The Puddle Jumper is a killer warm-water pattern when fished along the edges and lily pad shallows. With the wet body materials and large foam head, It suspends just below the surface when paused on retrieve before starting a slow decent. That has been it’s trigger on bass, big gills and especially pickerel. Plop it down, give it a 3-count, then retrieve with 6" strips pausing for a second between strips. Then watch for the boil.
Puddle Jumper Recipe
Hook: #4 Gamakatsu Stinger Thread: 6/0 Black Wire: Medium Gold Ultra Wire Tail: Brown Micro Pine Squirrel Strips Abdomen: Sculpin Brown Cabelas Wooly Bugger Chenille Legs: Brown Centipede Legs Head: Black Razor Foam
Most hit just after the tail started to drop. About a foot of the edge of the weeds in about 3 feet of water.
Watches the fish take the fly in a big swirl.
Well then it was consistent for you. I’m glad to hear it brought you a good day on the water. That is exactly how the strikes have been for me all summer. By the 3rd strip…on the pause. Watch for the boil.
Ralph, if I mat ask, what do you use to throw the puddle jumper. I’m thinking of some variants for when my truck is ready and I can get out again!
Thanks,
Mike
I currently fish an 8’ 7wt Johnson Profile 800 Glass rod and a 9’ 6wt 4-pc Cabelas Three Forks as my primary bass rods. Both are lined with a WF6 Bass Taper line on them.
