Entry 274-3
Chad Brauer Fishes the Wake Shad, the Burner and the Bottom Dweller
Editor’s Note: Chad Brauer of Osage Beach, Missouri, is a tournament fisherman and has been for most of his life, even when in college. In the last few years Brauer has turned more of his attention to hosting the Academy Outdoors Television show, which covers both hunting and fishing. This week, we’ll find out what lures Brauer’s been fishing, why his career has changed, and what’s in the future for him.
Part 3: Bet on the Big Snake
Question: Chad, why are you a fan of the Anaconda?
Brauer: Growing up in the Ozarks, I’ve learned that a big 10-inch worm produces big bass in the summertime every year. The Anaconda can be a lot of things. But I believe it gives the profile of a large baitfish if you swim it. Therefore, it generates a lot of big bass bites. One of the reasons the Anaconda is different from a lot of other worm- or snake-type baits is that it has much-more tail action than any other soft-plastic snake, lizard or worm with which I’ve ever fished. Most big worms just generate a little bit of ribbontail action. But the tailwag on the Anaconda is much-more significant than you’ll see on most big worms, which I think gives the bait more action and generates more strikes.
Question: What color Anaconda is your favorite?
Brauer: I like green-pumpkin for clear water and red-shad and Junebug for dingier water. I like to fish the Anaconda on 15-pound-test fluorocarbon.If I’m flipping or pitching it, I’ll usually be using 20-pound-test fluorocarbon.
Question: Why would you flip or pitch a 10-inch worm instead of a smaller worm?
Brauer: Because many times when you’re flipping or pitching, you’re throwing it into heavy cover or grass. I believe that the places that I’m flipping and pitching usually will hold bigger bass than I’ll catch if I’m just flipping or pitching down another bait. Therefore, I want a bigger worm with a large profile to entice bigger bass to bite. 
Also, there are times of the year when bass are just focused on eating bigger baits, like big gizzard shad or big bluegills. That’s when you want to have a lure that matches the size of bait they’ll eat.
For instance, on the Lake of the Ozarks – my home lake – during the summer months especially in June, the bass usually are targeting the bigger gizzard shad in the lake. Now a lot of the gizzard shad are 10, 11 or even 12-inches long at that time of year. So I want to use a bait that’s at least that big. If I’m fishing docks out on points or underwater brush piles, then I want that 10-inch Anaconda. When I’m fishing in Florida, and the bass are eating big bream or big golden shiners, I want to fish not only the kind of bait they’re eating but especially the size they’re eating.
Contents:
- Part 1: Here Comes the Wake
- Part 2: Why the New Spinner Baits are Better
- Part 3: Bet on the Big Snake
- Part 4: Bet on the Monkey for Flippin’ and Pitchin’
- Part 5: I’m a Lobster Manq
