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