I fish much of southeastern Kentucky and northeastern Tennessee. I’ve been fishing Spike-It lures for the past eight years. At this time of the year, I ’m primarily fishing the Spike-It grubs on points with drop-offs in deep-water. I use a 1/8- to 1/4-ounce jighead on my Spike-It grubs. I also like the 3-inch Diamond Flash Holographics lures. I especially like the chartreuse flake, the blue holograph and other grubs in holographic colors. I’m primarily fishing highland reservoirs. If we have blue bird days where the water is clear, I have to fish the grubs deep if I plan to catch fish. Depending on the depth I’m fishing, I use either 4- or 8-pound-test line. This year I’ve been catching bass as deep as 30 to 52 feet. If I see bass on my depth finder, I either fish vertically or parallel to the bank of the drop-off. When you’re fishing that deep, you really have to be patient. I’m generally catching smallmouth bass and spotted bass using this technique. The real secret to catching bass in deep water is to understand what the bite feels like. When a bass takes the bait in 50 feet of water, it feels like it has picked up a leaf. You don’t feel a violent strike, so you have to set the hook as soon as you feel additional pressure. The real secret to landing a spotted bass or a smallmouth bass on 4-pound-test line in 50 feet of water is to set your drag lightly and spend plenty of time playing the fish down before you bring it to the boat. You also must have a medium-action rod that will absorb some of the shock of the fish while it’s fighting.
TOMORROW: FISHING THE BACKS OF CREEKS
