Bassassin
Well-Known Member
Talk here at this time of year here on 6-8 is generally around trolling for Eyes and Bows. Not everyone is set up for longlining as well there are many that don't have boats large enough to get to the waters out in the Elbow or even 5 miles offshore east or west of Long Point. So I thought we might talk about Bass hunting for the millions of great Small Mouth Bass here. People come from hundreds or more miles just to fish for our world famous local Bass that we sometimes take for granted.
I always start by trolling Crank baits and stick baits in around 20 feet of water in early July along a rocky point or shoal drop offs here in Nanticoke area then work shallower or deeper to where the Bass might be that day. There are plenty of deep water points to choose from. My favorite is the shoreline from Peacock Point to Featherstone point. The best is a secret point that I just happen to live on. A hint, it is between Peacock and Featherstone and is the same name as the Marina on Nanticoke creek. They make vacuum cleaners with the same name.
I will have one crank bouncing the rocky bottom like a blue and chrome Rattlin Spot. Have another crank working above the bottom maybe 15' deep and one around 10' with a floating Rappala Black and Silver imitating a Smelt just below the surface. Once we find them stop and drift or use the electric when it's working (hood ornament I call mine) with one guy casting a crank bait of any type getting down the level we hit them. My go to is a Crawfish Rebel with blue on it. Blue is the colour of the top of soft-shell crabs here. The second guy at the back of the boat tosses a Tube Jig maybe tipped with a worm. Or a live Leech on a Lindy rig or jig, sometimes just a hook and weight to get to the bottom. When a pattern works go with it whether casting or jigging. A medium action spinning outfit or baitcasters with a soft tip and stiff backbone for the big Mamas. Be prepared for the odd snag, structure is where the Bass are and that's where you have to have your bait. I cringe when someone says "it's too rocky and I loose to many lures". Then stay home you can't loose any lures there. My wife loves putting on her mask and finns and going after my snagged bait.
You can easily do this from a small tinny and a 9.9 and without spending thousands on riggers, planner boards, leadcore, downrigger rods, temperature probes, 10" combo screens and a bunch of other stuff that isn't cheap. Oh and not spend a few hundred $$'s on fuel running out 10 miles and back.
Have fun and be safe.
I forgot to mention spinner baits. All my 5pound plus females have come from hitting a spinner bait. I like a perch colour or pattern spinner bait. That's all I have for now without getting into chapter 2.
I always start by trolling Crank baits and stick baits in around 20 feet of water in early July along a rocky point or shoal drop offs here in Nanticoke area then work shallower or deeper to where the Bass might be that day. There are plenty of deep water points to choose from. My favorite is the shoreline from Peacock Point to Featherstone point. The best is a secret point that I just happen to live on. A hint, it is between Peacock and Featherstone and is the same name as the Marina on Nanticoke creek. They make vacuum cleaners with the same name.
I will have one crank bouncing the rocky bottom like a blue and chrome Rattlin Spot. Have another crank working above the bottom maybe 15' deep and one around 10' with a floating Rappala Black and Silver imitating a Smelt just below the surface. Once we find them stop and drift or use the electric when it's working (hood ornament I call mine) with one guy casting a crank bait of any type getting down the level we hit them. My go to is a Crawfish Rebel with blue on it. Blue is the colour of the top of soft-shell crabs here. The second guy at the back of the boat tosses a Tube Jig maybe tipped with a worm. Or a live Leech on a Lindy rig or jig, sometimes just a hook and weight to get to the bottom. When a pattern works go with it whether casting or jigging. A medium action spinning outfit or baitcasters with a soft tip and stiff backbone for the big Mamas. Be prepared for the odd snag, structure is where the Bass are and that's where you have to have your bait. I cringe when someone says "it's too rocky and I loose to many lures". Then stay home you can't loose any lures there. My wife loves putting on her mask and finns and going after my snagged bait.
You can easily do this from a small tinny and a 9.9 and without spending thousands on riggers, planner boards, leadcore, downrigger rods, temperature probes, 10" combo screens and a bunch of other stuff that isn't cheap. Oh and not spend a few hundred $$'s on fuel running out 10 miles and back.
Have fun and be safe.
I forgot to mention spinner baits. All my 5pound plus females have come from hitting a spinner bait. I like a perch colour or pattern spinner bait. That's all I have for now without getting into chapter 2.
Last edited:
