2 1 F
ishing is like a rock band, in that requires
multiple parts performing in rhythm to make
music. Looking a little deeper, we can fairly
compare soft baits and hooks with lead and rhythm guitarists — the former gets most of the
attention and glory, but without the latter providing
functional framework, the whole deal ’ s simply out of
tune.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Kevin VanDam ’ s a
good voice for this premise for a couple of reasons.
For one thing, he ’ s a guitar enthusiast with an
extensive collection. More importantly, he ’ s a detailed
rigger with specific uses for specific plastic baits on
specific Mustad hooks.
The 4-time Bassmaster Classic champion
recently showed us three of his favorite rigs for fall
fishing. Emulating VanDam ’ s choices will impact your
autumn efforts.
SOFT PLASTIC JERKBAIT / TWITCH KILL
He starts with a Strike King Caffeine Shad, made with a proprietary coffee scent and salt impregnated into the body, this soft plastic jerkbait features a flat belly and a bubble tail for enticing action.
“A normal soft plastic jerkbait glides around when you twitch it, when you stop this one, it sinks horizontally because of the salt content and it has a flutter base on the flat bottom,” VanDam said.
Hook choice here is a 5/0 Mustad Big Bite Grip Pin, which provides a lot of grabbing power fitting comfortably into the ample plastic body. A new hook for 2017, this model features a long shank, a round bend and Mustad’s unique bait holder, which keeps the extremely soft Caffeine Shad from slipping.
VanDam throws this rig on a 7.3:1 Quantum Vapor baitcasting reel with 14-pound fluorocarbon line for a good sink rate — a key aspect of his presentation.
“I’ll twitch it around a few times, kill it and let
it fall, twitch it a few times and kill it,” he said.
“Then, one of my favorite things to do is burn
it for 8-10 turns of the handle. That 7.3:1 reel
really makes it move.
“You
absolutely reel
it as fast as
you can and
the bait has a
FALL 2017
wiggle that looks just like a reel baitfish. So, I’ll do that and then kill it. If there’s on there, they’ll absolutely kill it.”
VanDam said he prefers this presentation in clear water. The clearer the water, the faster he works the bait.
NOTE: Although the Elite Series does not allow double rigs, VanDam suggests maximizing your presentation with a double rig. Essentially, he starts with two 20- to 25-pound leaders, one 10 inches, the other 18 inches; both with a Mustad hook and Caffeine shad at one end and a swivel on the other. After sliding his 17-pound main line through the swivel of the shorter rig, he’ll tie directly to swivel of the longer rig.
“When you twitch these two baits and then kill the rig, they just separate,” he said. “You can reel them really fast and it looks like two baitfish swimming together, but when you stop it, they dart away from one another and the bass just absolutely smoke it.
“For sight appeal, the double rig really gets the bass fired up. This is an incredible technique for a place like Lake Mead and Havasu; but it’s even for grassy areas like the Delta, because the water clears up in the fall and the fish are really focused on bait.”
VanDam typically starts with the 5-inch Caffeine Shad, but if the baitfish are smaller, he’ll use the 4-inch version and downsize to a 3/0 Mustad hook.
SWIMMER FOR SCHOOLING FISH
Available in a 3.8- and 4.8-inch size, VanDam ’ s choice for targeting schoolers is the Strike King Rage Swimmer. When the fall water is clear, he ’ ll gravitate toward the 3.8-inch size.
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