Suspended bass

[Oldfart9999]

As we all know, most times when bass are suspending they aren't active, it can be tough to get them to bite. A simple solution can be swimming a 4 or 5 inch grub through them slowly, just a nice slow steady retrieve. Another bait that may work is a Keitech or similar swimbait, same size same retrieve. I've also had a Sluggo on a Scrounger head work, same size, same retrieve.
Rodney

[coldfront]

got a great lesson in scroungers a few weeks back ...   

developing my approach with swimbaits and jig heads this summer as well.   

still trying to figure out how to effectively use spybaits.

[Wizard]

When bass suspend, it is usually around a forage school. The bass are in a neutral mode but will feed periodically during the day. If the forge school is large, some bass will be feeding. The trick to catching a bunch of bass is turning them on to feed. If you can get a few to start feeding, many bass or a school of bass will feed. They are predators and competitive. The lures you mentioned are good lures for suspending bass as are many others. If you get the suspended bass triggered and feeding, note the time, bass often feed at the same time every day until conditions change. Also, drop through the forage school and fish for the larger, lazy bass waiting for stunned forage to drop to them. I guess I relate to bass so well because we are both lazy critters.

[Oldfart9999]

Nice add ons Wizard!! Thanks for them!!!

I guess I relate to bass so well because we are both lazy critters.

I think a lot of us at our age tend to be that kind of critter.
I'm 72 BTW. It's nice when you can have the fish do all the work.
Rodney

[cortman]

Good info, guys, thanks!

[Smallie_Stalker]

Let a drop shot down to their level, or as wizard said let it drop through the school of bait and pick off the bigger ones sitting below. Works with a spinnerbait or lipless crank too.

And I still can't figure out for the life of me why more anglers don't throw a crankbait at suspending bass. Pick one that runs at or a little above the depth of the school and adjust the speed of the retrieve until you trigger them to bite. I know over the past 20 - 25 years anglers have grown accustomed to the idea that a crankbait has to be banging into something to get bit, and while I agree that works wonders there are times like this when it is not necessary. Is a crank going to catch suspending fish all the time? Of course not. No bait works all of the time. But that shouldn't stop you from trying it.

Just my $.02

[Wizard]

We don't talk about it because there is a secret to how to fish the crank bait. So, you get the secret stuff now. I want to fish to the sides and below the forage school. First to the sides, then below the school. A deep crank like a DD22 will usually be able to activate and catch the bass to the sides of the school. When those bass begin to bite, the larger bass beneath the forage prepare for bait to drop through the school to them. But, how do you reach the deeper bass with a crank bait? The secret, use a Carolina rig and a lure with a very small lip. A shallow jerk bait is perfect for a Carolina rig. Cast it out and let the rig take the jerk bait below the school. You can feel the bait hitting your bait, weight and line. When that feel stops, you have gone below the forage. Now, you can either use a slow steady retrieve or quick stop and go. In fairness, I personally use a large 7-10 inch grub with a ball head 1/2 - 3/4 oz. long shank 6 or 7 (0) long shank hook. I can continue to lift and drop the grub but not the crank bait.

[coldfront]

thank you Wizard!

[Smallie_Stalker]

More wisdom from the Great and Powerful Wizard of LOZ!!! 

I have fished hard baits on Carolina rigs before, but only on bottom to give the bass a different look. Never tried this approach with cranks. If I ever get back out on a boat again and face suspended bass I will for sure give this a try! 

[big g]

Throw out a weightless fluke or a weightless stick-o and let it slowly sink below the bait ball.  Once it drops below, jerk it up a few feet and let it slowly settle again.  The sudden jerk will provide lots of action in the bait ball fish and the slow fall will look like a dying, injured fish.  You want a slow fall, and a short jerk from the bait.  You may draw some action from the suspending bass stalking the bait fish.  It has worked for me in open water situations.