Will Stanley launches into fog-covered waters, targeting largemouth bass in prime topwater conditions. With a buzzbait in hand, he works expansive reed-lined shorelines to quickly locate feeding fish. The aggressive strikes highlight why topwater presentations shine when bass are active near the surface. However, cooler morning temperatures make fish less committed, which calls for a smart follow-up strategy.
Featured Product
Buzzbait Setup
- BUZZBAIT – Strike King Swinging Sugar Buzz: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- TRAILER – Strike King Super Toad: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- ROD – Lew’s LFS Casting Rod 7’6″: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- REEL – Lew’s Custom Pro Gen 3 Casting Reel 7.5:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- LINE – Power Pro Spectra Braided Line (30 lb.): Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
Jig Setup
- JIG – Strike King Tour Grade Skipping Jig: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- TRAILER – Strike King Rage Bug: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- ROD – Lew’s Pro-Ti Speed Stick Casting Rod 7’3″: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- REEL – Lew’s Pro-Ti Casting Reel 7.5:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- LINE – Strike King Contra Fluorocarbon (17 lb.): Buy at Tackle Warehouse
The Two-Bait Approach
Stanley uses a buzzbait to cover water efficiently, then follows up with a jig when fish miss the initial strike. This one-two punch produces multiple catches, from aggressive topwater hits to subtle jig bites. The buzzbait’s efficiency allows Stanley to locate key fish-holding areas, while the jig excels at pulling out less aggressive bass from thick vegetation.
Finding the Right Vegetation
Throughout the day, Stanley notices bass positioning on thicker reed clumps and points rather than sparse patches. These structural differences act as ambush zones, giving predators a strategic advantage. Adjusting to these patterns ensures consistent bites, even as conditions shift.
Adjusting to Conditions
When dense rice beds prevent a clean buzzbait retrieve, Stanley switches to a frog for precision strikes in heavy cover. Matching presentations to specific vegetation types allows him to keep catching fish while maintaining efficiency.
Boat Setup
- FISH FINDER – Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 126sv Fish Finder/Chartplotter with Navionics+: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- FORWARD-FACING SONAR – Panoptix LiveScope™ Plus System w/ GLS10 & LVS34 Transducer: Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- TROLLING MOTOR – Garmin Force Trolling Motor: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- GRAPH MOUNT – Bass Boat Technologies Dual Dash Mount: Check out here
- OUTBOARD – Mercury Pro XS 250hp: Check out at Mercury
- BOAT – Ranger Z520: Check out here
