Sharpshooting Suspended Bass with Jerkbaits and Live Sonar

Forward-facing sonar has upended what we thought we knew about fish behavior. For example, we now know that bass commonly suspend in open water, and with forward-facing sonar, they’re findable and highly catchable - this wasn’t the case a few years back. Pro bass angler Ott DeFoe ( / @ottdefoefishing ) combines the incredible power of forward-facing sonar with jerkbaits to attract and trigger strikes from high-riding suspended bass.
TACKLE USED (retail links)
• JERKBAIT - Rapala Shadow Rap Shad Deep, color - Elite Blue
Buy at Tackle Warehouse: wired2.fish/34gztXP
Buy at Omnia Fishing: wired2.fish/3SXwlaH
Buy at Bass Pro Shops: wired2.fish/3IRKvpk
• TREBLE HOOKS - VMC RedLine Series Finesse Treble Hook, size 5:
Buy at Tackle Warehouse: wired2.fish/3IQ1eJu
Buy at Omnia Fishing: wired2.fish/3Zk7qAI
Buy at Bass Pro Shops: wired2.fish/3ZRI793
• ROD - Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Patriot Casting Rod, 7' Medium: wired2.fish/3moVCP2
• REEL - Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Platinum Signature Baitcast Reel: bit.ly/3KUNujr
• LINE - Bass Pro Shops XPS KVD Signature Series 100% Fluorocarbon, 12-Pound: wired2.fish/3SKPUD8
ELECTRONICS
• FISH FINDER - Humminbird HELIX 12 MEGA SI+ GPS G4N
Buy at Tackle Warehouse: wired2.fish/3UqmDxz
Buy at Bass Pro Shops: wired2.fish/3Y1ATh9
• LIVE SONAR - Humminbird MEGA Live Imaging
Buy at Tackle Warehouse: wired2.fish/3mqCHTL
Buy at Omnia Fishing: wired2.fish/3KGuUeO
Buy at Bass Pro Shops: wired2.fish/3ma8TdX
• 360 IMAGING - Humminbird 360 Imaging
Buy at Tackle Warehouse: wired2.fish/366bPwB
Buy at Omnia Fishing: wired2.fish/41tdQyJ
Buy at Bass Pro Shops: wired2.fish/3EEnoNz
• TROLLING MOTOR - Minn Kota Ultrex
Buy at Tackle Warehouse: wired2.fish/3KWt8X4
Buy at Bass Pro Shops: wired2.fish/3Y4DyH8
• SHALLOW WATER ANCHOR - Buy at Minn Kota: wired2.fish/MinnKotaTalonJO
OTHER GEAR
• SUNGLASSES - Costa Del Mar Reefton: Buy at Tackle Warehouse (wired2.fish/CostaReefton)
• PLIERS - Rapala Fisherman's Pliers (Buy at Omnia Fishing): wired2.fish/3SO0Qje
Lure depth control is one of the keys to catching suspended bass or any fish. In this video, DeFoe finds the bass suspended between 3- to 5 feet down and selects a jerkbait that dives to the level or just above the bass. He demonstrates why you always need to scan open water - active schools of bass are often in outer space. These fish are less pressured and catchable if you can put a bait on their nose. DeFoe’s process revolves around monitoring MEGA 360 and scanning with his Humminbird MEGA Live to pinpoint fish, firing out a cast beyond the bass, getting it to depth, then working the bait naturally past them. Smash! - is how it usually goes.
Don’t stay locked into using a bait if the fish aren’t responding. If they react and eat, you have the right lure. If they ignore it, it’s time to change. Live sonar doesn’t lie. If they’re short striking, it may be time for a color change or lighter and sharper hooks, such as the VMC RedLine Hybrid trebles featured in this video. DeFoe discusses the importance of using ultra-sharp and lightweight hooks to catch short-strikers and slapping bass.
Lastly, he shares some of his go-to MEGA Live settings for targeting bass near the surface. Sight-fishing bass on MEGA Live at over 80 feet is a compelling case to depart the bank from time to time, and the early prespawn is an excellent timeframe to find bass suspended and actively feeding before they make a move shallow.
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[@clarynick]

Great episode!!!

[@rodcashman4793]

That unit would be awesome to have but at my age I'll never be able to afford one. Great toll.

[@Natec_photo]

Awesome video! After seeing a few videos of what a tree looks like on mega live and owning livescope, I don’t even know how it’s an argument on which one is better. Livescope is a ton better in my opinion. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@rodcashman4793]

Ott great info. I have never used a jerk bait so really don't throw any. Always throw what I've been catching bass on. So I'll have to get one & try it. Good luck this season 👍

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks Rod, good luck to you as well.

[@johnbutler307]

Thanks for great video.

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks for watching!

[@douglasspickler4925]

Excellent video and very good job explaining the electronics.

[@Wired2Fish]

Appreciate it Doug! It was a cool bite. Got done cranking the bank with Ott, then he scanned out and saw some suspendos.

[@DavidMccallister65]

What gauge wire are you running for your electronics? I get interference on my Helix when I step on the trolling motor and I've replaced the fuse and my wires aren't touching. I thought maybe I needed a jacket on my trolling motor wires but I notice you don't have one and you're not getting interference

[@Wired2Fish]

Not 100% sure but usually 8 gauge tinned marine grade wire.

[@michaelupchurch3769]

Is that a rapala jerk bait

[@mikeworley6706]

Let's see you do that without live.

[@Wired2Fish]

No doubt he would have caught them beating the bank but you simply see and catch more fish with live. Especially all those ones suspended in open water beyond the boat. A jerkbait is a great bait for those fish. Pretty fun watching them react in real time. It aint for everyone thou.

[@N2theBlue1]

In b4 all the sonar haters show up

[@Wired2Fish]

😂 You know the deal with electronics content!

[@kidiraq8381]

I’m actually surprised to see Otter 🦦 in for this one. I know that’s definitely not his go to “style” of fishing lol. Shallow and skinny water is where he thrives. Even when all the other 78, excluding Montgomery as well, anglers are out deep in a smallmouth lake, those two are cranking the shore for largemouth or skipping docks! 😆

[@Wired2Fish]

He's a versatile dude, but to your point, we filmed this squarebill video just before this jerkbait video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6TVeKBqqcR9d8k). He panned his FFS out and saw suspended bass and fired out a cast -- rest is history. These guys can pivot quickly.

[@N2theBlue1]

@@Wired2Fish yeah in this day and time it’s impossible to stay at the top of competitive bass fishing without understanding electronics

[@DonaldShovlin]

Ummmm, live scoping is not fishing.

[@N2theBlue1]

I’m guessing you still just use a flasher on your boat?