Many
people add multicolored plastic, glass or metal beads to the line above the sinker, between the sinker and the swivel or both. These beads clack against the weight and each other, producing sounds and vibrations.
“Some people prefer either glass or plastic
beads,” Vance said. “Either one works for me. For leaders, I like 30 to 36 inches. I use Berkley Big Game green
line in 17-pound test for both my leaders and main line and light wire hooks.”
Leader length often depends greatly upon the type
of bottom cover in an area. In open water, use longer leaders. In thick woody or grassy cover, use shorter lengths. Most
people use 18 to 48 inches of low-visibility fluorocarbon line. Longer leaders, though, make casting more difficult.
Use a medium-heavy to heavy 7- to 7.5-foot rod with plenty of backbone and a fast tip. Load a fast-retrieve reel with 14- to 25-pound monofilament or good quality braided line such as Power Pro.
When the sun broils the surface, bass often go deep to find comfortable
temperatures. Deep bass might not chase a fast-moving bait, but they might slurp an irresistible morsel passing in front of
its nose, even when not actively feeding. Anglers can even “troll”
“Keep the bait in contact with the bottom,” advised Roger Stegall, a professional bass angler
and guide from Iuka, Miss. “Just drag it along the bottom and stop repeatedly. The bead makes a clicking sound against
the weight, which stirs up the bottom. Often, people don’t even feel the strike. It just gets heavy, but it could hold
a big fish. By dragging, I keep the bait in better contact with the bottom and stir up more stuff on the bottom.”
The weight creates a mud trail as it scrapes logs, stumps and grass on the bottom. This simulates a crawfish or other creature scurrying through the mud. The bass first notices the weight and looks for something to grab. With its interest aroused, it notices a soft-plastic temptation drifting past its nose. Use a light wire hook so that the bait moves in a natural, subtle fashion. Often, a slight jerk on the rod kicks a bait six to eight inches off the bottom, adding more enticing movement.
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