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Jones’ 5 fave deep water baits

Former Classic champ Alton Jones uses these 5 baits to coax deep-water bass to bite.

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<p> Alton Jones won the 2008 Bassmaster Classic on South Carolina's Lake Hartwell by hauling up bass from 45 to 55 feet of water. He also regularly catches plus-size largemouth from Texas' Falcon Lake by dredging a deep diving crankbait. Though he claims to be a shallow-water specialist (he's no slouch on a sight fishing bite as evidenced by his win on the St. Johns River), he's a threat down deep as well. Here are his 5 favorite deep water baits.</p>
Alton Jones won the 2008 Bassmaster Classic on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell by hauling up bass from 45 to 55 feet of water. He also regularly catches plus-size largemouth from Texas’ Falcon Lake by dredging a deep diving crankbait. Though he claims to be a shallow-water specialist (he’s no slouch on a sight fishing bite as evidenced by his win on the St. Johns River), he’s a threat down deep as well. Here are his 5 favorite deep water baits.
<p> 1.<strong>Booyah Pigskin jig</strong></p> <p> “I like this in black and blue with a blue sapphire Yum Chunk on the back. This bait transcends the seasons — in other words, it works in the dead heat of summer and the coldest part of winter. It works any time they’re deep, as long as you’ve got enough line,” Jones said. Photo courtesy of Tackle Warehouse, <a href=
1.Booyah Pigskin jig

“I like this in black and blue with a blue sapphire Yum Chunk on the back. This bait transcends the seasons — in other words, it works in the dead heat of summer and the coldest part of winter. It works any time they’re deep, as long as you’ve got enough line,” Jones said. Photo courtesy of Tackle Warehouse, www.tacklewarehouse.com.

<p> 2. <strong>Bomber BD7 Fat Free Shad</strong></p> <p> “I like this bait in the summertime when they’re on offshore structure,” Jones said. “It’s a good bait to use when you need to fire a school up, and also just find fish in general.” Photo courtesy of Tackle Warehouse, <a href=
2. Bomber BD7 Fat Free Shad

“I like this bait in the summertime when they’re on offshore structure,” Jones said. “It’s a good bait to use when you need to fire a school up, and also just find fish in general.” Photo courtesy of Tackle Warehouse, www.tacklewarehouse.com

<p> 3. <strong>Cotton Cordell CC Spoon</strong></p> <p> This classic deep-water bait still has a cult following today, and for good reason: It flat out catches fish. “This is great in clear water late in the fall and into the winter if the fish are suspended around balls of shad; it’s the deep water spinnerbait,” Jones explained. “I’ll locate bass on my graph then drop it vertically, snap it up 24 inches, then drop it again.” Photo courtesy of Tackle Warehouse, <a href=
3. Cotton Cordell CC Spoon

This classic deep-water bait still has a cult following today, and for good reason: It flat out catches fish. “This is great in clear water late in the fall and into the winter if the fish are suspended around balls of shad; it’s the deep water spinnerbait,” Jones explained. “I’ll locate bass on my graph then drop it vertically, snap it up 24 inches, then drop it again.” Photo courtesy of Tackle Warehouse, www.tacklewarehouse.com

<p> 4. <strong>Drop shot rig</strong></p> <p> “In ultra-clear water, regardless of the time of year, a drop shot rig is the way to go,” he said. “When nothing else will get a bite, a drop shot rig will get you a limit. I like a green pumpkin Yum Houdini worm. The biggest mistake people make is overworking the bait. Sometimes I’ll let it sit for up to 20 seconds without moving it. The key is to learn how to move the bait without moving the weight.” Photo courtesy of Tackle Warehouse, <a href=
4. Drop shot rig

“In ultra-clear water, regardless of the time of year, a drop shot rig is the way to go,” he said. “When nothing else will get a bite, a drop shot rig will get you a limit. I like a green pumpkin Yum Houdini worm. The biggest mistake people make is overworking the bait. Sometimes I’ll let it sit for up to 20 seconds without moving it. The key is to learn how to move the bait without moving the weight.” Photo courtesy of Tackle Warehouse, www.tacklewarehouse.com

<p> 5. <strong>Yum Money Minnow</strong></p> <p> “This is an awesome bait to use on suspended fish. I like a river shad color bait rigged on a 1-ounce jighead with an exposed hook. Toss it out, let it fall all the way to the bottom, and then slowly start your retrieve. This is a good way to get a double-digit fish — if they’re there.” Photo courtesy of Tackle Warehouse, <a href=
5. Yum Money Minnow

“This is an awesome bait to use on suspended fish. I like a river shad color bait rigged on a 1-ounce jighead with an exposed hook. Toss it out, let it fall all the way to the bottom, and then slowly start your retrieve. This is a good way to get a double-digit fish — if they’re there.” Photo courtesy of Tackle Warehouse, www.tacklewarehouse.com

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