Keeping it simple (KISS) is how Florida-based bass pro Randall Tharp likes to operate. We sat down with Tharp to break down his top 5 rod setups and techniques for catching Florida bass in nearly all situations. Beyond discussing core tackle, Tharp talks some technique specifics that, taken together, will enhance your efficiency and fish-catching success in this land of grass. *Tackle links at the bottom.
Tharp’s top 5 bass fishing setups for Florida bass:
- Flipping and pitching setup. It’s no surprise that flipping and pitching reigns supreme in this land of dense vegetation, and it happens to be Tharp’s favorite way to catch bass. Straight braid, heavy tungsten and a big rod is the best way to penetrate the cover and extract big Florida-strain bass from dense mats of grass.
- Topwater prop bait. An iconic lure in Florida yet surprising to some, a trebled topwater prop bait pitched into pockets excels at calling bass from a distance and triggering vicious strikes. Tharp prefers throwing it out in calm and protected areas then working it with alternating twitches and pauses.
- Swim jigs. Swim jigs get the nod when you need to cover a lot of water and work different depth zones, all with a single bait. Swim jigs allow Tharp to cover 1- to 4-feet deep with a simple 3/8-ounce swim jig and trailer. His preferred setup (linked below) resembles a fleeing golden shiner.
- Swimming a worm. A Texas-rigged worm with a light tungsten weight excels around lily pads or when needlefish are in the area. It’s a subtle presentation that can be fished clean through grass. Choose your weight based on the depth you’re fishing — a 3/16-ounce sinker is the best all-arounder.
- Bladed jig. What bass lure listing is complete without a darn ChatterBait or other bladed jig option? Tharp prefers bladed jigs when targeting bass around submergent hydrilla. He has the most success with dark colors like black and blue and green pumpkin.
Check out all of the Florida fishing license info here before planning your trip.
FLIPPING SETUP
- PLASTIC 1 – Zoom Brush Hog
- PLASTIC 2 – Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver
- HOOK – VMC Ike Approved Flippin Hook, 4/0
- WEIGHT – ARK No Chip Tungsten No-Insert Flipping Weights
- PEG – VMC Sinker Stops
- ROD – ARK Randall Tharp Honey Badger “Okeechobee Special”, 7’11” X-Hvy Casting Rod
- REEL – ARK Casting Reel (NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR SALE)
- LINE – Sufix 131 G-Core Braid, 65-pound
TOPWATER PROP BAIT SETUP
- LURE – Rapala X-Rap Prop, color – Black Chrome Orange
- LINE (braided mainline) – Sufix 832 Braided Line, 30-pound
- LINE (leader) – Sufix Advance Monofilament, 20-pound
- HOOK (upgraded) – VMC 7547 Hybrid Treble Hook, size 6
- ROD – ARK Tharp Series Casting Rod 7′ MH/X Fast Hammer
- REEL – Shimano Chronarch 150G Casting Reel, 8.1:1
SWIM JIG SETUP
- SWIM JIG – Greenfish Tackle Swim Jig, 3/8-ounce
- TRAILER – Gambler EZ Swimmer 4.25″ Swimbait
- ROD – ARK Tharp Series Casting Rod 7’6″ Heavy King Cobra
- REEL – Shimano Chronarch 150G Casting Reel, 7.1:1
- LINE – Sufix 131 G-Core Braid, 65-pound
SWIMMING WORM SETUP
- WORM – Zoom Magnum Ultravibe Speed Worm
- HOOK – VMC HD Worm Hook, 5/0
- WEIGHT – ARK Fishing No Chip Tungsten Worm Weight, 3/16-ounce
- PEG – VMC Sinker Stops
- ROD – ARK Tharp Series Casting Rod 7’6″ Heavy King Cobra
- REEL – Shimano Chronarch 150G Casting Reel, 8.1:1
- LINE – Sufix 131 G-Core Braid, 50-pound
OTHER GEAR
- TACKLE STORAGE – Bass Mafia Money Bag
- SUNGLASSES – Costa Del Mar Blackfin Pro
- FACE GUARD – Fish Monkey Performance Face Guard
- GLOVES – Fish Monkey Gloves (all)
- ARK Apparel & Gear
