Ask The Pro

Ask the Pro: Aaron Martens

This week, Aaron Martens discusses jerkbait modifications, optimal places to put a culling snap on a fish and tips for winter bass fishing.

If you are interested in participating in future columns, submit questions along with your full name and address via e-mail to askthepro@jacobsinteractive.com.

Q & A with AARON MARTENS


Q: I have several quality lakes in my area that I fish (Murray, Santee Cooper, Thurmond, etc.). I have fished these lakes and several others successfully throughout the year, but have been having a hard time this winter. So far, I have been keying on the main-lake points, down-sizing baits and fishing very slowly. However, I have not had too much luck getting the fish to respond. What tips can you give me to entice those lunkers that are in the areas I am fishing? Or should I shift focus to the channel drop-offs instead?
- Tim Keesling, Columbia, S.C.

A: I have this problem myself fishing on the tours. However, I believe that locating schools of fish is more important than eliciting a bite from a particular bass. The best thing you can do is to use your graph to find schooling fish by fishing as many different areas as possible. That way you’ll increase the odds of landing a lunker fish.

Q: What is the proper way to tune a hard jerkbait such as a Rogue? What is the desired action, wobble and buoyancy you should be searching for – especially early in the season, such as pre-spawn?
- John Randall, Blacklick, Ohio

A: In my experience, the baits available today do not need much modification. I do make some changes to jerkbaits such as the hook selection. I always replace the hooks with bronze Gamakatsu (usually in a size 4). I use 8- to 14-pound test depending on how deep I want the bait to suspend. I also remove the center hook sometimes to give the bait better action.

Q: When culling fish, I have seen people use many methods. For me, the hardest decision is where to put culling snap. Should I put it on the upper lip or lower lip? Unfortunately, in my experience, the snap seems to leave a big hole in their lower jaw. Does this hurt them?
- Roy S. Tucker, Corning, N.Y.

A: First, I want to commend you on your concern for the bass' well-being. It is not good to hook the fish in the lower or bottom lip. Instead try hooking the snap behind the cartilage in the center of the lower jaw. This usually will not leave a mark.

Q: I’m having the hardest time casting overhand with my bait-caster. I can cast underhand and sidearm with little problem, but I can’t seem to get the overhand technique down? What am I doing wrong? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
- Nick Favillo, Queens, N.Y.

A: You may be overhand casting with a rod that is too heavy. Try using a rod with a softer tip.


Known as one of the best drop-shot anglers in the business, Aaron Martens is arguably one of the most consistent anglers on the FLW Tour today. Hailing from Castaic, Calif., Martens' laid-back demeanor, friendly personality and environmental consciousness have made him one of the tour favorites among fans and competitors alike. However, it is his fishing ability that places him among the nation's top pros. With over $390,000 in tournament winnings in FLW Outdoors events since 1998, Martens has amassed five top-10 finishes and has two top-20 appearances the last three years in the FLW Tour standings. He won his first FLW tournament at Wheeler Lake in June 2003. Due to his vast fishing experience on the West Coast as well as his history of success fishing in the South and Northeast, Martens can legitimately claim to be one of the most versatile and knowledgeable members of the FLW Tour.




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