The rhythmic sound of what seemed like hundreds of topwater strikes made the hair on the back of my neck stand straight up. I’d never heard so many bass eating all at the same time! Unbelievable. Today will be the topwater bite to end all topwater bites! Instead of launching the kayak I decided to grab a spinning rod and quickly work a stickbait across the top of the muck that filled the narrow Midwest canal, right there at the launch.
However… upon closer inspection, it became apparent that the ruckus wasn’t coming from largemouth bass, but another fish… one with silvery-gold scales the size of quarters, massive girth, cold dead eyes and a mouth shaped like a… well… there is no pleasant comparison. Fill in the blank yourself.
Carp. Hundreds of ’em. Mating? Maybe. Eating for sure. Rolling around in the shallow water, kicking up silt and mud. Over the next few hours these freshwater whales would decide to keep me company (even though I didn’t ask for it) while I caught big bruiser bass after big bruiser bass.
It was minimalist fishing in the truest sense. I took one rod, one hook, and fished one kind of bait all day long with great success. The weather was favorable. The timing was perfect. And yeah… there may have been a bit of luck involved…
Midwest Canal Bass Fishing
Best Baits for Canal Bass
One thing that you have to keep in mind when it comes to canal fishing, is that these areas can often stretch hundreds of miles. They can be very wide or strikingly narrow, and you’ll find productive stretches (or “pools”) surrounded by dead water. In the summer when muck covers the surface, it becomes extremely difficult to see if your casts are landing in 2 feet… or 2 inches.
I just shared this in an article for Midwest Outdoors, but it bears repeating: the best way to avoid wasting time, is to explore the areas you plan to fish in the cold months when the algae is dead and you can see into the water. Make notes, then avoid dead water when the summer gunk fills back in.
Because canals are usually so shallow, I’ll lean on a good muck-resistant topwater, and a good weedless sinking stickbait 80% of the time. Remember the 80/20 Rule in Bass Fishing? It applies here as well.
Big fish will attack topwater baits. A favorite that I’ll use all season long is something I call The Crowbar. The Crowbar works in both clear water and heavy muck, and it can be used to pry big fish from the thick slop or snaggy bushes & branches overhanging the bank. Once the water gets above 50° I’ll start flingin’ it. In fact, just yesterday I landed my first Crowbar bass of the year on a super-windy day with 60° water temps. She dwarfed everything else I’d brought onto the shore so far this season!
The Crowbar getting it doneI’ll share the critical modifications in another post…
A good weedless, sinking stickbait is also a must, and that’s what worked so well in the video above. Now, in the past I’ve mentioned quite a few that I like, and at different times in different locations, one or the other will usually get the nod on some sort of a Texas Rig (weightless to weighted).
But in super-shallow areas, rigging up a traditional wacky can accentuate a horizontal fall. It’s excellent in canals. Some stickbaits are very salty and sink well on windy days, but they tear easily. I try to avoid using o-rings because while they can make your wacky rig more weedless, they lower your hookup ratio (fight me). Others are more durable but they float and have zero action. Adding weight can increase vibration, but also increases hangups and muck collection.
Fortunately the Strike King 3X Zero Worm merges several of the attributes I want when fishing canals. They are heavily salted so they sink without extra weight, and have “flavor.” They are also made of ElaZtech, so they are very durable and you can rig them without an o-ring and catch many, many fish on a single bait.
But, as with every bait, there are a few cons to the pros. While Zero Worms are heavily salted, that salt will begin to dissolve the minute you toss one into the water. So they do sink… for a while… once that salt is gone they float, and the leftover ElaZtech is very spongy, full of tiny little salt granule cavities.
The salt will also dissolve in the package if you squirt some scent in with ’em ahead of time. I made this mistake more than once before realizing what was going on…
There are a few new modifications I’ll be testing In The Field this season to see if we can reduce or eliminate these issues, but in certain situations like the ones below… the pros still outweigh the cons. I paired a Shimano Catana reel with a Bass Pro Graphite 6’6″ medium heavy spinning rod. Both are very inexpensive, and that rod is stout. I’ll also swap in a Lew’s Speed Spin or a Berkley Lightning Rod at times, and these are very budget-friendly as well. Throw on your favorite 8-strand braid (20 to 30 lb) and tie straight to a Berkley Fusion19 weedless wacky hook – boom – you’re in business.
If you pick the right color, you might also catch a surprise or two…
A nice little Illinois… trout?!
As our weather & water continue to heat up, we can expect a dramatic spike in the activity level of the bass. Shallow canals and ponds will warm up first. Don’t miss out!
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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WARNING: Skipping gear maintenance is the fastest way to ruin a fishing trip.
(Don’t ask me why I know this…)
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Good evening brothers.
You’ve likely encountered some version of this quote:
“Take care of your equipment and your equipment will take care of you.”
I’ve heard it for years, from parents & grandparents, although recently Jocko Willink has been credited with the version above. I didn’t realize this even though I do quite a bit of design work for his company, Echelon Front. But It doesn’t matter where the phrase originated – what matters, is that it’s correct.
Let’s talk about taking care of your spinning reels.
A few simple tools, some quality fishing reel oil & grease, good lighting plus a clean workspace (with fake succulents?) and we’re ready to begin!
How Often Should You Lubricate Your Fishing Reel?
Great question. The answer is another question: how often do you use your spinning reel? Here in the Midwest I fish twice a week (three times if I’m lucky) from spring through fall. Roughly early April to Late October. 4 hours at a crack.
Under normal circumstances, a general oil & grease (as outlined below) at the beginning and end of the season is just fine, and keeps my reels functioning properly. Smooth. Better performance makes for more enjoyable fishing trips, and allows the focus to be on the conditions and the fish – not problems.
However, certain events trigger the need for a re-lube. Have you ever dropped your rod & reel into a creek? I love to get into the thick of it and fish in places where others fear to tread. However… I drop my stuff all the time…
Dropping my camera in the drink.
Fishing awesome places all alone.
I also used to allow my reel to hang under my arm or between my legs, in the water, while unhooking fish, not realizing that submerging a reel allows water carrying sediment, grit and grime to seep it’s way into the inner cavity, which can wreak havoc on the internals. Sometimes said havoc is wreaked quickly, sometimes it takes a while – but ultimately what you will end up with is a gritty, clunky feeling as you turn the handle… and your spinning reel will eventually seize up completely.
Not cool.
Always oil and grease your spinning reel after it has been submerged – or better yet, avoid submerging it.
If your reel has completely seized up, you will need to disassemble everything, clean everything, and apply new grease and oil. This article covers a good portion of that disassembly process.
Place a single drop (ok, maybe two) right at the edge of the handle knob. Some spinning reels have bearings here, others rely on (cheaper) plastic collars. No matter – it’s a moving part so dab it up before moving on.
Your spool rests on the spindle, usually on some combination of a star washer (or “external tooth” washer), a bearing or plastic collar, and a plastic washer. The drag cap (on top) holds the spool in place. Unscrewing the drag cap completely will release the spool, revealing the spindle, washers & bearings.
Since the spindle moves up and down when you crank the handle, add 2 to 3 drops of oil underneath the star washer, then turn the handle to work it in. I also like to pull the plastic washer on the spindle up, and add a drop of oil between these parts – especially on the bearing that rests on the star washer.
Lew’s Speed Spin spindle stack: star washer, bearing, metal and plastic washer
Note that when you remove the drag cap, your drag washers may fall out. These are usually alternating metal and felt washers, or carbon, or composite… so just remember to be careful when you lift off the spool. On my Lew’s Speed Spin (SS 40HS) you can see they are actually pinned in place.
Drag washer grease is different than reel grease. It is also common to find spinning reel grease that is different than baitcaster grease. How many different kinds of grease do you need?
That’s up to you.
Had I found felt washers that were dry, I would have had no problem putting a bit of my general reel grease on them (a little lube is better than no lube, amirite?) – or even a few drops of oil. But drag washer specific grease would be best – and as you can see, this thing is (sloppily) packed already. I considered wiping some out, but since the reel performed well this season, I just left it be.
Place a drop of oil on either side of the bail arm. Your reel may actually have grease inside this area, by the bail spring – but there is no need to disassemble at this time. Work the bail back and forth to get the oil in between this connection on the bail assembly.
The line roller lives on the bail. This is what your line actually comes across on the retrieve. Low friction here is obviously extremely important so that you do not compromise your line. Place a good drop on either side and try to work it in with your finger.
I have come across articles online where guys talk about adding grease to this area instead of oil. Some say they have had good results – I haven’t tried this. Some reels have bearings, others have plastic sleeves or collars – but whatever your model, there are most likely moving parts here.
Check to make sure whatever it is moves freely, then hit it with that oil.
Unscrew the handle itself by rotating it backwards while holding the bail assembly in place. Some models may have a long screw on the opposite side that you need to remove to free the handle. As you can see in my case all I had on the opposite side was a cap.
Either way, once the handle assembly is free, look for bearings within the body of the reel, and apply oil.
Now would also be a good time to look for areas on the handle itself that you couldn’t access when it was attached. A little oil here and there is never a bad idea.
6. Grease the Interior Gears & Guides (WARNING!)
Our final step might be a bit more complicated, depending on your reel. We need to open the guts by removing the body side plate. Some companies make this simple… I assumed this company would make it simple… and I assumed wrong…
Don’t panic bro – it’s not as scary as it looks.
Still, we got ‘er done, and I’ll show you how, but before you proceed…
Make sure to grab the schematic that goes with your reel so you have something to reference if a spring shoots across the room unexpectedly.
(Don’t ask me why I know this…)
The schematic for my Lew’s came in very handy when I was searching for hidden screws… [ View the Lew’s Speed Spin PDF ]
Then make sure you have good lighting, no holes in your workbench, and make slow, careful, deliberate movements.
You can do it. Let’s go.
Remove the rear cover trim piece. This is usually held in place with a single screw.
Rear cover trim screw
Pay attention to the length of every screw you remove during this process. It’s common to have several the same color, the same diameter… but different lengths. This can be a nightmare.
(Don’t ask me why I know this…)
Keep every piece you remove in order on your workbench. A systematic line from the first piece you remove to the last. This makes the reassembly process… not… full of swear words…
(Don’t ask me why I know this…)
The trim piece should come free with light prying. If not, slow down and look for hidden screws or tabs. Notice how mine hid one of the side plate screws?
… I am very very sneaky sir…
This is why I had to remove it first. Once it was free, I went to work on the side plate screws… but much to my dismay, said side plate would not lift free.
I had to remove the bail assembly.
A few pieces usually hold the bail assembly in place.
First, remove the spindle stack (star washer, bearing, metal and plastic washer) followed by the screw that holds the rotor nut retainer stationary. This is what locks the rotor (gold) nut in place. Loosen the rotor nut by twisting it clockwise – usually – all of the reels I have disassembled have reverse threads on this nut.
Never crank it super hard.
(Don’t ask me why I know this…)
This allowed me to remove the bail assembly, and see the body head cover, held in place with two small screws.
The body head cover keeps everything nice & neat & protected.
My last hidden screw was right there – below the body head cover. Once removed, the side plate was finally free.
… I fear you are underestimating the sneakiness sir…
Then, I had access to the guts.
It’s beautiful.
Notice my anti-reverse lever spring popped free? Yeah… but I caught it! That clean work area is key!
It’s time to apply the grease.
Hit the slider guide pin, and the oscillation and reduction gears after removing the primary drive gear. Don’t forget to apply grease on the lower portion of the pinion gear (which is dead center, surrounding the lower portion of the pinion itself).
I made ’em extra sloppy!
You don’t have to COAT the gears. You don’t want them to be swimming in grease, but do apply a nice dollop or two and work it in.
I may have used a bit too much… but I think we’re ok…
Carefully put everything back together in reverse order, make sure the bail opens and the gears sound smooth. Spend a minute working the bail and spinning the handle to distribute the grease and oil.
That’s it!
You have successfully complete Spinning Reel Oil & Grease Maintenance 101 (send me just $95 to receive your diploma). Now the only thing left to do it get ready to catch some bruisers!
Take care of your equipment, and your equipment will take care of you.
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
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It’s early morning here in the Midwest. A bitter chill hangs in the air. Frost has come. Snow will soon follow. The sun slowly creeps over the horizon and the blurry orange light it brings with causes eyes to squint. Refocus. Adjust. Small misty clouds become visible, as warm breath after warm breath condense on the frigid morning air…
Well… not MY breath…
John’s breath.
Who’s John?
My neighbor. Out for his morning run. Getting after it. “Wow… good for you, John…” I mumble, while looking out the window and indulging in another glorious slurp of piping-hot coffee before turning back to my desk… “Not really my thing… but… good for you…”
I have other plans this morning… it’s time to invest.
No, not in the traditional sense. We’re not dollar-cost-averaging, or looking into the latest crypto-craze. Not shopping for stocks or mutual funds – we’re investing in bass.
Big bass.
Some fellas ice fish, and that’s probably a lot of fun – but with 2 jobs, 4 sons and a lovely wife, I prefer to save up my “fishing credits” and cash them in throughout the warmer months. Winter in our house is a time of recuperation. Upkeep. Grandpa Hauser taught me long ago that instead of sitting on your hands, you better be sharpening hooks and oiling reels! Sound advice for sure, but prior to last season I learned a few powerful tips that helped me catch more fish. Bigger fish.
They’ve become recurring investments I make into my bass fishing season.
… and the best part?
They don’t cost a dime, and the returns are outstanding!
AJ Hauser with a 4 pound largemouth bass taken from a small, hidden – and yes, public – pond in Illinois discovered using these simple techniques.
Let’s jump in.
1. Pick Several New Bodies of Water to Visit Next Year
First and foremost – it’s time to select some new bodies of water to explore this coming season. Get comfortable with the DNR website in your state. If they list fishing locations, pick a few.
Where I live, the Department of Natural Resources offers I Fish Illinois, and while the site looks a bit antiquated, it’s absolutely loaded with information. On the main page you can select one of 5 regions, which quickly filters the links. From there, you can click to access data on county, acerage, ramp availability, boat restrictions, recreational opportunities and the fishing outlook for the year. You’ll also see a bit of history, the local contact information, fishing limits and yes – stocking information.
The I Fish Illinois website offers a ton of information, and it is a great place to invest some time this winter.
Last season, this tool helped me identify new water that looked good within 90 minutes (the maximum distance I was willing to travel one way for a day of fishing). When spring hit, I still fished all the old honeyholes, but also made a point to get out & explore these new locations. It was exciting, and having created a list in advance made it very easy.
My winter research led me to beautiful areas I didn’t even know existed.
2. Utilize the Eye in the Sky
The Googlebox is always watching… is that creepy? Yes. Is it useful?
Also yes.
Before heading out, explore new terrain from the comfort of home. Open Google Earth and plug in any new location you plan to visit. Look for visible cover, as well as points, pockets, islands & coves. If you’re considering winding water, you’ll be able to identify bends, jams, riffles, runs & pools. This gives you a leg up and will help you hit the ground running!
But wait, there’s more. While satellite images are great, treetops can hide all sorts of goodies down below. Switch over to Google Maps and look for little blue blobs. That’s water. Mark those. If you’re in a state park or SFWA, I strongly suggest you check if you’re able to hike and access these less-obvious bodies of water, either from the shore, or in a small kayak.
When used together, Google Earth and Google Maps can help you find hidden gems that would otherwise go unnoticed.
We’ve all experienced the increase in fishing pressure on many popular lakes that are easy-to-access. It’s great that more people are getting outdoors, but frustrating when “our lake” starts to get crowded. Investing a bit of time to find new, hidden areas can be very rewarding!
It’s likely the little body of water over yonder doesn’t see much fishing pressure…… but the fish are there.
3. Seek Out Blogs by Local Anglers
We all like to brag about our catch. Pictures and stories can be seen all over social media, but by themselves… pictures are not very helpful. Last season, I noticed several public blogs written by nearby fishermen. All I had to do to find them was add keywords like “blog” or “fishing report” or “fishing news” when searching for the name of the next new spot I planned to fish.
Then, I’d comb through the results. Some blogs were current, while others were digital artifacts from years ago – but all of them contained information. Many of the angling authors clearly used these blogs as a place to store notes for themselves – but didn’t mind sharing.
This allows us to play detective, piecing together clues and matching bits of information to the assumptions we’ve already made in our mind after viewing satellite images. Very useful.
This small backwater area was mentioned in a blog, hidden by shoreline overgrowth. After reading the post I pulled up the satellite images and sure enough – there was a “blue blob” I’d missed...… it ended up being a great place to drag the jon boat and spend the morning!
4. Look for Local Forums and Facebook Groups
As you prowl the web looking for blogs, you’ll likely come across local fishing forums, or perhaps a Facebook group or two. Join them. Contribute! These can also be rich with information.
One thing to keep in mind though: I mention them after blogs because they typically tend to be centered around larger bodies of water. Bodies of water with more fishing pressure and pleasure boaters. If you’re seeking remote areas, you may find a few breadcrumbs worth following, but I tend to use them to get a feel for the bite and current conditions – then use the tips above to find hard-to-reach areas where a kayak or jon boat can slip away from the crowds.
Larger lakes can be very productive. My jon boat can’t compete with speedy bass boats or forward facing sonar, but pre-trip scouting helps me avoid the crowds & fish alone in hidden areas.
5. Talk (and Listen) to People
The last tip is the only one that will require you to leave your cozy home: get out and talk to people! We all know boat ramp etiquette is a must. Casual conversation by the lake can be enjoyable & informative… but take it a step further. Keep your eyes & ears open at work, church, school functions, the grocery store – everywhere – and I bet you’ll pick up a few more fish.
For example, earlier this year several workers were applying new blacktop in front of our house. While driving through, I thanked them for stopping so I could pass, and one commented on the kayak hanging over the side of my truck. After a polite back and forth I offered up where I was going, and he returned the favor, sharing one of the places he liked to fish.
Mental note. Check.
Later that week I took a quick trip, and you better believe a bruiser of a bass hopped right into my kayak! (I’d be willing to bet the worker did just as well at the place I mentioned to him. Win-win.)
Thank you for the tip, Mr. Worker-Man.
Here’s one more quick example: Last season the DNR “carded me” 3 different times. Each time, we had a polite, pleasant conversation. During the last one he said:
“You know… I see you in this jon boat all the time, have you ever taken it into the canal? Lots of guys have good luck there and it’s really shallow with tons of stumps and laydowns. Seems like the perfect spot for the kind of fishing you do.”
He was right.
A few simple conversations put me on some nice fat largemouth that I had driven by hundreds of times – they’d been sitting right under my nose all along!
I ended my season fishing in an area I had never even been to before, and these fish (plus many more) came as a result of talking – and listening – to others.
So, Fellow Anglers – Invest!
There’s always something to do. Something we can improve. It might be our gear, our storage setup, or any number of tasks and upkeep, but if you long for warmer days in the Midwest don’t just sulk or sit on your hands.
Take some time to invest in future fishing returns – you’ll be glad you did!
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
I hope that all of you are having a great 2024! I’ve been quiet lately and wanted explain why…
Last year, one of my big goals was to get a few articles published on different websites. Believe it or not… this was actually way more difficult than I anticipated. There are many websites that focus on fishing… but most are completely inactive – or worse – filled to the absolute brim with crappy, spammy content and ads out the wazoo.
If you search the Googles, you’ll find yourself bouncing back and forth between sites with (sometimes really good) bass fishing tips from 2003, then the next will have “The All-Time Worldwide Best Baits for Largemouth Bass – You Won’t Believe #7!!!” – and the article will quite literally list every single bass fishing technique in existence, surrounded by so many affiliate ads it’s completely unreadable.
Frustrating.
I couldn’t find other sites worth contacting… so, I decided to start contacting some of the bigger names we all know around these parts (even though I didn’t think they would be interested in what I could contribute… see Dunning-Kruger Effect). In December, a little before Christmas, as I was sulking about feeling sorry for myself, being depressed (as is my norm during the winter months) I decided to reach out to a writer over at Midwest Outdoors named Dan Brozowski. He penned an article on Fall’s In-Between Fish, and we struck up a conversation about possibly using some Yamamoto Hula Grubs in my beloved clear water pits this coming season.
Well, one thing led to another and I managed to land an email in Dave Csanda’s inbox, and if that name sounds familiar it’s probably because you recognize him from The Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. I sent him a few articles that have been published here, and he responded: “I read your stuff and would welcome your submissions. We need another article for January but the deadline is less than a week away…“
There it was.
An opening.
An opportunity.
Time to make hay.
A few days later I sent over an article with several pictures from the end of the season, along with tips for finding and catching bigger bass. I was pleasantly surprised when I heard that they had accepted the article. I was even more surprised when I received the January issue in the mail, and saw they had decided to use my picture for the cover of the Illinois section!
Midwest Outdoors: January 2024 Article by AJ Hauser: Winter Investments for Bigger Bass
Shortly after that, the article ended up in their monthly Midwest Outdoors Insider Newsletter. Sweet! I emailed Dan and Dave, along with Ann, Tina and Dena over at the MWO office to say thank you for the opportunity and for using some of my stuff – and with it, sent another article that got picked up and used for the March issue, along with the Iowa / Missouri cover:
Midwest Outdoors: March 2024 Article by AJ Hauser: Jerkin’ Cold-Water Bass
Jerkin’ Cold-Water Bass ended up on their website, then an article titled “Go Small or Go Home: The Advantages of Fishing Small Water” was printed in the April issue, and my 4th article is currently on deck for May.
Midwest Outdoors: April 2024 Article by AJ Hauser: Go Small or Go Home: The Advantages of Fishing Small Water
So, my friends, this is what I have been focusing on since December of last year. Holding a physical, printed article is something I have hoped for and worked towards since I started The Minimalist Fisherman in 2019. To see my picture alongside well known heavy-hitters and local hammers is just… it’s surreal.
When I was just a wee lad, my Dad had a box of In-Fisherman books that would come out at the beginning of every Manitowish fishing trip. They’d be sprawled across the bed, and I would hop up and flip through the pages written by Al, Ron and Jim Lindner, Dan Sura, Doug Stange, Steve Quinn, Larry Dahlberg, Ralph Manns and Dave Csanda. Dad and I didn’t didn’t talk much. We didn’t have to. He would tie spoons and jigs and plugs onto his many fishing poles while I looked at those books, and we both dreamed about catching big fish.
Fast forward 30 years.
To have a brief email discussion with one of these guys. To hold a printed article in my hands. To place something I wrote with pictures of my fish on the dining room table so my parents, wife and kids can see…
It means a lot.
I thank God for the opportunity, and I hope to continue sending articles and pictures that get put to use. Being in a position to help other anglers after so many have helped me is extremely rewarding!
But now… now, it’s time to get ready to get out into the field. My 2024 fishing season is only days away from starting. It will be cold. It will be wet. It will be rough… but it will feed my soul.
I’ll log all of it and share with you the changes I make, the techniques that work, and the fish I catch.
So brothers… here’s to 2024… let’s get bit!
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
Get Articles & Videos First
Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
Notice the back has a killer design. Dang! That’s SWEET! And as you work it over the muck and the pads… the bass are going to see… the white belly (if anything)…
That’s not bad, but it’s something to be mindful of when you are selecting your topwater. And sure, bass that see the frog at an angle might notice part of the top. If it rolls (not ideal) on the retrieve, they might be able to catch a glimpse… but for the most part if you go with a bait like this you’re simply throwing a white frog.
This Terminator Frog has some accent colors on top, but the entire body is black. Hence, you’re throwing a black frog.
This means you can probably minimize your frog box and focus on quality, not quantity.
2. In mucky water, the bass don’t care what your topwater looks like.
Say again?
If bass are set up below thick mucky algae, they don’t care what your bait looks like, because they can’t see it anyway. This is true when the water below the algae is clear, and even more true if the water is stained, tannic, or straight up pea soup.
They are reacting to the commotion – the movement – the easy meal.
Because of this, one of my favorite ways to target these bass is with a 4″ or 5″ Yum Dinger rigged weedless and weightless on a 3/0 or 4/0 EWG.
New honey hole with muck near shore, pea soup for water, and healthy bass.
Here is the gear I use when I’m rigging a Dinger on an EWG, including my mainline (braid floats) and my leader material (fluorocarbon line gets snagged up less than braid and is abrasion resistant).
As you can see, this is different than the gear that comes into play for throwing straight wacky worms around weeds or sparse cover. When I’m not fishing around muck, I’ll completely skip a weed guard on the hook to stay as invisible as possible, crisscross 2 o-rings to rig perpendicular to the bait which increases hookups, and go with a thinner fluoro with less memory:
When you throw a Dinger topwater, it’s essentially a weightless Texas rig. Slow-sinking, yes, but not heavy enough to punch through the mats. However, when you reach the edge of the mat, pull it off and let it slowly sink for a second or two. Often times bass that are watching the movement above will gladly shoot out and smoke the slow-sinking stickbait as it drifts right in front of their face.
That is… if they haven’t already SMACKED it right through the thick of it!
Largemouth Bass Strikes a Topwater Stickbait thru Muck
Quick Trip: Topwater Dingers in the Muck
I keep a selection of both floating and sinking stickbaits in my Base Box for Fishing Muck, but it’s also important to remember as a Minimalist Fisherman our goal is to travel as light as possible. On kayak trips when we can only select a handful of baits, frogs take up a lot more room that stickbaits.
They’re also less versatile.
FACT.
You can hit every depth with a stickbait, provided you have a few sinker & hook options.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
Have you ever struggled to keep up with something?
I have, and to be honest – I’m having a rough go of it lately…
What do we do as fishermen when we get a free second?
We fish.
Fair enough.
I’ve been fishing as much as possible lately. That means I haven’t been writing or editing videos as much. That’s a bummer – but on the other hand, it helps me stay sane. Helps me stay away from bad habits…
This year has been a wild one – and it ain’t over yet.
So far I’ve managed to almost sink my kayak, had ticks on my unmentionables, I’ve busted rods and reels, lost big fish, and I just discovered some fun new leaks in my jon boat. To top it all off, I’m recovering from a very painful allergic reaction to the antibiotic I had to take to help kick my incredible, amazing, MASSIVE, nose infection.
That was genuinely scary. I posted a quick video hoping it might prevent other fisherman from suffering the same painful fate. To warn them. It seemed to resonate with a few different online creators, and one in particular reached out to to let me know he planned to share the video, and send along some well wishes.
That gentleman was Rick Vogelbacher. We struck up a few conversations, and I asked Rick if he would like to contribute to the site. He obliged, and much to my surprise – he wrote a piece that dealt with one of my favorite presentations: The Jerkbait.
The following is just a straightforward 5-minute read, but it covers jerkbait use at different times of the year… plus some additional info I was unaware of…
It’s The 5-Minute Jerkbait Guide for BIG BASS. Check it out, and let me know what you think!
The 5-Minute Jerkbait Guide for BIG BASS
By Rick Vogelbacher
Author Rick Vogelbacher with a MONSTER 7 POUND SMALLMOUTH (and a beauty of a largemouth bass to boot)
Fishing jerkbaits for bass can be overwhelming with so many choices on the market. You have ones that float, sink, suspend, or dive to different depths. How do you know which ones to use? There are times when we make these choices a little more difficult than they need to be. It can be as simple as the time of year you’re fishing. It could be the body of water you’re on that helps you make the choice for the day.
Let’s go over some of the basic choices for the time of year you’re fishing.
Fishing Jerkbaits in Early Spring
Ahhh… spring time fishing. The water is cold and it’s the first warming trend since the winter months. I’ve caught them on jerkbaits with the surface temperatures ranging 40 to 60 degrees. The clear choice for jerkbaits during these cold-water days is a suspending jerkbait.
They come in deep diving variations, and mid-range models that dive just 3 to 6 feet. The package or product description should tell you if the model suspends, and how deep it dives.
Colors can vary and depend on the body of water you’re fishing. Generally, jerkbaits are a good choice when you are fishing clear water. They are a visual presentation, and therefore excel in clear water situations. Stained water can be productive at times, but you will want to use a much brighter color so the fish can zero in on the jerkbait. They won’t travel as far in stained water to chase a jerkbait as they do in clear water.
One of the biggest things fishing a suspending jerkbait in the spring is to focus on the cadence of the retrieve. I would venture to say more often than not you will want to do at least a 3 to 5 second pause in between jerks with the lure. Typically fluorocarbon lines are preferred by pro’s, but I’ve been doing just fine with mono for years.
The biggest difference is the monofilament line tends to float whereas the fluorocarbon line doesn’t. The most common line diameter to use is 8 lb. test, but strength and thickness can vary from brand to brand. Typically, I will use 10 lb. line. There are times I will go as heavy as 12 lb. line, but not very often. The thicker the line diameter the less action you will get out of your jerkbait. Translucent, silver, light greens or blue mixed in colors work well on clear lakes.
Fishing Jerkbaits in the Summer
Fishing jerkbaits during the summer is a whole different ball game. The surface water temperatures can run 80 to 90 degrees depending on the part of the country you’re in. There is no bigger emphasis on cadence on the jerks of the lure than during this period. It can vary day to day, but the majority of the time you are working the lure much faster than any other time of the year.
The bass metabolism is at its highest and they are keened in on chasing and eating baitfish. You will want to jerk your lure much quicker with much shorter pauses. Often pausing it briefly and either do two quick jerks or three in a row before the next pause. Colors for clear water will be the same, but you’ll notice that bass in stained water will be more active and likely to hit the jerkbait. The largemouth in this video below show just how effective a jerkbait can be during the summer months.
When the water starts to cool in the fall, the productivity of jerkbaits can really start to shine. You will use many of the same retrieves and colors mentioned in the early spring pattern, with one major difference – the bass will be less active some days as the water cools down. In the spring the water temperature is rising and the fish get more active with those rising temperatures. In the fall the opposite is happening. The water is cooling down and the fish are trying to get accustomed to the falling temperatures which can cause some inactivity. This is the main reason you will want to go back to those long pauses on the jerkbait to trigger the strikes.
The difference in getting bites and not getting bites can sometimes boil down to the size of the jerkbait you are throwing. Most jerkbaits are referenced by length in millimeters. For instance, anything with 110 in the name is going to be 110 millimeters long (4.33 inches). One that has 90 will be 90 millimeters long (3.54 inches). There have been days where we have only caught them on the smaller 90 and can’t get a bit on the 110.
Additionally, jerkbaits come in 120, 150, or really small in the 60 range. It’s something to be aware of when you’re trying to match the hatch of the bait fish they are feeding on.
For more tips on jerkbait fishing and to see underwater footage of the jerkbait and baitfish they feed on. Check out the video below.
Big thanks to Rick for sharing his knowledge on the subject, and big thanks to you as well for checking this article out. There are many more coming down the pike, as this year has been very challenging – but also very rewarding. I’ve spent a lot of time these last 2 months in the jon boat. These next few weeks I’ll hit my pits as hard as possible, before everything slows to a crawl…
Fat bass caught skipping a Z-Man Trout Trick… although, the Z-Man FattyZ have been more productive…… and the jerkbait bitehas been good as well… for smallmouth and largemouth!
Get out & get some.
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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So, I have these hooks… and they are vicious looking little dudes… but, I haven’t been able to find a good use for them for years. Gear that sits like this, unused, needs to be tossed, round-filed – minimized.
However, while rolling them back and forth in my hands, lightning struck. On a recent bank-fishing trip to Snapping Turtle Pond I was able to fish stickbaits and wakebaits very effectively, but there was a major problem…
When I would get a bass up near the shore, the act of lifting the fish 10 feet high in the air, up and over the tall reeds & grass, resulted in several lost fish. They would either get stuck and fall back in the water, or my little wacky hook would simply pop free – releasing the fish before I had a chance to give ’em a smooch.
I needed a longer pole, heavier gear, and a hook that would stay put when lifting fish up and out. The CHT Double Wacky Hook paired with a stout spinning setup and heavy braid-to-fluoro fit the bill. Now the good news is that I have about 6 more of these, and they will last for a while – the bad news is that I’m not sure if they’re still making ’em… if anyone has any idea, please comment. Might be a good idea for me to send them an email right now just to check…
If you fish from the bank, check this out and go get some hawgs!
Lifting Fat Bass High Into the AirClick the banner to jump to Stars & Bars Fishing on YouTube.
The Lunkerhunt Battle Beetle is something that I will try again. However, it has two exposed trebles on the back. On this trip the slight amount of floating debris made this bait unusable.
The CHT Double Wacky Hook allowed me to lift big fish up and over the tall shoreline reeds & grass. This hook did not pop free as easily as a single wacky hook on previous trips.
The o-ring allows the maximum amount of hook to be exposed – just like using o-rings with a standard wacky hook. Cool feature.
Big fish will hide right up next to shore if there is adequate cover and they feel safe.
It all comes down to balance. When I’m fishing clear water, I go as light and natural as possible, but in a place like this increasing the size & strength of the entire rig is a must.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
I am happy to report that my ridiculous nose-infection has dropped back down, from 100% swollen to about 12%. So, that means it’s back to work, and back to fishin’! In the following video I wanted to show you (and install) a very clever rod holder I just purchased.
Earlier this year I made some vertical rod holders out of PVC… and they came with a few hassles. This addition to the customized jon boat will allow me to add or remove rod holders in 3-seconds flat.
Check it out –
3-Second Rod Holders? Yup. Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
If you want to pick up a few for yourself, check out the Lunker Trail Website – I was extremely impressed with how fast these guys processed my order, and it looks like their home pase is right in Missouri.
More on this product soon… hope you get out today, and have a great weekend!
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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You know, I spend a lot of time writing for The Minimalist Fisherman so that I can share my personal development as an angler. This is important to me, and I hope it is useful to you and my kids as they become more and more interested in the sport.
My goal with all of this is to get better, to reduce the clutter and confusion, and help you do the same.
That’s why I write long-winded articles, and record long-winded videos, and share a bit TOO much information. I do it for the people that want to sit back and review for a while, then casually contemplate where they’re at and where they want to go.
Other times – we just want to catch some fish! Here were two sweet largemouth bass on a fluke caught early evening late summer. Fun stuff!
Bass Fishing With FlukesClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
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ElaZtech Damage to Other PLastics & BaitsClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
Now Jake here had a few thoughts on this and left a comment on the YouTube video. He also warned us, mentioning that ElaZtech plastics can literally melt if they get too hot, spilling out of their package and leaking onto other things.
YouTube Comment Section
I have experienced this while fishing in direct sunlight in the jon boat, and the kayak. ElaZtech plastics melted together on deck while my other plastics (Dingers, Ochosand a handful of Senkos) retained their shape. My TRDs however… they melted together… just a big clump of ElaZtech…
This is something we all need to be mindful of. On a recent camping trip to Lake Shelbyville, we sweat through everything and I guarantee ElaZtech left in direct sunlight under those conditions could melt.
Once in a while we fish on big reservoirs like Lake Shelbyville. If you’ve read any of the other posts on this site, it’s no secret I really do like ElaZtech products – but the heat, and the way you store plastics both on or off deck, together or separated – it all needs to be top of mind if you hope to avoid problems.
Lake Shelbyville looking for Largemouth Bass… found a few…… and my wife found the best of the evening. Sweet.
ElaZtech Can Also Damage Painted Lures!
It doesn’t only affect other plastics. I was shocked to find damage it had caused to my spoons, and in this case temperature wasn’t a factor. These baits were simply tossed into a Ziploc storage bag after vacation, and brought home in a backpack, then placed in my basement. All things considered, this reaction happened under pretty cool conditions!
As you can see, it turned the paint and finish into muck! I’ve left them out for months and the paint is still liquid, still wet, and it won’t dry and harden back up.
If the worst thing I have to deal with today is a couple of ruined spoons, well… it’s not terrible. We’re not burying anybody, so I’d say it’s a pretty damn good day!
Stay mindful. Stay grateful. Take nothing for granted.
Now even though you have to be careful with your ElaZtech baits, it’s worth having them. I explain that in the following video – they’re not a magic one-size-fits-all-situations bait that we tie on and leave on all year (remember we’ve talked about how that is not what a minimalist fisherman does), but they are awesome!
If you would like to learn even more about Ned Rigs and how we like to fish them, make sure to check out the article on that very subject, or take a peek at the video we just published for even more info.
Ned Rig ImprovementsClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
First and foremost, I want to hit the most important point:
It’s pronounced SUH-BEEL… as in Patrick SUH-BEEL…
… you uncultured swine!
(This picture may or may not be Patrick Sébile…)
To tell you the truth, I had never heard of Patrick Sébile and his company before I scored a Sébile Pivot Frog in either a Mystery Tackle Box or a Lucky Tackle Box… I couldn’t tell you which one…
In fact… the first one that I had was orange, and the only reason I even thought to get it out, was because I had missed a few fish on my Strike King KVD Sexy Frog when I started using it for topwater pond fishing. I knew that the Pivot Frog incorporated a sizable weight on the bottom, and I started to wonder what some of the other differences were between this odd looking frog and the more traditional Strike King… which also had a few tricks up its sleeve…
Let’s talk frog fishin’!Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
The Pivot Frog delivers clean, powerful hook sets through the use of Sébile’s Gravity Hook System. This allows the stout hook (with exposed external weight) to freely move up and down, while also adding a “keel” for easier “walking” over open water. The bait incorporates thicker, more durable plastic than a traditional frog, but the body is still collapsible. This, combined with the wide gap of the hook gives you more than enough room to stick those greedy pigs.
External weight makes “walking” this bait a breeze
Large gap between body and hook for increased hookup ratio
Harder plastic body for added durability
Multiple color options
Very buoyant
Only $8 (at this time)
Up until recently, I haven’t been much of a frog fisherman. Now I take this technique seriously. The Pivot Frog caught my attention years ago even though I wasn’t ready to use it – and while hanging onto a bait that you aren’t going to use is not what a minimalist fisherman ought to do… I was glad that I hung on to this one!
That said, this year it will replace my Strike King KVD Sexy Frog. Let’s go over some of the features on this second bait and then we’ll jump into why I’m making the switch.
The KVD (Kevin VanDam) Sexy Frog is currently the top-dog-frog in the Strike King lineup. It works well in heavy cover and comes with a super-sharp Gamakatsu frog hook, a completely sealed nose section to reduce water intake and a semi-soft plastic body that will collapse under pressure. The bait currently comes in a wide range of colors.
Uh… comes with… with a butthole for squirting water
No gap between hollow body and hook points
Internal rattle (discontinued…)
Multiple color options
Very buoyant
Very weedless
Only $8 (at this time)
Quick note: $8 is an extremely reasonable price tag for baits like these that you could potentially get a ton of use out of. Not to mention, even if you only catch one fish on the bait… fish that hit topwater are usually the kind of fish you want. They are well worth a few bucks.
(Seriously. Go mow your neighbor’s lawn or collect cans. Getcha’ some a that spendin’ cash! I believe in you! Make it happen!)
We’ve all been on the water before, having horrible luck, thinking to ourselves “I would pay $100 for a quality fish right now”…
Good ‘ol rock bass… always willing to get your hopes up when the bite is terrible…
Don’t spend carelessly, but find good quality baits and invest in quality tackle, and quality companies. (When you are a minimalist fisherman this becomes easier, because you only purchase baits that work, that you believe in, that give you confidence – you ultimately spend less!)
Both of these baits are worth the cost of admission. They helped me catch my first frog fish:
No joke – my first frog fish – I’m hooked!
It was on the Strike King – and again – this is a really good frog. It even has a butthole so you can easily squirt out any water that the bait takes on. Classy!
Should I have censored that?
However, there are some things that I think the Pivot Frog does better. (Even though it doesn’t have a butthole.) I’m not making the switch because there is something wrong with the Strike King, so please keep that in mind – both are great baits – but consider this:
The Pivot Frog has a single hook point, and when you set the hook through sludge (which is what I have the pleasure of fishing a lot in Illinois) you are able to apply more force to a single location. All of the energy you impart is concentrated in that one spot. With the traditional frog hook, if both hook points are making contact with something inside the mouth of the fish, your energy is getting distributed.
I also had an issue with a few fish smacking the KVD Sexy Frog up in the air. Now… I know that this is a common occurrence for all you hardcore frog fisherman out there… but dammit man, there must be something we can do to at least reduce this a bit!
So, this desire for more weight, and more focus on the hookset was what led me to the Pivot Frog.
But… I was Concerned for 2 Reasons
There were two things that really made me take a pause for the cause before I made the switch. First, the weight on the back of the Pivot Frog was something that I wanted to add to the equation, but I was worried that this would make the bait pick up more of that topwater sludge.
After using the bait, I found this wasn’t an issue. The Sexy Frog is slightly more weedless, but not to the point that it is worth trading the other benefits.
Sweet. Check concern #1 off the list.
Second, my Sexy Frog has a rattle… which I didn’t notice until I was tying on the Pivot Frog! Now interestingly, this isn’t an issue currently because the KVD frog is no longer manufactured with rattles. However, if I am using the Pivot Frog this year and strikes are noticeably reduced… I will be adding a rattle to the bait and testing it for several hours.
Check concern #2 off the list… for now…
The Big Question to Ponder
One last thing I’d like to leave you with is this – have you ever thought about what causes a fish to strike a topwater frog? What can they see? What can they hear? Are they hunting or reacting?
When you are considering the color of the next frog that you plan to buy, take extra care when looking at the belly.
The difference between a white belly and a black belly will have much more impact on your fishing than a bright pink frog and a dark green frog – if for example the latter two options both have white bellies.
The same thing goes for appendages. Those little molded plastic arms look sweet! But… do they catch fish… or fishermen?
Look at both the belly and the overall profile.Rub belly for bonus points. You’ve got some hardware sticking out, sir…
Out of the package, most skirt-type frog legs are really too long. After opening a new one, I like to trim his biscuits! You can see the difference between these two baits:
This allows you to present a more compact package, which reduces the amount of missed strikes. Just like adding weight to my topwater presentation, anything that can even slightly increase the chance of a solid hookup is worth doing.
Need a bit more action?
Some guys will actually trim just 1 of the legs down to make the frog lopsided, which they believe helps the bait come through the water in a slightly more erratic manner, and also adds to that side-to-side motion.
If it’s early, late or overcast – it’s time to try a frog – and if you land some fish, make sure to tag me on social media and let me know – I’d love to hear from you.
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
EDIT: on August 14th, 2023 this post was updated to link to the new frog I am currently using, as the Sebile Pivot Frog (and all Sebile products) seem to be discontinued.
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It’s one of those things that looks so silly… but it works so well.
You see it in the water. Looking like a soggy green french fry. You ask yourself:
“Self… the hell these bass think that looks like, anyway?!“
Often, when people think wacky rig, they think Senko. A Yamamoto Senko is essentially a thick, round plastic worm impregnated with salt that sinks slowly and wiggles as it drops. A stickbait. A cigar bait. Whatever you call ’em, they look ridiculous… and they can definitely catch fish.
Recently, I have been throwing the Strike King KVD Perfect Plastic Ocho (in green pumpkin) on VMC Ike Approved Weedless Wacky Hooks, and I have caught fish from the boat and from shore casting towards underwater weeds, docks, lily pads and even towards the edges of thick mats floating on top.
Discussion on VMC Weedless Wacky Hooks + OchosClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
That said – this isn’t usually a bait I start with. It’s a great follow up, it’s a great way to slow down, it’s a great bait to work under docks (although I really need to work on skipping), but I usually start with something moving faster. A wacky rig is not my first choice for covering a lot of water.
Strike King KVD Perfect Plastics 4″ Ocho in Green Pumpkin
Released by Strike King, the Perfect Plastics KVD Ocho incorporates a unique 8-sided design, which helps the bait slide back and forth as it undulates on the fall. This undulation (meaning, the vibration of the ends of the bait) is believed to be the triggering mechanism, and thought to possibly emulate a dying minnow or some other easy meal. The bait is made out of plastic and comes loaded with salt and scent – but wait, there’s more – it’s that glorious Strike King coffee scent. This may seem odd (and smell freakin’ delicious), but the coffee smell effectively masks human spit / oil / scent and gives you a better chance of the fish hanging on, meaning you have more time for a quality hook set.
The VMC “Ike Approved” Weedless Wacky Hooks are slick. The hooks feature an extra wide gap, they are stout, and they make use of a thin wire weedguard that is attached below the eye with a bit of smooth resin. This is believed to prevent line damage and the weed guard from easily coming out – but it also looks really cool. So win-win there.
NOTE: when using this hook, try to prevent pinning the weedguard underneath the barb, which will make it more difficult to pop free during your hook set.
This is an easy way to rig up your favorite soft plastic presentations. Just tie on to your mainline with a Palomar Knot, stick your bait right through the middle or use any wacky o-ring tool and you’re off to the races.
Using The 8-Sided Ocho
I should mention that we are not exclusively bass fishermen. My brother is an avid spoon fisherman, and often when we fish rocky humps out deep we’ll start with faster moving baits in search of toothy critters, like this tiger muskie.
Tiger Muskie in Wisconsin – Vaughn Hauser
But when it’s time to slow down… the Ocho on a VMC is one of my go to presentations.
Now I’ve said before – being a Minimalist Fisherman does NOT mean you tie on one presentation and leave it on all year. It does NOT mean that you can’t have all sorts of presentations and gear. It DOES mean that you are very critical of that gear, and the techniques you use, to the point that you actively trim the excess fat to avoid becoming a collector.
Recently I moved from a KVD Sexy Frog (isn’t that just the worst name ever?) to a Sébile Pivot frog. This is an upgrade. A replacement. Not another piece in a collection. I will continue to use this frog until someone creates a better one, OR, if I learn that the Pivot Frog just doesn’t work as well as the Sexy Frog, I’ll revert back. Change is constant, and it’s a good thing.
We all need to evolve. To improve. Constantly.
Progress is one of the things that has the potential to make us truly happy.
The morning Vaughn caught that tiger muskie shown above, we were fishing deep rocky humps. We had fished them before, and caught many smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, panfish, you name it. On a follow up trip, the humps were completely void of life (at least active life), and after working them over for a few hours, we decided to move. We headed for a large weedy bay on the same lake, but those weeds made spoon fishing difficult. Sure we could work our Dardevles up high, and rip them through to try and trigger fish – but this week had been HOT. We didn’t experience a lot of active fish and hadn’t seen many pike. I had been throwing a Ned Rig earlier in the day as well, but the exposed hook wasn’t going to work in the weeds. I have mentioned before that the Ned Rig is a great option, but it is not the best rig in every situation…
So, in this instance I brought out the 4″ Ocho on a VMC, and started catching fish.
Strike King KVD Perfect Plastics Ocho Largemouth Bass
Some were smaller, but if you hold a bass REALLY close to the camera, you can convince people that you’re amazing!
I’m kidding. Don’t do that.
But really, even though this fish is small… look at how beautiful it is.
Strike King KVD Perfect Plastics Ocho Largemouth Bass
Here is a quick and easy tip to keep in mind regarding the rate of fall:
I needed to get the Ocho to sink faster, and get past some of the upper leaves of the weeds. Instead of changing my presentation, I simply pinched on a split shot somewhere around 8? – 12? above the bait and I was able to get my wacky worm deeper in a shorter amount of time. Granted, this also made the bait move faster and the bass were not especially active, but it worked well with the weedless VMC. If you have ever used a split shot rig (which can be deadly) it’s a very similar concept.
Strike King KVD Perfect Plastics Ocho Largemouth Bass
But don’t stop there!
I love to fish this bait from shore walking by inlets, ponds and floating muck. Just throw the Ocho right off the side, or even right on the edge of the big ‘ol muck pads so it rests on top, and then s-l-o-w-l-y inch it off the side so it falls into the water.
Bass will munch it on the drop.
I have had luck with this technique around lily pads too.
One of the other hilariously fun things to do with an Ocho, is to take it and walk along any nearby docks you can access with the stickbait in the water and just about 4 feet of line off the end of your pole. Jig the bait up and down as you walk – I can’t tell you how many times hungry bass have scared the living crap out of me as they erupt from the shadows to just crush my bait!
What an angry little feller!
This is fun to do in the afternoon or early evening when you’re not going to be able to get out in a boat… plus it gives your kids the opportunity to carefully inspect your fish, then kiss it prior to release. 🙂
Go on… give it a little smooch… hahahaha
I know that none of the fish pictured here are monsters, but I can tell you that I have a lot of great memories with unremarkable fish because of who I was with or where I was at.
Time to create some memories of your own.
Be mindful of what is going on around you, soak it all up and give the Ocho a shot – especially when conditions get a bit tough and you need to show the fish something different.
Early Morning Fishing with Wifey, Brother & Dad
They just might save your morning…
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Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
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The Ned Rig is one of my all time favorite baits. It’s something that you need in your tackle box, and I can tell you that I don’t plan to say that about a ton of different presentations as we continue to minimize our fishing tackle.
This is a bait to take seriously… but at times, there are way to make it even more effective… here’s one of my favorites.
Using a Ned Rig + Hula Stick ComboClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
Personally, I find myself using a combination of a Ned Rig jighead (either a standard, weedless, skirted or “power”… AKA, one with a bigger, heavier hook) with the slightly longer Hula Stick. Hula StickZ (which I try to never refer to in plural, because it requires the use of that stupid “Z” at the end of the name) are longer than the traditional TRD – a smaller trailer with no appendages. This smaller option is great if we’re talking super finesse, however, I rarely use it. I like what the Hula Stick brings to the table, because in my opinion it looks like a minnow rooting around for food. The little appendages look like a tail and the body is a bit longer and somewhat narrow.
The material used to create Hula StickZ (called ElaZtech) is super buoyant, super durable – and seriously, the fish hold on to these things. There is some salt baked into them as well – which means that it stays in their mouth a bit longer. (I always “juice my baits” as well, and ElaZtech soaks Dr. Juice right up to mask human scent.) Handling these baits is not a messy ordeal. They won’t cover the bottom of your boat in salt like other plastics. However…
When I came home I was surprised to find this… mess…
Be careful how you store this stuff. (Personally I keep them in plastic storage bags or the bag they originally came in.) It’s takes a bit more work, but it’s worth the effort…
However you slice it, while this is a great presentation for beginners or veterans alike in many situations, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s not something that you can tie on and leave on all year… but it’s close… and a very valuable tool in the Minimalist Fishing toolbox.
Quick bit of Ned Rig History
The Ned Rig was pioneered by several famous anglers, but brought to prominence by (and therefore named after) Ned Kehde. In fact, the Z-Man website currently states:
“A modification of techniques pioneered by angling icons like Chuck Woods, Guido Hibdon, and Charlie Brewer, the Ned Rig was conceived and brought to mainstream attention by Ned Kehde, an avid angler and veteran fishing industry writer from Lawrence, Kansas.“
EDIT: I received a really interesting comment about this from Don @ Show-Me Fish Tales after I posted the video. I’ll link to his YouTube channel so you can check it out – but this was what he sent me:
YouTube Hula StickZ Comment from Don @ Show-Me Fish Tales
This is a finesse presentation – that means it is best suited for tough conditions. You typically fish it slow by raising the rod tip and letting the bait fall back down on semi-slack line (watch the line for ticks, bumps, etc!).
The ElaZtech trailers float which means the presentation sinks slowly (unless you have a very heavy jighead) and stands at attention when it hits the bottom. Since the hook is usually exposed, I have had great luck fishing this around sand, rocks, underwater humps (if the wind has cooperated and been minimal) and areas with transitions into pockets of weeds. I have not always had good luck fishing this in Illinois, as we typically enjoy mucky sucky death bottoms in our ponds and lakes. With the exposed hook… it can be very frustrating – but if you find the right lake at the right time, everyone can land some fish!
Largemouth Bass on a Ned Rig w/ Hula Stick (1 of 3)
We caught 3 fish in 30 minutes on this trip fishing Ned Rigs + Hula StickZ (in green pumpkin) early in the season in Illinois, in a rocky lake without much muck. Fun times 🙂
Another Largemouth Bass on a Ned Rig w/ Hula Stick (2 of 3)
Actually… this second largemouth bass enjoyed a pretty sweet release courtesy of my son… you can see it in this video on the main channel:
If you throw a Ned Rig on monofilament fishing line (which floats) the bait will sink even slower, but remember that mono has stretch and is more visible than fluorocarbon lines. Fluoro on the other hand sinks and has less stretch, so your bait will sink faster and you will have more sensitivity (you will feel the fish better, they will feel you better) and if you set the hook aggressively you may well pull the bait right out of their mouth (I’ve had good luck setting the hook by swiftly lifting my rod tip straight up high, and keeping pressure on the fish).
Neither fishing line is “wrong“, but consider where you are fishing and the attributes you want in your rig.
Beware the cash grab
Unfortunately, with the massive rise in popularity, we have seen a TON of baits and jigheads introduced that are “specifically for Ned Rig fishing”, or “The secret weapon to enhance your Ned Rig”, or whatever. Z-Man has literally recreated every type of plastic in a Ned-specific version which is kind of silly. Other companies like Strike King are making baits to use on Ned jigheads, even using the same terminology in their marketing & packaging.
Ned Rig doing work on a Super Hot Day in Wisconsin
When the weather is rough – very cold or very hot – and it’s time to slow down, this is definitely something to reach for. If you have a friend that needs to try this setup – go ahead and send this article to ’em!
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Try some out for yourself – and if you land some fish, make sure to let me know – I’d love to hear from you.
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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Pond fishing is one of the most accessible ways to get into – or back into – fishing. Chances are there’s a pond nearby that is thriving, full of low-pressure fish that are eager to bite the right presentation.
Whether you’re new to fishing or a veteran that has skipped these small bodies of water for some time… consider giving them a look. Here’s how I got back into the game…
In the past I’ve fished tournaments, high-pressure lakes, creeks, water with absolutely no shoreline access that requires a small boat and rivers all over Illinois. Instead of approaching these adventures as a minimalist, I went at them as… well, maybe what you would call a maximalist. You might even say that I was profligate with my preparations.
In English? I took too much crap with me!
When I returned to Illinois from a Wisconsin vacation in 2019, I bought my fishing license really late in the year, but I wanted to find a place to fish with my sons. Somewhere that didn’t require a boat, because at the time we would be lucky to have 30 or 45 minutes to get out. I didn’t want 20 of those minutes to be me swearing at the trailer.
So I started looking for something that was easy to access, and not extremely popular or loaded with other bank & boat fishermen.
Good News: I found a place! Bad News: I had no idea how to fish it!
“Uh… where do I even begin?”
Let’s look at the first two trips that I took to this new pond so that I can show you what went right, what went wrong, and how you can take what I’ve learned and apply it to your own situation so you can catch more fish in the ponds near you!
A Summary: Getting Back Into Pond FishingClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
First Day at The Pond
Allow me to set the stage. Remember I mentioned I started keeping that journal in 2014? Well… I actually started keeping TWO. One for business, and one for fishing. This has been an extremely useful practice and I strongly suggest you start a journal of your own.
I wrote these notes in that journal after we returned on day 1…
September 14th Pond Fishing in IL “Weather: around 60 degrees – got a start at 6:00 a.m. and left the house at 6:45. The big man was fishing from shore using a Ned Rig with an exposed hook, I had a crankbait that I wanted to practice with, and also a weightless wacky rigged 4? Ocho like we had been using in Wisconsin. Well, fun fact – the pond is super sludgy, and has all sorts of muck on it – and in it. I tried the crankbait about twice, and found out it was impossible to use. Then we both fished the plastics we had tied on – and nothing. I think I’d like to go back and try 1 pass with a straight topwater frog, 1 pass with a weightless jerkbait like a fluke and a big hook that will be able to move about medium speed, and finally 1 pass with either a weightless Senko or wacky worm (maybe an Ocho again, or a trick worm). I do not think that the bass will hit our bait if it is buried in the muck, or even inhale it off of the bottom – so how can we maximize our time in the strike zone? Gotta be up somehow, and not hung up (super weedless). I’d also consider a drop-shot maybe but that sounds like kind of a pain to manage… let’s try these other ones first.”
What I Learned: Day 1
The bottom content of the pond was disgusting. Typical Illinois MUCK BOTTOM, I assume it’s all dead algae or vegetation and decomposing build-up. In Wisconsin we were fishing lakes with clear water and really nice rocky shorelines or weed to sand & rock transitions… so I had been conditioned to fish a jig with an exposed hook, and the fish in Wisconsin were not afraid to hit those jigs right on the bottom… but that wasn’t going to work in the muck-bottom Land of Lincoln.
The water was reasonably clear, and the bottom was dark green. In fact, everything seemed to be some shade of green.
The pond had many large floating algae pads. Some were thick. Some were thin. All had visible space underneath where fish could cruise. That doesn’t mean they werecruising – but they could.
I had no idea what the max depth of the pond or preferred local forage was.
As a result, I took too many presentations that were the wrong color with exposed hooks that got caught up on everything… and it was just a nightmare. We spent more time cleaning off our hooks than fishing!
But it also made me very curious… what was living in here? What werethey eating?
The most frustrating thing about the whole day, was that I had let my son down. All he caught was a weed fish, some pond scum and I believe some old fishing line attached to a bobber. I had failed to put him on fish, and that could potentially leave a horrible taste in his mouth and make him less likely to go fishing again.
He’s smiling but… but not really all that happy… shoot.
We salvaged the morning with a trip to a nearby playground… but I knew that I had to go back to explore the pond again.
Alone.
Second Day at the Pond
I took a few days to think about what I had learned. Remember, time on the water is important, and even if we get skunked, we should be able to learn something about the location, ourselves or the environment. I knew that I needed to take a presentation that was going to stay up out of the muck on the bottom, and also free of debris. The logical choice was a topwater… but I had literally zero confidence in topwater presentations…
So what did I do instead?
I made a complicated plan to make myself feel better. Fish a topwater for just 15 minutes, then switch to a toad for 10 minutes, a fluke for 5, then a wacky rig for 20… all in the course of an hour.
Not gonna happen. Complicated fishing plans never work!
September 18th Pond Fishing in IL “Weather: around 60 degrees – skies were clear and stable yesterday and last night. I was out the door about 6:30, made it to the pond right after 7:00 a.m. and was immediately able to start throwing a frog. The PLAN… was to fish a frog for 1 lap, a toad for 1 lap, a fluke for 1 lap (weightless) and a wacky rigged Ocho for 1 lap… but I never switched away from the frog. I caught a 2.5lb largemouth back in the “corner” by the bridge under that algae that looks like tiny little green pieces. It’s not super dense, and it was only about a 20 foot wide by 10 foot deep patch of cover, tucked back in the corner of the lake by calmer water. I was just looking for life, saw a heron and some small fish, and the cool thing was as the fish started to move in that shallow water I could literally see the water bulge up on top, so I threw it two more times in the general area and he smacked it and pulled it under. I think I got a good hook set because the algae was so thin. Then about 30 minutes later I missed this guy’s big sister but she was on the opposite side in a little bay kind of across from the parking lot. I turned her after she took the frog, but the bait popped right out, and it was LOADED with thick sludge. So I think what happened was when this bass hit, she took on a bunch of muck as well, and I didn’t get a good hook set through that crap. Absolute heartbreak. Missed another nearby in the same stuff as well, smaller though. Then that was it, I wrapped up and there was never any reason to switch to the other baits – but it was cool to find life here and catch my first legitimate frog fish.“
What I Learned: Day 2
I used one bait but had planned to use 4 (minimalist fishing approach for the win). Note: since I had no confidence in a topwater but wanted to use one, I should have ONLY taken a topwater – nothing else – which would force me to dedicate time to it, building confidence faster.
I knew that even if I did use 4 presentations, they all needed to stay out of the muck… BUT… I was really unsure of what I would do… my complicated plan was just a safety net, a false sense of security… or possibly an excuse.
I was looking for LIFE anywhere, even above the water. Since I had never caught a fish here and I was still exploring, I decided to go where the heron was which turned out to be a good decision. He was eating small fish (maybe even frogs?), and so was the largemouth bass.
I didn’t even see the bass strike, I heardit, looked, couldn’t find my frog and decided to reel down and set the hook. Before this I had seen the water bulging in the area I was fishing, underneath and around the thin overhead cover. Duckweed, in this area – and this area alone.
I missed two other fish in an area with really thick muck on top of the water, using a Strike King frog with a traditional frog hook (2 prongs). This was due to a combination of things. With the first fish my hookset was weak, I had the two prongs (which means the force of the hookset was distributed), and she took in a bunch of algae with the bait. I don’t think my hook penetrated the algae, or it may have caused a “blow out” when I set the hook. The second fish that I missed actually smacked the bait up in the air when he tried to strike it.
Just for reference, there was a small feeder creek near where the heron had set up shop. This could probably adjust the water temperature and also provide a replenishing source of food as bugs and critters and minnows washed into the pond.
Look at that sign of life over there!
Give Pond Fishing a Chance!
The second day was a success… accidentally!
No matter – the simple act of catching a fish – a good fish – got me even more fired up about fishing ponds. Not only was I making time to fish with an extremely hectic schedule, I was learning new techniques (topwater) and bringing big ‘ol bass up onto the shore with me.
… but… If I’m being honest…
I wish my son had caught it 🙂
AJ Hauser with a nice 2.5 pound pond bass (largemouth)
Next time.
So How Can You Catch More Fish Out of Ponds?
If possible, explore the body of water ahead of time and look for things like cover, bottom composition, bottom color and forage. This will help you pick your presentations and bait colors.
Don’t make a complicated plan. Tie on baits that you have confidence in, or if you want to gain confidence in a new bait – just take that one bait and dedicate some time to it.
Upon arrival if you don’t know where to start fishing, look for life above and below the water. Birds, turtles, frogs, deer, minnows, bugs, tadpoles, frogs or anything else.
Pay attention to your surroundings and look for cues, like the water bulging up above the surface giving away the position of active bass in shallow water, or topwater strikes nearby as bass chase and attack frogs or other fish.
Stick with it – and no matter what happens – learn something new about the location or your skills every time you are out on the water.
Most importantly… have fun, and enjoy God’s creation. Enjoy the fresh air, the wind, the sun, the rain, the hot, the cold – soak it all up. Remind yourself that there are a lot of people that will never experience the simple act of pond fishing – and just as many want to fish but are stuck at work… if you know someone like that, you might want to tell them about Minimalist Fishing.
Every trip is a blessing, no matter the outcome.
Now get out and explore some ponds of your own! Tell a friend, simplify your approach – and if this has helped you in any way, make sure to let me know. I’d love to hear from you.
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Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
P.S. – I’m still finding new ponds and small bodies of water to fish, like Snapping Turtle Pond… check it out, and let me know what YOU find!
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My name is AJ Hauser and I started The Minimalist Fisherman in 2019. It’s helped me become a better angler, a better father, a better husband, a better friend, and it can help you do the same.
These articles and videos are crafted to help all of us improve – as fishermen, yes, but also as men. Our country is sorely lacking when it comes to real men. We have to do something about that. Share these posts, consider donating, and provide your own unique feedback and advice in the comments. This will help us continue to grow and influence the next generation of men, which will have a positive effect on our communities and country.
In truth… this is an extremely personal endeavor.
Day job, you ask?
I’ve designed websites, logos and brochures for over 20 years as a partner and Senior Design Lead at The Hauser Design Group. I’m also a website consultant that helps clients generate more traffic and sales (cha-ching) both online and in-store.
But my passion is creating content for The Minimalist Fisherman. It’s changed my life, made me better, and my current goal is to help other men achieve the same results both in their homes and on the water. Let me explain…
Mornings on the lake beat mornings in the inbox…
First: What is a Minimalist?
Let’s keep this part really simple. There are way too many definitions of what minimalism is and isn’t all over the web. (It’s trendy, dontcha know!)
A minimalist evaluates every aspect of their life and surroundings, and discards things that do not provide real value.
– AJ Hauser
He doesn’t hoard. He doesn’t collect. He doesn’t gather.
Items without value are thrown away. Minimized.
This raises a big question: what has value?
Teaching has value… sharing has value… what else?
Well dear reader – you get to decide what has value. Some people value relationships, others value things. Some people value prestige and others value accolades. Money? Sure. Habits? Yes. Vice? Unfortunately.
I propose we assign value first & foremost to wholesome experiences, not things.
What we do, not what we possess.
Then, we may assign value to the tools that are required to partake in these experiences. For example: a boat is required to experience the thrill of exploring a big body of water. A kayak is required to experience the joy of working up a small creek where few anglers dare to tread. A nice rod and reel are required to experience the excitement of landing your new PB. Tools – the right tools – have value.
Just be careful: it’s dangerous to fill your life up with stuff… and if collecting stuff is what you value above all else… it’s time to choose a better path.
Collecting stuff is in direct opposition to what minimalism is at its core, and when it came to fishing – my emphasis on collecting stuff is what got me into trouble… I was too worried about filling up a tackle box, a backpack, a truck, a boat and a garage… but not worried about things like time on the water, technique or learning about fish behavior.
When I realized my focus was missing the mark, that I was collecting tools instead of using them, instead of having experiences and learning principles, the path became clear.
I needed to do a complete 180.
What is a Minimalist Fisherman?
Minimalist Fishing is the careful accumulation of quality behaviors, knowledge, skill, technique and gear. Minimalist Fishermen catch more fish by constantly evaluating and optimizing what they do on and off the water. They believe wholesome experiences are more valuable than things, and keep only the tools that produce results while intentionally discarding the clutter.
A Minimalist Fisherman continuously evaluates every aspect of their fishing gear, knowledge and skill. They quickly discard things that do not provide real value. “Value” is defined by you, the fisherman.
Minimalist Fishermen will seek out the most important presentations, the most essential tools, the most meaningful knowledge and the most significant skills to efficiently master their craft. This process inevitably leads to more successful days on the water, and more fish in the boat.
– AJ Hauser
These concepts, once crystalized, completely changed my perspective:
Am I a collector, or am I a fisherman?
Is my tackle box filled with baits I can confidently use, or full of stuff for “someday?“
Am I buying more gear because I’ve utilized what I have? Am I purchasing these jigs because I lost my last batch breaking off fishing woody cover? Do I need them… or… does buying more stuff just make me feel better for a brief period of time?
If any of these sound familiar, that’s ok! It’s never too late to start making improvements. Begin with this question… what is one SIMPLE GOAL you’d like to achieve?
(Not a list of goals. Not something 5 years off. What is one simple, achievable goal?)
We’ll need that answer first. We need a starting point.
Help yourself first, because only then can you truly help others.
Do you want to catch bigger fish? Do you want to fish more often? Do you want to help family experience fishing success? Do you want to make new friends with similar interests? Do you want to create a successful YouTube channel? Do you want to bond with your spouse or children on the water? Do you want to find new ways to share your passion? Do you want to fish & win tournaments? Do you want to use your limited fishing time better?
You get to decide.
For me?
It was a combination that prompted my journey down this path… and my journal helped me realize it…
Why Minimalist Fishing?Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
My Journal Opened My Eyes
I hated journaling in grade school, but randomly picked the behavior back up in 2014 while in a dark place. My business was suffering, my employees & clients were suffering, my family was suffering. I remember walking outside one October night crying out to God almighty, begging Him for help –
“PLEASE GOD – WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!”
“I know!“, I thought, “I need to devote 150% of my time and energy to my business – that will surely make me happy!”
So I did. I gave it everything I had. And we grew. A lot. We hired more. I sold more. Landed bigger accounts. Made a buncha money.
I was on a roll! I was fixing my life!
But… then I noticed that keeping the business afloat was beginning to devour my soul. It was subtle at first, but I felt it. Every week it seemed to get worse. I’d sink deeper and deeper into the pit, and ask myself:
“Next week it will be better – right?“
“Happiness is just around the corner… right??“
“This weekend I’ll get caught up and have some time for the kids – right???“
“One more massive sale, then I’ll be able to sleep at night and stop staring at the ceiling and drinking just to shut my brain off… right?!!??“
No.
I was wrong.
Relief never came. The stress only got worse, and in 2019 I began to read the journal started 5 years earlier. One evening, while drinking too much and thumbing through some of the entries, it hit me: instead of “fixing my life“, what I was actually doing… was killing myself.
Full stop.
I was mentally and physically drained, very overweight, drinking heavily, lacking sleep, I had lost my faith, my purpose… all while chasing a slightly better income.
And for what?!
So I could have nicer things. More and more things. So I could accumulate more STUFF.
My family knew that I loved them, but at gatherings, I never felt like I was 100% plugged in. I was always worried about the next email, the next sale, the next job, the unhappy customer, or the proposal that was being reviewed by the board… and so I was there, but I wasn’t really present.
Your family deserves the best of you, not your leftovers…
On top of that, I was neglecting my passions almost entirely. I was neglecting the behaviors that made me who I am… well… they did once upon a time. Playing sports. Lifting weights. Writing music. Fishing, hiking and camping – all gone. Now they just represented who I once was.
I was depressed and STUCK. Few things are worse than feeling stuck with no purpose… no direction… no GOALS… it was time for things to change.
The Minimalist Fisherman was a major part of that change in my life.
In order to reclaim the lost skill of fishing, I had to reduce the amount of clutter that had been accumulated. I never went fishing anymore because there was never enough time to get everything ready. There were so many things! Equipment, boat, trailer, truck, 15 presentations pre-rigged on 15 rods, 37 bags of plastics, 4 containers of plugs… you know… “just in case.” It was overwhelming. Too much with my workload… so I always stayed home!
If I wanted to start fishing again, I knew I had to be able to go at the drop of a hat. 10 minutes here, 20 minutes there. Whenever a slight window of opportunity would appear I’d need to grab a pole, a bag and without overthinking just… GO.
So I minimized everything and began to rebuild from the ground up.
I also started to write in that journal even more. Some entries were pushed out to the world through this website, which led to the identification of key concepts that improved my fishing. But they also improved other areas of my life as well! They allowed me to shed the build-up that was preventing me from being the father, husband, friend and fisherman that I wanted to be. I had to change where, when and how I worked. Had to set boundaries with customers. Had to take a good long look at every aspect of my life so that I could clearly define the behaviors that I wanted to incorporate, and what I needed to discard to regain the time and energy required for the things that mattered most.
I started to spend more time with family, pay more attention to my wife & children, work on my diet and exercise, get more sleep, drink less, and ultimately have the best end-of-year fishing run in Illinois to date… and these trends have continued, consistently, ever since. I’m not writing about “things I think might work” or “nifty hypothetical concepts I thought up on the toilet” – I’m writing about what I did wrong, and what I did right, so you can experience the same benefits in your life.
It’s possible.
We can all explore more water and catch more fish while being better fathers, husbands and men.
Exploring a New Fishing Hole: Snapping Turtle PondClick the banner to jump to Stars & Bars Fishing on YouTube.
Hey… that’s a good (big) GOAL!
I’m still working towards this same goal myself, bit by bit, task by task, behavior by behavior… we’re never really finished, after all. But I’m present. Not letting family (or clients) down as much. It’s all connected. I’m growing as an angler, and as a man. I’m finally back on the path…
Are you?
If not… don’t you want to be?
It all stems from the decision to start… and you’re already here… so let’s get started! Below you will find a link to a critically important concept that changed the way I look at everything. No doubt, one of the most useful tips I’ve learned to date, and I know it will help you too.
4 years later in a better place mentally, physically and spiritually. Thank you, God.
There are many fish to catch, and many improvements to make… keep pushing my friend.
Take a quick break, then click to learn the difference between motivation and drive. If you have a friend or family member that wants to be a better angler & a better man – share this page with them!
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Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
Get Articles & Videos First
Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
