Bed Fishing

Now that we are in the heat of the spawn here in Mid-Michigan. What is your favorite bed fishing technique? I have tried some really off the wall stuff but my two favorite lures to use when the bass are on their beds are a poorboys craw on a small ballhead jig or a 4 inch senko on a weightless hook. I first throw the craw to see how aggresive the fish is. If it doesn't bite right away, I reel in and throw the senko. The senko really works well once the fish is aggrivated b/c it just kind of sits in that strike zone for an extended ammount of time. I don't throw the senko first b/c it is harder to make a precise cast with that then it is with the little craw. Once the fish realizes that there is something in it's territory then it is easier to pick off with the weightless senko.

I'ts also very important to try and cast from the side of the bed as opposed to directly in front of it. Fish with escape routes to deep water feel less pressured then those in which are trapped with nowhere to go.

My most off the wall presentation for bed fishing is a suspending jerkbait. It's a sure fire bait when bed fishing, especially if you put a split shot up about 3 inches off the line tie. I resembles a minnow trying to look for eggs. The downside of using this rig is that you can only really use it on beds in open water because of the two sets of trebles on the bait.