Beginner’s Tacklebox with Mike McClelland

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Mike McClelland, hailing from Bella Vista, Ark., has been at this pro angling thing for a long time, 20 years to be specific. He knows a thing or two about being a successful bass angler having won eight events and making 10 Bassmaster Classic appearances.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Mike McClelland, hailing from Bella Vista, Ark., has been at this pro angling thing for a long time, 20 years to be specific. He knows a thing or two about being a successful bass angler having won eight events and making 10 Bassmaster Classic appearances.
His most recent win came this year at the Bass Pro Shops Central Open #1 at Table Rock Lake.
His most recent win came this year at the Bass Pro Shops Central Open #1 at Table Rock Lake.
He's become very adept at simplifying tackle applications, but he knows how important it is to have what he needs, when he needs it.
He’s become very adept at simplifying tackle applications, but he knows how important it is to have what he needs, when he needs it.
McClelland is about to share his knowledge and load up one tray with the baits that every new angler should keep with him or her at all times.
McClelland is about to share his knowledge and load up one tray with the baits that every new angler should keep with him or her at all times.
This Bass Mafia tray is about to get filled up with McClelland's goodies.
This Bass Mafia tray is about to get filled up with McClelland’s goodies.
Sounds simple, but everyone learning to catch bass needs some valuable pieces of terminal tackle. Hooks and weights are critical.
Sounds simple, but everyone learning to catch bass needs some valuable pieces of terminal tackle. Hooks and weights are critical.
Lead certainly works, and he suggests getting some to start out with. However, McClelland has gone to tungsten because of it's bottom transmitting capabilities. In other words, it helps him identify what the bottom makeup is like.
Lead certainly works, and he suggests getting some to start out with. However, McClelland has gone to tungsten because of it’s bottom transmitting capabilities. In other words, it helps him identify what the bottom makeup is like.
Offset worm hooks are perfect for worms and creatures of all sizes.
Offset worm hooks are perfect for worms and creatures of all sizes.
He shows off a few of his favorite swimbaits and creatures. The swimbaits are his signature series produced by Cabela's.
He shows off a few of his favorite swimbaits and creatures. The swimbaits are his signature series produced by Cabela’s.
He often likes to rig his swimbaits on an underspin, which is a lead jighead with a spinner at the base for added attraction. He said it's one of the most realistic shad imitators out there.
He often likes to rig his swimbaits on an underspin, which is a lead jighead with a spinner at the base for added attraction. He said it’s one of the most realistic shad imitators out there.
He said you've got to have a squarebill crankbait, or seven. This Spro rendition nicely fits the bill. Having multiple crankbaits in numerous colors is a good idea, especially if the bass are indicating a preference.
He said you’ve got to have a squarebill crankbait, or seven. This Spro rendition nicely fits the bill. Having multiple crankbaits in numerous colors is a good idea, especially if the bass are indicating a preference.
McClelland likes to keep several sizes of squarebills on hand. Sometimes color matters, and he said other times size and profile matters -- especially when considering what type of structure you'll be fishing, such as rock, wood, brush or docks.
McClelland likes to keep several sizes of squarebills on hand. Sometimes color matters, and he said other times size and profile matters — especially when considering what type of structure you’ll be fishing, such as rock, wood, brush or docks.
And a lipless crankbait. This is one of his favorite springtime presentations, but it can also play all year long. He keeps a healthy supply within arm's reach at all times.
And a lipless crankbait. This is one of his favorite springtime presentations, but it can also play all year long. He keeps a healthy supply within arm’s reach at all times.
The veteran angler also had a crucial hand in developing a line of Spro crankbaits known as the Crawler. These lures allow him to strain deeper water looking for bass that like to be well below the lake's surface. All crankbaits are not created equal, and having an assortment of sizes, lip style and colors is key to keeping the bite hot.
The veteran angler also had a crucial hand in developing a line of Spro crankbaits known as the Crawler. These lures allow him to strain deeper water looking for bass that like to be well below the lake’s surface. All crankbaits are not created equal, and having an assortment of sizes, lip style and colors is key to keeping the bite hot.
He also loves to catch bass on a suspending jerkbait. If he had one color to choose, it would be a shad pattern, such as the one he's holding above. Jerkbaits take some practice, but they are a deadly presentation when the fish are feeding on suspended bait like shad or herring.
He also loves to catch bass on a suspending jerkbait. If he had one color to choose, it would be a shad pattern, such as the one he’s holding above. Jerkbaits take some practice, but they are a deadly presentation when the fish are feeding on suspended bait like shad or herring.
Blades, blades and more blades. McClelland keeps spinnerbaits and buzzbaits in his boat all year. The spinnerbait is likely the most popular bass lure of all time, and for good reason. They are especially effective early in the year when waters are muddied from snow meltwater and after a heavy rain that creates runoff. Buzzbaits are a great topwater lure when the fish are ambushing shad on the surface, and there's not likely a more fun way to catch fish. Getchyasome.
Blades, blades and more blades. McClelland keeps spinnerbaits and buzzbaits in his boat all year. The spinnerbait is likely the most popular bass lure of all time, and for good reason. They are especially effective early in the year when waters are muddied from snow meltwater and after a heavy rain that creates runoff. Buzzbaits are a great topwater lure when the fish are ambushing shad on the surface, and there’s not likely a more fun way to catch fish. Getchyasome.
The box is beginning to fill up with McClelland's select baits.
The box is beginning to fill up with McClelland’s select baits.
It's easy to see how just one of these trays can fill up in no time. Might be good to grab a few and keep your growing collection as organized as possible. McClelland said that knowing where everything is at all times helps him make fast decisions on the water, which in turn means more fishing time.
It’s easy to see how just one of these trays can fill up in no time. Might be good to grab a few and keep your growing collection as organized as possible. McClelland said that knowing where everything is at all times helps him make fast decisions on the water, which in turn means more fishing time.
If space is limited, he'll put similar lures, or lures that operate best at the same depths in nearby tacklebox slots.
If space is limited, he’ll put similar lures, or lures that operate best at the same depths in nearby tacklebox slots.
See that froggy looking thing at the bottom? That's a soft plastic frog-like trailer he likes to put on his buzzbaits. It slows the sinking process, which allows him to get the egg-beater-like prop spinning sooner, thus keeping the lure in the strike zone longer. And that means more fish.
See that froggy looking thing at the bottom? That’s a soft plastic frog-like trailer he likes to put on his buzzbaits. It slows the sinking process, which allows him to get the egg-beater-like prop spinning sooner, thus keeping the lure in the strike zone longer. And that means more fish.
Jigs. You just can't have too many jigs. He said they are likely the most versatile lure in existence, and one of his favorite ways to catch bass. He suggested natural colors, round heads, football-style heads, and swim-jig-type heads that are effective around brush. Just get a bunch and learn how to catch bass on them, they'll pay off all year on every lake across the country.
Jigs. You just can’t have too many jigs. He said they are likely the most versatile lure in existence, and one of his favorite ways to catch bass. He suggested natural colors, round heads, football-style heads, and swim-jig-type heads that are effective around brush. Just get a bunch and learn how to catch bass on them, they’ll pay off all year on every lake across the country.
Thanks Mike!
Thanks Mike!