Best Bait To Cast Into A Box

[Heron]

Ok consider this scenario....

 

Ive discovered an area, about 10-15 yards from shore, where there exists what looks like, a squareish shaped(maybe rectangle), submerged wooden crate.   It looks to be about 3ft x 3ft, and considering the depth, might be standing 5-6ft tall.   The top might be about 2-3ft below the surface.  It is in dilapidated condition, and is finely decorated with snagged fishing tackle.   The top is completely open.  This box is usually obscured, but today the water visibility was abnormally clear. 

 

Anyway, inside this box, resides a Bass of exceptional size(for here).  Possibly around 23"-25".  He did a lot of following today, and he would happily come out of his box and follow my swim jigs around, like he found a new friend or something. 

 

Needless to say, I did not catch him.    So Im trying to formulate a plan to do so.   Im thinking that on the next trip down there, my plan maybe should be to make my very first cast, right down into that box.  Drop the bait right on his head.  

 

 

My debate?  Which bait to use, of course.  Im thinking  jig/craw, or Texas rigged recon worm,  Im also considering putting a popper right over top of it.   I am expecting to get a hang up or two, but I would still like to minimize those occurences from happening.

 

 

What would be your approach to this? 

[jbsoonerfan]

Texas rigged creature bait. My personal preference would be a baby brush hog.

[Heron]

Texas rigged creature bait. My personal preference would be a baby brush hog.

Hmmm....Noted.

 

What weight would you use?   Pegged or not? 

[Heron]

Im thinking a slow-fall rate would be preferred in this situation.

 

 

Oh yeah, and for all you Senko guys.   Yep, the Senko failed yet again.   This fish showed no interest at all in that stick worm. 

 

But It just may not have been an active feeding period at that time. 

[jbsoonerfan]

3/16 pegged

[Heron]

Ahhh....I should drop a D-Stroyer in there.    

 

Hmmmm

[rippin-lips]

My rig would be a bobber,15" of line,split shot,9" of line,hook, and a fat chunk of worm.

[Heron]

My rig would be a bobber,15" of line,split shot,9" of line,hook, and a fat chunk of worm.

I like it.   But its definitely asking for a hang up.   The cast would have to be perfect. 

[deep]

Deadsticking.

[deep]

I didn't know bass like boxes- thought it was just cats (maybe catfishes too).

[Heron]

Deadsticking.

Ok, deadsticking anything in particular? 

[deep]

I'd start with a hardgill, but that's one bait I have a lot of confidence in. Something with joints preferably that you can twitch in a spot.

[Heron]

I'd start with a hardgill, but that's one bait I have a lot of confidence in. Something with joints preferably that you can twitch in a spot.

So you would deadstick a swimbait, inside of this box? 

[Heron]

I didn't know bass like boxes- thought it was just cats (maybe catfishes too).

This bass is very fond of his box. 

[Heron]

I highly doubt though that this fish spends his time at the bottom of the box....if actually is 5 or so feet deep.   I suspect he is suspending towards the top, considering how easy it was to casually coax him out with every pass of a swim jig overhead.  Certainly makes for a good ambush point. 

[scaleface]

Might try reeling something extremely fast over the box. Maybe if he doesnt get a chance to see it he will hit it out of reflex .

[deep]

Matt makes floating hardgills too, you know.

 

Oh btw, it's a she- the bass that is.

[Heron]

Might try reeling something extremely fast over the box. Maybe if he doesnt get a chance to see it he will hit it out of reflex .

Its worth a shot.   However, considering his now narrow field of view when he is down in there,  Its not likely he has much time to get a good look at it anyway, even during a slower retrieve.  Might be why he comes out and follows it all the way back.

[Heron]

Matt makes floating hardgills too, you know.

 

Oh btw, it's a she- the bass that is.

Well, I have no Hardgills.  So that option is out.

 

A she huh?   Noted.    She. 

[deep]

Well, my first *big* bass- in hindsight, she wasn't that big (a little over 6# IIRC)- was caught deadsticking a Rapala F7.

 

Unwittingly, I should add.

[flyfisher]

if she is checking out your baits then i would try to hit it at a different time of day.  She has to eat at some point and you up your chances if you are there at the right time.

[Heron]

if she is checking out your baits then i would try to hit it at a different time of day.  She has to eat at some point and you up your chances if you are there at the right time.

Agreed....but my fishing time is limited.  Will have to make the most with what I have.  No worries though, recently caught a 5lber during the same time frame, and day conditions.  She'll come around.

[Turkey sandwich]

Dude, all you need is a car battery and 6' worth of jumper cables.

But seriously, figure out what the primary forage is for the lake, catch a sizeable one, stick a hook through it (make sure it stays alive) and drop it on a 3 way swivel or slip sinker rig just far enough so the shad/shiner/bluegill/alewife/whatever can't quite make it to the cover. Don't cast it, paddle, row, or troll out and drop it. Be patient. At this point, if you've tossed everything shy of a set of jumper cables at her, she's probably pretty weary and nothing you're going to present (since you've already found her, and odds are, 10 to 1 she's seen you) is going to look as tasty as any of the above, presented naturally. Sometimes live bait just wins.

[*Hank]

FINESSE!.....................................  

[Senko lover]

I would pitch a texas-rigged rage craw over the box, drag it up the box, and let it fall inside. Hey presto! You have yourself a bass