Glide baits have surged in popularity among serious bass anglers, especially in conjunction with forward-facing sonar. This pairing is a lethal combination, allowing anglers to find fish in real time and coax them into biting with the mesmerizing action of glide baits. Elite Series pro Bryan New is a well-known advocate of this tactic, offering valuable insight into how to fine-tune your glide bait game for maximum success. This guide will explore the intricacies of glide baits, forward-facing sonar, and Bryan New’s proven techniques.
Understanding Glide Baits and Forward-Facing Sonar
What Are Glide Baits, and How Do They Work?
Glide baits are a type of swimbait designed to mimic the natural swimming action of large baitfish. Unlike multi-jointed swimbaits that have a rapid, repetitive motion, glide baits feature a single-jointed body that produces a wide, sweeping side-to-side action. This slow, deliberate movement triggers strikes from big, often wary bass that are reluctant to hit faster-moving lures.
One of the key advantages of glide baits is their ability to stay in the strike zone longer. Because they glide in an exaggerated arc rather than a straight line, they present a tantalizing target that’s difficult for bass to resist. Pausing between retrieves allows the bait to suspend momentarily, mimicking a wounded fish—an irresistible signal to opportunistic predators.
Overview of Forward-Facing Sonar Technology
Forward-facing sonar (such as Garmin LiveScope, Lowrance ActiveTarget, and Humminbird MEGA Live) has transformed how anglers locate and target fish. Unlike traditional sonar that only shows what’s beneath the boat, forward-facing sonar offers a real-time view of what’s happening in front of you. This allows anglers to visually track individual fish and even watch how they react to a lure in real time.
When paired with a glide bait, forward-facing sonar helps anglers maintain the right presentation and depth, making it possible to adjust their approach on the fly. The ability to observe how fish are responding—whether they’re curious, neutral, or actively feeding—provides invaluable feedback for fine-tuning your technique.
Bryan New’s Techniques for Effective Glide Bait Use
Elite Series pro Bryan New has been vocal about his success using glide baits with forward-facing sonar, emphasizing precision and adaptability. Here’s a breakdown of his go-to tactics:
Using Cylinder-Style Drop Shot Weights
One of Bryan New’s signature techniques involves adding cylinder-style drop shot weights to his glide bait setup. These weights help him maintain precise depth control, especially when targeting suspended bass. By attaching a small, removable weight near the head of the glide bait, New ensures that the lure stays in the desired strike zone, whether he’s fishing over submerged structure or chasing open-water schools.
This approach is particularly useful in deeper water, where glide baits naturally tend to rise during the retrieve. The added weight counters this buoyancy, allowing for a more consistent presentation and reducing the likelihood of the bait drifting too high above the fish.
Modifications for Better Bait Depth Control
In addition to using weights, Bryan New also makes subtle modifications to his glide baits to improve their performance. For example, he may shave down the tail slightly to alter the bait’s glide distance or tweak the hook placement to fine-tune the lure’s balance.
These small changes can make a big difference, especially when dealing with finicky bass that follow but don’t commit. Adjusting the action to create a tighter or wider glide can trigger more aggressive strikes, particularly when fish are suspended and closely watching the bait’s movement.
Additional Tips for Mastering Glide Bait Fishing
Choosing the Right Bait
While there are countless glide baits on the market, Bryan New often relies on the SPRO KGB Chad Shad for its realistic profile and smooth gliding action. This bait stands out because of its lifelike design, which closely resembles large forage species like gizzard shad—a primary food source for big bass.
When selecting a glide bait, consider the forage base in your local waters. Match the size, color, and profile of the bait to what the bass are feeding on, whether it’s shad, bluegill, or even trout.
Adapting to Different Water Conditions
Water clarity plays a huge role in glide bait success. Glide baits are most effective in clear to moderately stained water, where their visual appeal can entice fish from a distance. In murkier water, opt for baits with added flash or a more pronounced side-to-side action to help bass locate them more easily.
Additionally, wind and current can influence the action of your glide bait. In windy conditions, it’s important to use slightly heavier gear or weights to maintain better control and prevent the bait from being pushed off course.
Final Tips from the Pros
One of the most important lessons Bryan New emphasizes is the value of experimentation. Every day on the water is different, and factors such as weather, water temperature, and bass behavior can all influence how glide baits perform. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments—whether it’s adding or removing weights, altering the retrieve speed, or even changing the bait entirely.
For those just starting out, Bryan recommends keeping things simple: start with a well-balanced glide bait, practice your retrieves, and learn to read your sonar. As you gain experience, you can begin experimenting with more advanced techniques like adding weights or customizing baits.
Conclusion
Using glide baits in conjunction with forward-facing sonar is a game-changing tactic that can help anglers target big bass with precision. Thanks to pros like Bryan New, we have a deeper understanding of how to fine-tune this approach for real-world success. Whether it’s adding cylinder-style weights, choosing the right glide bait, or adapting to varying conditions, mastering these techniques can elevate your fishing game to new heights.
With tools like forward-facing sonar offering unprecedented insight into fish behavior, glide bait fishing has become a truly interactive experience. So next time you’re on the water, give Bryan New’s techniques a try—you just might find yourself hooking into the fish of a lifetime.