Combat Fishing Frequently Asked Questions
ON BAITS
Q: What would the difference be or why would you use a 60 degree compared to a 90 degree jig head?
Q: What size (weight) tube jigs should I use to drift with?
Q: How long are the tube trailers and how far do they extend out the back of the tube?
Q: Are tube trailers a gimmick, or do they really work?
Q: I hear that you mostly use a firetiger colored jerkbait and the ones that are smaller in size?
Q: What about crankbaits on Lake St. Clair?
Q: Are any plastics better in deep water than others?
Q: Why do the laminated tubes cost more?
Q: Do I need the Gamakatsu hooks (tournament quality) or will I be OK with the Mustads?
ON SMALLMOUTH AND LARGEMOUTH
Q: Are smallmouth that much different than largemouth?
Q: I’m a largemouth angler. Can I compete with largemouth on
Lake St. Clair?
Q: I’m looking at your information products but am not sure what I need. I’m fishing Lake St. Clair a few times this year. What would you recommend?
Q: Is the second book just an update of the first one?
Q: I see a chart called Marked Map Spots with numbers on it. What does that mean?
Q: If I download a spot, what am I getting?
Q: Is the .99 cent download worth getting?
Q: Nobody will talk to me about spots or techniques on the Lake. Why are you willing to help me?
ON BAITS
Q: What would the difference be or why would you use a 60 degree compared to a 90 degree jig head?
A: There are many applications for each but my basic way of using jigs as it relates to the bend is as follows: The 60 degree bend is an excellent bend for drifting presentations. The head of the jig will tend to come up and not dig in to the bottom where you are likely to find various weeds and sand grass. It allows the jig to “float” over the snags better. In the river system, I find the 60 degree bend and others like it to be a disadvantage. So much of river fishing depends on bait control. The current tends to sweep under a jig with a 60 degree bend and lift it up. I’ve fished a ½ oz. 60 degree bend jig that felt more like a ¼ oz. and I could hardly feel the bottom. A 90 degree bend tends to dig in and you get better control and feel.
Q: What size (weight) tube jigs should I use to drift with?
A: A basic rule of thumb is to use the jig weight that will keep you from digging into the bottom and snagging up on vegetation and one that won't float too high and out of the strike zone.
With a steady breeze, 3/16 oz. with a 90 degree bend seems to be a good place to start. That way you can go lighter to 1/8 or heavier to 1/4 or more if needed. If you are using 5" tubes, allow for a little less jig weight to make up for the weight of the extra plastic.
As you refine your technique, you may want to consider going to a 60 degree bend hook style. The tendency for this style is to have an upward and forward pull by the line on the eyelet. This will give you a presentation that is less likely to foul up.
When you know you are on fish but are faced with a howling wind and 3 to 4 foot waves, a 3-Way rig (this is shown in my No Secrets V2 book) is one way to save an otherwise difficult presentation. If you use jigs in this situation, you will probably miss a lot of hits because the boat is going up and down. The hit on the 3-Way is really a pull, which is easy to detect, and hookups are nearly 100%. Even in the rough stuff. I'll use a minimum of a 3/8 pencil weight on the bottom of the 3-way.
Q: How long are the tube trailers and how far do they extend out the back of the tube?
A: They are 4 1/4" long and when rigged with a 4" tube, they extend out the back past the tail by 2".
Q: Are tube trailers a gimmick, or do they really work?
A: If a bait doesn’t work, I just fire it and move on. Tube trailers have proven themselves over a period of 7 years across a variety of bodies of water. I use them as an upgrade option after I’ve gotten all the weight I can out of an area and want to do better.
Q: I hear that you mostly use a firetiger colored jerkbait and the ones that are smaller in size?
A: Yes, that's the jerkbait I use and most of the time, it will be a pointer 78. Since Lucky Craft doesn't have a true firetiger color, I have been using a Crystal Minnow (again, the smaller version) to fill in and some of the new Rapala firetiger jerkbaits fit well too.
The higher quality jerkbaits tend to pull through the water much easier which can help you work them for long periods. Of course, technique matters but I like to put some thought into matching the bait to the line to the rod and to the reel. That way, I can enjoy the presentation without working my butt off.
Q: What about crankbaits on Lake St. Clair?
A: On St. Clair, crankbaits have dropped of in production over the years. I suppose the clear water gives the bass more time to look the bait over. There are short periods where crankbaits are very effective but they come and go without any way to predict them. Some of the high quality crankbaits with high gloss, natural finishes have been effective in shallow water over the last few years. Most of the time, I'll use any style crankbait I'm comfortable with against tight structure with a high percentage of success. The bite is similar to the spinnerbait bite we have out there. Not a lot of open water opportunities.
Q: Are any plastics better in deep water than others?
A: We do know that laminated tubes of all colors tend to be better deep. If you're talking about river fishing, the 5" baits are definitely higher percentage.
Q: Why do the laminated tubes cost more?
A: The premium laminates are nearly all my designs and they go through an extra step (lamination) in manufacturing, so the cost is a little higher. One of the upsides (other than catching fish) of using the laminated tubes is that the lamination causes them to last longer.
Q: Do I need the Gamakatsu hooks (tournament quality) or will I be OK with the Mustads?
A: Overall, I don’t recommend changing hooks if you have confidence in the ones you are using. However, if you are just getting started in tournament fishing, I recommend the higher quality Gamakatsu hooks when each hookset counts.
ON SMALLMOUTH AND LARGEMOUTH
Q: Are smallmouth that much different than largemouth?
A: Those crazy smallmouth have nothing but time on their hands so what do they do? Change, change, change. One year they fill up the south part of the Lake, the next year, the north. In practice they can’t help but hit everything you throw at them and in a tournament, they get lockjaw. In the morning they want small, white jerkbaits and in the afternoon, large chartreuse ones. You pull up to a proven spot and put one, then two fish in the boat then the school shuts down and won’t feed again for the next six hours. Rule of thumb…”Different day, different way!”
Q: I’m a largemouth angler. Can I compete with largemouth on Lake St. Clair?
A: It’s possible to bring in a winning sack of largemouth under certain conditions. Late fall tournaments come to mind. For the most part, a 2 ½ lb. average of largemouth is a good day and anything better than that is outstanding. In 2006, it took over 20 lbs. of smallmouth to win tournaments in early July. The dominant species on Lake St. Clair is smallmouth.
ON INFORMATION PRODUCTS
Q: I’m looking at your information products but am not sure what I need. I’m fishing Lake St. Clair a few times this year. What would you recommend?
A: The Combat Bass Fishing Weekly Newsletter is an excellent choice for anglers who are competing on Lake St. Clair a couple of times a month, so you probably don’t need that right now. You can always download individual issues at electronicguideservice.com. If you want to get up to speed quickly then the Marked Map Series and the two No Secrets books are going to simplify the big water and put you on fish quickly. As an information customer you’re welcome to call or email me as you go through these materials and have questions.
Q: Is the second book just an update of the first one?
A: Not at all. The second book is in the same format but all the chapters are new and different and the spots and GPS coordinates are new and different. For instance…both books start with 12 Hot Spots around the Lake and river systems.
NSV1 12 Hot Spots: Selfridge, Sans Souci, North Channel Docks, Memorial Park, The Firecracker, The Garden, 9 Mile & Ford’s Cove, Windmill Point, Askin’s Point, Pike Creek, Belle River Hump, Stoney Point
NSV2 12 More Hot Spots: Belvidere Boat Club, Middle Channel Wreck, South Channel Yacht Club, Harley Ensign, A20, Delphine/Windmill Flat, Mid-Lake Humps, The Horseshoe, The Stakes, Garwood Mansion Grounds, Deep Shoals at Askin’s, Bell Hump Specifics
Q: I see a chart called Marked Map Spots with numbers on it. What does that mean?
A: I put a lot of my established spots in a set of laminated, black and white maps and number them. This allows us to access years of information in shorthand, which you see in the chart. If you own the Marked Map Series, you can reference the numbered spots on each individual map and see what quality of fish were caught there this week.
Q: If I download a spot, what am I getting?
A: The $9.99 download report is a two-page color report which details the spot, gives you the GPS coordinate, tells you some about the seasonal considerations and what type of fish you can expect to catch here.
Q: Is the .99 cent download worth getting?
A: The Area Reports are time sensitive and can give you a read on the water quality, what the bass are hitting and in what depth, water temperature and other general information. This report can help you decide to make a trip to that area during a tournament day when time is short.
Q: Nobody will talk to me about spots or techniques on the Lake. Why are you willing to help me?
A: Even after I’ve detailed hundreds of spots over the last 8 years there are still anglers who pile up on one spot because they saw a fish caught on another boat. I believe that education is the best way to raise the skill level of anglers who genuinely want to compete, but tend to “steal” spots from other anglers to shorten their learning curve. This way everyone can choose spots that best fit their style and presentations so they can develop confidence on the water.