THE BASS COLLEGE

Matt Driver reports, “Fishing is still in the good range, but it’s tougher than in weeks past. The fish have moved deep but will come to the surface for an early morning bite. Brushpiles and rock are the keys for getting bit this month. If you’re fishing a tournament, the key to a win is having multiple brushpiles and running a ‘milk run,’ sometimes hitting 10 to 15 holes in a day. Milk a brushpile of what fish are there, and then run to the next hole. I prefer jigs like the Spanky’s or the Jewel Eakin finesse jig in brown and orange. Also try a Big Bite Baits Kriet Tail worm in 6- or 10-inch styles. Fish it Texas-rigged, and fish it slow. Be ready for a subtle and light bite. For this Texas-rig, I prefer 15-lb. Sunline Sniper fluorocarbon for its sinking quality and its sensitivity. For numbers of fish, try a drop-shot rigged on 6-lb. test with a 1/8-oz. weight and a No. 4 Gamakatsu drop-shot hook tipped with a Big Bite Baits Bio Minnow or a Tiny Fluke.” Craig Miller at the Dugout reports, “For the next month, the most consistent pattern is to fish worms Texas style in any brush 15 to 25 feet deep. The best worm choices are 6-inch Fat Robo Worms in morning-dawn and Marten’s-madness colors. The translucent color worms seem to be working best. Some days the fish like a small jig better. Try a Spanky’s Jig in green pumpkin or peanut butter and jelly. The deep crankbait bite is also good. Cast a Norman DD22 or Spro Little John DD in the sexy-shad color