Prespawn Bass Damiki Rig and Cranking 1-2 Punch

Adaptability is essential to bass fishing success, with the late winter and spring prespawn period being a case in point to remain tactically flexible. Joey Cifuentes puts this on display as he targets both late winter and early prespawn bass set up in different locations. He comes in hoping for a lights-out prespawn cranking bite but soon realizes that he needs to pivot between "scoping" deeper suspended bass using a jig and plastic and cranking the bank for more progressed prespawn fish.
FEATURED PRODUCT
OPEN WATER SETUP
• JIG - Berkley PowerBait Power Switch: Buy at Pure Fishing bit.ly/3uLW3aF | Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.v...
• ROD - Fenwick World Class Spinning Rod, 7'1'' Medium-Extra Fast: Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/42RL2B7
• REEL - Abu Garcia Revo MGX 30 Spinning Reel: Buy at Amazon amzn.to/3STBuB7
• LINE (braided mainline) - Berkley X5 Braid, 10-pound: Buy at Pure Fishing bit.ly/3IdJdoQ | Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.v...
• LINE (fluorocarbon leader) - Berkley Trilene® 100% Fluorocarbon, 8-pound: Buy at Pure Fishing bit.ly/42R7n1U | Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.v...
CRANKING SETUP
• CRANKBAIT - Berkley Dime 6 Crankbait, color - Ghost Red Craw: Buy at Pure Fishing bit.ly/4bTSwaT | Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.v...
• ROD - Fenwick Elite Bass Casting Rod, 7' Medium-Fast: Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/4bNeqwB
• REEL - Abu Garcia Zenon™ X Low Profile Reel, 8.3:1: Buy at Pure Fishing bit.ly/49yXSXO | Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.v...
• LINE - Berkley Trilene® 100% Fluorocarbon, 8-pound: Buy at Pure Fishing bit.ly/42R7n1U | Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.v...
*Boat-related links at the bottom.
CRANKBAIT FISHING STEEP BANKS
Cifuentes starts his day with the intention of using crankbait. He explains how to find the best rocky banks, favoring steeper ones adjacent to channel swings and with a rocky bottom. These spots are ideal during early spring, attracting baitfish and crawfish, which in turn attract prespawn bass. Cifuentes walks us through the anatomy of a cast while stressing the importance of keeping your crankbait in constant contact with the bottom. A medium-power casting setup spooled with a 10-pound fluorocarbon is ideal for hitting the max running depth.
JUMPING BETWEEN CRANKING AND "SCOPING"
As the day progresses, Cifuentes turns to forward-facing sonar (FFS) to identify suspended fish offshore. He notes the importance of always keeping an eye open for deeper suspended bass during the late winter-to-spring transition. He moves out deeper to target early prespawners suspended around timber. The Damiki rig takes center stage with these fish, allowing Cifuentes to get an FFS-optimized bait in their face regardless of depth.
PRESPAWN DAMIKI RIG TACTICS
Cifuentes demonstrates the effectiveness of the Damiki rig for targeting suspended spotted bass around baitfish and timber. His approach involves pitching his jig out and allowing it to drop directly above the fish. With the aid of his LiveScope, he manipulates the bait until he triggers the bite. His preferred rod setup includes a medium-power, fast-action rod equipped with a 30-size spinning reel and a combination of mainline braid with a fluorocarbon leader. He highlights the importance of matching the bait to the fish's natural prey, favoring the translucent, shad-colored Berkley Power Switch in the clear water conditions.
BOAT SETUP
• BOAT - Phoenix 921 Elite Bass Boat: Check out at Phoenix (bit.ly/3SQxdyk)
• OUTBOARD - Mercury Pro XS 250 hp: Check out at Mercury (bit.ly/3PeIhVk)
• FISH FINDER (console map) - Humminbird SOLIX 12 CHIRP MEGA SI+ G3 Fish Finder/GPS Chartplotter: Buy at Bass Pro Shops (bassproshops.v...)
• MAPPING - Humminbird LakeMaster Premium VX Digital Map Chart Card (Great Plains): Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.v... | Buy at Humminbird wired2.fish/3u...
• FISH FINDER (console FFS) - Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 126sv Chartplotter/Fish Finder Combo: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bit.ly/47WPIrv
• LIVE SONAR - Garmin LiveScope Plus LVS34 - Livescope + LVS34 System: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bit.ly/3se2B0l
• FISH FINDER (bow FFS) - Buy at the BassTank, 22-inch bit.ly/3wF1RDe
#pure24 #mercury24 #humminbird24 #garmin24
► SUBSCRIBE for more AWESOME FISHING TIPS: wired2.fish/YTSub
FOLLOW US HERE:
► www.wired2fish...
► / wired2fish_official
► / wired2fish
► / wired2fish

[@af4od02]

Excellent video. Joey presents his fishing information in a professional manner. Great examples of fish care also. I am going to try out those Berkley Dimes. Thanks.

[@Wired2Fish]

Yeah, he has a great presence. Humble, does a great job teaching, and can tell he loves fishing.

[@Masterbaiterfishing215]

I love how he’s so gentle and cautious with the fish

[@MBPFishing]

I try to be cautious with all the fish I catch but I forgot sometimes. 😄

[@sterlHAsilva]

Met Joey a few weeks ago at an expo now I see him everywhere!!

[@Wired2Fish]

We just got to know him and really enjoy his demeanor. Up and comer for sure.

[@brettelliott3308]

Larry Nixon , my all time favorite pro fisherman! Listen to what he says. Carolina Rig king!

[@jeremyduncan9165]

You boys look like your at the the Rock

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

Now that was fun to watch,thank you for sharing ❤

[@mac11double]

Table rock has some dandy spotted bass in it no doubt!

[@jimwarden9617]

I noticed you have LiveScope at your console. Where is that transducer?

[@kellymoore4517]

Transom mounted liveScope transducer.

[@dann.294]

Love the call from Larry Nixon

[@Wired2Fish]

He's got the right kind of mentorship!

[@Bottomfeederonfire]

Need more info on that hat, that's more my speed. Got the red craw dime a few weeks back, haven't used it yet.

[@Wired2Fish]

Spanish heritage, cattle rancher, about all we know. Tough to beat for sun protection!

[@northernbassalliance1442]

Prespawn in MN?? Fishing season usually opens so dang late you are lucky if they arent in summer patterns 😂..

[@Wired2Fish]

True. Hopefully we'll have a bass catch and release season in MN for 2025. This was recently filmed on Bull Shoals Lake in Missouri.

[@northernbassalliance1442]

Hopefully! I signed the petition this winter. @@Wired2Fish

[@MBPFishing]

Yep I think even on my small lake I fish the big ones are still out susupended chasing them schools of shad.only pounders and down shallow. 😄😄👍

[@Wired2Fish]

There's no question that they're in outer space more than we ever knew 🤷‍♂️

[@rollievancleave7753]

Video game fishing.