Last year I won six tournament checks with a Gene Larew Biffle Bug that I fished in shallow cover. I really like that bait because every little leg and tail on it seems to be moving all the time when it’s in the water – whether you’re dragging it, hopping it or just letting it sit still. The important thing to remember with any kind of creature bait is not to overload it with weight if you can help it. If you’re fishing in 4 or 5 feet of water, use a jighead of about ¼- or 3/8-ounce so it doesn’t sink as fast and all those legs and feelers get to do their job of attracting bass. If you’re using a Biffle Bug or something similar in deeper water, get it on down there where the bass are with a heavier weight – but don’t waste its action in shallow water with a heavy weight. Let it drift down. I like to pair a Biffle Bug with 15-, 17-, or 20-pound-test monofilament and a heavy-action rod. Some guys will use a jointed jighead so the bait will move around a little more, but I’ve found that a regular jighead works for me.

Castrol Pro Darrel Robertson, Jay, Oklahoma