SECRETS OF THE CLASSIC WINNERS: KEVIN VANDAM AND RICK CLUNN

Hunt The Holes, And Take The Easy Bass First

Editor's Note: Rick Clunn, nationally-known angler from Ava, Missouri, has won the Bassmaster Classic four times and every major bass-fishing tournament and honor that the sport of bass fishing has to offer.

"I've mentioned earlier that if you're fishing a tree that has current going through it, look for the bass to be laying under the tree in the hole created by the current," Clunn explains. "When moving water hits a tree trunk, the force of the water is pushed down to the bottom side of the trunk of the tree. Over the course of time, the water's hitting the tree trunk will eventually dig one to three holes under the trunk.

"Then when the current hits the tree, the current will run through the holes under the trunk, and you may find bass laying in these holes. To locate holes under trees, I use a heavy lure, like a jig, and let the current wash my jig into the tree until I find the hole. Then I'll allow the current to wash my jig through the hole where I think the bass may be laying.

"Also, in tidal-water areas, when the tide comes in and out, the tidal action will dig holes under the trunk of a tree. When the tide goes out, you may see the trunk of the tree above the water. However, the hole under the tree may be 6- or 7-inches deep. So a bass can hold in that hole even during low tide and still be comfortable. Many times anglers will run past this type of tree because they will think to themselves, 'This water is really too shallow to fish for bass. Most of the tree is out of the water, and there's not-enough water to float a bass.' But what you see is similar to the tip of an iceberg. The best part of the structure is underwater. Fishermen can't see the holes under the tree trunk where the bass are holding. This little secret place is one that very few anglers fish, but where big bass often hold."

Take The Easy Bass First:

"When fishing a tree, try to catch the bass on the outside of the tree first," Clunn suggests. "Then move to the inside of the tree, and work the limbs, the holes under the tree and the trunk of the tree. Then you won't disturb the bass on the outside of the tree when you start catching bass on the inside of the tree. You can look at a tree lying in the water, know bass are there and fish around it until you catch a bass. Or, you can dissect the tree into its many parts. Learn where the bass are holding, and repeat the pattern you discover on other fallen trees."