Fly fishing is not always an option due to depth, water clarity, and cover. Pro bass angler Luke Clausen combats these challenges with a floating creature paired with a Tokyo Rig delivery system. He shares a wealth of knowledge about bass spawning behavior and how to get them to bite with accurate casts and this innovative tackle setup.
USED TACKLE (retail links)
- TOKYO RIG – VMC Tokyo Rig HD Worm Hook, 3/0: Buy at Bass Pro Shops, Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- PLASTIC – Z-Man Gremlin, color – Pumpkin Green: Buy at Bass Pro Shops, Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- WEIGHT – VMC Tungsten Flippin Weights, 3/16-ounce: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- ROD – Phenix Feather Casting Rod, 7’1″ Heavy: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- REEL – Shimano Curado 200 M Reel, 8.5:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops, Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- LINE – Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon, 17-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops, Buy at Tackle Warehouse
COW SETUP
THE TOKYO RIG ADVANTAGE FOR SPAWNING BASS
The Tokyo Rig excels when bed fishing bass. Its drop wire and weight design keeps baits under and in front of fish on the bed. Clausen compared it to traditional drop shot rigs, highlighting the Tokyo Rig’s ability to avoid tangles and present baits more naturally.
PLASTIC CHOICE FOR SPAWNING BASS
Clausen emphasizes the importance of bait selection for spawning bass. You can go fishing with a range of soft bait profiles, but creature baits are very good. They may seem more threatening to the nest, but whatever the reason, Clausen likes a buoyant creature bait with lots of appendages and some water-moving bulk.
TOKYO RIG WEIGHT CONSIDERATIONS
Optimizing weight on the Tokyo Rig is important. Clausen favors going lighter if possible, with 3/16 ounce being ideal for keeping baits in the strike zone without compromising natural presentation. This technique is proving incredibly powerful for bass in shallow spawning conditions.
Clausen encourages observing the fish’s reactions carefully and tailoring your lure and how to cast it to the fish’s mood. This includes choosing the right Tokyo Rig for the job, experimenting with different plastics and colors, and crafting a bait to trigger the predatory instincts of bedding bass.
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