In the June issue of MidWest Outdoors, Ted Pilgrim looked at the history of the moping technique Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson used to win the 2023 BassMaster Classic. In this segment, we examine the importance of keeping the technique as simple and stable as possible for best success.

Anti-jigging and adjustments

James Lindner, an early pioneer of the moping technique, admits that, at first, the newly emerging moping pattern reminded him of ice fishing. “You just drop the bait down and hold it dead-still. Sometimes, the fish are so shallow, you net ‘em on the very first jump.”

Gussy adds: “Something about the way a buoyant Jerk ShadZ on a Smeltinator jig head spirals on the drop mimics deadfalls of smelt (or other baitfish). In most cases, bass using these deep areas key on easy meals of dying baitfish, tumbling from above. They’re looking up, not down, so it’s counterproductive to drop the bait below the bass or to work the bottom.”

To maximize bites, Gussy stops the bait a foot above bottom or the level of suspended bass. “Just let the Jerk ShadZ’ buoyant nature hover and hold still. Many times, as happened at the Classic, when you first pull into a spot, you might not see a single fish on sonar. But on that first drop, you’ll watch multiple fish—or the whole school— rocket up on a collision course with your bait. If the spot looks right, ideally with some rocks in the area—even if you don’t see bass—the Jerk ShadZ becomes your fish finder.”

On known spots, as fishing pressure intensifies, Gussy often spices the presentation with subtle jigging movements—tricks learned over decades of cat-and-mouse style fishing with sonar, often while ice fishing. In current, Gussy drops the bait into slackwater current behind rocks, occasionally giving bait a little shake to attract attention.

“Usually, there’s very little actual jigging,” he explains. “But if bass approach yet hesitate, I give the bait a slight little quiver. Or you can pull it up and away—make them chase or play keep-away.

“You’ll feel bass bump it, too—doing drive-bys, like they’re trying to stun the bait—where they strike with their mouths closed. If they do that, I drop back down and give it a quick little quiver, mimicking an injured baitfish.”

He further notes that a calm surface can make bass tough to trigger. “A lot of first-timers with this technique fail because they aren’t wired to just hold their rod and bait dead-still. Or they won’t keep it off bottom. Or, they don’t have their bait perfectly aligned on the jighead, which causes it to spin and appear unnatural.

“It’s why I pre-rig a half-dozen jig-Jerk ShadZ combos the night before tournament days. Permanently secure each bait with a drop of super glue and you’ll rarely need to readjust it on the hook. Just one of these bad boys can hold up to dozens of bass and well over a full day’s fishing. The only reason I switch baits is to refresh the scent (Jerk ShadZ come pre-marinated with Pro Cure gel) or to try a new color.”

To bolster the bait’s a natural horizontal posture, Gustafson frequently repositions his knot, pinning it topside. He says a loop knot is counterproductive because it allows the jig to tilt and pivot away from 90-degrees. “My buddies and I have messed with a bunch of different knots, and often use a San Diego Jam (aka reverse clinch knot), which cinches up super tight to the eyelet with fluorocarbon.” Gussy rigs with 10-pound-test Power Pro main line and a 10-pound fluorocarbon leader.

Final refinements

At the Bassmaster Classic, as bass got spooky and reacted to boat presence and fishing pressure, Gussy found it necessary to pitch his bait away from the boat before letting it descend and swing, rather than dropping straight below the trolling motor. “I always prefer to sit right over the fish, if possible. But on the Tennessee River, I eventually had to pitch the jig 10 to 20 feet in front of the trolling motor and let it swing over the top of the fish. Usually, a bit of separation triggers extra bites. Regardless, that first drop on a fresh spot is always key. After you hook a few fish, they can turn wise. If you see ‘em reject you on sonar a few times, it might be time to shift locations.”

Another key adjustment involves downsizing bait selection. “Bass in these areas can be hyper-focused on specific bait species, colors and sizes. “At the Classic, I occasionally switched to a slightly smaller StreakZ 3.75, otherwise identical to the 4-inch Jerk ShadZ.” The Smelt pattern produced most of his bites, while Shiner and Bad Shad’ serve as solid backups (Gussy’s also working on two fresh colors, to be released soon.)

A perfect match for deep-water structure, suspended bass and interactive sonar style fishing, hanging horizontal with a soft superplastic minnow consistently coughs up dozens of bass per day. “With optimal conditions and the right baits, catching 50 to 60 bass a day is totally doable,” Gussy suggests. “The combination of bait buoyancy and durability are critical, total difference makers. I’ve been fishing that same Jerk ShadZ bait for so many years now—way before I even signed a sponsor deal,” he winks.

Long before locals moped minnows south of the border, the legendary Lindners were already starting something big. Indeed, as offshore, sonar-interactive methods continue to expand, Gussy will one day be known as the master of moping…but only in the best bass-catching sense of the word.

If you want to try a different, exciting fish species or technique, you’ll find plenty of suggestions in every issue of MidWest Outdoors. Subscribe on our website.