SPOTTED BASS
RIPBAIT
Aaron patterns long tapering points not fishing any deeper than 20 feet and covers as many points as possible to target multiple roaming wolf packs of spotted bass. Claiming the key to this bait in winter is working it fast, not pausing more than a second or two in between jerks, that’s why he prefers the more flat style points. Britt uses an IROD 692 Air with 10-pound Seaguar Fluorocarbon for jerkbaits.
TUBES
Switching to spinning gear, an IROD 6102 and 10-pound braid to an 8-pound fluorocarbon leader for fishing tubes. Aaron targets points, creek channels and clay banks in 15- to 20-ft of water. Dragging the tubes along the bottom mimicking crawdads. Working multiple spots to try and find the packs of bigger fish. Having patience is important with this technique, but the bite is worth it.
SWIMBAIT
Not just any swimbait, but smaller profile soft plastic bait such as a 3” Keitech. Rigging the swimbait on a ¼-oz ball head and the IROD 6102 spinning rod with 10-pound braid to 8-pound fluorocarbon leader. Throwing the swimbait up to the bank and fishing it down to about 20-feet, slow rolling it along the bottom. Spotted bass “don’t play by the rules,” claims
WINTER 2015
Britt, after learning they will eat three to four times a day and that the bigger fish mostly remain shallow year-round. So by targeting the right areas with this bait he is able to cover more ground, looking for the actively feeding fish.
Britt advises matching the hatch in terms of colors, but it all depends on where you are and how you want to fish, as crawdads and dying shad for example are a favored treat in winter. Big fish still live and eat in cold water, Aaron has learned how they prefer to be fed, and now you do too.
9