Entry 261-4
Mark Menendez Adapts a New, Fuel-Efficient Fishing Strategy”
Editor’s Note: Mark Menendez of Paducah, Kentucky, had a great first half of the 2008 season, finishing high in the standings in Florida and Texas tournaments, but struggling in the Carolinas. And although he’s in a bit of a slump right now, he’s got a good shot at making the 2009 Bassmasters Classic. This week, Menendez will tell us the techniques and tactics that he’s learned and that he’s been using in tournaments this season.
Part 4: Bet on the Big Worms
Question: Mark, I know you’ve had a lot of success with Strike King’s new Anaconda Worm. Tell me about it.
Menendez: The Anaconda is a big 10-inch worm, and I’ve caught bass using it two different ways. I was at Guntersville 3 weeks ago in June and caught better than a 4-pound-average bass each day I fished. I was swimming the worm through the tops of the grass.
I like to use a 3/16-ounce slip sinker up the line, and then I swim the worm over the tops of those pods of grass. I’m fishing the Anaconda on 15-pound-test line. This worm will create a lot of commotion, and it really gets the bass’s attention. It’s got the Rage action incorporated in it, and it really works well over the top of grass.
The second way I fish the Anaconda is to Texas-rig it and fish it on a deep ledge. I use either a 3/8- or a 1/2-ounce slip sinker up the line and fish 12-pound-test line in 18 to 24 feet of water. I let it hit the bottom and then hop it up off of the bottom. Because of that big fin on the back, the worm creates a lot of commotion. The quality and size of the bass I’m catching has really gone up since I’ve started using that big worm.
Question: What color are you using?
Menendez: I’m using two basic colors – green pumpkin and June bug. Green pumpkin I’m using in clear water, and the June bug I’m fishing in lowlight conditions and stained water.
Question: What pound-test line and what rod and reel are you using?
Menendez: I’m fishing with 12- to 15-pound-test line, and I’m using a 7-foot All Star medium-action rod with a Presidential reel.
Question: With a worm that big, how and when are you setting the hook?
Menendez: When I’m swimming it through the grass, I’ll normally expect an aggressive bite. However, I’ve learned that many times I’ll get just a very, very light tick when the bass takes the bait. So, I’ll wait until either I see the line move from one side to the other, or the rod loads-up with the weight of the fish.
When I’m fishing in deep water, I can usually see the bass pick the bait up and move the line off to one side. But I wait to set the hook, until I feel the weight on the line. 
I don’t set the hook as soon as I feel the strike. Many times the bass will come up and just attack the tail of the worm. So you have to wait until the bass completely inhales the worm.
Question: Are we going to see more and more fishermen using bigger worms?
Menendez: Yes, I think the bigger worms are going to be a new trend in bass fishing. The BASS Elite Series tournament at Old Hickory Lake near Nashville, Tennessee, in late June was dominated by anglers fishing big worms in shallow water with light sinkers. So I think that there’s definitely a trend toward the bigger worms
Next: Hot Weather Spoonin’
Contents:
- Part 1: Fish More and Burn Less Gas
- Part 2: Crankbait Secrets I’ve Learned This Year
- Part 3: Bet on the Football on the Bottom
- Part 4: Bet on the Big Worms
- Part 5: Hot Weather Spoonin’
