IBASSIN's Drop Shot Guide Part 2: Off Set Hooks

Big hooks Better Bite?

By Luigi De Rose

The offset or straight shank worm hook has its roots in bass fishing. It is the original drop shot hook for largemouth and is still very popular but smallmouth guys shy away from it; that’s their mistake.  Worm hooks do have many positives especially in strength and hooking deeper.

Its difficult to find a strong hook that is thin enough to stick a big smallmouth down deep and sharp enough to pass the barb on light hook sets. Hooks with too thick of a gauge are murder to use with thin line and lighter action rods.

There are just too many choices to summarize or create a "Top 5" list. Hooks must be strong yet sharp and offer enough length to hold the bait well but not so long to oversize small, thin baits. Take the time to take advantage of offset or straight-shanked worm hook for smallmouth bass.

IBASSIN's Drop Shot Guide Part 1

The Basic Drop Shot Rig. 



Drop shotting is an awesome technique for smallmouth bass particularly in the autumn. Learning how to drop shot is a must. Here's part one of our guide to make your smallmouth bass fishing more successful.

This is a video that I did for Ontario OUT OF DOORS magazine that explains traditional and heavy drop shot.

G. Loomis E6X Rod Actions Guide

The new E6X rod series from G. Loomis will be on sale in the USA at the up-coming Bassmaster Classic and at select stores immediately after that event. Canadian anglers have gotten a jumpstart and can purchase them right now. With 30 rods, Technique and Classic actions, there is a lot of selection. Here is the breakdown of each rod action. Remember, you can get into the G. Loomis brand for around $200 US with the E6X. Expect the same amazing quality, action and lifetime warranty that G. Loomis is famous for offering to their customers. 

Technique Specific Actions…

E6X 803C JWR -- Probably one of our best all-around bass rods, this 3-power beauty is extremely versatile.  While it's designed for casting jigs and worms, but if you're looking for just one rod to do a lot of different things, you can fish a spinnerbait or topwater with it as well.  At 6'8" it's a great rod for fishing in close quarters.  It has an extra-fast taper that provides excellent line and lure control, making it very accurate.  E6X makes it surprisingly powerful for a rod so light and you'll really appreciate the sensitivity.

E6X 852C JWR -- A light yet powerful 7'1" jig and worm rod designed for fishing smaller baits and lighter line in deep, clear lakes where the fish are a little more finnicky. Because of the lighter tip and the magnum butt-section it makes a great buzz bait rod.  It will cast an unweighted soft plastic jerkbait a country mile.  When the water is clear, the fish are spooky and you need to back off to be successful, this is the right rod!  E6X makes it light, sensitive and sneaky powerful.

E6X 853C JWR -- The do it all, medium-heavy casting rod designed to fish medium-sized soft plastics, soft-plastic jerkbaits, 1/4 to 1/2-ounce jigs and even big topwaters.  The extra length (7'1") increases tip-speed, which in turn, extends your casting range, helps you recover line quicker and is a big help with hooksets. A great alternative for fishing 4-5" hollow belly swimbaits., and also just a great all around casting rod.

E6X 854C JWR -- Our "power" pitching stick designed for fishing in and around brush, weeds and other heavy cover.  It will handle big jigs and big worms in areas where you need to move fish away from trouble in a hurry.  Excellent in deep-water applications where the extra length helps you move a lot of line with a swing of the rod tip.  Whether a big bucketmouth heads for a bush in 25-feet of water or a blow down on the bank, this rod will stop him... quickly!  E6X makes it light and sensitive - something you've come to expect from G. Loomis.

Five Fabulous Fall Baits for Bass

IBASSIN's guide to autumn bass fishing

By Luigi De Rose

This week IBASSIN will be highlighting five fabulous fall baits. Each day, one lure will be promoted on its merits of being an essential bass lure for this time of year. IBASSIN has readers from all over the world. These guidelines work best when integrated with local fishing conditions. Remember to  adjust accordingly but don’t neglect subtle daily changes. A few degrees up or down can kill or resurrect a day on the water.

Autumn can be some of the best or worst fishing of the year but it can also be one of the best times to catch a lot of giant bass. Weather is usually unpredictable making boating and fishing a challenge. Try keeping your spirits high during lulls in the action because your luck can change in a heartbeat.  Use this guide to help transform your fall bass fishing. 

Jackall's Crosstail Shad with Simon Frost.

 

 

Jackall's Crosstail Shad has been a secret lure for some time. Guide and tournament angler, Simon Frost explains how to fish the Crosstail Shad from Jackall and explains why this bait is so magical.
VIDEO LINK

World Record Experience!

Just got back from my big bass experience from Japan's Holy Grail of fishing, Lake Biwa. I booked a two day guide with one of Japan's top sticks, Jun Shoji. The trip will be written up in Ontario OUT OF DOORS magazine in the 2013 Fishing Annual. He is an awesome guide and we caught some great average of fish. He is known for putting anglers on big bass. Most of his clients come to Biwa with the desire of catching a fish over 5 pounds. He doesn't disappoint and I enjoyed some nice fishing.

Here is a sample of one of the bass we caught on Lake Biwa.

On a funnier note, I just saw one of the worst photos of me on Jun's website. He has a daily blog that reflects his day on the water. As a full time guide and super hard core tournament angler, he keeps the blog very up to date. I look so ugly. My wife instructed I needed to wear a sun blocking buff. The only problem it acted like Spanxs, the spandex girdle for women and it squished all my fat from my neck into my face. See for yourself. Click HERE!