John Crews’ Falcon Lake Triumph: Mastering Heavy Cover Flippin’ Techniques
Breaking the Century Mark with Missile Baits
In March of this year, at a Bassmaster Elite Series event, John Crews from Salem, Virginia, made waves by surpassing the prestigious 100-lb mark. Crews, a seasoned angler, joined the elite Century Club with an impressive four-day total of 103-13 at Falcon Lake. The secret to his success? A subtle, plastic creature bait known as the Missile Craw, a product from his own company, Missile Baits, which launched last year. Crews’ performance at Falcon Lake proved that the right bait, combined with expert technique, can yield extraordinary results.
Understanding Heavy Cover: Wood and Vegetation
Crews shares his insights on two types of heavy cover crucial for successful flippin’: matted vegetation and heavy wood. “Matted vegetation is ideal for punchin’, while heavy wood, like submerged trees or laydowns, offers prime locations for bass to hide,” explains Crews. Productive wood structures can range in depth from six inches to 20 feet. According to Crews, once you find the right depth in a flooded tree, you can focus your efforts and maximize your catch. He emphasizes the importance of understanding bass behavior within the wood, as they can either be on the bottom or suspended in the structure.
Mastering Mat Flippin’: The More, The Merrier
When it comes to flippin’ mats, Crews advocates for targeting areas with diverse vegetation. “The more types of grass mixed in the mats, the better,” he says, preferring mixed mats with tules, hyacinth, milfoil, and hydrilla. Crews advises anglers to focus on the center or thickest part of the mat, where the biggest bass tend to hide. He stresses the importance of careful casting to avoid spooking fish before making a critical cast.
Lure Selection: Choosing the Right Bait for Flippin’
Crews relies on the Missile Baits D-Bomb and Missile Craw for his flippin’ success. “The D-Bomb offers a bigger profile and more water displacement, ideal for aggressive bites,” Crews notes. However, when the bites were few at Falcon, he switched to the subtler Missile Craw, which has a thinner profile and faster fall. According to Crews, the action and fall rate of the bait are more critical than color, although he adjusts his color choices based on water conditions and fish behavior.
Flippin’ Presentation: Patience and Precision
“Patience is key when flippin’ heavy cover,” advises Crews. He emphasizes allowing the bait to take the path of least resistance and giving the fish a moment before setting the hook. “A two-second count before a solid hookset can make all the difference,” he says. Crews also recommends guiding the fish out carefully once hooked, as they often follow the line out of the cover.
Flippin’ Gear: Tools of the Trade
In heavy wood, Crews uses a 7’6″ paired with a high-speed, 7.3:1 casting reel spooled with Vicious Fishing Fluorocarbon in 25-lb-test. “Fluorocarbon slips over wood easier than braid,” Crews explains, adding that line abrasion should be monitored closely. For flippin’ heavy mats, he opts for a heavier weight, a 7’9″ Flippin’ Stick, and Vicious 50- to 65-lb braided line for vegetation. Crews ties his hook using a San Diego Jam knot for wood and a Snell knot for vegetation, adjusting his hook size based on the bait.
Conclusion: John Crews’ Proven Techniques
John Crews’ performance at Falcon Lake demonstrates the effectiveness of using the right bait and technique in heavy cover situations. Whether flippin’ wood or mats, his approach highlights the importance of understanding the environment, selecting the appropriate gear, and executing a precise presentation. By following Crews’ advice, anglers can increase their chances of success in similar fishing conditions.
Click Link To Shop: Bass Angler Magazine
Crews And The Craws Summer 2013 Bass Angler Magazine (Jody Only pg. 40 – 42)
