Storm swim baits, lizards, craws. I like to throw them past the bed swim
them in and drp them nose down right int he middle of the bed. If you see
the fish inhale or pick it up set the fricking hook. Don't wait to feel it.
They will pick it up and spit it out in a fraction of a second to clear your
predator from their bed. My partner and I have taken turns throwing to
bedding bass and had the same fish pick up and spit out one of our baits
three or four times before one of us reacted quick enough to hook him.

Another tip, although I have not been able to make this one pay. If you see
a five pounder guarding a bed look a round. You may see an even bigger
spawned out female in the area. A big easy snack put int he right place
might pick up a real trophy. I have thrown on 5+ bedding fish only to see
spawned out females that still weighed well over 7 swimming in the same
area. when fishing bedding fish, go slow, stir them up as little as
possible, and take moderately long casts that you can control. Keep the
slack out of your line and use a fast action rod so you can set fast.

If your spawners are in open flats its a little easier. Use good polarized
glasses and stand up high shielding your eyes fromt he sun to spot them as
far away as possible. I don't know if there is a rule against it, but I
haven't seen anybody do it in years, but when I was a kid guys would take a
step ladder along with them when fishing bedding fish. By standing an extra
3 or 4 feet off the deck of the boat the change the angle of the sunlight
off the water relative to their eyes, and could often spot bass further away
than simply standing on the deck of their boat. The same principle as when
standing on the poling platform of a flats boat. You may not be able to
take your step ladder when fishing the tournament, but if you prefish it
might might a good way to help you locate beds for the next day without
running your boat over them.

You mileage may vary.




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"big fish 2005" wrote in message
...
Well guys I know this is not the most popular subject in bass fishing,
but every year it happends. The first few tournaments here in s/w
michigan always seem to be won by guys fishing for fish on beds. I've
never tried it, and I never seem to get a check, so I want some tips on
how to catch these fish. Baits, colors, and any tricks that trigger
stikes.