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Plastic lizards are productive baits for fishing spawning beds. Yet it is surprising that bass consider lizards any threat at all. According to Tom Johnson, state herpetologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, lizards are reptiles that stay away from water. A salamander, however, does spend limited time in the water and is often used for bait.
Start by pinpointing certain areas when pitching or casting with a Texas rig. This covers a lot of water while determining “hot” areas. For example, a Carolina rig will occasionally hang up while a Texas rig is more likely to avoid buck brush or other snags. But the Carolina rig is ideal when bass are still roaming and choosing spawning grounds.
The Carolina rig is also effective when bass is farther into the spawn on pea gravel banks. Try rigging with a 3/4-ounce worm weight followed by two glass beads and a barrel swivel with a 4/0 offset Gamakatsu hook. A four-foot leader completes the package with 12- to 14-pound test.
Green line for leaders is preferred because of its camouflaging nature. Veteran fishermen believe that green line allows heavier test in normally clear water conditions. This type of fishing requires checking line for nicks or even retying occasionally.
You can further enhance Carolina rig flotation with three small squares of Styrofoam on the hook while sliding the lizard over your hook point. This floats the lizard up higher for better visibility. Paint the squares black when using dark-colored lizards.
“A Carolina rigged lizard helped me win a post-spawn tournament on Table Rock Lake several years ago,” said Brent Chapman, professional fisherman. “I started with crankbaits until fishing slowed down. I often try lizards or French-fries when fishing slows down. I was dragging the lizard across the bottom when the bass hit.”
Weightless lizards are most effective when bass are on beds and in a protective mode. Try an 8-inch lizard with a number 5/0 offset Gamakatsu hook. This is especially effective around boat ramps that connect to shore.
Bass access these areas especially when pea gravel is present. Skip the lizard under walkways, twitch it like you would a Slug-O, then let it settle. This is an especially good technique on areas like Lake of the Ozarks when the water is around 63 degrees.
Chapman uses eight-inch Luck ‘E’ Strike Lizards in, grape, black grape, black neon or June bug for weightless fishing. He sinks the lizard, then twitches, lets it sink for five or six seconds, then twitches it again over the top of spawning areas. He occasionally leaves his lure on the spawning bed. Setting the lizard a couple minutes has caught some of his biggest bass.
Slivers of Alka Seltzer inserted in the lizard can enhance strikes. This allows the lizard to bubble when lying on the bottom, instigating bass reaction. This is a good tip for weightless lizards or weighted versions being fished extremely slow.
Post spawn bass use secondary points in low, clear water conditions. A Carolina rig will cover a lot of water in such areas. Bass are keying on the breaks. The deeper you fish, the more critical it becomes to fish banks.
Try fishing the Carolina rigged lizard up to 35 feet, especially in clear water like Table Rock where bass tends to be point related. Remember that oxygen level greatly differ in deeper, clear water.
Finally, try using a shorter leader in murky water. Bass key on the weight and glass bead noise. Use a slow presentation and constantly watch your line for movement or twitches. Fish Formula also makes a fine lubricant when fishing dirty, brushy water. Coat about 12 to 18 inches of line, the worm weight and lizard with Fish Formula. This makes the lizard slide off limbs easier while putting out more positive scent.
Lizards are especially good for spawning and post spawn bass. Try the above techniques for more success.
But lizards or salamanders do not eat fish eggs or even bother a spawning bed. Salamanders are not considered a natural food of fish. So why is the plastic lizard a top spawn and post-spawn lure? Bass consider them a dangerous threat--there can be no other explanation. But more importantly, lizards are dangerous weapons for you. Experienced bass fishermen depend on lizards this time of year. The key is learning different lizard presentations. Anglers use three techniques to catch bass in the spring on a lizard--the Texas rig, Carolina rig and a weightless lizard, depending on conditions.
