Being keen to lure presentation has been the key to Chris Zaldain’s swimbait success this season. Whether it’s dropshotting a swimbait in 40 feet at Lake Lanier, where he finished second, or nearer the shoreline here at Lake Fork, it is all about the angles.
“I am a diehard swimbait guy and whenever you fish it you must be cognizant of which way the wind is blowing and which way the current is moving,” he explained. “That enables you to present that swimbait in a manner that appears natural to the fish.”
He continued, “these big fish at Lake Fork are educated about the differences between the real thing and a fake, so a natural presentation is a must.”
Based on fishing pressure, as he pointed out, there is another plan in the mix for Friday with Zaldain.
“I put all my eggs in one basket around the shad spawn, and it’s not dependable after 10 or 11 o’clock,” he added. “So what I plan to do on Friday is work on the eight- to 15-foot mid-depth range where the bass go after the spawn.”
Hopefully by then Zaldain said he hopes to have another 30 pounds in the livewell.
“If I can catch 25-plus pounds a day then I will be in contention to win,”