I caught this monster on a YUM DINGER Pearl Silver Flake.

Let me tell ya the story…

It was a ruff day, no one on the pond (I counted 8 people fishing) had caught much, only seen 2 small bass all day. So I took the trusty DINGER and tried a color I just bought Pearl Silver Flake, and started walking around the pond with one small splitshot about 6 inches above the dinger. Of course being a YUM DINGER it was the ultimate weedless lure i have. I started getting little hits from the 6 inch bass right away. But nothing substantial. Then I walked over to some heavy heavy weed, algae and wood cover and figured 3 or 4 casts I’d loose my hook.

I tosesed it out to the open water beyond the weeds very lightly a few times. All of a sudden I felf the unmistakeable shock strike ( the one where a preying bass hits the prey from the side flat out to stun them), and I got ready, I let my yum drop all the way slowly with as little movement as possible and reeled in the slack as much as I could without making more than the tinest of twitches in the YUM, sure enough about 6 secs later my 9 foot rod slams down instanly!!!

HES GOT SUPPER!
HE RUNS!

I GOT ADRENALINE!!!!
I HAMMER HIM !!!!

Whoomp there he is!!!!!!!

The rod buckles!
I wOOt!
It buckles alot more!

The BASS dives to oblivion in a desperate attempt to get to a something to tear my hook out. I thought oh #@$% hes going down to a log to do the usual pop this hook out thing. So I jam the end of the rod in my size 24 (canucks will get that one) belly and wrench the rod up with all my might, BOY could he fight I thought, he tugged back hard and tried to run deeper.

SORRY!
Not Today, Today is,
MY DAY!!!!

Thanks to Berkley for the 12lb test Trilene Ironsilk as I crank the drag up and force his nose up instead of down, he responds and runs for the surface, I think what have I done, if he jumps hes gone! He rips the crap outta the surface of the water smashing and thrashing like a good bass should. BUT, no jumps

AMEN BRUDDA!

I think to myself

The New Berkley Trilene Ironsilk 12lb, The new YUM DINGER Pearl Silver Flake, The New 9 foot Diawa Firewolf Rod, there all hlding out!!!!!!

I holler to RED “GET OVER HERE I NEED THE CAMERA ITS #@$%@ MONSTER”

I finish the battle with a gentle tug up to the shoreline and approach him nice and slow to not spook him and have to fight him more and tire him out more.(Tis been a valiant battle worthy of chunky old bass and old smelly fisherman). I grab him by the jaw and viola MY personal best trophy 8lb largemouth bass.
I didnt measure him unfortunatley cause I was worried about stressing him, we had not changed the batteries in the cam and that took a good 30 secs, way to long in my books, and then 20 secs for pics. I was concerned at this point. funniest part is it woulda took 5 secs to do as the ruler is in the scales handle, DOH, oh well who cares I loved it!!!!!

I ran him back to the water and gentley put him in about 4 inches of water, he kinda sat there for about 3 secs, then slowly headed for the 12 inch area, soon as he hit it FLASH he was a like a mean bulldog again and gone right back into the weedbeds.

I bet he said to himself as he was swimming away, oh well I got his lure the last 50 times, I’m sure i’ll get it the next 50, cant win em all.

I think to myself I AM FISHING GOD!

I’ve caught some pretty fiesty fish in my day and some monster fiesty carp, atlantic slamon in whitewater rivers in newfoundland. Cod in the Atlanitc ocean, etc… But boy, did that Largie put on a show for me! No big jumps which is fine by me cause he’d just throw the hook, but more than once he ripped the ponds surface apart with his head, and when he dove he dove with the power and determination of a WW2 Dive Bomber.

My only regret (which isnt a regret really cause maybe I’ll hit him again next yr when hes 8 1/2 to 9 pounds), is I didn’t keep it, cause it woulda been a awesome wall mount.
Cybrspin

This video demonstrates how to correctly rig a drop shot by 10-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier Alton Jones.

Personally I use drop shots on a regular basis, when fishing Yum, Bollies, Worms, Corn, or just about any other free floating/bottom bouncing type bait. I have even used minnows on a drop shot with some success in the past.

I recommend that you add your bait about 2- 4 inches from the shot and then see if you get any hits. If this doesn’t seem to be working try to move the bait up a couple inches at a time until you find the zone.

My personal favourite bait for this method is live Canadian night crawlers. But you can try whatever you like, maybe even something odd and new. Hey I’ve caught fish on used bubble gum, orange peels, cat treats, and some more odd stuff.

When fishing drop shot from shore. I tend to like to perch my rod up nice and straight, get as much slack out as possible then leave the rod for 10-20 mins untouched. This allows for some of the skittish larger fish to take a look without as much suspicion.

Hopefully with some luck and a little patience you’ll be pulling in the beast in no time.
Cheers
cybrspin

YUM Quick Tips

Use Excalibur Tg Weights when fishing a YUM Shakin’ Worm in super clear water because the smaller size of the Tg weight does not hinder the Shakin’ Worm’s action of fish appeal. If fish are extremely finicky try painting the Tg weights to match the color of the worm.

When flipping heavy grass try to use as large of a soft plastic bait as possible and spray the lure with Yum attractant. The larger bait displaces more water, while YUM’s Live Prey Technology triggers the fish and helps lubricate the worm so it slides through the grass easier, helping the fish locate and strike the lure.

To be a successful angler, one must develop confidence in specific lures and patterns. Flipping a Yum 4″ Rib Worm can pay high yields in difficult fishing situations. The Rib Worm has a large silhouette for a small bait. This makes the Rib Worm an appealing bait even for large bass. Ribbed segments, salt, and Live Prey Technology gives the angler a new edge for big bass.

Topwater fishing can be the most exciting way to catch a bass. Most often this is done with hard plastic baits like Rebel Pop-R’s and Heddon Zara Spook’s. A favorite soft plastic topwater application is to use a Yum 4″ Wooly Curltail. A Texas Rig featuring an Excalibur Tx3 5/0 wide gap hook, 1/8 oz Excalibur Tg weight (Tg because it is tungsten, which is smaller than lead and it will come through cover better) and 20 lb. Silver Thread Excalibur Line make up your Yum topwater lure. The most important trick to this rig is to make sure the Yum soft plastic bait is rigged with the tail rigged down. Cast the topwater bait in and around weedy edges, pockets and holes. Keeping your rod tip high, swim the Wooly Curltail on the surface to make the tail buzz across the surface. This will result in explosive strikes.

Power Fishing a Yum Garrett Mega Tube

By TOM BRAATEN

Docks are one of the most common places that anglers try their luck for big bass. Rarely will you see me finesse fishing a dock. When I fish tournaments I usually try to avoid them because of the heavy pressure they receive from both tournament anglers and every day fishermen.

However, when the time is right for those big bass to be in shallow cover, I’m headed for the docks. My first choice will always be my seven and a half foot flipping rod, with a 4-inch Yum Garrett Mega Tube. That’s right… power fishing a tube. For myself, I am more confident pitching and flipping this big bite tube into the exact places big bass hide than skipping something under the dock hoping that my bait lands in a potentially good spot.

The Mega Tube is loaded with heavy grain salt to give it a lot of bulk, but it still maintains a slim profile to coax those leery lunkers. The Garrett Mega Tube also has Yum scent with Live Prey Technology. This technology triggers the feeding response in bass. And, because bass think its real they hold onto the bait longer.

Let me explain how I rig my Mega Tube. First of all, I spool up with 20 lb Silver Thread Excalibur, or in clear water, 17 lb Silver Thread Fluorocarbon. Excalibur Tg tungsten weights are a must! Conditions vary, so choose the smallest size allowable to maintain good contact with the bottom. I then tie on a 4/0 Tx3 Wide Gap hook. The tube is Texas Rigged, and the hook point is skin hooked for solid hook sets. Be sure to peg the weight about 1/4 inch above the tube. This allows you to stay in contact with the bait and still allows the lure to present itself naturally. Remember, this presentation requires accurate and soft entries to the targeted spot. Practice makes perfect. Poles, ladders and even the sides of moored boats are potential hot spots.

Solid hook sets are critical. You have to control the fish to avoid them wrapping you up in the dock. Pay attention to details. Water depths, bottom content and weather conditions will determine where the bass position on the dock. I always say, “The first one is luck, second one is a pattern.”

When you figure out a dock pattern the bites will come very easy. You can almost call your next bite when power fishing the Yum Garrett Mega Tube in the docks.

Hang on, I got a bite!

Tom Braaten, of Lakeville, Minn., is one of the most respected professional bass anglers in the upper Midwest.

Drop Shot Tricks

By DEMARIUS ZACARIAS

Two of my favorite baits to drop shot are the YUM Wooly Beavertail and the Houdini Shad. What makes these baits my favorites is the fact that they are both under utilized. As a pro angler we capitalize when other anglers don’t use certain baits.

I choose bait size (2 or 3 inch) based on how finicky the fish are. After making selection on Wooly Beavertail size, I tie together my drop shot rig that consists of 6-10 lb. Silver Thread Fluorocarbon. Silver Thread Fluorocarbon is a very important part because of its low memory (resistance to curly-Q badly) and abrasion resistance. Next, I tie on a 1/0 Excalibur Tx³ Wide Gap hook. To finish the off the process I’ll tie a knot at the end of the line and slip on Excalibur Tg Drop Shot weight.

When I put the Wooly Beavertail on the hook I prefer to go with the traditional weedless approach for all situations. I hook the Houdini Shad through the head. By doing this it will help the fall fate. Also, trimming the tail increases fall.

Demarius (Zac) Zacarias, of Van Buren, AR, competes on the Central Pro-Am Tournament circuit.