Pro anglers are experiencing a slight change to their vocabulary of late.
“They’re on a Spot.”
“They’re hitting a red Spot.”
“It’s going to be a Spot bite.”
“They’re swallowing a Spot.”
Spot is starting to be used by pros to describe a lipless crankbait bite. Who would have thought? This is akin to southerners calling all soft drinks Pepsi. For years a lipless crankbait bite has been described as, well, let’s just say it’s been called something else.
However, as the 2005 Bassmaster Tour event on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville proved, the tide is truly beginning to turn due to the special properties of a Cotton Cordell Super Spot.
March is the month where the Super Spot shines. It is extremely effective at catching pre-spawn fish. Where it really excels, however, is in the grass. That is why some pros estimated 75 percent of the 156 participants were using a Cotton Cordell Super Spot. Three of the Top 12 – including Zell Rowland, the winner – relied heavily on the Super Spot. Several others in the Top 12 were reported to have been using the Super Spot. Heck, some of them didn’t make one cast with anything else other than a Spot.
That’s a very strong indication of how much faith these pros have in the Super Spot.
Why is a Super Spot more effective than other lipless crankbaits? There are several reasons. The first and primary reason the pros are using it is its action and ability to be fished in grass.
A Super Spot has more body to it from top to bottom than other lipless crankbaits. This extra body helps the buoyancy of the bait. Although the Spot is a sinking lure, advanced anglers prefer it because its buoyancy allows it to be kept above the grass better than other lipless cranks. A Super Spot can be retrieved much slower than any other lipless crankbait. This becomes critical at this time of year when a cold snap can slow bass down.
The Super Spot also has a different action compared to other lipless crankbaits (many of which have no action at all). The pros that have been using the Spot are awed at its ability to vibrate on the retrieve. It retrieves with its head down, which allows the lure to be pulled through the grass easier.
Superior action plus added buoyancy to allow for a slower retrieve plus a tracking action that allows it to be pulled through the grass easierÉthe pros aren’t idiots. If a lure is superior they’re going to figure it out. Their careers are on the line!
Enough about the pros. Some of you like them, some of you don’t. However, they can be watched as a barometer for upcoming trends. If a lure is being used by most of the Bassmaster Tour field in any given tournament it is likely going to become a hot commodity in a matter of time.
(Speaking of hot commodities, the hottest lure in the nation is the Royal Shad Super Spot. This lure is creating a frenzy in Alabama and elsewhere. Some tackle shops are now limiting customers to two Royal Shad Spots per person to make sure everyone gets a chance to buy one. Demand has outpaced production at this point, but I’m sure Cotton Cordell will catch up. Keep your eye on this color because it’s going to work just about everywhere.)
Enough of the commercial.
The Spot is the No. 1 choice (maybe 1A with the Smithwick Rogue being 1B) for this time of year because it takes advantage of the feeding binge bass begin during pre-spawn.
Bass find their way to shallow water during pre-spawn. They will position themselves in the grass if a lake has it. The grass also holds bream and crawfish this time of year. A Spot, most likely, resembles a fleeing bream. You would be very surprised at how many of the top anglers key their presentations to mimic bream.
Bass feel the vibration and rattling sound a Spot emanates. They are simply reacting when it is reeled past their area.
Most anglers are using the C25 Super Spot, which weighs 1/2 ounce. Some anglers prefer the 3/4 oz. C33 Super Spot, which isn’t a standard Cotton Cordell catalog item. Either is a good choice. The key is retrieving the Spot so it just ticks the top of the grass. Bass will often strike the bait as it is being pulled from a piece of grass.
The Super Spot is very hot and now is the time to throw it. If you live on a lake that has grass you’ll very likely catch fish with this awesome springtime lure.
Here’s to your vocabulary changing a little bit as well!
Chris Gulstad
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