Entry 157-3
How to Catch January Bass with Randy Dearman
No Lips
Editor’s Note: Randy Dearman, avid fishermen and professional angler, of Onalaska, Texas, has fished professionally for 20 years. He works as part of Strike King’s Pro Fishing Team and has competed in seven Bassmasters Classics.
One of the most-overlooked baits in the wintertime that can produce numbers of good bass is the lipless crankbait. I really like the Strike King Diamond Shad because hardly anyone is fishing it this time of year. Most fishermen believe that during the month of January, you’ve got to fish slowly for success. But what I’ve learned about the Strike King Diamond Shad, is the faster you reel it, the more strikes you’ll get when you’re fishing this month.
My favorite color of Strike King Diamond Shad this month is crawfish or brown. You wouldn’t think that in cold-water conditions big bass would strike a Diamond Shad, but they do. I don’t know why they do, they just do. The why is not important. For a long time, this technique was a secret, but now most of the tournament fishermen have picked up on this tactic, and we all use it.
My favorite place to fish the Strike King Diamond Shad is around grass, but you can also catch bass fishing around sticks and rocks in almost any kind of cover you can locate. Submerged vegetation, hydrilla and milfoil will also produce bass for you when you’re fishing the Diamond Shad. I like to throw the Diamond Shad on a heavy line, either 17- or 20-pound-test. Because I’m reeling the bait so fast, I don’t think the fish are seeing the line. I make long casts and retrieve the bait fast to get vicious strikes.
Next: The Zero’s My Hero
Contents:
- Part 1: Fish Fast this Month
- Part 2: Let the Jig and Pig Root the Grass
- Part 3: No Lips
- Part 4: The Zero’s My Hero
- Part 5: Go to Carolina this Month
