7 baitcast rod Maven 7'6” Swimbait Bass Casting 1-piece the NGX Casting Rods boast a carbon rear grip on the handle to boost subtle bite detection. Ugly Stik Elite Casting Rod

Elite Tech Bass Rods Developed to provide all the attributes you need for smallmouth fish- CASTINGING 5 PIECE ing, the new Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth Casting Rods are the Order No

There Is No Substitute For Time On the Water That said, there were a few instances where human judgment and a lifetime of experience took the leadmostly regarding specific lure choices and nuances in presentation

Special thanks to Matt Cook and Elk Creek Outfitters (828-773-1053) for contributing their photos and expertise to this article

"I use a 1/2-ounce blade when I see bass or baitfish down to 30 feet on my graph

Best Football Jig: Queen Tungsten Finesse Peanut Football Jig Pros Can be fished successfully year-round Can be fished in a multitude of ways Durable Cons Not ideal for covering water Will get snagged in thick cover Specs: Weight: , oz Key colors: Goby, Green Pumpkin Green, Black Magic Special Prime Conditions: Pre-spawn, spawn and post-spawn Docks, shallow vegetation, submerged timber The football jig is versatile and can be fished around every type of cover that bass call home without getting easily snagged

The Bream Patterns In the North Carolina reservoirs Lake Wylie and Lake Norman, which New frequents between Tour events, bream begin spawning in mid- to late May and continue, albeit in lesser numbers, through September