After several years of targeting big Redear and Bluegills I finally slowed down to study the habits of these elusive fish. By slowing down and learning the cycle that these fish go through, especially during spring, but all year for many people. I found quickly that where I was catching several good fish every year there were dragonfly casings on the stakebeds and trees that hung in the water. After studying closer I also realized that while the yellow flowers, at least here on Kentucky Lake and especially Barkley, were great spots early they were also great after they died. The reason, I believe, is that the dragonfly larva as well as other terrestrials, are using the dead stems to get to the surface to emerge into adulthood.

This usually happens as the water temperatures rise as summer moves in. I noticed that I caught spawning Redear, shellcrackers, in 5 to 6 feet of water. Then, after the spawn was over, I would catch them in 8 to 10 inches of water. I thought that it was just late spawners up shallower than the others, nope. I finally kept a couple of shellcrackers that had big bellies like a spawner, then examined their stomach contents, and guess what I found? Dragonfly larva. 

The Slab Dragon Panfish and Trout Bait was born. These baits are made with both salt and scent. They are super soft, so they are easily engulfed as you crawl them over those gravel bottoms. Don't overlook the open areas in a protected pocket because these emergers are crawling all over as they crawl to the tree limbs, stake beds, and other options to climb up and emerge. This bait has added not only a new way to fish but also an extended season for Redear. By targeting those shallow bays with a lot of gravel and trees and other means for the dragonfly larva to use to crawl out of the water, you can drag the Slab Dragon slowly on the bottom, and believe me, in the summer, just after spawn, Redear or Shellcrackers switch their meal from snails to dragonfly larva. They love them. 10 per pack-Jigheads sold separately

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