(Editor's note: The following is the latest installment in a series of fishing tips presented by The Bass University. Check back each Friday for a new tip.)
Former Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year Brandon Palaniuk said that there are many types of swimbaits, but glide baits are in a class of their own because of their distinct ability to change direction. Within that category there’s a subdivision – those that replicate trout – and with his Idaho lineage he has lots of experience making them work.
“When you talk about trout as a primary forage species, those bass are going to live differently because they are given a different rule book than bass that may be chasing blueback herring or shad or alewives or other types of baitfish,” he said.
Trout are cold-water species, so they they’re not afraid to get up and cruise in shallow water when the temperature is 40 degrees. “A lot of times they’re not swimming in a straight line,” he said, which is why the glider imitates them so well.
The depth that he fishes them and the specific cover depends on the times of year, but no matter where and when there’s one cardinal rule: “Anytime I’m fishing this I’m always looking for ambush points.”
You need the right equipment to fish them properly. His signature Arashi Glide is 7 inches long and weighs 3 ounces. “This isn’t something you just whip around and cast,” he explained. Accordingly, he uses the 7’9” Alpha Angler Wide Glide rod made specifically for this technique. It can be used with larger soft plastics like the 8-inch Magdraft and some Huddlestons, but the tip is a little lighter than what he generally uses with the soft stuff. It’s parabolic, but not as soft as a crankbait rod. It's perfect to hook fish and keep them pinned.
He pairs it with a Daiwa Tatula 300, a large-spool reel designed for swimbait fishing. The T-Wing system allows for longer casts and the oversized knobs and handle allow him to dominate big fish. “This is wind and grind and get that fish in the boat,” he explained. “I want that fish’s mouth open and I’m going to fill it full of water like a toilet bowl and I’m going to get him in the boat because when a bass has their mouth wide open they can’t fight, they can’t swim.”
He likes a 7.1:1 gear ratio when the fish are aggressive around shallower cover, but noted that “As I move deeper I’ll go to a slower gear ratio.” He spools the reel with Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon, which is both very strong and very supple. Typically that means either 20- or 25-pound test, although he noted that the company recently added 22 to the lineup. The heavier line is not only good for extra-large fish and especially gnarly cover, but also when he wants the lure to run shallower.
If you want to learn some of the other secrets of how Palaniuk attacks bass with big trout imitators, including some of his guidelines for color selection in the Arashi Glide, check out his full on-the-water video, available only by subscribing to The Bass University TV.
