“I prefer to fish a grub with an exposed hook, it’s basically a small swimbait,” said Wenners. As for colors and grubs, Wenners’ favors Chompers 4-inch grub in either smoke pepper or salt and pepper.
McCutchen Grabs a Jig
Few anglers have been fishing bass tournaments longer than Heartland Trails competitor Jerry McCutchen’s from Camden, Missouri. McCutchen, a Chompers Lures Pro Staffer, fishes the Heartland Trails Team Series with his team partner Sonny Chafi. He has been competing in bass tournaments since 1971. At 63 years old, McCutchen has had his days on the water were fish refused to bite. When all else fails, McCutchen reaches in his tackle box for three different size jigs.
McCutchen's approach seems simple enough, just grab a jig; however, in reality it’s really very complicated. He selects which weight jig to use by a number of factors like depth, time of year, reservoir, water clarity, cover, and type of structure. Once McCutchen has selected what weight jig to use, it comes down to what color. This is the only part that McCutchen keeps simple, “I only use a Chompers Brush Jig with a black and blue flash skirt.” The Chompers Brush Jig has a semi-stand-up head, creating an underwater action much like a football jig, Mustad Black Nickel Needlepoint hook, and a specially designed weed guard.
Right Jig, Right Spot
“When all else fails in the spring, I will fish 45-degree banks in five to seven feet of water with a 3/8-ounce or 5/8-ounce jig,” McCutchen continued, “the bass will either want it slow or very fast.” On Table Rock in the spring, McCutchen also likes to fish a jig in fifteen feet of water, swimming it just off or touching the bottom. He will also pitch, not cast, a 5/16-ounce jig into cedar trees trying to get a reaction bite those days. On the other hand, if he is fishing Truman Reservoir, McCutchen will cast to points and drop-offs around little pockets or flip brush around 45-degree banks in little pockets with a 3/8-ounce jig.
