It’s the week of ICAST in Orlando, and last week I was enjoying a family vacation in the Caribbean. But, after I finish my duties at ICAST, I’ll need to focus on the final two Elite events of the season to be sure I stay among the top 40 anglers who qualify for the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors.
I can’t disclose all the new baits my sponsors will be introducing at ICAST, but I’ll mention a few. I sincerely believe these lures will help me do well at the final Elites Series tournaments on Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River and potentially win one of them.
Some of these baits are from Great Lakes Finesse, the premier brand for smallmouth lures. I plan to target smallmouth at both tournaments.
Great Lakes Finesse already had the killer 2.75-inch Drop Minnow in their line. They’re introducing a larger 3.25-inch Drop Minnow at ICAST. I used it extensively to nab a top 40 finish at the last Elite tournament on Smith Lake.
I rigged the Drop Minnow on 1/4- and 5/16-ounce jigs to dupe spotted bass that were suspended 10 to 12 feet deep over 50 to 100 feet of water. The spots were chasing blueback herring, and they absolutely smashed the larger Drop Minnow. I used the gizzard shad color, which is one of many options.
All Great Lakes Finesse soft plastic baits are neutrally buoyant. They don’t sink or float on a drop shot when you give slack line. They just have a lot more natural action. It’s one of the reasons their 4-inch Dropworm is so phenomenal.
Smallmouth up north are known for munching on gobies, but they never pass up a tasty crawfish. I plan to rig Great Lake Finesse’s very, very finesse 2.1-inch Snack Craw on a 3/8-ounce ball head jig for bottom presentations. The Snack Craw and Dropworm will be available in new colors.
A new Booyah jerkbait called the Flash Point will be unveiled at ICAST, and it’s another bait that’s sure to put smallmouth bass in my livewell before the season is over. This jerkbait has a thin metal blade affixed to its head that gives it more flash and makes it easier to see with forward-facing sonar.
And, anytime I fish up north, I always have a Heddon Super Spook tied on. Smallmouth like that awesome topwater bait in bright chartreuse and yellow colors.
The cool thing about bringing new baits to a tournament is you have offerings the bass have never seen and that most of the other competitors won’t be using. To some extent, this is a confidence thing. Confidence is essential for success in any sport and probably even more critical when it comes to bass tournament fishing.
I’ve probably competed on Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River 10 times or more. I’ll know my way around when I get there and about what it will take in weight to win, which will be a load. But these waters fish differently every year, and you have to keep an open mind.
Whatever happens, I believe I have the right baits to do well.
