Top 5 Baits of the Month May 2023

My Top 5 Baits of the Month for the Month of May. (2023)
Comment below and let me know if there is anything missing from your arsenal that I need to include next year!
Thanks for watching!
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Hammer's
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PLEASE SUBSCRIBE
0:00 1. Accent Spinnerbait 1/2 oz
1:50 2. Swimjig craw trailer 1/2oz
4:48 3. Drop shot 1/4 oz weight with a Redline 1/0 redline Finnesse neko hook
10:38 5. Dt 16 blueback herring
16:30 4. Spro frog killer gill
19:43 6. Shadow rap deep

[@svanginault]

North East Texas here. Full moon a few nights ago. I got out there an hour before sun up, and I've never seen that many shad in my life. They had shad piled up on the sea wall for 15 straight docks. About a mile long. Was crazy to see all the giants chasing all the bait. Couldn't get one to bite but man was it fun to watch and hear..

[@jamesvanderveer469]

Trying to learn how to fish off shore Ifish lake Talquin in north Fla. I fished Toho,Kissimmee, cypress most of my life so appreciate your input on how to fish deeper waters thanks

[@tobypete2]

Jacob I live on Table Rock Lake I like fishing the ned rig in May

[@timkirby4318]

Jacob man I thought for sure a buzzbait would be one of your top 5 in May. Enjoy watching you fish and your breakdowns on KZbin thanks

[@Deligirl362]

It's literally snowing here in Michigan as I type this

[@tomalderman7598]

Best time to catch a big one.

[@coloreye7963]

Heard that…NW west Ohio here…bout 10 miles south of the Michigan line….I hate being behind at this time of year! Lol

[@briankrenz2189]

Speaking of the jersey bait, I caught 41 bass on a Rapala classic floater the last heat spell we had. After the cold front hit a week later, I only caught 6. But all were 3 pounds plus in 6 to 9 ft on a suspending Rapala. The suspending Rapala also played a Huge role in me winning my 1st Florida tournament this past March along with a spinner bait.

[@scarcheer7211]

That sucks! 🌨️

[@rmarc11]

88 in Louisiana. 🙄

[@MWM92688]

Underspins are 🔥 this time of year!🎣

[@michaelsanchez3659]

Gotta say a lizard is one of my best baits this time of year. Something about it on a carolina rig or texas rig just gets the job done.

[@FutureBassmaster4469]

Agree, brush hog too. I'm a zoom uv speed craw guy, my go to, but when you drag a lizard over top of their bed boy o boy they get pissed lol

[@brandonwood4249]

I have a lot of success throwing top water this time of the year. I switch between larger walking style baits and walking a popper. Popping baits- River2Sea Bubble Walker - Yozuri 3D popper - Lucky Craft popper. Walking baits- Berkeley Cane Walker- River2Sea gun fish- Heddon Super Spook.

[@LarryPage72905]

Spot on! Having the right crank bait rod or should I say not having the right rod will cost you. You’re absolutely right about the correct rod for cranking.

[@tygereltonfishing9221]

Wacky-rig is my go to here in NC and SC. I can catch spawners, fry guarders, and bass around bream beds.

[@wadesimpson7236]

Fishing the snake river last weekend using a jerkbait catching over 80 bass myself in a day and over a 100 in the 3 days, over 300 between the three of us. They averaged over 2lbs and nothing over 3,5 lbs. We did catch a few with crankbaits, spinners. Last year at the same time we caught bass mainly with crankbaits and a few with a jerkbait. Here in Oregon the baits you mentioned are working wellfor me but I am just a weekend fisherman, lol, love your advise as well, P.S. Taylor Swift is easy on the eyes forsure.

[@samgrace6118]

Your shop looks sweet you should do a shop tour

[@smileycamel5635]

Got the Sun shine shining here in Cali,...time to catch monsters!

[@georgesmith2534]

Herring lakes here in Georgia, Lanier, Clark's Hill, Hartwell middle to the end of May a walking bait on shallow points are fire!!!

[@ryanvarner6520]

A buzz bait and square bill crank do well for me this time of year in Illinois.

[@robertwilliamson6958]

I feel about hair jigs, built situation and size specific, how you spoke about drop shooting in dirty water.

[@johnramey6884]

Hey Jacob I would love to see you do a breakdown of the lake and pick a ledge or a few, and show how you approach them. How you graph it, how you decide to fish it, how you set up on it Etc. Thanks

[@TheBamadude]

Tie off your floro line to something, walk off a cast & a half, stop & give it a few good stretches. Your line will be less stiff & cast better & still be strong.

[@conniebennett6646]

Hey I wanted to tell u that junebug Shakey head is usually money out on caney! Well known here in north la.

[@DavidMccallister65]

That's my exact drop shot setup EXCEPT, I'm with DC on the lead weight. Tungsten is so sensitive that every rock you hit feels too much like a bite but when I use lead, I can still detect rocks and hard bottom but it creates a greater distinction between hitting cover and getting a bite! This is so crucial also when they're acting weird and just mouthing the bait or barely biting it. In that situation it can be so hard to tell the difference in bumping a rock or getting a bite even I'm using tungsten.

[@bryanmiears6768]

I love throwing a square bill chartreuse with a black back as well as a Googan Bandito bug

[@tomleman6485]

Thank you Jacob. Great content. We've had great success in May with squarebills and small swim baits. Chasing birds gorging on shad. Whenever that is the case the Bass are close by. I appreciate your thoughts on where the big females roam in this transitional period.

[@billgowan9432]

Just fished a club tournament on Lake Sinclair here in Georgia. I have good luck with a watermelon candy baby brush hog dipped in chartreuse garlic dye. And also had several to hit a suspending jerkbait around hard bottom points.

[@eddieboswell6068]

I have to have a big jig on in May and I usually catch my biggest fish on this lure. Good luck on the tour!

[@SeekOneProductions]

Carolina rig a dt 20 around bream beds this time of year. Always produces

[@WheelerFishing]

I’ve heard that’s what all the pros do 😅

[@1bassranger]

Great video J Dub. Maybe I missed it but I'd love to see a shop tour. Looks a little bigger than your garage from the past videos. As far as baits for this time of the year I'm just an old school T-rig Senko guy but I'm trying to get better. Actually had one of my best 2 day trips to Falls Lake NC primarily throwing a 1/2 ounce Hawg Caller spinner bait.

[@brianneff7165]

Great video JW .... Demolished them in May last year on bubble gum floating trick worm here in PA.

[@johnharris7085]

So I have found that the Ned rig with a 3 to 4 inch tube worm is great in central Indiana this time of year. Don’t have a ton of drop offs in our reservoir, but it’s been really great off of the points, the backs of docs, and to skip under any cover.

[@theonearmedbandit8631]

Was hoping you would break down the shad spawn and largemouth spawn more, A lot of ppl think they all spawn at the same time etc. looking forward to you breaking lakes down and what to do. Ding!!

[@WheelerFishing]

That is most definitely true and this year it has been way more drawn out.

[@tomegunfishing]

Another great video bud! I love the 7'6 mh cb rod. Topwater walkers with your 7 mh is the bomb!

[@user-jt5le9im5g]

Something that has grown on me lately and caught me some bigger fish is the 6th Sense Speed Glide 100mm in Spanish bone color. Walking that back and forth around laydowns is awesome during the shad spawn. They smoke it without hesitation.

[@user-zl4dm7ee6y]

Seek One should come do a fishing show with you. Would be a fun episode.

[@robertvandenbranden6805]

Hi Jacob on your 5 baits for May I have always did very well with a weight less senko in green pumpkin or a Merthiolate . Both or those colors I dip the tails in chartreuse for the green pumpkin and red for the mathiolate . Thanks for all the information and good luck at Guntersville

[@billgowan9432]

As usual great content. It will help me out on the Altamaha River near me. I enjoyed watching your River video as well. You and Hunter need to do another one in that same format

[@mjones1275]

Cotton cordell cc shad. Chrome with blue or black back

[@WheelerFishing]

That’s a solid one

[@WoodyBeGamin]

The Accent Spinnerbait is such a good tuned Spinnerbait. Here in Nebraska a few days ago, caught one on the Accent Spinnerbait getting ready to spawn, 5lb 12oz - 21.5”. Heavy stained water so I used the white/chart with dual Indiana blades with a orange blade, on a transition point from the main body to a creek channel. Thanks for the info J Dubs, you’re the GOAT of my generation. Awesome to see you grow your channel/content, and only get better and better as a Pro every year.

[@Matthiaskyriakidis]

Just watched another video about this and yours came out, shaping up to be a great night!

[@jasonlamberth9043]

Thanks Jacob. Getting ready for two tournaments this weekend and a lot of your favorites is what I'm atleast starting with.

[@MikeSchmidt-qr1gb]

Jacob, you always have great videos.....really appreciate the advise and tips!! Looks like you are doing video in a new place, please share if you can. Live in Evansville, IN big fan!! Thx!!!

[@rodcashman4793]

JW I really enjoy your videos 📹 these baits are awesome. For me I'd learn more by hands on. It would be awesome to fish with you someday before I croak. Thanks for sharing 🎣 👍 Good luck this rest of your season 👍

[@randymayton-ne7os]

Thank you Jacob for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@jamesellenburg9667]

Hey Jacob, alit of good stuff coming from you as always. Bladed jig has been hot for us this month.

[@fowlerandfriends8807]

The Rapala jointed floating minnow is a great top water bait. Used either waking or snaps and pause coming to rest at surface

[@coreydirie9115]

Jacob always like ur tips u always show me new techniques that i can use in ny my favorite all time lure has to either be a rapala jointed black with silver belly or a xrap with a orange belly cause i fish alot of bass that feed on sunfish

[@deancurlee9373]

I’m a big drop shot person just started Texas rigging my drop shot thanks for the rod tip I knew it a medium was to light

[@staytonashley243]

Can’t ever go wrong with a shakey head with a variety of soft plastic choices now but a big white spook when it gets above 70 degrees it’s top water time baby

[@user-cc6tu7lg9s]

One of the best baits on the market, just a fact is what it is fritz is the man when it comes to crank baits.

[@darienwampler7372]

I am a fan of the Spro Little Jon 55 shallow this time of year. It seems to generate several good bites for me during shad spawn here in East Tennessee

[@randylawrence450]

Just had a great day here in Southern Missouri on a lightly weighted fluke twitching it on tye bottom

[@josemrodrigues1972]

Nice selection of baits. what rod do you use with spinnerbait?

[@jw-zl3zp]

Good information thanks

[@signal11outdoors89]

Jacob, I never drop shot because of the exposed hook as I usually fish dirty, weedy water. However after watching this I’m going to try the Texas rig drop shot! Thanks for the great info! I’d love to see a video about methods to use in weedy pond type waters. Steve

[@bradleyrussell1973]

Still can’t beat the old school bass casting sinkers for drop shotting!

[@tonyrubaszewski6811]

Great video.. Thank you.... I like big worms( mag speed. Mag trick.. Ol monster)

[@robertmonroe2665]

I love using a spook this time of year. It's really an underestimated lure for may I think bro 🎣🔥

[@Deligirl362]

tube for smallies up north is killer

[@hubertralston3448]

White river bass masters will be there Wednesday through Saturday our tournament is Friday and Saturday if you like stop big fan

[@treverklotz112]

Please do a Indiana fishing top baits, that would be awesome

[@davidcrump2348]

I love scum frogs, tiny torpedo, spinnerbaits with 3” grubs for trailer, Texas rig, drop shot, and as raging tail worn weightless Texas rigged baitfish color just swimming it and jerking it for erratic action

[@jonathanchadwickartsandadv712]

Nice! Question... what is a good color worm to use for late may/ June for clean rootbeer color bayou in louisiana ?

[@brockleaders4298]

Love your videos

[@johnstarcevich2734]

Square bill is my all around go to this time of year. Love the videos.

[@WheelerFishing]

Thank you big dog! That’s a solid choice

[@brucehoffman7063]

Nice info, I’m in Lebanon Tn. When are they going to hit top water? Driving me crazy, ready for that buzz bait and frog bite?

[@hunterjarnigan7220]

I like rapala and have a box full of them but I’ve yet to get one that I didn’t have to tune they all either ran to the left or right

[@austinwilliams8443]

I agree on the drop shot I live in Washington state and fish a dirty shallow lake a catch hogs on a power shot. Caught a 5 wearin the Ding shirt the other day good luck JW❤

[@WheelerFishing]

🤙🏼

[@georgeshreadiii8537]

As always appreciate the knowledge! I hope everyone is able to sit down comfortably after that butt whooping Jr put on everyone.

[@Lee-st9lc]

Anymore hints on the dt 12 for water in Mississippi ?

[@emmaandelliefunhouse5191]

I'm a huge fan of throwing a floating worm this time of year something I just don't see that many people tossing around me either.

[@nathankemp7675]

Been tearing them up on double spinner H&H down here in Mississippi all month so far

[@nathankemp7675]

It’s really an underrated spinner bait

[@jameswoodard4431]

Black whopper plopper and a bluegill colored spinner bait! I'm in south Georgia

[@fishingva2167]

What reels are you switching to since duckett is discontinuing the paradigm reels? Always great watching your videos. Keep up the good work

[@WheelerFishing]

I’m not really sure I’ve been playing with some shimanos recently I like a few thing and dislike others but I’m going to start playing with a few others here soon

[@user-vt1rn3gp8r]

My favorite bait is the Ned. TRD size

[@donaldpeterson2793]

So I’m in az and a huge A.Mart fan just cause of his creativity in being able to adapt in very pressured situations and one thing that I’ve noticed was when he tells that blackbird story on havasu I think it was so one day I thought of the ducks in the couple bigger ponds here in az, and then I saw how the bigger bass will eat the small baby ducks (sad I know) but crawling style baits are big fish magnets one of my faves is the jackall pompadour this bait also works good when there’s lots of turtles in the lake I’ve noticed fishing shallow and throwing right on the bank practically but slow retrieving for a duck pattern and super loud and obnoxious for the turtles lol. They make a smaller one that I like to use for the cicada’s hatching and not as big fish constantly but it’s still a good and violent way to watch them eat. Yamamoto Japan just dropped their own crawler and it’s got a bunch of bird like patterns in the paint jobs but I noticed you throwing a dolive beaver I think it was and I thought if you know OSP then you’d appreciate what info I had to share. I like using a MH with these baits and 16-20 floor cause you can walk some of them but it’s definitely a bait that sounds like the kitchen sink is being thrown at you when they eat it. Love the info my guy. God bless!

[@WheelerFishing]

Thank you for the heads up on this! Really appreciated, I haven’t really played with crawler baits that much so this is definitely something I need to figure out.

[@donaldpeterson2793]

@@WheelerFishing Just hold on tight for when they do commit lol thanks for the response!

[@hubertralston3448]

Will be at island cove marina

[@danielwebb5595]

I have never caught a bass offshore. And it is not from a lack of trying. I have made thousands of casts with no luck. I just can not figure it out. I do not use electronics except for depth and contour and I just can not figure out where they are. I feel like I am just making wild, random casts. I will keep trying and hoping I get lucky.

[@kentuckytrapper780]

Great info j dub....lol😅

[@bamadondon0495]

I love Rapala my self. And I've never had to tune a crankbait by them.. but boy oh boy if you ever get any grass on that bait and you slapped the water with it🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️... SHE GONE!!!! The bill is going to break. But I guess just not be so lazy and just pick the grass off knowing that in advance! ✌️💪

[@newbassin2052]

When will we see a tour of your garage.

[@GUYB1872]

Crazy question. What is that spin move you do with the baitcasters before you put them away?

[@jimmcculloch5825]

He is wrapping the free end of line around rod behind a guide to keep line from getting tangled up with other rods when they are next to each other..

[@petecook1611]

#11 floating topwater rapala an pop r ! Man I know u throw the floating rapala, u showed the big #19 rapala couple videos back. Here's my deal I like throwing jerkbaits I keep one on deck but after watching y'all w ffs I tend not to throw it much anymore because I don't have ffs yet have 360 but not live so I've lost confidence in it because all the videos u see now guys are using ffs so for us that don't have it (yet) it's like I don't even wanna watch I can't relate maybe (hint) but idk man I love Rapalas I don't think many throw them anymore cuz they throwing what they see y'all throwing or whatever is trending. Oh btw academy in GA (McDonough, Macon) still don't have any of the clothing esp that hoodie that's been out for longtime! I have the aftco stuff but I like Magellan it's more reasonably priced an good stuff. 90% of my wardrobe comes from Academy lol

[@stephanelavoie2258]

As i live in Quebec ( close to Montreal) , we have lots of regulations and cannot target small mouth before june 15 , but the waleye season open may 19th , my favorite technique is jerbait but lots of time the lipless crank bait would be better , its a bait i learned to use and like !

[@tonyparsley641]

I’m Tony from Tony’s soft plastic baits. I make the bandito

[@brennanwillcutt6505]

What should I focus on the coosa river this month.

[@johnemrey9877]

Water Willow with a zoom lizard.

[@garyh6071]

Senko de Mayo!

[@shaneburton5013]

Ask mdj, out west it’s a 6” 301 senko

[@lansemclain6175]

I stopped using the drop shit weight and now just use a clam weight smashed on my tag line.

[@bassintheburgh]

I feel like your May is my late may early June in PA

[@nflisrigged1395]

You say 7'6 heavy but is it all graphite or a mix composit or glass .....

[@harleydavidson4409]

I'm big fan of throwing a fluke around this time.

[@robertsaxon9135]

When did you build a new shop

[@AlfredoTorres-sb6sw]

Scrounger. And here in Texas, it ain’t one that gets thrown much. 😅

[@rmarc11]

Ghost shiner is that shad rap color

[@formatr6]

Bro you had on the tighest pants I've ever seen on heavy hitterS!!!. Avena said you looked tighter than Ehler forreels

[@WheelerFishing]

😂

[@billhinsperger8120]

Wopper plopper lol last may 24th caught 50 bass and 25 pike in 2 days every cast

[@tylerbroadway8710]

Uhhhhh DING!!!

[@skeetercrosbyfishing]

1/4 oz accent buzz bait

[@dennisederer3594]

For me, I end up catching fish with dropshot. Nothing else works for me consistently.

[@Tbowie13]

It's funny to me how guys think a fish can't find a dropshot in heavy stain. If that fish is alive, it has the ability to find forage in whatever water clarity they're in. I fish super clear water in Arkansas alot. My opinion is its easier to catch fish in dirtier water as their locating with their lateral line rather than their eyes, so you can get away with alot more. I'm no Jacob Wheeler, so any advantage to cover my mistakes is welcome! 😊

[@ChristophercurtisChris]

Topwater frog 🐸

[@kelleybailey1546]

First thx fo u tm brother mine would b white zoom trick worm wait less no nail nothing but 5 . O hook in clear water not I’m in ar River most time big bass Bailey Lr ar

[@kelleybailey1546]

Little Rock

[@frankadamson2752]

You made mention that Bass eyes fail as they get older.... I was under the impression that the Bass's eyesight improved as it aged. Their eyes continue to grow with them as they age. So forth they can see better. With that, when you catch a fish that is 'older' their body size may be down from when they were of a prime age but their eyes are still Big. "Bug Eyed". Humm??????