There’s good news for Bassmaster Classic fans who haven’t jumped on board the forward-facing sonar train. At least two of pro fishing’s brightest young stars say there’s a 100 percent chance they’ll cast shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and an old-school black and blue jig on Grand Lake.
With Grand Lake pool elevation at 742-feet above sea level, that doesn’t leave many shoreline bushes or willow trees flooded, but water temps are right around 60. It’s late March in Northeast Oklahoma, and both pros say that simply equates to quality largemouth moving shallower each day toward the spawn.
All that leads to using time-proven shallow power fishing lures.
Carl Jocumsen, the beloved Australian, who actually spent three years living in Bixby, OK, learned years ago that a squarebill crankbait like Rapala’s Rocco is a staple on Grand, and says it should hunt successfully in water depths of around 4 feet this weekend.
“You can also bet I’ll be throwing a Bassman spinnerbait. They’re actually my longest-running sponsor, but most serious anglers would agree that a spinnerbait has probably caught more bass on Grand Lake the past 50 years than any other lure, so it’s kind of a no-brainer,” says the Yamaha pro.
Cody Huff, who hails from nearby Ava, MO, knows Grand pretty well, and is also known as one of America’s most accomplished forward-facing sonar users. He’s won nearly half-a-million dollars with the much-debated technology, but says if he wins this weekend on Grand, it will likely be on a Rapala OG Tiny crankbait.
“It’s like a little miniature 4-wheel drive, but it’s also subtle enough to get bit when other shallow crankbaits won’t,” says the easy-going Toyota Bonus Bucks member.
When asked why he chose a big jig when water levels aren’t flooding much of the habitat, Huff didn’t hesitate. “It’s simple. They still eat a jig at Grand Lake in the springtime, and anytime I encounter an isolated log or piece of shallow cover, that’s the bait I want handy,” He explains confidently.
So, there you have it, bass fans. In a world clouded by debate over technology, even young anglers know there’s still a place for spinnerbaits, shallow cranks, and jigs.
In fact, Jocumsen and Huff agree there’s a 100-percent chance this 54th Bassmaster Classic is one of them.