KISSIMMEE, Fla. — For Ish Monroe, catching bass this week on lakes Kissimmee and Toho requires using three different size weights for the same soft plastic lures. The reasons might trick even a skilled bass angler.
Modifying the presentation and action of the bait by changing weights isn’t the reason. Getting the lure quickly and efficiently into the strike zone is why.
According to Monroe, a veteran pro from California, it’s all about access.
A long list of aquatic vegetation grows in the Central Florida lakes. Kissimmee grass, hydrilla, alligator weed, lily pads and shoreline reeds are primary lure targets. This time of year, the bass get embedded deeply beneath the thick cover. The bass fishing term mat punching originated here, for obvious reasons.
An entire system of specialty tackle and gear evolved here, too. Extra-heavy-action rods, high-ratio reels with beefed up drags and thick, braided line is mandatory for winching bass from the cover.
Call it guerilla bass fishing using gorilla tackle.
“All those different types of vegetation vary in density, shape and size,” observed Monroe, currently in 12th place with 16 pounds, 1 ounce, at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open #1.
“In one stretch of fishing area I might use all three different weights,” he added. “The key is getting the lure into the strike zone and here that can be a challenge.”
Easily spotting half-dozen identical rod-and-reel outfits with matching lures is as simple task. The sinkers used by Monroe are labeled with exact weights to end any confusion about which rig is needed.
Getting the lure through the heaviest cover — alligator weed — requires using a 1 1/2-ounce sinker. Monroe drops down to 1 ounce for hydrilla and Kissimmee grass. The preference is a 3/4-ounce weight for sparse cover and shoreline reeds and lily pads.
“The lighter the better,” he said. “You get a better hookup ratio with the lighter weights.”
Adding weight to gain access comes with risks, although well worth the effort.
“The sheer weight and size of the heavy sinker makes it possible for the bass to throw it from their mouth,” he added. “They tend to take the smaller weight better with the entire lure.”
Here is Monroe’s mat punching system, less one important detail.
This week he is using a prototype soft plastic lure getting final touches from Missile Baits. Monroe posted a stealth photo of the bait on his social media sites before head guy John Crews made him remove the evidence. For all practical purposes the best guess is the secret lure is a variation of a creature bait.
Lure: Missile Baits, details to come
Line: 65-pound Maxima braid
Rod: 8’ Daiwa Steez SVF Compile X Flipping Rod
Reel: Daiwa Zillon HD casting reel
Weight: River2Sea Tungsten Worm Weight
Hook: River2Sea Jack Flippin’ Hook
The hook is new and Monroe designed it with two eyes. The design has a second eye welded to the hook shank. Doing so allows the angler to run line through the top eye and knot the line to the second hook. Motion of the hook set makes the tungsten weight and hook pop up and drive the hook point home.
Tomorrow, with clearing skies in the forecast, you can bet Monroe will be using all of the above gear. The sun will send the bass swimming for the deepest and thickets cover available. Time to get out the punching gear and go guerilla fishing with gorilla tackle.