The air has that crisp feeling now, a change from the brutal heat of summer. It's the kind of day that makes you want to be outdoors, and there's no better way to spend it than on the water. I headed out to the local pond on October 12th, under a bright, clear sky—what we call "bluebird skies" in the fishing world. While beautiful, this can sometimes make the fishing tough, as the high sun pushes fish into deeper, shadier spots. But I was ready for a challenge.
The water was clear, with about 3 to 6 feet of visibility. You could see the bottom in a lot of places near the bank, where the depth was a consistent 1 to 3 feet. This clarity meant the bass would be spooky, so a natural, finesse presentation was going to be key.
I had a new lure I was excited to try out—a CrushCity Mayor 2.5-inch paddle tail swimbait in a shad color. I rigged it on a 6th Sense Finesse Jig Head, also in the shad color. This combination looked incredibly realistic in the clear water, a perfect imitation of the baitfish the bass were likely feeding on.
CrushCity Mayor 2.5" Swimbait This bait, designed by Major League Fishing pro Jacob Wheeler, has a flat-sided body and a boot tail that provides a subtle kicking action, even at a slow retrieve. It's a versatile soft plastic that can be used in a variety of situations. You can check it out here:
CrushCity Mayor at Tackle Warehouse 6th Sense Finesse Jig Head The 6th Sense Finesse Jig Head is designed to maximize the action of smaller swimbaits. It features a sleek 3D head and a black nickel hook that allows the bait to move freely and naturally. It's the perfect pairing for finessing bites from finicky fish. You can find more details here:
6th Sense Finesse Swimbait Jig Heads at Tackle Warehouse
My Secret to Success: The Angle of Attack
My go-to technique for the day was a smooth, steady retrieve. I wanted the swimbait to have a natural, fluid swimming motion, not jerky or erratic. I cast it out and reeled it in at a slow, constant pace, letting the paddle tail do all the work. It's a simple approach, but it's often the most effective.
But the real breakthrough today came from something I decided to do differently—I focused on my casting angles. Normally, I'd cast straight out from the bank, covering a fan-shaped area in front of me. Today, I decided to experiment. I started casting almost parallel to the bank, working my lure down the shoreline rather than out from it. I also tried casting at sharp, acute angles that I'd normally ignore.
And it worked! I started getting bites almost immediately. I found that the bass were holding tight to the bank, hugging any slight change in contour or small piece of cover they could find. By changing my angle of attack, I was putting the lure in front of fish that weren't seeing other presentations. It was a great lesson in thinking outside the box.
I caught a bunch of solid largemouth bass, and while none of them were giants, the quantity and consistency were incredible for a high-sun day. It just goes to show that sometimes, it's not about the lure you're using, but how you're using it. That small change in strategy—just casting from a different angle—made all the difference.
It was a good reminder that a successful day of fishing is often about more than just the fish you catch. It's about learning, adapting, and finding new ways to approach the water. What's a small change you've made to your technique that's led to a big success?
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