In this video, professional angler Cody Huff breaks down his top four baitcasting setups for effective offshore bass fishing. Huff explains that offshore fishing requires more than just one go-to bait. Often, catching neutral-to-negative or pressured bass involves a rotation of different lures to trigger bites. Huff’s methodical approach ensures no opportunity is missed when targeting these offshore consolidations.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BAIT ROTATION IN OFFSHORE BASS FISHING
Huff starts with a big crankbait to provoke a reaction bite from the school. A bottom-dredging deep-diving crankbait has an erratic action on a fast retrieve and excels at triggering multiple strikes before the bass catch on. Huff emphasizes that keeping the crankbait in contact with the bottom and making it look like a wounded baitfish is an essential triggering component. After the crankbait, Huff usually switches to a big spoon. A flutter spoon is an excellent option when targeting deeper schools of bass. And unlike a crankbait, Huff uses flutter spoons to target cast to fish located on his sonar – it’s the perfect bait for mimicking a dying gizzard shad.
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CRANKBAIT SETUP
- CRANKBAIT – Rapala DT 16 Crankbait: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- CRANKBAIT – Rapala DT 20 Crankbait: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- ROD – Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris CarbonLite Technique Casting Rod – 7’10” – Medium Heavy – Parabolic – Deep Crankbait: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- REEL – Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Platinum Signature Baitcast Reel – Right – 6.8:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- LINE – Sunline Super FC Sniper Fluorocarbon, 12-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- SUN SHIRT – AFTCO Ocean Bound LS Sun Protection Hoodie: Buy at AFTCO
- Bass Pro Shops Leaping Bass Logo Cap, Woodland Camo: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
SPOON SETUP
- SPOON – Dixie Jet Falcon Spoon: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- ROD – Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris CarbonLite Technique Casting Rod – 7’4″ – Heavy – Fast – Dragging: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- REEL – Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Platinum Signature Baitcast Reel – Right – 6.8:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- LINE – Sunline Super FC Sniper Fluorocarbon, 20-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
CLEANUP BAITS FOR OFFSHORE BASS
When the reaction baits stop producing, Huff turns to more subtle presentations. A straight-tailed worm rigged on a shaky head or a large football jig becomes his go-to. These setups excel at combing the bottom through the school and picking off any remaining bass still interested in feeding. Both a shaky head and a football jig dragged across the bottom are reliable choices.
SHAKY HEAD SETUP
- PLASTIC – Bass Pro Shops Magnum Fin-Eke Worm – 6″ – Green Pumpkin/Blue Flake: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- JIG – Owner Magnum Shaky Football Head: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- ROD – Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris CarbonLite Technique Casting Rod – 7’4″ – Heavy – Fast – Dragging: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- REEL – Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Platinum Signature Baitcast Reel – Right – 6.8:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- LINE – Sunline Super FC Sniper Fluorocarbon, 20-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
FOOTBALL JIG SETUP
- JIG – Missile Jigs Ike’s Head Banger Football Jig, 1/2- to 1-ounce: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- PLASTIC – Missile Baits Chunky D Creature Bait: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- ROD – Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris CarbonLite Technique Casting Rod – 7’4″ – Heavy – Fast – Dragging: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- REEL – Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Platinum Signature Baitcast Reel – Right – 6.8:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
FINAL THOUGHTS ON OFFSHORE FISHING
Huff’s final advice is to stay flexible and ready to adapt. Offshore bass fishing requires switching tactics as the fish’s behavior changes throughout the day. Having a diverse selection of baits ready to grab off the deck can mean the difference between a few or a lot of solid catches.
