Pete Gluszek is on Lake Champlain and on-the-water talking all about one of his favorite power finesse techniques, the magnum shakey head (aka magnum shaky head). Lake Champlain, located in upstate New York, bordering Vermont and Canada, is a lake Pete loves for its beauty and exceptional bass fishing, including a healthy population of big largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Pete has been in love with this clear lake for over 20 years due to its presence of both grass beds and fantastic bass fishing.

In this Bass University exclusve class, Pete is fishing heavy cover, where normal finesse gear would fail. This is when Pete leans to his power-finesse approach. The Dean talks about his line, reel, and line setup, stating how important all these are with the presence of zebra mussels on the cover he is fishing. He explains that the magnum shakey head, comprised of a soft plastic stickbait on a jighead, allows him to fish the water column differently and works effectively for largemouth, smallmouth, and even spotted bass. He details the specific components of his rig, including a three-eighth ounce weight, a five-inch stick bait, and a 4/0 hook, emphasizing it as a power technique used with a flipping stick. The presence of zebra mussels, which he describes as razor-sharp and capable of slicing any type of fishing line, necessitates the use of specific lines choices to minimize break offs. This is crucial when fishing around bridge pilings and other structures where these mussels thrive.

Pete shares some tips on fishing current, to help you get more bites if you are unfamiliar with current or river systems. He points out that Lake Champlain flows from south to north and demonstrates how to find current breaks that bass use as ambush points. Pete discusses the best way to fish in the current to ensure you present your bait properly to the bass, which are dominant predators. He also provides guidance on identifying subtle currents by observing grass, floating debris, and boat drift, crucial clues for effective current bass fishing.

Learn some facts about Lake Champlain, how to fish current, and add a new technique (the magnum shakey head) to your bass fishing toolbox in this on-the-water class with Pete Gluszek and Bass University. Beyond the technique itself, Pete highlights the lake's diverse habitat, including grass, wood, pilings, and rock. He also touches on the importance of adapting fishing strategies based on weather conditions. Lastly, he provides insights into the subtle nature of bites in deeper water around these structures, often feeling like pressure rather than a distinct thump, especially when flipping and pitching the magnum shakey head. This on-the-water class offers a valuable overview of techniques and tactics for successful largemouth & smallmouth bass fishing on Lake Champlain.

Power Finesse Fishing Lake Champlain Class Chapters

• 0:13: Lake Champlain: This chapter introduces Lake Champlain as a beloved and productive bass fishing destination in upstate New York with diverse fish populations and habitats.
• 1:12: Magnum Shakey Head: This chapter introduces the magnum shakey head technique as a power-finesse approach using a stickbait on a jighead for an erratic fall that triggers strikes.
• 4:57: Fishing a Mag Shakey Head: This chapter demonstrates how to fish the magnum shakey head around pilings and other hard cover on Lake Champlain, highlighting hook setting, zebra mussel challenges, and the habitat's diverse structure.
• 12:08: Flipping Heavy Cover: This chapter explains the technique of flipping the magnum shakey head in heavy cover, emphasizing slack line and reel control for proper bait presentation.
• 14:21: Rod, Reel, and Line Setup: This chapter details the specific rod, reel, and heavy-duty line setup required for power fishing around abrasive zebra mussel-covered structures.
• 15:38: Fishing Current and Pilings: This chapter explains how current influences bass behavior around pilings, advising anglers to look for unique piling features.

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