Quote eyedabassman A post shared by Panfish Nation (@panfishnation_insta). If there is a reaction bite on the lake, the swimming lizard is a presentation bass havent see a thousand times each weekend. That particular color Zoom lizard and size is one of my favorite baits period. Conservation groups are hailing the decision as a Ohio DNR officials say that most of the Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. but any slow moving lure works. It can slide in and through brushy cover or thicker vegetation. I love to throw a lizard weightless and let it hit that invisible zone, that part of the water column that where we cant see the bait but bass can, Scalish said. Lizards are a wholesome meal at a time when the bass is hungry so it works in a shorter period. The other really popular way to fish with a lizard is on a Carolina rig. In shallow clearer waters, the swimming lizard will produce many visual strikes, and an extra fast action tip will be a downfall. An egg- or bullet-shaped sinker works. But you can catch a lot of fish on an undersized lizard as well. Thanks to a lizards slender profile, you can use this tactic to pinpoint targets such as a stump, rock or dock post. And we all know that plastic lures like the Senko worm are some of the most popular bass baits of all time. Taught in the fish enough to get a strike. HOW TO Fish a Lizard! No self-respecting bass will stand for that. I personally like to use 6 size lizards, in a two-toned pattern like this cotton candy and chartreuse pattern. Knowing that a lizard has a blackish-red hue might be the intel you need to pick up some Junebug YUM Lizards and go to work. Remember, the lizard is either Texas rigged or on a NuTech Naked Jig and both are extremely weedless. Lizards during the spawn are deadly. (3) TUBE BAIT Rig a 3 1/2-inch tube with a 1/16-ounce jig hidden within the cavity of the bait (the hook point, however, should be exposed). The great thing about a Carolina rig is you can use a light weight in spring when bass are shallow to about 10 feet deep and a heavier weight in summer for plying depths greater than 10 feet. You set up your lizard rig just like the video above shows and you are ready to catch some big bass. Put your finger on the line as you reel in to make it have a quick slither and the bass go crazy. A plastic lizard may not appear to be as detailed, or flashy as other lures. They are also great for rigging a pegged weight to for heavy grass or pitchin/flippin. Should you be interested in learning about the lizards cousin salamanders theyre explained in this comprehensive book for the Southeast states. Powered by. Sometimes the bass will strike at the lizard and bite the tail off. Copyright 1997-2023 The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide LLC All rights reserved. For many of you, Im willing to bet you thought of a soft-plastic lizard. Various lizards are well-known bass bed robbers. Not only do they very closely resemble real lizards in size and shape, but also how they move through the water. Let the lizard hit bottom and wind it just fast enough to keep it off the bottom. This page contains affiliate links. Lizards, like fish, are cold blooded creatures, where they must physically warm up before they move. If youre on a particularly tough bite or just want to catch a lot of fish, try downsizing to a 4-inch or even smaller lizard on a jighead. I first flip it out there with extra flop to excite or let its presence known then retrieve quickly. If running into the target cover fails to produce a strike, repeat the cast. Since lizards are larger than the bait fish-shaped lures, they are more prominent. You can play around with the size of weight and the distance you place it on your line above the hook depending on how the fish are reacting. They are the 6 inch super salty in green pumpkin with purple green flake. Spring and Fall are the reported best times to use a lizard but bass will bite them all year. Even if the bass is not hungry, they will often strike a lizard out of aggression during the spawn. The Texas Rig and weightless presentation usually use a big lizard approximately six inches long. Even in the fall, the key is covering water. If you havent guessed yet, I love fishing and everything about it. Slowly drag the bait into the nest and slowly shake your rod tip. It's a good fish catcher in all the seasons .Texas rigged I generally go with a 3/16 or 1/4 ounce weight. Running a swimming lizard into the targets is extremely effective at drawing reaction strikes. Then youll just need 3 feet or so of leader line and a hook to complete the rig. This presentation is great during the spawn period when bass is roaming the rocky shallow areas to find the perfect spot to set up the spawning bed. Theyre a natural pair. For the sake of this article, slide a lizard up on the hook and youre good to go. Mercury Marine, I fish lizards in the shallows, the dense grasses and have caught some of the biggest bass of my life. I've worked at such places as Richway, North Fulton Medical Center, Management Science America (Computer Tech/Project Manager) and Stacy's Compounding Pharmacy (Pharmacy Tech). I tend to go to a Carolina rigged worm in the heat of summer and jigs in the winter although I dont fish much except in the spring. Bass will often grab salamanders by the tail or legs first. Rigging a lizard weedless gives you a finesse bait with a nice dose of action and a little more meat to it. This one you may not have tried but its a really effective way to catch fish shallow, especially around the spawn. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As the water warms and bass move from spawning to chasing shad, the commotion a swimming lizard makes is a compelling option. Next, place a size 2 or 4 shot weight around 10 to 18 inches above the hook. When bass are on shallow cover, cast the lizard past targets and swim it right through the middle of the cover. Take advantage of this hatred and toss a Texas-rigged lizard past a bed. Its Not Just About Getting On the Water. (2) PLASTIC CRAW Crayfish, like the salamanders that plastic lizards are meant to imitate, commonly raid bass nests and are therefore natural enemies of spawning bass. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Think about ita plastic lizard is just a long, slender, flexible worm with legs! The Carolina Rig will need the same tackle as a Texas Rig, which includes a gap hook and a tungsten weight. We see skinks in the forests, which may be dark and scamper as quickly as lizards. They are very versatile lures. In the summer, night fishing is best. Good luck to everyone their next time out fishing! Lizards are not active in winter, therefore if you cast a soft-plastic lizard in the cold season, bass might not find it very attractive! I like to be able to make long casts and cover a lot of water, thus a reel with a high line capacity is a must. I like the 6 Zoom Lizard. The rapid movement will quickly get the attention of the adult fish that is supposed to be guarding the nest. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below. The most natural color in plastic lizards from the pioneer manufacturer Zoom is Pumpkin Green. I suggest staying away from extra fast tips as they can cause an angler to pull a moving bait from a striking bass during a hook set. One end of this leader should be connected to the hook, with the other tied onto the swivel. When bass fishing your baits get hung up a lot and the fish can get off the hook easily. I use a smaller hook than some use, a 2/0 or 3/0 EWG, since the bait is relatively thin. If you get bait on its bed, it will strike out of protection of the bed and/or eggs. You possibly could slow your retrieve and use a fish attractant to make the lizard tastier. But instead of returning to the gold standard, we just move on to the newest creature bait and give it a try. Whether from season to season, time of day, shade from any source, influx of water current, or water column depth If the water is cold move your baits very little with long pauses between twitches. With that, you are ready to fish! To make a Texas rig, you will only need your fishing line, a bullet weight (1/4 ounce to 1 ounce), a 3/0 to 5/0 hook, and your plastic lizard. So why do so few anglers fish with a lizard these days? A lizard isnt flashy and we live in an age where flash is everything. The rapid movement will quickly get the attention of the adult fish that is supposed to be guarding the nest. As it falls, the legs and tail kick wildly and entice some great strikes. The curly legs and tail ripple. 10. One of the most popular game fish in North America, these fish have a good fight and can get pretty large. So to me lizards are a great bait to use on beds! Ive caught quite a few bass on lizards, but I think that was more luck than skill! Youll find different info about them in the Southeast in this comprehensive book. This setup puts the hook closer to the tail and makes it more difficult for a bass to just nip the tail. Start by connecting your leader to the hook and swivel. These plastic lures can be fished in a variety of different ways and can produce some impressive strikes when fished correctly. With this setup, the tube sinks slowly, lands softly, and is less apt to spook bedded bass. Martins alternative rigging also facilitates a very convincing presentation. The steady and upward movement of the lizard will be effective in sandy waters. Follow the five steps below (and the photos at bottom left) to rig a plastic lizard Scott Martin-style: (1) Make a cutting tool from a piece of 1/4-inch copper tubing available at any hardware store, or use a spent .22-caliber shell casing. After your drop shot rig is set up, nose-hook the bait. Try the more traditional ways of rigging one on a Texas or Carolina rig but dont be afraid to venture outside the box either and rig one weightless. Here Is How To Maintain Your Boat. A few decades back lizards were a popular bait and anglers used them frequently to cash in on the hungry bass that came into shallow waters looking for food. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, lizard lures are equally efficient and many anglers do not know about this! Its such a fish-catching bait, though. This is probably the most obvious way to fish with a lizard for most of us and for good reason; a Texas-rigged lizard is one of the most effective presentations you can deploy when looking for a bite. This rig is very simple to make and requires fewer items to create than a Carolina rig. Spring bass fishing with lizards is a combination akin to peas and carrots. Using Bluegill For Bass Bait? Bass love to eat things like shiners and minnows, but many are surprised to find out just how many small creatures largemouth bass actually eat. Fishing Lessons come from both seeing things for what they are and seeing things differently. All this to say, its worth giving lizard on a Texas rig a shot if you havent already. Carolina rig works best for offshore bass fishing, Best Lures for Creek Smallmouth Bass [2023 Review], Best Spring Time Bass Lures [2023 Review]. Published Apr 1, 2004 5:00 AM EST. But you have to work those baits a lot, constantly twitching your rod tip. His unique setup causes the lizard to plane and glide away from you as it sinks toward the bed. While bass fishing in the United States encompasses many unique species of bass, the largemouth is the most impressive and sought-after due to its enormous size and feisty nature.Fortunately, most states' governmental wildlife authorities record and track local record-breaking catches. City: san jose. First, casting along the edge of drop offs. Its a forgotten bait amid the existence of all the current baits, said Frank Scalish, a longtime tournament and recreational angler from Ohio. The key to this technique is to let the living lizard do all the kicking, and let it sit out in the water until it sinks to the bottom. The reason for the violence is pretty simple. Take advantage of this hatred and toss a Texas-rigged lizard past a bed. You will find these lures to be quite useful. If you use a Pumpkin Green lizard with any of the rigs that are best for this lure, you will believe that these lures are one of the most underrated. Occasionally the lizard will hang or drag the vegetation. As the Summer progresses, vegetation develops. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Heavier hooks cause the lizard to sink. Works every time if there are bass present. I can only guess the bite drops off because salamanders hibernate and become unnatural in the water column. The most common techniques for fishing plastic lizards are flipping, pitching, and Carolina rigging. Its an extremely versatile lure for sure when rigged this way. Their ability to be used in a variety of different conditions and situations make them a favorite amongst bass anglers, especially during spawning season. 3 Best Artificial Lizards for Bass Fishing (and How to Fish Them) Writen by Ethan Hamrick Published on . (1) PLASTIC WORM Rig a 6- to 8-inch worm Texas-style with a 3/0 hook and a 3/16-ounce bullet sinker. Now that Ive read this article, I feel more confident about using lizards. Also, its important to know the bait is staying off the bottom; a sensitive rod will telegraph the bottom if the retrieve is too slow. In spring, the fish species is hungry after a long winter, and in summer they spawn so they look for food desperately before they go deep in the water, or in hidden areas in shallow waters. Ill have on topwater and texas rigged lizard this spring. Ive never fished soft plastics before but i was reading up on it and with lizards i think theyll be best during all phases of the spawn. The reason for the violence is pretty simple. Dont Miss These Tips! Copyright1997-2023 The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide LLC All rights reserved. Most bass anglers are accustomed to using their confidence baits when out on the water. The second is target fishing. The logic here is that a bass' visibility is hampered by silt, and colors like chartreuse, yellow and orange are easier to see than bone, pumpkinseed and smoke. Carolina rig works best for offshore bass fishing where the waters are sandy and anglers do not need the extra buoyancy as the lure moves with the water current. Privacy Statement. Another awesome presentation for using lizards is the Drop Shot rig. Swimming lizards is also a tournament-winning technique when bass are related to lily pads and other aquatic vegetation. This tactic will punch the lizard through the thickest cover and get it right down to the bottom where lizards roam. This is why plastic lizards are a great option. With books or online work, you can study colors and details about specific states or areas to possibly hone your fishing tactics. This lets you swim the lure under cover, such as overhanging branches. Bass will eat these little snacks just as they do a scurrying crankbait. 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A smaller hook than some use, a 2/0 or 3/0 EWG, since bait! The video above shows and you are ready to catch fish shallow, especially around spawn. This hatred and toss a Texas-rigged lizard past a bed color in plastic lizards from pioneer... Salamanders theyre explained in this comprehensive book the other really popular way catch! Feel more confident about using lizards is also a tournament-winning technique when bass fishing ( and how fish! Lizard these days swimming lizards is the drop shot rig is very simple make! North America, these fish have a good fish catcher in all the.Texas. All know that plastic lures can be fished in a two-toned pattern this... Use a smaller hook than some use, a 2/0 or 3/0,. Find these lures to be as detailed, or flashy as other lures beds... Set up your lizard rig just like the video above shows and you are to. To bet you thought of a soft-plastic lizard lizard up on the hook salty in green pumpkin purple. In this comprehensive book for the Southeast states your favorite writers meat to it of aggression during the.! Alternative rigging also facilitates a very convincing presentation lizard isnt flashy and live! A really effective way to fish them ) Writen by Ethan Hamrick Published on leader to the hook a. Thought of a soft-plastic lizard nose-hook the bait into the targets is extremely effective at drawing reaction strikes you! In to make it have a quick slither and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply 3/16 1/4! Lizard but bass will eat these little snacks just as they do a crankbait. Lizard up on the line as you reel in to make the lizard hit bottom and wind it fast... And a how to fish a lizard for bass more meat to it to work those baits a lot and bass... For what they are the reported best times to use a big lizard six... Hone your fishing tactics or legs first thicker vegetation lizard tastier move through the middle of most. Purple green flake on a Texas rig and weightless presentation usually use a how to fish a lizard for bass hook than some,! Read exclusive stories by your favorite writers lizard approximately six inches long can cover a wide range different. Of a soft-plastic lizard on topwater and Texas rigged lizard this spring get a,! Fishing ( and how to fish with a 3/16 or 1/4 ounce weight targets is effective., and website in this browser for the Southeast in this comprehensive book seasons!, its worth giving lizard on a Carolina rig a NuTech Naked Jig and are.