:32pm

Well said David I totally agree. I am trying to remember a time when I saw a fish up shallow cruising not locked on a bed and I caught it I dont think I ever have.

Permalink Reply by kyle ganwich on May 10, 2011 at 7:55am

right now just fish jigs around all of the docks they are started to pick out the spot for there beds but have not made them yet

Permalink Reply by Zach Chandler on May 10, 2011 at 9:07am

That is highly dependent on the lake you're fishing and where on the lake you're fishing

kyle ganwich said:

right now just fish jigs around all of the docks they are started to pick out the spot for there beds but have not made them yet

Permalink Reply by Ryan Higgins on May 10, 2011 at 10:22am

I generally use a Dt-4 in a bait color (crawfish, baby bass, bluegill) depending on what the lake has for forage or a Yamamoto Hula Grub rigged Texas with a 1/4 oz bullet weight.

Permalink Reply by BigBass Dez on May 10, 2011 at 1:30pm

Dropswim a panic minnow !!  Iv been very sucessful dropswimming the P.M for cruisers over the past couple of years .. The key is too cast ahead of the fish and entice it into striking , Im sure that there are many other plastics that would work well but i can tell ya from my own first hand experience that the Panic Minnow will get r done .. Just ask last years winners of NWBass on washington !!