Elite

Foutz’s go to smallmouth baits

Posted on
Photography by
Dalton Tumblin
Captions by
Chase Sansom
Jacob Foutz gives us his top two smallmouth baits during the cancellation day at the 2023 Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain.
Dropshot
His favorite dropshot bait to use is the Strike King Z Too because of it’s durability. He throws it on an Owner 1/0 Cove Shot hook.
Foutz says that an all around good weight is a 3/8 ounce cylinder weight. He recommends the cylinder weight because it comes through grass very well and it helps the bait fall more vertically.
He throws his dropshot on a 6’10 medium light Ark Invoker Pro spinning rod.
He pairs that rod up with an Ark Gravity GS5 spinning reel.
He opts for a 12 pound Vicious braid to an 8 pound Vicious fluorocarbon leader for his dropshots.
Damiki Rig
For his Damiki setup, Foutz utilizes the Strike King Baby Z Too…
…on a Owner Ultrahead round jig that features a 90 degree line tie that Foutz says is key to keeping the bait horizontal giving it the most natural presentation.
He threws the Damiki rig on 7’1 medium Ark Invoker Pro spinning rod. This rod has a little bit of a heavier action that helps drive that 3/0 hook through on his Damiki rig.
He also uses a loop knot when using this technique. Using the loop knot gives the bait a little more freedom to move around and wobble.

Related