5 questions with Bill Lowen

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Bill Lowen of Brookville, Ind., has fished on the Elite Series for 10 years, and earned seven Bassmaster Classic appearances during his career. Recently he took some time to answer five questions about his bass fishing approach.
Bill Lowen of Brookville, Ind., has fished on the Elite Series for 10 years, and earned seven Bassmaster Classic appearances during his career. Recently he took some time to answer five questions about his bass fishing approach.
No. 1: What is your favorite jig style?
No. 1: What is your favorite jig style?
“Man, that’s a toss up between several different jigs. But, I’d have to say that a Lure Parts Online Backstroke swim jig is one of my all-time favorites. I’ll throw that on a 7-foot, 6-inch Castaway Swim Jig rod paired with a Team Lew’s Lite baitcaster in a 7.5.1:1 gear ratio. It’s necessary to have a high-speed reel when swim jig fishing.”
“Man, that’s a toss up between several different jigs. But, I’d have to say that a Lure Parts Online Backstroke swim jig is one of my all-time favorites. I’ll throw that on a 7-foot, 6-inch Castaway Swim Jig rod paired with a Team Lew’s Lite baitcaster in a 7.5.1:1 gear ratio. It’s necessary to have a high-speed reel when swim jig fishing.”
No. 2: What is your favorite structure to fish?
No. 2: What is your favorite structure to fish?
“I love fishing wood, whether it would be laydowns, stumps or brush piles. I enjoy finding and catching bass in shallow wood. If I was told that I had one bait to use for the rest of my life it would be a 4-inch Tightlines UV Flipping Tube Texas rigged with a 1/4 ounce Reins Tungsten nose weight — that’s a great bait around wood! I’d use that presentation on a 7-foot, 6-inch Castaway flipping rod matched with a Team Lew’s Lite baitcaster in a 7.5.1:1 gear ratio. Again, that high-speed reel is essential to pick up line quickly for a solid hook set.”
“I love fishing wood, whether it would be laydowns, stumps or brush piles. I enjoy finding and catching bass in shallow wood. If I was told that I had one bait to use for the rest of my life it would be a 4-inch Tightlines UV Flipping Tube Texas rigged with a 1/4 ounce Reins Tungsten nose weight — that’s a great bait around wood! I’d use that presentation on a 7-foot, 6-inch Castaway flipping rod matched with a Team Lew’s Lite baitcaster in a 7.5.1:1 gear ratio. Again, that high-speed reel is essential to pick up line quickly for a solid hook set.”
No. 3: What is your favorite crankbait?
No. 3: What is your favorite crankbait?
“My favorite crankbait is some type of a shallow-running squarebill. I can’t nail down only one, so here are two, one of which will be the Ima Squarebill that I helped design. It’s one of the shallowest running squarebills on the market. It only goes down to about 3 feet. The second bait would be a hand-made balsa bait built by PH Custom Lures. I’d throw both cranks on a 7-foot Castaway Skeleton cranking rod with a Lew’s Tournament Pro baitcaster in a 6.5.1:1 gear ratio.”
“My favorite crankbait is some type of a shallow-running squarebill. I can’t nail down only one, so here are two, one of which will be the Ima Squarebill that I helped design. It’s one of the shallowest running squarebills on the market. It only goes down to about 3 feet. The second bait would be a hand-made balsa bait built by PH Custom Lures. I’d throw both cranks on a 7-foot Castaway Skeleton cranking rod with a Lew’s Tournament Pro baitcaster in a 6.5.1:1 gear ratio.”
No.4: What is your favorite plastic worm style?
No.4: What is your favorite plastic worm style?
“I love a 4- or 6-inch stick worm, more specifically a Tightlines UVenko is my favorite worm to fish with. I like to Texas rig or wacky rig it, shaky head or weightless — it’s one of those all-around baits for me. And, how I rig it will dictate which rod-and-reel combo I choose.”
“I love a 4- or 6-inch stick worm, more specifically a Tightlines UVenko is my favorite worm to fish with. I like to Texas rig or wacky rig it, shaky head or weightless — it’s one of those all-around baits for me. And, how I rig it will dictate which rod-and-reel combo I choose.”
No. 5: Considering all of the aforementioned presentations is there one body of water that comes to mind where each of those will play a role?
No. 5: Considering all of the aforementioned presentations is there one body of water that comes to mind where each of those will play a role?
“The Mississippi River in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. I love that place, the amount of quality fish there is amazing, and I’ll have each of the techniques I just mentioned on the deck of my boat.”
Bonus Question: What is your favorite shampoo brand?<p> <p>Head & Shoulders, of course!
Bonus Question: What is your favorite shampoo brand?

Head & Shoulders, of course!