Top 5 Baits for Florida Bass Fishing | Tharp’s Simple Approach

Keeping it simple (KISS) is how Florida-based bass pro Randall Tharp likes to operate. We sat down with Tharp to break down his top 5 rod setups and techniques for catching Florida bass in nearly all situations. Beyond discussing core tackle, Tharp talks some technique specifics that, taken together, will enhance your efficiency and fish-catching success in this land of grass.

Tharp’s top 5 bass fishing setups for Florida bass:

1. Flipping and pitching setup. It’s no surprise that flipping and pitching reigns supreme in this land of dense vegetation, and it happens to be Tharp’s favorite way to catch bass. Straight braid, heavy tungsten and a big rod is the best way to penetrate the cover and extract big Florida-strain bass from dense mats of grass.

2. Topwater prop bait. An iconic lure in Florida yet surprising to some, a trebled topwater prop bait pitched into pockets excels at calling bass from a distance and triggering vicious strikes. Tharp prefers throwing it out in calm and protected areas then working it with alternating twitches and pauses.

3. Swim jigs. Swim jigs get the nod when you need to cover a lot of water and work different depth zones, all with a single bait. Swim jigs allow Tharp to cover 1- to 4-feet deep with a simple 3/8-ounce swim jig and trailer. His preferred setup (linked below) resembles a fleeing golden shiner.

4. Swimming a worm. A Texas-rigged worm with a light tungsten weight excels around lily pads or when needlefish are in the area. It’s a subtle presentation that can be fished clean through grass. Choose your weight based on the depth you’re fishing — a 3/16-ounce sinker is the best all-arounder.

5. Bladed jig. What bass lure listing is complete without a darn ChatterBait or other bladed jig option? Tharp prefers bladed jigs when targeting bass around submergent hydrilla. He has the most success with dark colors like black and blue and green pumpkin.

FLIPPING SETUP
• REEL - ARK Casting Reel (NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR SALE)

TOPWATER PROP BAIT SETUP

SWIM JIG SETUP

SWIMMING WORK SETUP

OTHE GEAR

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[Stevelboz]

Randall Tharp is a Florida stud. That man in Florida is the Bass Whisperer!!

[ralo]

Good stuff Randall! 👀 🎣 👊🏼💯🇺🇸
Thanks for the tips my friend!
Oh yeah, Happy New Year!!! 🥳

[izzy]

I'm relearning some florida fishing techniques after not being in freshwater for so long and this video helps me get up to speed on soflo

[swamp_rat_fla]

Think I’d add burning lipless crankbaits and chatterbaits over grass and big 12” worms. I always have a Devil’s Horse tied on and it works great when it’s hot out.

[OutlawMorgan]

Nice - Florida fishing. I am in south Florida myself. 🍺

[shawneldridge]

When I first fish the first thing I will use is
the vmc pro series crayfish jigs
Or Berkey powerbait ripple shad minnows.
Both are great for smallmouth and largemouth bass plus great for perch too. And then there's other species of fish I had caught too off of these. Great information and techniques

[davidisenbarger]

Randall great informative video. What color was the Greenfish Swim Jig? Thank you.

[jakestevens]

Hey y’all are my favorite by far. I was wondering if you could do something on fishing ditches/drains. Just trying to figure it out.

[mikesmoth-vw]

why are you usinf braided line for freshwater?

[MoreCast]

Good stuff! What are the setups on the rods back by the passenger seat?

[nolanjones-pzmv]

I’ve caught 2 on one lure on a devils horse

[FREEMAYKELOSORBO]

Bang o lure 24/7 #80 lb braid black & gold .

[lechlerguttersllc]

Wish I could catch bass like that
Gave up on it never really catch any thing

[robertlane]

Trailer is a Gambler ez swimmer in Copperfield. Swim jig color is McMillans Secret

[yenrustamnew]

Ajakin saya dong sobat, mari disini nyari ikannya

[SkyNetGeneral-]

No crank lures?? They are over rated ??

[CHIEFKIEF]

all i do is use lipless ned rig chatterbait and i slay