Catch Fish with
Mike Ladle

Information Page

A week or two back I mentioned catching my first bass on a surface popping plug. Since then the number of fish taken on these lures has moved well into double figures. The use of popping lures for bass was pioneered a few years ago by Steve Butler and Mike Hughes who are members of B.A.S.S. and they have become very popular (the lures and the people). Obviously Steve and Mike know a lot more about fishing the lures than I do but already a couple of things are evident. Firstly, despite what I had been lead to believe the lures I am using (Chug Bugs) are very good hookers and few fish seem to be missed, at least when they are fished on a tight braided line. Secondly, they don't always catch and sometimes it pays to switch to a more conventional floating/diving plug. Presumably the reverse also applies and the difference can be spectacular. SEE CURRENT PAGE FOR LATEST ENTRY

If you have any comments or questions about fish, methods, tactics or 'what have you.'get in touch with me by sending an E-MAIL to - docladle@hotmail.com

INFORMATION SPOT

SEA FISHING

September 3 2001

One apparent disadvantage of surface popping lures is that they probably limit the number of fish species you are likely to catch. Wrasse often take floating/diving lures.

Jointed (or single) minnow type plugs, such as Rapalas, have been the standard bass lures on snaggy ground for almost twenty years. They can be very effective cast from the shore and simply wound in steadily just over the top of any rocks and weed. Big bass usually take the lures across the middle and are hooked on the mid-body treble. Smaller fish often grab at the tail end.

Bass of all sizes seem happy to take large popping lures.

At present my tactic is to sweep the rod tip far enough to cause a splash and a chug and then let the lure rest while I tighten up with a couple of turns of the reel handle.