| I know a lot of fisherman in Colorado mainly | | | | dock will put you onto fish as well. So many |
| target trout, but the bass fishing can be | | | | different companies have Senko style worms |
| excellent at times too!!! During the summer | | | | now its hard to keep up, but the Zoom |
| months I spend most of my fishing time on | | | | Centipede is my favorite. With this lipless |
| smaller ponds targeting those big old | | | | crankbait and Senko combination you have the |
| bucketmouths. They bite hard, fight hard, and | | | | arsenal to attack many of the metro area bass |
| will have any angler addicted if given the | | | | lakes!!!Now its time for my favorite way to |
| chance.A lot of trout fisherman have problems | | | | catch fish, hands down...Topwater!!! Everyday |
| making the transition to bass for a few | | | | during the spring and summer months I'll be |
| reasons. When you're used to throwing out | | | | at one of my bass lakes before the sun comes |
| tiny spinners and spoons, a big bass plug or | | | | up tossing out Zara Spooks and Buzzbaits. If |
| jig looks huge. Bass routinely eat bluegills, | | | | you've never caught a bass on topwater lures, |
| baby bass, bullfrogs, and even snakes, so | | | | you,re truly missing out. Although I've |
| don't be shy about using big tackle...its | | | | caught fish all day on topwater lures, the |
| amazing how many small fish I'll catch using | | | | best times are low light periods...early in |
| a big Zara Spook.Do you have to buy a new rod | | | | the morning, and as the sun goes down. First, |
| and reel for bass fishing? No!!! You can get | | | | lets talk about using a Zara Spook...If |
| away with using light tackle in certain | | | | you're not familiar with a Zara Spook, its |
| situations...actually for most smaller ponds | | | | what we call a walking bait. Basically thru a |
| in the metro area light tackle is perfect. It | | | | series of short jerks with your rod tip, you |
| limits the baits you can throw, but smaller | | | | can make your Zara Spook "Walk the Dog". It |
| baits can really shine at times. If you're | | | | takes time and practice but once you get used |
| going to use your trout rod and reel, I | | | | to walking the dog, its cake. With a Zara |
| suggest no lighter than 6lb test and stick to | | | | Spook you're limited to areas where there |
| lines without too much stretch. If small | | | | isn't too much weed growth on top, due to |
| diameter lines are what you're comfortable | | | | having a couple of exposed treble hooks. My |
| with, I would use a braided line...Berkley | | | | favorite way to fish a Zara Spook is parallel |
| Fire Lne is awesome. I always prefer a rod | | | | to shore lines.Casting 3 or 4 feet out from |
| with a lot of back bone to ensure good hook | | | | shore and walking the dog all the way in will |
| sets!!!Let's talk about some basic lures and | | | | get some explosive strikes. When fishing |
| plastics to get you started. Lipless | | | | topwater lures, it's really common for bass |
| crankbaits such as the Cordell Spot or | | | | to miss the lure a couple times before taking |
| Rattlin' Trap are great lures that don't take | | | | it. So if you get a hit, but don't hook up, |
| years to master. Using a basic slow retrieve | | | | cast back to the same spot as fast as |
| will get you hooked into a good number of | | | | possible. 9 times out of 10, the fish will |
| fish at many local lakes and ponds. Early in | | | | hit again. Another thing thats hard for |
| the year a Firetiger Rattlin Trap is killer | | | | fisherman who have just started fishing |
| on Spratt Platte(100th and Mckay). Like I | | | | topwater baits is to wait until you actually |
| said, just make long casts and a slow | | | | feel the fish on before setting the hook. I |
| retrieve...Don't worry about jigging or | | | | know its hard to hold back when you see a |
| complicating things. Cast her out and reel | | | | fish smack your lure, but you'll catch a lot |
| her in!!! Senkos!! Senkos!! Senkos!! These | | | | more bass if you wait until you feel the fish |
| plastics are fish catching machines even | | | | before setting the hook. My all time favorite |
| though they don't look like much. If you're | | | | Zara Spook color...hands down...is red and |
| not familiar with the Senko style plastic | | | | white.Buzzbaits are really effective top |
| worm, it pretty much looks just like a pen. | | | | water lures and on average produce larger |
| You can rig a Senko style worm a number of | | | | fish. No need to get fancy just casting out |
| different ways, but for me the most | | | | and reeling in fast enough to keep your bait |
| productive has always been "wacky | | | | above water is perfect. To really maximize |
| rigged".Basically all you do is get a light | | | | results when fishing a buzzbait, bumping |
| wire hook and stick it right in the middle of | | | | cover is a must. If you see a fallen log |
| your Senko style worm. After you make a cast, | | | | floating in the water cast over it and bring |
| the Senko slowly flutters to the bottom and | | | | your lure right over the top of it. Something |
| it drives fish crazy. Bite detection is a | | | | about buzzbaits hitting objects in the water |
| little different when fishing a | | | | drives bass nuts. Sure you'll get hung up and |
| Senko...although there will be times that | | | | lose a few but its well worth the numbers and |
| your line darts off and, without a doubt, you | | | | size of fish while bumping cover. My favorite |
| have a fish on. There will also be days when | | | | color buzzbait is black!!!Hopefully this |
| the only detection of a bite is a little | | | | helps out a little. If you have any |
| twitch in your line. Basically any little | | | | questions, use the forum or email me and I'll |
| ticks or pauses on the fall...I set the hook. | | | | gladly put you onto some great metro area |
| After the Senko hits the bottom, leave it | | | | bass lakes. Spring is just around the corner |
| there for as long as a few minutes, look for | | | | and to the people in the know, it means great |
| little ticks in your line, and set the hook. | | | | bass fishing in our own backyard!!!Eric Allee |
| A great place to use Senko's is Quincy | | | | is a tremendous fisherman in Colorado. His |
| Reservoir in Aurora!!!I suggest waders to get | | | | greatest joy is helping others catch more and |
| to some of the brush piles, but right off the | | | | bigger fish. |