Hamilton’s springtime tacklebox tips

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Skylar Hamilton, 26, is fishing his 10th season on the Bassmaster Tour, with five of those on the Bassmaster Elite Series. Hamilton lives in Dandridge, an east Tennessee town located on Douglas Lake.
Skylar Hamilton, 26, is fishing his 10th season on the Bassmaster Tour, with five of those on the Bassmaster Elite Series. Hamilton lives in Dandridge, an east Tennessee town located on Douglas Lake.
Douglas Lake extends 43 miles upriver on the French Broad River, from the dam through the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Secondary points off the main lake are ideal staging areas, before the bass move into the pockets to spawn.
Douglas Lake extends 43 miles upriver on the French Broad River, from the dam through the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Secondary points off the main lake are ideal staging areas, before the bass move into the pockets to spawn.
Hamilton removes the guesswork of what lures to pack with this tacklebox filled with baits that are proven bass catchers during the spring. Here are his choices.
Hamilton removes the guesswork of what lures to pack with this tacklebox filled with baits that are proven bass catchers during the spring. Here are his choices.
First in the lineup is a jerkbait, chosen for early spring when largemouth are midrange between deep and shallow water. “Jerkbaits work well on Douglas when all bass are off the shoreline, and high enough in the water column where they are feeding for the spawn.”
First in the lineup is a jerkbait, chosen for early spring when largemouth are midrange between deep and shallow water. “Jerkbaits work well on Douglas when all bass are off the shoreline, and high enough in the water column where they are feeding for the spawn.”
Hamilton’s choice is a Megabass Ito Vision 110 FX Tour Premium Jerkbait. “On warmer days the bass will be shallower, and you can use it when the back off.”
Hamilton’s choice is a Megabass Ito Vision 110 FX Tour Premium Jerkbait. “On warmer days the bass will be shallower, and you can use it when the back off.”
Next is an all white bladed jig. “You can cover any depth in the water column easily, and you can work it with a steady retrieve or yo-yo action.”
Next is an all white bladed jig. “You can cover any depth in the water column easily, and you can work it with a steady retrieve or yo-yo action.”
A Z-Man Evergreen ChatterBait Jack Hammer is his choice. “During the spawning cycle, and especially during prespawn, this bait is capable of finding bass at any depth.”
A Z-Man Evergreen ChatterBait Jack Hammer is his choice. “During the spawning cycle, and especially during prespawn, this bait is capable of finding bass at any depth.”
Flat-sided crankbaits are a staple in east Tennessee, so plan to pack what the locals use. “Flat sides have a tighter wobble and are perfect for cooler water during spring, and even when the water begins to warm up.”
Flat-sided crankbaits are a staple in east Tennessee, so plan to pack what the locals use. “Flat sides have a tighter wobble and are perfect for cooler water during spring, and even when the water begins to warm up.”
This is a hand-crafted, locally made model by JawJacker Lures.
This is a hand-crafted, locally made model by JawJacker Lures.
This model is made by a Crankenstien Custom Lures.
This model is made by a Crankenstien Custom Lures.
Runoff from springtime rains creates dirty water, and squarebill crankbaits are ideal for attracting reaction strikes.
Runoff from springtime rains creates dirty water, and squarebill crankbaits are ideal for attracting reaction strikes.
“Squarebills run at various depths, so you can choose which works best for the location of the fish.”
“Squarebills run at various depths, so you can choose which works best for the location of the fish.”
Hamilton’s choice is a Luhr Jensen Speed Trap. “They do a really good job of displacing water when the bass are feeding by sound.”
Hamilton’s choice is a Luhr Jensen Speed Trap. “They do a really good job of displacing water when the bass are feeding by sound.”
A lipless crankbait is a must during late spring, as the fish move into shallow water to spawn. “You can cover a lot of water with this bait, because it can be retrieved horizontally through the water column.”
A lipless crankbait is a must during late spring, as the fish move into shallow water to spawn. “You can cover a lot of water with this bait, because it can be retrieved horizontally through the water column.”
The choice is a Storm Arashi Vibe, which produces a soft knock from a single rattle for attracting without intimidating shallow fish. “It’s perfect for fishing in the spawning pockets and through shallow rock.”
The choice is a Storm Arashi Vibe, which produces a soft knock from a single rattle for attracting without intimidating shallow fish. “It’s perfect for fishing in the spawning pockets and through shallow rock.”
Strong low-pressure systems and springtime storms can pull migrating prespawn fish back off the shoreline. When they do, a go-to bait is a deeper diving flat-sided crankbait.
Strong low-pressure systems and springtime storms can pull migrating prespawn fish back off the shoreline. When they do, a go-to bait is a deeper diving flat-sided crankbait.
Hamilton’s choice for those conditions is a Spro Little John MD 50, designed to run from 7 to 9 feet. A longer lip makes the bait dive quickly, while reducing hang-ups by making the bait flip over the cover.
Hamilton’s choice for those conditions is a Spro Little John MD 50, designed to run from 7 to 9 feet. A longer lip makes the bait dive quickly, while reducing hang-ups by making the bait flip over the cover.
Hamilton suggests packing a utility crankbait that can work effectively at multiple depths and retrieves. “Springtime weather can move the fish back and forth across the water column, from deep, to midrange.”
Hamilton suggests packing a utility crankbait that can work effectively at multiple depths and retrieves. “Springtime weather can move the fish back and forth across the water column, from deep, to midrange.”
He opts for a Rapala Shad Rap, in either the SRO5, SRO6 OR SRO7 models, which are capable of running at 4 to 11 feet, depending on the model.
He opts for a Rapala Shad Rap, in either the SRO5, SRO6 OR SRO7 models, which are capable of running at 4 to 11 feet, depending on the model.
A springtime must-have anywhere you go is a spinnerbait. On Douglas, Hamilton uses this model in stained water when the fish are just beginning to enter the spawning creeks and pockets.
A springtime must-have anywhere you go is a spinnerbait. On Douglas, Hamilton uses this model in stained water when the fish are just beginning to enter the spawning creeks and pockets.
The choice is a 1/2-ounce Buckeye Lures Spinnerbait with double Colorado blades.
The choice is a 1/2-ounce Buckeye Lures Spinnerbait with double Colorado blades.
A skirted jig is ideal for big females migrating into the spawning areas. “Big bass like big meals to fill them up, instead of having to search for a mouthful of smaller bait, so a big jig is perfect for the job.”
A skirted jig is ideal for big females migrating into the spawning areas. “Big bass like big meals to fill them up, instead of having to search for a mouthful of smaller bait, so a big jig is perfect for the job.”
A 5/8-ounce Buckeye Lures Mop Jig, hand-tied with heavy living rubber, is his choice. Hamilton uses a Googan Squad Bandito Bug for added bulk and strike appeal.
A 5/8-ounce Buckeye Lures Mop Jig, hand-tied with heavy living rubber, is his choice. Hamilton uses a Googan Squad Bandito Bug for added bulk and strike appeal.
This weekender tacklebox has everything needed for prespawn, spawn and postspawn fishing on Hamilton’s home lake. Nearby are the tourist towns of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, making a trip here packed with fun and value.
This weekender tacklebox has everything needed for prespawn, spawn and postspawn fishing on Hamilton’s home lake. Nearby are the tourist towns of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, making a trip here packed with fun and value.