6 Best Bass Fishing Techniques

Rapala DT 16 and Norman's DD22. These are light cranks, easy to throw, great aerodynamics (long casting), and they have great action down there where water pressures are significantly greater. Deep crankin' is the thing to do during prespawn and again during late fall on reservoirs. In natural lakes, I can generally reach the fish with the DT10 or a Bomber 6A. rapala.com, Norman's DD22

Looking at my own bass-fishing results, it just so happens I disagree with only one of those options: Alabama rigs. Won't throw them. Cumbersome, awkward, heavy, and just not that much fun. If I did throw one, it would be Rich Zaleski's.

SPRO Dean Rojas Bronzeye Frog. I pitch these babies on 40-pound PowerPro Super 8 Slick, which casts relatively light baits much further than standard braids. SPRO frogs are so realistic and cool looking, I think they psych you into thinking they can't miss before you ever throw one. As far as I can tell, that's the major advantage. The trailing rubber ³legs² are durable and look great in the water, but it's probably that Gamakatsu EWG Frog Hook that does the trick, helping you pull in a higher percentage of the bass that blow up on the bait. Bronzeye Frog

TriggerX Flippin' Tube on a Stanley Wedge Head Jig The Wedge Head is like a miniature anchor. It slips and slides through everything. In Minnesota, I use the 1/2-ounce version most of the time in heavy weed cover. The Flippin' Tube slides through cover without hanging up in it, too. And it has that TriggerX scent that seems to work so well. TriggerX Flippin' Tube, Stanley Wedge Head

There are dozens of effective swimbaits out there. So many apply to specific situations, too, and most of them are pretty darn good baits.

Jackall Cross Tail Shad, Owner Mosquito Hook, XCalibur Tungsten Drop-Shot Weights. I catch more bass every year, it seems like, with the Cross Tail Shad. Unfortunately, I can't tell you why it works so well. So many drop-shot plastics seem to be at least equal in shape, profile, texture, and action. Something about it bass can't pass up‹and that goes for smallmouths and largemouths, both. Tungsten telegraphs bottom changes much better than lead, and the Mosquito hook is my go-to, all around, do-everything hook for steelhead, walleyes, bass, and trout. Jackall Cross Tail, Owner Mosquito Hook, XCalibur Tungsten Weights