3 Presentations for Clear Water Bass | Actively Chasing | Fry Guarding | Pre or Post Spawn Staging

Winning WWBT on a Desert Lake with Josh Bertrand

Arizona pro Josh Bertrand hooked up with fishing partner Alex Centner to compete in the Wild West Bass Trail’s last Arizona team tournament on Lake Pleasant. The duo claimed victory at the desert lake with a seven-fish limit that went 21.67 and included a 4.57 big bass.

They took $4,250 of the $21,875 paid out at the single day event.

Bertrand explained each of the three setups and targets the team used for their winning weigh fish.

 

Swimbaits for Chasers in the Early Morning

COLOR: Shad Color

PRESENTATION: Rigged on a Berkley Fusion 19 Swimbait Hook 5/0.

TARGETS: Early in the morning, the targets were fish that were actively chasing shad. We were fortunate in the fact we were able to get some schooling fish, because so many fish are trying to spawn, you normally only get singles. In the morning, we were luck to have a couple flurries and then after that we got one here and one there – typical springtime fishing.

Wacky-Rigged Stick Bait for Fry Guarders

BAIT: Berkley MaxScent The General

COLOR: Green Pumpkin Party – The look of the MaxScent colors have matte finishes, which look really natural under water, which has been a big difference maker in the clear water –  like on Lake Pleasant and Mead where you can see 20-feet down.

LINE: Berkley NanoFil 8-pound-test

PRESENTATION: Rigged wacky-style on a 1/0 Berkley Fusion 19 Wacky Hook

TARGETS: As the sun came up, we started targeting bushes and trees with fry guarders.

Dropshotting Finesse Worms for Stagers

BAIT: Berkley MaxScent Hit Worm

COLOR: Green Pumpkin – Again, the natural matte colors of the PowerBait are perfect for these super clear water situations.

LINE: Berkley NanoFil 8-pound-test mainline with a Berkley 100% Fluorocarbon leader in 6-pound-test.

PRESENTATION: Rigged on a dropshot with a 3/16-ounce weight and an 8-inch leader from hook to weight. An 8-inch leader was chosen because of the water clarity, which was up to 20-feet.

TARGETS: Staging fish on creek channels and secondary points for pre and post spawn fish in 10- to 25-feet.