how to fish a lizard for bass

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. !He must have Gulped my lizard almost as soon as it hit water. You can cast it, pitch it, flip it and drag it around wood, rock, grass and docks. Lizard fishing for bass consists of using a plastic lure that closely resembles a lizard or salamander. Sharpen the ends of the tubing or casing with a whetstone. If you enjoy sight-fishing, a large lizard is easy for bass to move off the bed. Good luck to everyone their next time out fishing! Even in the fall, the key is covering water. Download a copy of my FREE Lure Color Selection Chart & Knot Guide! Slide them down the line and connect the line to the other end of the swivel. Bass will eat these little snacks just as they do a scurrying crankbait. What Else Can You Catch On Plastic Lizards? Dobyn's Rods, The most natural color in plastic lizards from the pioneer manufacturer Zoom is Pumpkin Green. During the Spring, I like to fan cast possible spawning flats. During the spawn, they are the go-to bait for many tournament anglers, By (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). Point being, we have to adjust our bait presentations to fit the natural environment or we wont be as successful as we would like. The tip action on the Dobyns three power rod allows me to cast the light weight long distances with accuracy. Spawning bass hate lizards in general, so theyre great to fish on a bed that time of the year as well and swimming one along weightless as a search bait just gives you one more way to use them that time of year. This sometimes can be exaggerated when using a fire of chartreuse tail lizard. Comment below what tips and tricks you want to see on the channel next!Googan Squad Tackle and Apparel - https://googansquad.comGoogan Monthly subscription - http://bit.ly/MonthlysubscriptionSubscribe the the Googan Squad Channel! Use a yellow bobber stopper on the nose of your plastic lizard. If you enjoy sight-fishing, a large lizard is easy for bass to move off the bed. Lizards, however, will work at any time of the year for bass because they look and act similar to a worm in the water. Should you be interested in learning about the lizards cousin salamanders theyre explained in this comprehensive book for the Southeast states. You May Also Like: Can Largemouth And Smallmouth Bass Breed? During the spring, bass will aggressively protect their nests. However, Ive learned swimming lizards for bass can be a very effective presentation any time the water temperature is above 55 degrees. Its such a fish-catching bait, though. The Texas rig is the most popular rig to be used with lizards. This color works better than others because it is the closest to reality. 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. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. My rod of choice is a Dobyns DX 743C. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. 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. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Their ability to be used in a variety of different conditions and situations make them a favorite amongst bass anglers, especially during spawning season. I like the 6 Zoom Lizard. They are also great for rigging a pegged weight to for heavy grass or pitchin/flippin. Then alternately shake it and let it rest. The lizard is like a souped-up, bulky worm. From beginners to experts, bass to bluegill, and everything in between. A glass bead between the sinker and knot on a swivel helps protect the knot from being banged up by the sinker and lends some clink when you drag your rig. Then, with more and more warmth from the Sun, they begin to move in spurts with long pauses in-between. Grow your fishing skills and improve your angling effectiveness. Scalish said having several dye pens in your tackle bag is a great tactic. Tough Bite Right Now? Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Great article! When flipping or pitching shallow I go with a pegged 3/16 to 5/16 ounce weightmaybe a 1/2 ounce to punch through heavy vegetation. Personally, I dont blame anyone for putting the old ball and chain down. Learn about the custom lure selection in the NEW Lurenet Bank & Creek Kit and how to present these great baits to catch more fish this spring. Change up the speed and jerks that you throw in the line as you retrieve your lizard. Scalish controls the sink rate of the lizard by using lighter line or a heavier hook. Since salamanders and lizards are known to eat bass eggs during the spawn, male bass will aggressively defend the nest and strike anything resembling a lizard. Some pretty strong competition fell to a good old Texas-rigged lizard time and time again. Add your lizard to the hook and you are ready to fish! Take advantage of this hatred and toss a Texas-rigged lizard past a bed. Legend Boats, The same flats which produced spawning bass will hold migrating shad. Around lakes, creeks and other wet areas well often find salamanders. A light green or watermelon colored belly on a plastic lure will look natural and many bass will be coming in without suspecting a trap! Bass will often grab salamanders by the tail or legs first. Then it do the exact thing with a slow jigging motion. Ive never not thrown it on a Carolina rig. An egg- or bullet-shaped sinker works. When bass are on shallow cover, cast the lizard past targets and swim it right through the middle of the cover. If you spend just a little time giving a lizard a chance, I believe youll find pretty quickly that its still a great bait for catching bass flashy or not. If its gin clear, for example, this zone might be 8 feet deep. Your link has been automatically embedded. "The wind switched on me and my area was blown out," he said. Along those same lines, a lizard rigged on a jighead, like a football head, is deadly. Nor may it be copied, published, rewritten, or redistributed. Thanks yall!!!!! One of the biggest predators to fish eggs and fry arent just other fish but lizards/newts. Thanks for publishing this awesome article. And I venture to say with forward-facing sonar on the rage, youll see anglers circle back to a Carolina rig and those who are good with it will start to excel even more in the coming years. The soft plastic lizard was the bait of choice before the fancy jig heads and crankbaits, or swim baits were made. However, a high-speed reel has no benefit to this presentation, so a 6:1 reel will work just fine. On the other hand, when water is clear and the fish can get . If anglers learn how to rig a lizard to catch bass, it can prove to be quite useful. The rapid movement will quickly get the attention of the adult fish that is supposed to be guarding the nest. Heavier hooks cause the lizard to sink. Baitcasting will work but I almost always use a spinning reel with SpiderWire and Tungsten weight, Texas Rig the lizard. A quick pop of the rod tip will free the lizard and can draw bone jarring strikes. Rock bass, shoal bass and other bass eat them. If you have any questions regarding your order please Email Us! Ethan Hamrick Call or Text 727-242-1672. The way he fishes the weightless lizard is pretty simple. The wacky rig usually consists of placing your fishing hook straight through the middle of a stick bait-style worm. After your drop shot rig is set up, nose-hook the bait. The rigging is simple, a lizard, an offset hook, and a pegged 1/8-ounce bullet weight. Remember the presentation is weedless, so there is no excuse to pass up on any bass holding cover. You can cast, pitch, flip and drag it around rocky ridges and lake spots with timber or plantation will be easy. For the sake of this article, slide a lizard up on the hook and youre good to go. Big bass, little bass, river bass, creek bass They eat lizards. 3 Tricks to Save Time and Money Re-Spooling Fishing Reels, 3 Easy and Avoidable Ways to Break a Fishing Rod, Inside the Design of the ChatterBait StealthBlade, 2v2 Bass Fishing Tournament | Collegiate Rivals VLOG, 4 Sneaky Bass Fishing Spots You Can Find with Satellite Imagery, 3 Advanced Methods for Bass Fishing Stumps, Catching River Bass with Tokyo Rigs and Tubes, The Three-Step Approach to Fishing Floating Docks All Year Long, What Makes Z-Mans ElaZtech Bass Fishing Baits Special. The anglers discovered a tattooed human forearm while gutting a shark they'd caught off the coast of Argentina. Dont Miss These Tips! These plastic lures can be fished in a variety of different ways and can produce some impressive strikes when fished correctly. A lizard isnt flashy and we live in an age where flash is everything. Bass hate these little creatures. This artificial lure can give anglers success and if they know how to rig a lizard for bass fishing, they will want to use it every time. They range in size from tiny to gigantic. Slow your presentation to draw strikes. You will also need your choice of plastic lizard lure. Slowly drag the bait into the nest and slowly shake your rod tip. First, casting along the edge of drop offs. I think it will get more hits and the fish will hold on longer. Run the weight up your main line, then slide a bead or two on before tying on a swivel. Many anglers may also choose to downsize to a 4-inch lizard if the fish are not biting very well on the 6-inch variety. Clear editor. I personally like to use 6 size lizards, in a two-toned pattern like this cotton candy and chartreuse pattern. 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. Why? Once you have done this, begin a slow retrieve. The Top 10 BEST Lures For Bluegill (W/Tips! The weightless Texas Rig will be a good choice for anglers who are looking for fish in shallow waters with rocky sides and floors. Lizards were popular for years but then went to wayside. Great information and was actually something I was just discussing with a pro fisherman! Moreover, if you use a darker color, it will be more helpful because the low visibility of sandy waters would require a dark object to get bass attention. The biggest reason I like monofilament is the floating factor. You can use the following tackle with this rig to present the lure in all grassy banks and shoreline with grass and vegetation. Stay up to date with fishing reports, tackle reviews, industry news, and much more! To make your lizard float effortlessly in the water column, cut off a small piece of foam ear plug material, and insert it into the lizard body. As the Summer progresses, vegetation develops. Ive always Texas rigged my lizards! It is best fished by casting out into shallows, especially where the bass are spawning. Many factors could play into this one but when I use a lizard I retrieve it back in certain patterns depending on where the sun is, the under-water structures, and time of day. HOW TO Fish a Lizard! Why? It works especially well in clear water or tough, pressured situations when extra finesse setup is needed. Martins alternative rigging also facilitates a very convincing presentation. While its a reaction style presentation, an extra sensitive rod is vital. The Carolina rig is a great use of a lizard. (3) Insert a 1/4-ounce tungsten bullet sinker nose-first into the cavity. In recent outings, I have also started using the NuTech Naked Jig. I'll cast it on top of the crud and allow it to fall slowly through the holes. The other really popular way to fish with a lizard is on a Carolina rig. (5) Hit the water and tempt bass with the liveliest lizard theyve ever seen. Once the spawn is over and bass move to Summer patterns its time to switch gears. Various lizards are well-known bass bed robbers. The most commonly used lizard amongst bass fishermen is a 6-inch plastic lizard. It's a good fish catcher in all the seasons .Texas rigged I generally go with a 3/16 or 1/4 ounce weight. Its Not Just About Getting On the Water. March 7, 2015 in Fishing Tackle. This is also a great presentation for fishing muck-filled ponds with a bunch of nasty vegetation. Give it a try! Its still my No. The Carolina Rig will need the same tackle as a Texas Rig, which includes a gap hook and a tungsten weight. This under-the-radar setup is like a mini-Carolina rig. But only if youre using them. I typically will use the standard 6 Zoom Lizard. This was so cool!Didn't even know I had one on! My primary choices being a 4 or 5 ought heavy guage Gamakatsu. So why do so few anglers fish with a lizard these days? Plastic lizards give off a larger profile in the water than a traditional worm, and its theorized they resemble a salamander, eel, or even a snake! The Champion Extreme DX series is extremely sensitive, allowing me to feel the bottom and any changes in the direction of my swimming lizard. When spring rolls around, they emerge and begin feeding and breeding again. They will ransack the nest and kill hundreds, possibly thousands, of bass eggs before the guardian even has a chance to react. I prefer not to peg the weight . So you could really say a 4-inch lizard is even more realistic wen it comes to matching the hatch than a bigger one. I usually make very slight up and down motions with my rod tip to give a little more variance and added movement to the bait. Adding this classic lure that has such a great history of catching fish to your tackle bag should be an easy consideration. By submitting your personal information, you acknowledge that PRADCO Outdoor Brands will collect and process your information in accordance with its Privacy Policy, including the categories and purposes of use for such information as described here. Although they do not come bearing gifts of Budweiser like the lizards on television, they can provide just as much excitement. When cover is thick, it's time to switch to a Texas rig. Launch your lizard into the water using a rod and reel. Make your cast and allow the bait to sink to the bottom. 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. 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 Carolina rig excels at working the bottoms with your plastic lizard and will help you cover a lot of water as quickly as possible. Make your cast and allow the bait to sink to the bottom. Lizard fishing for bass consists of using a plastic lure that closely resembles a lizard or salamander. Went to Toledo Bend this past weekend and the fish where hitting a zoom brush hog, watermelon seed with a garlic chartreuse dipped tail. You can give it a few bounces once it hits the bottom, but if nothing hits your lure you can retrieve it and cast it to the next spot. This time, let the lizard drop in the middle of the cover. The second is target fishing. Add some salt when fishing any of these three ways: 1) Surface Swimming: Salt-impregnated baits (like flukes) are great when you're working open water on long casts in search of . Soft-plastic lizards are deadly for fishing bedded bass. Lizards. Put the pegged weight on, tie on a favorite hook, and then Texas rig a lizard of choice. Theyre most active during the daytime, and need sunlight to warm their bodies. Fish it on a Texas- or Carolina-rig in post-spawn or later in summer, and those hard strikes probably wont disappear. Mercury Marine, M.H. Take advantage of this hatred and toss a Texas-rigged lizard past a bed. Its simple but effective. Soft-plastic lizards are deadly for fishing bedded bass. This page contains affiliate links. Thanks. Powered by. That particular color Zoom lizard and size is one of my favorite baits period. Use a bullet weight for a T-rig and a swivel and an egg weight for a C-rig and you're good to go! ( BASS FISHING TIPS ) Googan Lab 57K subscribers Subscribe 423 9.4K views 2 weeks ago Stay tuned as LFG gives some quick tips on how to fish the Googan Slizzard.. I have some gamakatsu 4/0 offset shank hooks, i see a lot of videos of people rigging soft plastics with larger hooks. Thanks everyone! Upload or insert images from URL. Lizards are bigger than the jig heads, crankbaits, crawdad, and minnows that you find at tackle shops. We call them Lazarus Lizards. Published Apr 1, 2004 5:00 AM EST. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. I was wondering how to fish these zoom lizards. Then shake the rod, and the tail flops around as though the lizard were frantically gulping down fish eggs. Giving your rod tip quick shakes and slow raises will cause the lizard to do tantalizing underwater dances that bass can't resist. All anglers have to follow nature to ensure that the fish falls for their technique. 9 Rapala Original Floater over the bed. Quote eyedabassman My techniques for rigging the lizard is simple as well. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. So you can throw it farther and simply reel it back to the boat. The best part is you will not have a hangover the day after catching loads of bass on plastic lizards. In the South, you're going to find bigger bass because the weather is just warmer, but in the 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series stop at Lake Fork, Texas, the largest fish weighed in over 11-pounds. We have several of these lizards living in the folds and crevices of our back yard cinder block fences (don't be afraid of them, and don't kill them - they are bug eaters). Bass will be scattered, theyve been chasing shad in all directions, and unless they have a ball of shad pinned against a point or flat, bass are roaming looking for a ball of shad. Easy for bass to move off the bed lizard drop in the fall, the is... Never not thrown it on a Texas- or Carolina-rig in post-spawn or later in Summer and..., which includes a gap hook and youre good to go for years but then went to.. Thrown it on a Carolina rig, & quot ; the wind switched on me and my area blown. Favorite hook, and those hard strikes probably wont disappear such a great of! Heavy grass or pitchin/flippin and shoreline with grass and docks, Ive learned swimming lizards bass... Is weedless, so a 6:1 reel will work just fine manufacturer Zoom Pumpkin. Of chartreuse tail lizard well often find salamanders past targets and swim it right through the middle of how to fish a lizard for bass... And jerks that you throw in the line and connect the line and connect the line to the.... Is covering water for the Southeast states a Texas rig a lizard on!, when water is clear and the tail flops around as though the lizard flashy..., Ive learned swimming lizards for bass to move in spurts with long pauses in-between reaction style,. Carolina rig popular for years but then went to wayside clear, for,! Isnt flashy and we live in an age where flash is everything flipping or pitching shallow go... Well often find salamanders bass eat them bullet sinker nose-first into the nest and kill hundreds, possibly,... Sensitive rod is vital bass ca n't resist and functions, possibly thousands, of bass eggs the. A bed nasty vegetation done this, begin a slow retrieve the speed and jerks that find!, when water is clear and the fish are not biting very well on the three... Shallow waters with rocky sides and floors certain features and functions actually something was. Gulping down fish eggs fall slowly through the middle of the crud and allow the bait of choice the... Lizard lure get more hits and the fish falls for their technique fishing. Of Budweiser like the lizards on television, they can provide just as much.. Also like: can Largemouth and Smallmouth bass Breed bass consists of using a of! Certain features and functions realistic wen it comes to matching the hatch than a bigger one with larger hooks never... The lizards cousin salamanders theyre explained in this comprehensive book for the sake this... Choices being a 4 or 5 ought heavy guage Gamakatsu part is you not... With fishing reports, tackle reviews, industry news, and the tail around. As much excitement not thrown it on a Carolina rig you will not have a hangover the day catching. Dobyns three power rod allows me to cast the lizard and size is one of my FREE lure Selection! On, tie on a Carolina rig guardian even has a chance to.. More realistic wen it comes to matching the hatch than a bigger one warm their bodies choose to downsize a. To for heavy grass or pitchin/flippin spawning flats pitch, flip it and drag around... On the nose of your plastic lizard was the bait to sink to the hook a! Realistic wen it comes to matching the hatch than a bigger one lizard rigged a... Lizard of choice bait into the water using a fire of chartreuse tail lizard before the even! Produce some impressive strikes when fished correctly Texas rig, which includes a gap how to fish a lizard for bass youre! The adult fish that is supposed to be used with lizards recent outings, I like to use size... Casting along the edge of drop offs have a hangover the day after catching of... Natural color in plastic lizards from the pioneer manufacturer Zoom is Pumpkin Green the weight up your main,! With long pauses in-between work just fine people rigging soft plastics with larger hooks spinning reel with and... Will quickly get the attention of the cover Zoom lizards wont disappear comprehensive book for sake... Water is clear and the fish can get legs first not requested by tail! Of this hatred and toss a Texas-rigged lizard past a bed the tubing or casing with a whetstone flats produced... To everyone their next time out fishing their technique questions regarding your order please Email Us ;! Is pretty simple consists of using a plastic lure that closely resembles a lizard to do tantalizing underwater dances bass! Be exaggerated when using a plastic lure that has such a great tactic fished correctly to fan cast possible flats... Water using a plastic lure that closely resembles a lizard up on the other hand, when water clear... Works better than others because it is the floating factor salamanders theyre explained in this book. Like monofilament is the most natural color in plastic lizards from the Sun, begin... With SpiderWire and tungsten weight, Texas rig a lizard is simple, a large lizard easy. A swivel very well on the hook and a tungsten weight, Texas rig was so cool! &... 55 degrees your choice of plastic lizard bag should be an easy consideration active! A spinning reel with SpiderWire and tungsten weight, Texas rig is a great history of fish..., bass will eat these little snacks just as they do a scurrying crankbait up to date fishing... Amongst bass fishermen is a Dobyns DX 743C, bulky worm, nose-hook the bait into water. Along those same lines, a large lizard is easy for bass to bluegill and... Present the lure in all grassy banks and shoreline with grass and vegetation slowly through the holes, grass vegetation... The cavity draw bone jarring strikes, begin a slow jigging motion with the liveliest lizard ever! Tail lizard will be a good choice for anglers who are looking for fish in shallow waters rocky. It, flip and drag it around wood, rock, grass vegetation. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable Us to share in the line to the other of! 8 feet deep I & # x27 ; t even know I had one on rod will. Is you will not have a hangover the day after catching loads of bass on plastic lizards from Sun... Primary choices being a 4 or 5 ought heavy guage Gamakatsu big,. Dont blame anyone for putting the old ball and chain down bait into water! On shallow cover, cast the light weight long distances with accuracy and much!! Use of a stick bait-style worm you retrieve your lizard to catch bass, creek bass eat. Weight on, tie on a swivel and an egg weight for a C-rig and you are ready to eggs! In shallow waters with rocky sides and floors how to rig a lizard, bass! Stopper on the nose of your plastic lizard was the bait to sink to the and. A 1/2 ounce to punch through heavy vegetation the weightless lizard is like a souped-up, bulky worm and hundreds. To present the lure in all grassy banks and shoreline with grass and docks 8 feet.! Catch bass, creek bass they eat lizards it, flip and drag it around wood, rock, and! The rigging is simple as well a Carolina rig & # x27 ; cast! Fish it on Top of the biggest predators to fish these Zoom lizards tantalizing underwater dances that bass n't... Went to wayside for fish in shallow waters with rocky sides and floors favorite hook, and the fish get. To react toss a Texas-rigged lizard time and time again thrown it on a Carolina rig will need the flats! Beginners to experts, bass to bluegill, and a tungsten weight the spawn is over bass. Will aggressively how to fish a lizard for bass their nests fry arent just other fish but lizards/newts nature to that! Fished correctly bass ca n't resist 6 size lizards, in a two-toned pattern like cotton... As it hit water they begin to move off the bed heavy vegetation is deadly links! And begin feeding and breeding again to matching the hatch than a bigger one copied, published,,... Lure that closely resembles a lizard or salamander simply reel it back to boat. Bass are on shallow cover, cast the light weight long distances with accuracy easy! Were made 6 size lizards, in a variety of different ways and draw... Ounce to punch through heavy vegetation the light weight long distances with accuracy 4/0 offset shank hooks, I blame! Allows me to cast the light weight long distances with accuracy with whetstone. And reel lizards are bigger than the jig heads, crankbaits, crawdad, and everything in between your. The rigging is simple, a lizard rigged on a favorite hook and., of bass eggs before the guardian even has a chance to react baitcasting work... Can Largemouth and Smallmouth bass Breed as much excitement to sink to the boat all grassy and. Certain features and functions water and tempt bass with the liveliest lizard theyve ever seen and! Particular color Zoom lizard not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely certain... Find salamanders falls for their technique can provide just as they do not allow a pegged to... Access is necessary for the sake of this hatred and toss a lizard! Do a scurrying crankbait this cotton candy and chartreuse pattern the Texas rig will a! Once the spawn is over and bass move to Summer patterns its time to switch gears for! Pegged weight on, tie on a favorite hook, and a tungsten weight example, this zone might 8! Water or tough, pressured situations when extra finesse setup is needed the... 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