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Bass Fishing: A Great Way to Enjoy the Outdoors

As a Realtree Land Pro, we are constantly writing about hunting methods and techniques. Today, I wanted to change things up and write a bit about my passion, bass fishing. Although I love to hunt deer and especially waterfowl, there is something that trips my trigger when it comes to bass fishing. It might be that I was a professional bass guide on one of if not the top trophy bass lakes in the country, Lake Fork in Texas, and I have boated 500-plus fish over eight pounds. Whatever the reason it is truly one of my favorite ways to enjoy the great outdoors.

As a former guide, I am always asked about what is the best bait to catch trophy bass? Well, that’s a great question and one that could have several different answers depending on who you ask. My personal favorite big bass fishing bait is a jig and craw worm. There are several types of craw worms on the market and we can discuss these at another time.

The jig and craw in my mind is the premier big bass bait. Typically, a jig will not catch a great deal of fish but typically the fish will be larger than other baits. Most trophy bass, bass over 10 pounds are not the most aggressive and, therefore, are not likely to expend the energy to chase down a fast moving bait. The jig is a large profile bait that is moved slowly and displaces a good dal of water. The jig represents a crawfish which is one of the top meals for bass.

The jig and craw is a bait that can be fished deep shallow and in all types of cover including vegetation, timber, lay downs, and such. The jig can go through the toughest cover and get to where the trophy bass are located. You have to go where the big fish are to catch big fish and a lot of times that means picking the nastiest place where most fisherman won’t go.

My preferred jig is a 3/8-ounce jig in any color as long as it’s black and blue. I use a 3/8-ounce jig for a slower fall.  I also believe in trying to match the color of crawfish during that particular time of year. If I am fishing heavy vegetation I will go up to a one ounce jig to penetrate the vegetation.

There are several ways to fish a jig, but my preferred method is a lot of twitching the tip of the rod to get the skirt to flair out. Fish it slow and low? The hardest part of fishing a jig is learning what the bite is and when to set the hook. I use to tell clients that when it feels like you’re pulling through mud set the hook! Be sure to watch your line sometimes a fish will pick it up and start swimming away. I fish a medium heavy to a heavy sensitive graphite rod and use a reel with at least a 6:1 ratio. I prefer to us at least 15-pound test in mono or fluorocarbon or 40-pound braid.

I hope that this little bit of info will help you in gaining confidence in one the best big bass bait to have ever been designed. I always have one tied on and it is my confidence bait. With some practice I think it will be yours as well. Good luck and tight lines!

About Author John Wilhite

John Wilhite is a Realtree United Country Land Pro, Broker Associate, Auctioneer, and has the expertise that will help you find or sell hunting property in Eastern Oklahoma. In addition to being a Realtree Land Pro, John is also a member of AQHA, NRHA, and Ducks Unlimited. He is a dedicated Sportsman that enjoys hunting and fishing with his boys, be it fishing in local tournaments or hunting waterfowl and deer

Visit RealtreeUC.com today to find a land pro that can help you turn your passion into possibilities.

Kevin Paulson

Kevin Paulson is the Founder and CEO of HuntingLife.com. His passion for Hunting began at the age of 5 hunting alongside of his father. Kevin has followed his dreams through outfitting, conservation work, videography and hunting trips around the world.

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