Entry 58-3

Chad Brauer's Favorite Lures

More of Brauer's Favorite Lures

Editor's Note: Chad Brauer of Osage Beach, Missouri, son of fishing pro Denny Brauer, has grown up in a fishing family and has fished professionally for more than six years. Brauer has made a name for himself on the professional bass-fishing circuit, finishing in the top-10 in many tournaments, and has competed in the BASS Masters Classic.

Question: Can you tell us another one of your top lures?

Brauer: The Strike King 3X Ribbon Tail 7-1/2-inch Worm. I like this lure for guiding. On the Lake of the Ozarks, in midsummer, we basically fish plastic worms from 7-1/2 to 11 inches in length, especially when guiding. I use the smaller worms because you tend to catch more bass on them. I also use the Ribbon Tail worms a great deal in tournaments, like every January in Florida. I most always Texas rig these worms.

There are a couple of reasons I prefer the 3X Ribbon Tail Worm to the traditional soft plastic. You save time by only having to straighten them out and not having to re-rig as often. Having more time is in your favor in tournament situations. You get more presentations to the fish when you don't have to re-rig. The less bait you go through, the more money you'll have in your pocket, especially when you're catching a lot of fish.

On the guide trips, we see the same thing. We get out on those points and fish through brush piles and with traditional soft plastics in the areas where you'll throw worms. Whether you catch fish or not, getting hung up and having to pop it wears the hook hole out in your worm deeper and wider until the worm slides down on the hook. The hole where you put the hook on the 3X Ribbon Tail Worm seems to re-mold itself around the shank of the hook, and you don't have as much up-and-down movement. The less wear and tear increases your efficiency while you're on the water.

As a guide, not having to continually re-rig and straighten out the guys I'm guiding gives me more time to fish. When I can fish, I can pinpoint the bass better and adapt the way we're conducting the trip so my clients can catch more bass. Too, I can give better advice on their retrieves or their presentations. Without the ability to fish, I'm unable to give instruction as I need to on how to present the bait.

Question: How often through the year do you guide?

Brauer: I'll put in close to 50 days on the water this year.

Question: How did you become a guide?

Brauer: I started guiding as a favor to some guys I guided with during the summer in high school and college. When I knew I'd be home, I'd call them and ask if they needed an extra boat for a guide trip. Now guiding has become about a three-day-a-week job.

For more information, you can contact Chad Brauer by e-mailing him at: chad@lakeozaaark.com or visiting his website at www.brauerbass.com.
 

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