Kayak angler Josh Howard has been on a skunk streak this winter. In a recent YouTube video, Howard shared his tactics for breaking out of your kayak fishing rut.
Flipping to catch winter bass
Howard began the video by sharing that after a few days of skunking with his tried and true winter tactics, it was time to try a new technique – flipping.
Flipping is a high-precision fishing technique that allows anglers to place a lure into cover. To flip, you’ll hold a fixed amount of line with your free hand, then using an underhanded swing release the bait then guide the bait with a long rod. Throughout the video Howard demonstrates this technique.
“This is my new flipping and punching combo,” shared Howard.
Howard set up with a lightweight beaver style bait, sharing that this lake in particular has been a challenge. The lake in question is very shallow, without a lot of cover out deep but with big grass patches.
“I think that without a doubt my biggest weakness is flipping, punching,” shared Howard in the video. “I know that if you are not using a livescope, this is one of the most effective ways to do really well in tournaments.”
Howard began fishing at a shallower grass patch in about 48 degree fahrenheit water temperatures, before moving on to a different, deeper patch of grass.
A skunk streak broken
“I want to be on the grass edge on the side leading, that’s getting hit by the wind,” explained Howard. “Look at this grass. It’s beautiful.”
After a while, Howard saw the grass move on its own– a sign of something lurking below. With no luck so far, Howard decided to move on and cover more water with a promise to return to the spot with the movement later.
“There’s a bass over there. I’m 100% certain of it,” said Howard.
Howard spotted more movement in the grass and began to debate: was the movement he was witnessing bass, or turtles?
“I think we found that there are bass in the grass. They’re not biting on what I’m throwing. Why would that be?” Howard mused, wondering if the lack of bass action was due to the season, or that he and his kayak were coming into close or perhaps he was talking too much.
From here, Howard decided to switch to a slightly larger bait before taking a break, then returning to the offshore grass line. Here, he finally hooked his bass, breaking the skunk streak with an 18.25-inch, 3.5-pound bass.
