Keep plenty of different baits rigged and ready

Guide Inky Davis keeps a lot of rods rigged with different baits to be able to face different situations on Lake Marion in the fall.

Being able to react quickly leads to catching more fish

Inky Davis said he keeps an arsenal of rods rigged so he can react quickly to almost any type of fishing situation.

“With bass feeding aggressively, a quick response is crucial to catch the fish before it’s off chasing bait elsewhere,” Davis said. “That’s why I have as many as seven or eight rods rigged and ready for any foreseeable situation.”

Davis said many examples exist, but one is certainly schooling fish.

“I may be fishing a small crankbait or a finesse worm, and a big bass will boil on the water beyond my casting range for that rig,” he said. “I can immediately grab a rod rigged with a Little George, a heavy tailspinner I can cast into the next zip code. I can usually get this to the fish very quickly, and that typically results in a hookup.”

Davis said another example is to catch a bass on one lure, and immediately after boating the fish, cast a different lure to the same spot.

“I’ll often find multiple fish in a small area, including larger fish over five pounds,” he said. “The ability to strike quick at a specific target with different bait is a real advantage.”

About Terry Madewell 802 Articles
Award-winning writer and photographer Terry Madewell of Ridgeway, S.C., has been an outdoors writer for more than 30 years. He has a degree in wildlife and fisheries management and has a long career as a professional wildlife biologist/natural resources manager.

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