Get out the swimbaits and bladed jigs and get to work! It’s time to hunt actively feeding fish! With water temps really starting to get hot, bass will be looking for as many feeding opportunities as possible. Their metabolisms are kicking into high gear which means they need food!
Covering lots of water is key to getting bites because fish are scattered all over the lake and high water levels give them plenty of places to hide. To do this, I’ll be relying primarily on two lures: a Gambler Big EZ Swimbait, and a bladed jig tipped with a Gambler Little EZ.
There’s no doubt that top-water baits like frogs will get bites, but most of my bites, and bigger ones, come from fishing sub-surface lures. A Texas-rigged Big EZ dressed with a Gambler K.O. Punch Skirt makes quick work of finding fish in thick cover. When the water’s clear I opt for colors like Lane Toad or Copperfield; for stained water I use White Lightening. Rig your Big EZ on 50 lb. braid and a minimum 7’medium action rod for long casts and solid hook-sets.
I suggest a variety of bladed jig sizes and colors, but most of your work can be done with a 3/8- and 1/2-oz. jigs in white and green colors. Mostly I use Z-Man Chatterbaits tipped with either a twin-tail grub or a Gambler Little EZ swim bait. When tipped with a grub, I try to mimic a crawfish with a fall and rip action. When tipped with a swim bait, I just steady retrieve, but let it get into the grass and rip it out to trigger strikes.
Fish are hungry now, so get out and take advantage!
Good fishing and God bless.
CAPT. RANDY “C-NOTE” CNOTA
C-note Charters
Panama City, FL
cnotecharters.com
(229) 834-7880