Bass Fishing Tip of the Week 11/20/10: Lizard Fishing

Lizard bass fishing can be one of the most productive baits used at virtually any time of year. Some great plastic lizards to use are made by Zoom and Yum and their colors and scents are the best on the market. Sizes vary but most of the time I go for the biggest ones available.

What's so special about the lizard is the sheer bulk. The bass is an efficient creature in that it will conserve energy by feeding on larger prey. By selecting the bigger prey the bass will not need to swim or move as often to feed. The bigger profile fits the efficient nature of the largemouth.

Some techniques that have been very productive for me have been using the lizard on both the Carolina rig and Texas rig. Carolina rig fishing the lizard often produces larger fish and can be effective in both the summer and winter months. Seek deeper drops with submerged structure such as timber and shell beds. In the summer use a large lizard, in the winter after a significant cold front downsize the lizard to a 4" or 6" variety. Work the lizard slow by dragging it across the bottom using a side sweep motion. Any resistance on the retrieve often means that a fish has taken the bait. A quick retrieve of the line and hard hookset is necessary due to the large amount of line stretch.

The Texas rigged lizard is very effective during the spring months. A large white lizard on a bass bed can be the ticket to invoke a viscious strike from both the buck and female. Work the lizard by pitching it beyond the bed and work it to the center. Once the lizard is in the center of the bed, using a jiggling motion (not jigging) of the rod tip. This sends some pulses down the line to the lizard and will make the lizard shake in place. This movement often produces a nose down position for the bass and entices it to strike. Be a line watcher and note any subtle movements of the line. If one is detected reel in the slack and set the hook.

So the next time you go fishing, give the lizards a try and you may very well upgrade the size of your catch.

Until next time, tight lines!

The Largemouth Herald