Spotties

[taggermike]

I have success fishing grubs and 3'' swim baits on 1/4 and 3/8 heads. Most of the so bay is pretty shallow so about the heaviest I'll go is 1/2. Smelt are the most common bait fish back there so I go with lighter green or lime smelt pattern. I also like a ghost shrimp grub and swimbaits, kinda pinkish with a red spot on the belly. Spotties do eat fish but the majority of their diet is inverts; worms, clams, shrimp, crabs. I like a brown or root beer grub for those. When flipping docks I like to use creature baits and crawdad type fresh water bass lures. Crank baits can be great at times. Like others said; moving water and keeping your lure on or near the bottom are vital. Keep trying, you'll get em. Mike

[Dail14]

Gulp shrimp on a jighead heavy enough to reach bottom. Paddle out to the channel drop off at Tidelands. Drop the bait to the bottom and drift it. Make sure the bait is bouncing on the bottom.

[zinkysd]

5" camo Gulp jerkshad on a 3/8oz sledhead. Fish it low and slow or drop it down pilings and hang on. OR you can come to Fred Hall LB show and sit in on one of my seminars on fishing for bay bass.

Ken

[buddha]

Originally Posted by zinkysd

5" camo Gulp jerkshad on a 3/8oz sledhead. Fish it low and slow or drop it down pilings and hang on. OR you can come to Fred Hall LB show and sit in on one of my seminars on fishing for bay bass.

Ken

That has been my go to technique especially in heavy eel grass.

[PapaDave]

Also, there is some good fishing in the shallows, although not for spotties.

Toss an swimbait, shallow crank bait or small croc and retreive it ove the top of the weeds. You may be surprised.

[BillzBaitz]

Honestly I think the big issue is how fast you are working the baits. Spotties love to eat crabs and shrimp, these creatures are found near or on the bottom. You need to get your presentation down to where the fish are plain and simple.. Spotties are usually aggressive and if you get the bait down there and KEEP it there you will get more fish.. If you fish a kastmaster instead of casting and reeling try vertical jigging it instead. Fishing swimbaits? be sure to use a head heavy enough to get you down to the bottom. if you fish grubs same thing... to the bottom and hop hop hop then reel in couple of cranks, if the bass arent real aggressive that day sometimes that fast wind or fast lift will get them to bite. If you have a 2 rod stamp drag a grug or swimbait on the bottom as you drift and cast and work the second rod.. I have noticed on some days that dragged bait is what they want..

[alanw]

Hey Bill 2nd rod stamp is only required for inland waters, in the ocean you can use as many rods as you want (except for rockfish)