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Important Knots For Bass Anglers

February 26, 2022March 3, 2022 PracticalAngler 1 Comment

Ever Feel Like You’re Missing That Special Fishing Knot?

How many times have you been out on a bass fishing trip facing a specific situation where a certain knot is required but couldn’t remember how to tie it?

I’m sure it has happened to each of us at some point and what happens?

We end up either running around asking everyone else how to tie the knot or improvise using a knot that is less than an ideal solution.

Even if you’ve been lucky enough to get your hands on a credit card size knot guide for your wallet, sometimes the little diagrams just don’t cut it!

fishing knots

Obviously the best way to avoid this situation is to re-learn how to

Selecting the Right Spinnerbait for Conditions

January 6, 2022 PracticalAngler No Comments

One of the most versatile but often misused or neglected bass lures around is the trusty spinnerbait. Originally developed in the early part of the 20th century (Shannon Twin Spin for instance), the spinnerbait has seen it’s popularity rise and fall continually since its inception. Why are spinnerbaits so versatile? The weedless nature of the…

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Late Fall – Early Winter Bass Fishing Using Suspending Jerkbaits

October 14, 2021October 16, 2021 PracticalAngler 1 Comment

Many anglers have been throwing minnow baits (now commonly called jerkbaits) such as Rebels and Rapalas since their early days of bass fishing. Though originally designed as either a floating or sinking bait, astute bass fishermen quickly determine a little modification to these minnow baits provides a lure that can be more effectively fished at intermediate depths.

Once modified, the altered minnow bait would then either rise much more slowly or sometimes suspend at depth (of lucky enough to get the weight balance right).

Even though is provided an answer to the intermediate depth problem, it was less than a perfect solution. The modification process was by trial and error and sometimes the jerkbait minnow lure was rendered useless during alteration. Usually a costly effort in both and money!

Are Suspending Jerkbaits Really Special?

Read More “Late Fall – Early Winter Bass Fishing Using Suspending Jerkbaits” »

bass fishing tackle tips, practical bass fishing, practical fishing gear, practical fishing tips, seasonal bass fishing

Saving Trailer Hooks

June 10, 2021April 27, 2021 PracticalAngler No Comments

Ever get caught out on the water, reach into your tackle box for a trailer hook but can’t find the hook keepers? I know I have! A quick and easy solution for those times when you want to add a trailer hook to a spinnerbait or buzzbait but can’t find the keepers is described in the…

KVD on Spinnerbait Trailers

May 22, 2021April 26, 2021 PracticalAngler No Comments

Ask 10 bass fisherman how they feel about the use of trailers on spinnerbaits and you’re likely to get almost as many answers.

After reading an article by Kevin VanDam recently discussing his approach to the use of spinnerbait trailers, I was surprised to find his views on using spinnerbait trailers were much like mine.

spinnerbait trailers

Generally speaking when fishing during the warmer periods of the year in either clear or stained water neither KVD nor myself use trailers on spinnerbaits. When encountering conditions where the water is significantly colder (during the late fall, throughout the winter or early spring) or when the water is dirty we both agree it’s time to break-out the plastic and add a trailer to our spinnerbaits.

bass fishing tackle tips, practical bass fishing, practical fishing gear

Using Spinnerbaits in Clear Water

May 2, 2021April 27, 2021 PracticalAngler No Comments

Many bass anglers shy away from using spinnerbaits when fishing clear water lakes and rivers. Part of the reason is that we are taught to use baits resembling natural forage. Just take a quick look in any spinnerbait and it is plain to see it has little resemblance to any bass forage. Even when selecting baits with color patterns mimicking different types of bait, spinnerbaits may look similar in color but lack the size and shape of the actual forage.

slow roll spinnerbait

Nonetheless spinnerbaits can be highly effective when finished in clear water systems under the right conditions.

Best Conditions to Use Spinnerbaits in Clear Water

Though you can use a spinnerbait any time in clear water,

bass fishing tackle tips, bass fishing tips, practical bass fishing, practical fishing gear, practical fishing tips, seasonal bass fishing

Use a Creme Scoundrel for Bedding Bass

April 27, 2021April 26, 2021 PracticalAngler No Comments

Still looking for new approaches to catch bedding bass during the spawn? Here is another technique to help put reluctant bass into the boat!

The method involves using an “oldie but goodie” bass bait that many bedding bass find irresistible … Creme Lure’s Scoundrel plastic worm in their “Live Color” pattern. Creme’s Scoundrel worm has been on the market since 1949 and still produces fish when other baits fail.

bed fishing tricks

As a matter of fact, the “Live Color” Scoundrel was one of the first plastic worms I fished dating back to … well let’s just say more than a couple of years 😉 …

bass fishing tackle tips, practical bass fishing, practical fishing gear