Wake Bait Bass Fishing Tips with John Cox

Part crankbait and topwater lure, wake baits are fairly weedless when fished correctly. As a result, they're one of John Cox's favorite baits for combing expansive grass flats for active bass. Cox explains the basics of fishing wake baits over mixed-grass flats, areas typically targeted with prop baits or flipping and pitching tactics.
TACKLE USED
• BAIT - Berkley Wakebull 70mm, MF Bluegill: wired2.fish/Be...
• ROD - Abu Garcia Veritas PLX Casting Rod, 7'6" MH: wired2.fish/Ab...
• REEL - Abu Garcia REVO SX Gen 4 Casting Reel (Replaces REVO Premier): wired2.fish/Ab...
• LINE - Berkley X9 Braided Line Lo-Vis Green, 40-pound: wired2.fish/Be...
Designed to be fished with a straight retrieve, Cox uses a faster retrieve in open water and slows down when working wake baits prime targets like isolated grass clumps and wood. The combination of speed, surface disturbance, and sound in rattling varieties imitate fleeing food that, taken together, calls bass from a distance and triggers vicious strikes.
Cox recommends using a rod 7-foot 6-inches or longer for steering the bait through pockets and down lanes in the grass. At the same time, braid delivers much-needed strength and abrasion resistance for controlling fish around heavy cover.
BOAT SETUP
• BOAT - Crestliner MX 21: wired2.fish/Cr...
• MOTOR - Mercury 250hp Pro XS FourStroke: wired2.fish/Me...
• TROLLING MOTOR - Minn Kota Fortrex: wired2.fish/Mi...
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[@Swice2good]

I might've missed it, but what wake bait is her throwing in the video?

[@waynelagarde7956]

The wake bait is so under rated!!

[@stoneysdead689]

I just started fishing these little wake baits like a year ago- man they work. Before then a wake bait to me was a big bait- like a big rat or a 7-10-inch swim bait. But I picked up a bomber sqaure bill- thought I did anyway- got to the creek and saw it was a Bomber shallow A, which is a wake bait- not a square bill. But I fished it anyway and man did it kill- especially after adding one of the bladed trebles by VMC- increased my bites considerably. So, then I started exploring and found the OSP wake- can't remember the name of it but it's tiny, it's made to be burnt, and it flat works. Also got a Jackal that does really well- looks about the same as the OSP tbh though- they're almost identical from the outside anyway. The osp has different internal structure that gives it slightly different action and sound- I'd say it's the better of the two. But strike king and Berkley both make a solid wake- the only issue I have is the size- they're like 2.5s- I like a 1.5 size.

[@Wired2Fish]

Great info share. We appreciate the detail of your experience -- should help others make the decision of adding wake baits to their arsenal.

[@pinballjunky7117]

Wrong handel on the baitcast, left handel is the right hand

[@fredsgonefishing8802]

Great video ,Great voice!!! Like the part of the video where you mentioned this is why we get up in the morning "TO GO FISHING" F... WORK!!! 🇨🇦

[@damian8mac8]

Nice fish. I'll check out the wakebull

[@patrickmahoney3479]

Wake baits are more versatile than most people know.

[@PHATBASSASSASSIN]

What sunglasses does he ware ?

[@bigkuntri8462]

Just got my first wake bait today can't wait to send it... HAPPY FATHERS DAY FELLAS

[@BobbyOfEarth]

I fished tournaments for years with the Bill Norman "Wake" ..the bluegill pattern was killer on the Cal. Delta in the spring, ..and in the fall, the red craw was killer thru the sparse hydrilla patches on Clear Lake (north) and the Delta.

[@garycarter6048]

Great video! What time time of year is your favorite time and what water temp is the trigger for you to start throwing a wake bait? I was on the AZUMA pro-staff before they landed at Profound Outdoors and added wake baits to my arsenal several years ago. I've done very good with them on the Tennessee river.

[@Wired2Fish]

Hi Gary, this video was filmed in Florida during late Jan 2021. Where are you from? Best time of year and water temperature really depends on what part of the country you're from. Florida bass seem to love the topwater during the winter and spring. In MN where some of our staff are located, we like them when water temps are in the mid-60s and higher, which coincides with June-Sep. Still a lot to be learned about this cool bait category. Thanks for sharing your experience with it Gary.

[@matthall8378]

I got a strike king 2.5 wake bait in gizzard shad and caught my 1st Largemouth today with it. I love watching them blow up on a lure!

[@nicobotello8080]

Been in my arsenal for years my favorite were the Gary Yamamoto ones that have been discontinued…

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks for sharing your experience nico.

[@TheOutdoorDude]

Love that bait! Got it in my MTB a while back. Hammered em'!

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks for sharing.

[@curtreese1398]

Wakes are my favorite topwater. Got a 43" musky on one while attempting to target smallies in the river this past year.

[@Wired2Fish]

That'll happen!

[@troycote9447]

I throw large wakebaits in Massachusetts like the MS slammer,Pats perch,or Spro 50 half the time I go. I've caught more 5 lb +fish than ever in my 30yxears of Bass fishing! By far my favorite way to catch them,and if I want to show them something different, I'll throw a big crawling bait like an I wing from Mega Bass. So productive, especially at night!

[@sonnythompson2956]

Wake baits are my favorite,windy,calm,clear ,dirty, hot or cold have to throw the wake bait.

[@MrJaxnbeFishing]

Man appreciate this video. I’m definitely going to get a few of these!

[@Wired2Fish]

Right on, good luck.

[@troycote9447]

I throw large slammers in Massachusetts on a Dobyns 795 and last 4 years I've caught more 5 and 6 lbers than in my first 20 years since I dedicated myself to large swimbaits mostly on 7 to 9 inch wake baits! Total blast!

[@hometownguy7184]

baby1 minus has always been a good producer!

[@bluegrassbodybuildingfitne406]

What brand makes that wake bait?

[@Wired2Fish]

Hi, full product details in the description. Thanks for tuning in.

[@LipRippinJunkie]

Another awesome video 👍🏼

[@Wired2Fish]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@JDATokplachannel]

Nice bro

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks

[@trevorwall9577]

Nice!

[@jenlvjim]

You're in Florida! That is not a giant.

[@marioochavez]

still a nice fish .

[@travisbruno1988]

I love a wake bait rat

[@rhubert2539]

Is this a wintertime bait?

[@toddlester8063]

Wake Baiting by Jon Cox: Step 1) Remove Wake Bait, Step 2) Tie on Senko, Step 3) Profit.

[@8.21productions9]

wtf. and this dude is a pro? come on dude. get a soft plastic wake bait that you can rig on a beast hook or a trokar or something.

[@MJ_Bass]

Lol. Dude constantly finishes near the top in every tournament he enters. I'm sure rowdy rowdy is better though

[@KyleKarnes-nb1jl]

If you don’t know who John Cox is then I’m not sure you even bass fish