There’s an old saying in bass fishing: “If you can see the bass, it can see you.” For Bassmaster Elite Series pro Chris Zaldain, sight fishing during the spawn is more than just fun. It’s a critical part of the job.
Whether he’s targeting locked-in bed fish or cruising bass in shallow water, Zaldain leans on a system built around stealth, precision casting, and bait selection. Here’s how he breaks it all down for consistent success when the fish are visible and picky.
Must-Have Baits for Sight Fishing Success
When it comes to bedding bass, Zaldain rotates between three core bait categories: a drop shot, a Texas rig, and a swimbait. Each serves a purpose depending on the fish’s mood, size, and location on the bed.
1. Drop Shot for Staying in the Strike Zone
Zaldain’s first pick for bed fishing is a drop shot. Why? Because it lets you keep the bait in place and irritate the fish into biting without ever having to recast.
“I like a drop shot because you can shake and shake it in the same spot without having to reel in and make another cast,” says Zaldain.
He rigs a 6” Roboworm Fat Straight Tail on a short 4–5” leader. His go-to color nationwide is Margarita Mutilator, especially for clear water lakes across the West.
2. Texas-Rigged Bottle Shrimp for a Natural Threat
When a bass is actively guarding a nest, Zaldain reaches for a Texas-rigged Megabass Bottle Shrimp. It’s subtle, natural, and deadly around pressured fish.
“I like that bait because it has flapping appendages, and that seems to be a key for any bait you throw onto a bed,” he explains.
His top color pick? Green pumpkin or any other natural tone that blends in but still has just enough movement to trigger aggression.
3. Swimbait for Reaction and Size
Big fish often need a big presence, and that’s where a swimbait shines.
His favorite? The 6” Megabass Magdraft. It’s a bold, targetable bait that can turn a reluctant fish into a striker, especially if they’ve seen finesse baits all day.
How Long Should You Work a Single Fish?
Some anglers will camp on a bedding bass for hours, but Zaldain says that’s rarely worth it.
“I think 45 minutes is about the max to spend on one fish,” he shares. “Usually, within 10 or 20 minutes, you should have already caught it or know that it is going to bite.”
If a fish doesn’t show interest early, it may not be worth the investment, especially when there are more active fish nearby.
How to Target Cruising Bass in the Spawn Window
Bass don’t stay on beds forever. Before and after spawning, many fish cruise shallow flats, making them harder to pin down and catch.
Zaldain targets cruisers in 4 to 5 feet of water, a sweet spot for visibility and positioning.
“That seems to be the perfect depth, and with 8’ Power-Pole Blades, I can put them down quickly the second I see a cruiser,” he says.
Once a fish is spotted, he notes its direction of travel, quietly sets up, and fans casts around the area using finesse gear, typically a drop shot, to intercept the fish.
If returning to a zone where he previously saw a cruiser, Zaldain makes sure to Power-Pole down at least 30 yards away and slowly works closer to avoid alerting the fish.
Choosing the Right Sunglasses for Sight Fishing
While anglers often debate lens tints, Zaldain says it comes down to confidence and visibility in changing light conditions.
“Some guys like yellow or amber lenses — they’re good,” he says. “I personally like something with a copper or bronze tint because it works great in all light conditions.”
His pick? Spy Optics Happy Bronze lenses with Green Spectra finish, which are ideal for spotting bass in both sun and overcast.
Stealth Is Everything: Boat Positioning and Quiet Moves
One of the most overlooked elements in sight fishing is stealth. The quieter and more subtle you can be, the more fish you’ll catch.
Here’s how Zaldain stays sneaky:
- Trolling motor at 20–30% when scouting shallow banks
- Power-Poles down quickly when spotting a fish
- Push pole to reposition without stirring the bottom
- Pause for 20–30 seconds before casting after stopping near a fish
“Once you pull up on a fish, it’s best to put your Poles down and then wait maybe 20 to 30 seconds before casting,” says Zaldain. “Let the fish get used to the boat sitting there.”
Sudden movements, whether from your rod, boat, or trolling motor, can shut a fish down fast. Slowing down gives you a better chance at a clean shot.
Sight Fishing with Purpose
Catching fish you can see is one of the most rewarding and frustrating things in bass fishing. Zaldain’s success comes from preparation, confidence in a small handful of proven baits, and a serious focus on stealth and boat control.
By sticking to a simple bait rotation, reading the mood of the fish, and keeping quiet, you can turn those visual opportunities into high-percentage hookups.
Check out the full article here to find out why he leans heavily on the Megabass Bottle Shrimp and 6″ Magdraft for his sight fishing needs!
