This Week @ Bass Edge

The Versatility of Grubs

Asking anglers to identify why they love bass fishing is the equivalent of asking children the merits of trick-or-treating.  The answers, though topically different, are likely to share a striking resemblance.  Bass fishermen eagerly travel the country pursuing their favorite fish both recreationally and competitvely. Regardless of the occasion, the results are almost always the same—a desire for more!

The mere thought of a tick on the end of the line while flipping a jig to shallow cover is sure to increase ones heart rate. Anticipating the carnage of lowering a drop-shot into a school of suspended bass can’t help but alter the current mental state of any angler.  In our quest for these metabolically changing events, it’s important to note that experienced anglers rely on certain baits to yield such results.

B.A.S.S. Pro Brian Snowden identifies with the importance of having versatile baits in his arsenal.  Serving as a long-term guide on Table Rock Lake and a successful Elite Series competitor, Snowden is often faced with diverse conditions.  One of the baits he will often employ to overcome such obstacles is the grub.

Point Related
Armed with a spinning reel, 6-8lb test line, and a 1/8 – ¼ oz. round ball jighead, he is adequately prepared for most grub tactics. “I really like to fish a grub right before the bass move in on the beds,” states Snowden.  “I concentrate on slow, tapering, pea-gravel points that are in 8-15 foot of water.”  .

After identifying probable areas via map or visually, he selects the color of the grub based on the water clarity.  For lakes with more than 2 feet of visibility Brian prefers a watermelon pepper or a smoke with black flake grub.  When the water is more stained and visibility is reduced, a chartreuse pepper or non-transparent white is his color of choice.  Regardless of the circumstance, he emphasizes simplicity when deciding color. 

To determine where the fish are holding in the water column, he reverts to the grubs versatility.  “Springtime is when you want to tick the bottom as the bait is retrieved,” said Snowden. If the response is minimal however, he will often keep the bait elevated to try and hone in on the preferred presentation.  By using a countdown and letting the grub sink, it can go deeper than a jerkbait.  Instances in which the bass are not as aggressive or willing to travel and attack their prey warrant placing the bait directly in the strike zone. A grub is a great choice to remedy this situation. 

Brian attributes his success with a grub on impoundments such as Kentucky Lake, Lake of the Ozarks, and Grand Lake to more of a reactionary style.  “I like to hop it off of the bottom 3-4 feet,” Brian explained.  “It mimics a dying shad and as the fish move out on the points it will produce very good bites.” 

Boat Docks
Many lakes in the midwest are occupied by floating boat docks that are natural bass havens. Brian often uses a grub to entice bass staging around docks in the summer.  As the algae accumulates on the sides and bottoms of the flotation systems, baitfish are drawn in. Swimming a grub 1-4 feet under the waters surface alongside docks is very effective.

To reach the back sides of the docks that are often laidened with cables and walkways, he will peg a 3/16 oz. bullet weight and rig the grub weedless.

Offshore Structure
On highland resevoirs with submerged timber such as Table Rock, success is often achieved by getting away from the shoreline. 

Looking specifically for a drop-off with structure, Brian has the most success swimming the grub over tree tops in summer and winter.  “The key is to find balls of shad around the trees,” notes Snowden.  “I look for trees that top out at about 25-40 feet deep.”  He finds the majority of bass that time of year are relating directly to the trees and further pinpoint their location using his electronics .  In order to reach those depths and minimize snags, he uses a bullet-style jighead ranging ¼ - 3/8 oz with a fiber weedguard.

As the seasons change and the behavior of bass transition, don’t forget to include the grub in your offerings.  Remaining bottom focused in the springtime to mimic crawfish and then locating concentrations of baitfish as the year progresses will likely demonstrate sophistication of the grub!