Elite

McKinney’s offshore structure tacklebox

See the baits Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Rookie of the Year Trey McKinney relies on when fishing offshore structure.

Posted on
Photography by
Kyle Jessie
Through the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series season, current Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year leader Trey McKinney has dominated. In addition to currently leading the AOY race, McKinney became the youngest Elite Series Champion in history with his win at the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork.
While McKinney has shown versatility over the course of the season, fishing offshore has played a major role in his success.
Fishing offshore often requires a rotation of baits to be effective. Bass will become conditioned to certain baits, so mixing it up is key to success.
McKinney mentioned right off the bat that line choice is crucial when it comes to fishing offshore. Having quality line like Seaguar Tatsu provides maximum sensitivity when making long casts with bottom-contact baits.
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McKinney was rigging up for the Harris Chain Elite event when this gallery was shot. This event was a prime example of his ability to target fish offshore.
Let’s get into a few of McKinney’s favorite baits for fishing offshore.
Strike King Baby Structure Jig paired with a Strike King Menace Grub
“This is probably the most versatile bait I have in the boat,” said McKinney. “I really rely on the jig when I’m fishing around hard bottom like shell beds and also when fishing offshore brushpiles. The jig gets big bites no matter where you fish it.”
Strike King 6XD Crankbait
“A lot of people like to throw the crankbait first, but I typically use it as a last resort type of bait when fishing a school of fish,” he said. “I really want to burn it through a school of fish and make them react. I’ve found that throwing a deep-diving crankbait after other baits like the jig can be effective.”
Neko Rigged Strike King Ocho
“I can use a Neko rig in a lot of different ways,” McKinney said. “I can use it with my forward-facing sonar around brushpiles and other isolated pieces of cover. You have to be careful with it or it will get hung up a little easier than other baits. I consider the Neko rig my one-two punch with the jig. When they won’t bite the jig, they will usually bite the Neko.”
Drop Shot paired with a Strike King Z Too
“I really like the Z Too because it floats up off the bottom more than other soft plastics,” he said. “The drop shot is super effective because I can keep it in one place and trigger bites from fish that are more lethargic.”
Strike King Hybrid Hunter Crankbait
“When grass is involved, the Hybrid Hunter will always play,” said McKinney. “When I’m targeting offshore grass like hydrilla and eel grass, the Hybrid Hunter is a great bait to cover water with and create a reaction bite.”
Texas-rigged Strike King Menace Worm
“You always need to have a Texas-rigged worm when fishing offshore,” he said. “A Texas-rigged worm gives you the versatility to fish any kind of cover, and the Menace Worm can be fished in a variety of different ways. You can drag it on the bottom, swim it through grass or hop it through cover.”

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