Gear

Tristan McCormick’s postspawn tacklebox

Catch transitional bass moving from shallow to deep water with these baits.

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Photography by
Craig Lamb
Riverine impoundments created for generating power create much desired offshore current along main channels during summertime. That sets up the perfect postspawn scenario for firing up large schools of deep largemouth seeking the benefits of cooler water and abundant baitfish. 
“It’s my favorite period of the spawning cycle for all those reasons,” said Bassmaster Elite Tristan McCormick. Turn down the air conditioner and enjoy the hot bite with these postspawn baits. 
Getting a school of offshore largemouth fired up or agitated to trigger a group feeding frenzy is the goal. McCormick gets their attention with a Strike King Pro Model 6XD Hard Knock capable of running to depths of 19 feet. 
“Keeping the school fired up with this crankbait requires making continued casts and fast retrieves,” McCormick said. 
McCormick opts for a Strike King Pro Model 8XD Hard Knock for largemouth in strike zones beyond 20 feet. 
He uses the same presentation as the 6XD, keeping the lure active until the feeding frenzy subsides. 
McCormick switches to finesse tactics when the action slows or when a school won’t fire. He chooses a 7-inch Strike King 3X Z-Too Soft Jerkbait that matches the size of larger shad. Rig it to a jighead minnow for best results. 
“When you have a limit in the livewell and need a kicker bass this lure with its larger profile will produce.” McCormick scans the area using forward-facing sonar to find individual bass as the school breaks up.
McCormick opts for a drop-shot rig to keep the school fired up, or when it shows signs of splitting up into individual fish. He makes it with a 6-inch Strike King Filler Worm, Morning Dawn, rigged on 2/0 Owner Cover Shot Worm Hook with 1/2-ounce drop-shot weight.
“You can usually get a few more quality bites from the school as it loses its fire,” he said. Cast into and drag the rig through the suspended school. 
Another offshore ledge classic bait is a heavyweight skirted jig. McCormick’s choice is a 3/4-ounce Strike King Tour Grade Football Jig. “When action subsides on the crankbait I’ll go with the jig to catch the biggest individual bass in the school,” he said. Cast the jig upstream and work it across bottom cover where the bass stage on the current break side. 
Be on the lookout for surface feeding when a large school of baitfish comes down current across a large group of largemouth. Fired up or not, the school of bass will erupt and push that bait to the surface in the ambush. When that happens, McCormick grabs an outfit rigged with a Strike King KVD Sexy Dawg. Cast into the school and enjoy the frenzied action while it lasts. Then switch back to all of the above tactics. 

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