10 Bass Mysteries Solved

Tennessee bass professional Ott DeFoe only seems like he’s been a bass pro for decades because of his regular success: he completed in the leading 20 in over half of the B.A.S.S. tournaments he fished in eight years, and completed in the money an astounding 79 percent of the competitions he has actually fished. DeFoe has more than 45 career Top 10s and over $2 million in career winnings. He is the winner of the 2020 Bass Pro Tour Phase 3 as well as 2019 Bassmaster Classic.

1.Outdoor Life: How can I catch larger bass from shore?

Ott DeFoe: Discover remote areas that other bank fishermen will not go to. Just like it is in boat fishing, you have to be willing to go the extra mile!

2. OL: What’s your technique to fishing a lake you’ve never ever fished previously?

OD: The short answer is to check out 4 points: season pattern, type of lake (all-natural, highland reservoir, river etc.), weather, and finally water levels. Take all these elements as well as go from there. GPS mapping is a huge part anymore and also helps as soon as on the water to develop a pattern of where bites come from.

3. OL: What’s your favorite/most versatile bait? What color?

OD: A jig: 1/2-ounce Terminator Pro Series jig in Bama Craw color with a Bass Pro Shops Elite Chunk green pumpkin/blue flake as a trailer.

4. OL: Do you often customize lures or do you utilize them right out of the package? What’s a typical customization?

OD: Yes! I lug Sharpies in the boat as well as make small to large adjustments on the water a lot—a chartreuse stripe, red throat, orange sides etc., as well as new treble hooks — I make lots of mods in my boat.

5. OL: How, when, and where do you frequently fish lipless crankbaits?

OD: I made use of lipless crankbaits one of the most in prespawn. Usually, I utilize them in flatter areas where there isn’t a huge drop-off. I’ll likewise utilize them when in an area with a lot of wood cover.

6. OL: What’s your approach to fishing trees and submerged timber?

OD: A jig is my first thought to flip in trees and also timber when the fish are holding tight to cover. Next would be a spinnerbait to trigger bites from around the cover if the fish are more aggressive.

7. OL: What’s one of the most underutilized bait in your box?

OD: A Ned Rig. It’s slow and I don’t like to fish slowly like that, which is one of the reasons I enjoy fishing MLF-style so much reason it’s so busy.

8. OL: What’s your No. 1 cold-front fishing tactic?

OD: To fish a crankbait at a faster speed. This creates a response bite when slower things might not work. On an unseasonably cold day for March in Texas, the Rapala DT10 ended up being a significant player in my Bass Pro Tour Stage Three win on Lake Athens. I caught 23 scorable bass for a total of 69 extra pounds, 12 ounces in the Champion Round, including a 9-6 in the last 32 minutes of the guideline. It was a good day.

9. OL: What’s your favorite topwater bait?

OD: Storm Cover Pop. It’s a bigger bait and captures big fish!

10. OL: How do I find deep fish during the dog days of summer?

OD: Use your electronics! Locating fish is the biggest part. My Humminbirds are great as well as if fish exist, I’ll know it. As well as if they aren’t, I’ll know not to waste my time.