Want to unlock the bass fishing secrets that nearly led Wesley Strader to victory at the 2025 Major League Fishing REDCREST at Lake Guntersville on the Tennessee River?
Get ready to dive deep with legendary angler Wesley Strader! In this in-depth interview from Bass University Live, Wesley shares his expert tips and tactics covering a wide range of crucial topics. Learn how to master spinnerbaits with his insights on design and application. Discover the nuances of seasonal bass fishing, from navigating the spawn and post-spawn in the south to understanding pre-spawn patterns further north.
Dive deep into the world of smallmouth bass fishing, including key factors like bottom composition, current, and the importance of finding gravel bars and boulders for spawning. Wesley reveals his strategies for targeting spawning smallmouth and shares valuable lessons learned from his recent tournament experiences.
Understand the effective use (and limitations) of forward-facing sonar for locating fish, including specific techniques for fishing walls and dealing with challenging water conditions like pollen and sediment. Plus, get the inside scoop on Wesley's go-to baits and rigs, such as Zoom flukes, chatterbaits, swim jigs, and his success with a wacky rig for spawning bass.
Whether you're targeting Lake Guntersville, the Tennessee River, or your local waters, Wesley Strader's hard-earned wisdom will elevate your bass fishing knowledge. Don't miss these invaluable bass fishing secrets!
Wesley Strader Key Topics

0:38: Wesley Strader on REDCREST Performance, Seasonal Bass Fishing, and Spinnerbait SecretsThis chapter covers the introduction of Wesley Strader, his recent performance at the REDCREST, and initial discussions about seasonal bass fishing (spawn, post-spawn, pre-spawn). It also includes insights into spinnerbait techniques and design from Wesley's experience.
21:49: Mastering Forward-Facing Sonar, Spawning Smallmouth Tactics, and Early Tournament BaitsThis section focuses on using forward-facing sonar, including settings for different water conditions (pollen, sediment) and techniques for fishing walls. Wesley also details his strategies for targeting spawning smallmouth bass, emphasizing bottom composition and current, and discusses the baits and rigs he used in the early stages of the tournament.
35:28: Day-by-Day Tournament Breakdown, Key Baits & Techniques, and Guntersville Smallmouth InsightsThis chapter provides a day-by-day account of Wesley Strader's tournament, highlighting the specific baits (chatterbait, fluke, tube, swim jig, wacky rig) and techniques he employed under different conditions. It also delves deeper into the nuances of catching Guntersville smallmouth, including spawning locations and effective presentations.
55:49: The State of Chickamauga & Guntersville Lakes, Future Tournaments, and SuperstitionsThe conversation shifts to the current state of Lake Chickamauga and Guntersville, discussing fishing pressure, grass growth, and fish health. Wesley also looks ahead to future tournaments on the Potomac River and Saginaw Bay, and shares some personal tournament superstitions.

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