Summer bass commonly shift to deeper offshore structures as the post-spawn gives way to the summer peak period. In response, the preferred bass habitat often moves from grass to hard bottom areas where crawfish become the primary forage. Mitch Anderson explains how to find likely spots for offshore summer bass using mapping and side imaging and how to fish football and shaky head jigs to milk these spots.
FOOTBALL JIG SETUP
- JIG – Jewel Baits Heavy Cover Football Jig, 3/4-ounce
- TRAILER – Jewel Baits VersaCraw Junior
- ROD – Abu Garcia IKE Power Casting Rod, 7’4″ MH
- REEL – Abu Garcia Revo STX Gen 4 Casting Reel, 7.3:1
- LINE – Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon, 15-pound
SHAKEY HEAD SETUP
- JIG – Jewel Squirrel Head, 1/4-ounce
- WORM – Zoom Trick Worm, color – Watermelon Candy
- ROD – Falcon Expert Spinning Rod, 7’6″ Medium
- REEL – Daiwa Procyon AL LT Spinning Reel, 3000D
- LINE – Berkley X9 Braided Line, 10lb Lo-Vis Green
- LEADER – Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon, 8 lb
* Additional links at the bottom
Mitch starts combing hard extensions off of main lake points and humps. A football head jig is an excellent tool for getting to the bottom quickly while dragging and deflecting off of bottom elements (closely resembling crawfish). Anderson stresses the need to fish productive spots methodically from multiple angles. Use long casts at different depths and casting angles to figure out how bass are positioned. Drop a waypoint and make repeated casts when you get bit.
When the football bite fizzles, Anderson reaches for a finesse shaky head and worm setup to milk the spot for a few more fish. The right rod and line setup have a big bearing on fishing these presentations effectively in deep water. Anderson prefers a longer 7’4” – 7’6” medium-heavy casting rod spooled with 12- to 15-pound fluorocarbon line for the football head jig setup. The smaller diameter fluorocarbon has less water resistance for a faster fall while making it easier to maintain bottom contact. For the shaky head setup, a light braid and fluorocarbon leader provide the same benefits.
FISH FINDERS
- CONSOLE – Humminbird HELIX 15 MEGA SI+ G4N
- BOW (X2) – Humminbird HELIX 10 MEGA SI+ G4N
- 360 Imaging – Humminbird MEGA 360 Imaging
- MAPPING – Humminbird LakeMaster PLUS, Minnesota V4
BOAT SETUP
- BOAT – 2021 Skeeter FXR21
- MOTOR – Yamaha V Max SHO 250hp
- TROLLING MOTOR – Minn Kota Ultrex MSI+, 52”, 36v (112 lbs)
SHALLOW WATER ANCHORS & ACCESSORIES
- Minn Kota Raptor 8′ Shallow Water Anchor w/Active Anchoring – Black
- Minn Kota Raptor 4″ Jack Plate Adapter Bracket – Starboard – Black
- Minn Kota Raptor 4″ Jack Plate Adapter Bracket – Port – Black
- Minn Kota Raptor Wireless Footswitch – Bluetooth
ACCESSORIES
- RMP Versa Mount (2 on the bow)
- RMP Tempered Glass Screen Protector
- iPad with onX Maps
- T-H Marine Hot Foot
- T-H Marine Atlas Hydraulic Jackplate
- T-H Marine Fingerflex Blinker Trim Controls
- Bass Boat Technologies Single Dash Mount
- Humminbird AS ETH 5PXG 5 Port Ethernet Switch
- Marine Grade Wire, 10-gauge Tinned
BATTERIES AND CHARGERS
- Minn Kota On-Board Precision Charger, 4 Bank, 15 amp (MK-460PC)
- Perko Battery Switch
