BOMBER Tips
Mr. Versatile
By ALTON JONES
 BOMBER’s Fat Free Guppy is one of my
favorite shallow water crankbaits because of
its versatility. Crankbaits are simply tools,
and it's always important to use the right tool
for the right job.
The Fat Free Guppy really shines in depths
ranging from 3 to 6'and can be fished around
many different types of cover. Use 10 or 12 lb
test line and cast past your target so that the
bait has a chance to reach operating depth
before it reaches the strike zone.
I like to make repeated casts to the same area and change my retrieve until I find out just exactly how the fish want it. Try a medium but steady retrieve first, and then change up if necessary. Another one of my favorites is a slow retrieve with a stop and go action. Any time the Guppy bumps a piece of cover such as a rock or stump I like to pause for just a split second, then give it a gentle twitch before continuing the retrieve.
During the fall try fishing the Guppy parallel down riprap shorelines. Put your boat just a few feet off the rocks and make long casts down the bank. Try to make the bait land within a foot of the rocks and crank it slowly back. If there is a wind blowing into the riprap it will be even better.
I've caught tons of BIG largemouths with the Fat Free Guppy, but it's a killer smallmouth bait, too! In fact I finished 2 nd in a Bassmaster Tour event on Lake Wheeler using the Guppy catching almost all smallies. Big 4 -5 pounders, too!
If you're serious about your bass fishing this is one tool that is a must for your box.
Alton Jones is one of the most consistent and accomplished professional bass anglers of all-time. Alton, who is an 8-time Bassmaster Classic contender (consecutive 1996-2003), has career winnings over $1,000,000. Alton's most recent victory was a 2003 Bassmaster Tour win at Clear Lake, Calif.
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