Entry 239-5
Where to Catch ‘Em in February with Denny Brauer
Editor’s Note: Fifty-five-year-old Denny Brauer of Camdenton, Missouri, has fished professionally for bass for 25 years and has earned more than $2 million. A past Bassmaster Angler of the Year and Bassmaster Classic winner, the FLW Angler of the Year and an inaugural member of the Professional Fishing Hall of Fame, Brauer fishes year-round, except when he’s hunting.
Part 5: Tube ‘Em Up in February
Question: Denny, what’s another technique you use at this time of the year?
Brauer: Bass will be in February where you find the dinner table. At this time of the year, the shad form giant shad pods out in the middle of the lake, the mouths of creeks and often in the middles of the creeks. An old technique that always works is fishing the jigging spoon down through those pods of shad. However, another method that I’ve found as effective if not more effective, is fishing the Strike King tube in and around those pods of shad.
Question: How are you fishing that tube in those pods of shad?
Brauer: The first thing you want to do is determine at what depth the shad are holding. Then you want to let your tube fall down to that depth. I know some of the more-sensitive depth finders on the market today will let you see your jig as it falls. 
So, you want to get your tube down to the depth where you can see the shad. Now, if they’re aggressive bass watching that school of shad, the tube will get attacked before it reaches the school. If you’re fishing for Kentucky spotted bass, most of the time, the tube will never get to the pod of shad. I fish the tube on 8-pound-test line, and I’m fishing an open hook so that as soon as the bass takes the bait in its mouth, I can set the hook. I generally like the natural tube colors.
But, if you’re fishing for largemouth, many times the strikes will be very subtle. Remember, we’re fishing for suspended bass that are only holding in that open water to eat the shad. Many times I find these shad pods on long, gravel points that are in 35 to 45 feet of water, but the pods of shad will be holding in 20 to 25 feet of water above those points. The bass will be holding either in the same depth or just above or below the shad pods. 
When you can find shad stacked-up like this, and the bass holding on or near them, you can really have a great day of bass fishing. Often you’ll catch several bass out of that same pod of shad.
This technique is also good for the run-and-gun fisherman because he or she can locate the schools of shad, fish them for a few minutes and either catch or not catch the bass fairly quickly. Then, you can move on and hunt the next pod. I know there are many people using the jigging spoon at this time of the year. Therefore to give the fish something different to look at and increase your odds for catching these bass, try the Strike King 2 in the natural colors for a great day of bass fishing. Don’t just sit by the fire, and sip coffee this month. If you want to catch some of the biggest bass of the year, put your boat in the water, and try these techniques.
Contents:
- Part 1: Bet on the Wild Shiner
- Part 2: Don’t Forget the Jig
- Part 3: Brauer’s Back-Up Pattern for February
- Part 4: Go Big and White
- Part 5: Tube ‘Em Up in February
