Largmouth Shop | Hammertime Hookers

BASS GEAR - TECHNIQUES

Rod Power: L=Light. ML=Medium Light. M=Medium. MH=Medium Heavy. H=Heavy.

Ex=Extra Heavy

Action: M=moderate. F=Fast. EF=Extra Fast

TECHNIQUES

POWER FISHING.

JIGS

Target structure, logs, rocks, docks, weed lines. Work the bottom using an appropriate size weight typically 1/16-1/2.
Rods: MH-H 6'6-7'3 typical. Reels: baitcasting or spinning.
Best Conditions: Year-round, especially in cold weather or near heavy cover.

Power fishing is a fast-paced approach that involves covering a lot of water quickly. This technique is ideal when bass are actively feeding and reacting to moving baits.

SPINNERBAITS

Cast and retrieve vary retrieve speeds, work near/along structures, weed lines, dropoffs. Use to cover water
Rods: M-MH 6'6-7'3. Reel: Faster retrieve.
Best Conditions: Low-light conditions, windy days, and stained water.

BUZZBAITS

Cast and retrieve, Surface Lure, Shorelines, weed lines.
Rod: 6'10" - 7'4" Medium-Heavy Power, Fast Action Casting Rod, Reel: Baitcasting Reel, 7.1:1 - 8.1:1 Gear Ratio
Best Conditions: Early morning, late evening, or overcast days.

CRANKBAITS

How to Fish: Use a steady retrieve with occasional pauses and twitches to imitate injured baitfish.
Rod: 7'0" - 7'6" Medium Power, Moderate Action Casting Rod, Reel: Baitcasting Reel, 5.4:1 - 6.4:1 Gear Ratio (for deep cranks, use slower 5.4:1)
Best Conditions: Around rock piles, points, and drop-offs in warm weather.

SWIMBAITS

Cast and retrieve, vary presentations with different shad styles, weedless, weighted, bladed swimbait
Rod: 7'3" - 8'0" Heavy Power, Fast Action Casting Rod, Reel: Baitcasting Reel, 6.4:1 - 7.1:1 Gear Ratio
Best Conditions: When bass are targeting large baitfish, in clear water.

TOPWATER

Target structure, logs, rocks, docks, weed lines.
Rod: 6'6" - 7'2" Medium to Medium-Heavy Power, Fast Action Casting Rod, Reel: Baitcasting Reel, 7.1:1 - 8.1:1 Gear Ratio
Best Conditions: Early morning, late evening, or overcast days.

FINESSE FISHING

WACKY RIG

Use a small number 1-3 bait hooks. Weedless versions. Hook a Senko style or stick style work through the middle or slightly off center. Cast into shallows or around structure let sink and slowly work with random occasional twitches.
Rod: 6'6" - 7'0" Medium Power, Fast Action Spinning Rod, Reel: Spinning Reel, 2500-3000 Size
Best Conditions: Clear water, post-frontal conditions.

DROP SHOT

Use a small drop shot sinker generally 1/8-1/2 oz. Tie a #2 #3 drop shot hook 6-12" above the sinker. Hook plastic near the end. see Articles.
Rod: 6'10" - 7'2" Medium-Light to Medium Power, Extra Fast Action Spinning Rod, Reel: Spinning Reel, 2000-3000 Size
Best Conditions: Deep or clear water, when bass are sluggish.

TEXAS RIG

Bullet weight of various sizes with an appropriate offset hook. Use your preferred plastic. Worms, crawfish, tubes, lizards. Drag or hop a soft plastic worm through vegetation and cover.
Rods: 6'6-7'6 M-MH. Reels: baitcasting or spinning
Best Conditions: Fishing in thick vegetation or heavy structure.

NED RIG

How to Fish: Slow bottom retrieve, letting the small bait stand upright.
Rod: 6'8" - 7'0" Medium-Light Power, Fast Action Spinning Rod. Reel: Spinning Reel, 2000-2500 Size
Best Conditions: Cold water, high-pressure conditions.

RODS

CASTING RODS

Power fishing, jigs, pitching into cover. Learn how to use both a casting and spinning rod for specific scenarios.
Power and action ratings will differ between brands.

SPINNING RODS

REELS

CASTING REELS

Gear ratio is the number of revolutions the spool makes per 1 turn of the handle. smaller the number the slower the gear ratio and slower the retrieve

SPINNING REELS

LINE - LEADER

BRAIDED LINE

8-20 lb-Light Finesse applications. 20lb- General Purpose. 30-50lb- Flipping/Pitching/jigs. No stretch

FLUOROCARBON

6-10lb light finesse applications, Leader Material. 10-14lb- Crankbaits, Spinnerbaits, 15lb-20lb Jigs, swimbaits.
Invisible and sinks. Use specific fluorocarbon leader material.

MONOFILAMENT

HOOKS - WEIGHTS

1/0 - 3/0 Hooks – Finesse rigs.
3/0 - 5/0 Hooks – Texas rigs, swimbaits.
1/16 - 1 oz Weights – Adjust for depth and cover.

How To Articles