The Grub

Grubs are a fantastic option for salt water bassin' from the kayak. They come in all sizes from 1" to 10" and can be used in almost all conditions. The most common method in the bays and estuaries is to use them as shown in the image. A 4" grub with a 3/8 oz bullet head on small diameter line. This combination can yield lots of fish and sometimes it's the key bait to be throwing.

The flappy, twisting tails on a grub can pick up in a current and flutter even when the bait is sitting still. This is a reasonable simulation of the foot or "tongue" of the razor clams that inhabit the southern California bays and provide a very large portion of the bass Atkins diet. For this reason it's not unusual for a well placed grub to get creamed by a bass - it's also likely he's trying to nab it before anyone else as these clambeds attract lots of fish.

Clambeds are usually large sandy flat areas in any depth from 5' to 50' and almost anywhere in the bays. Having grubs on a clam bed at high tide is as close a sure thing as you can get.

Should you only fish them on clam beds? Certainly not. Gamakatsu (and others) make a weedless bullet head that allows you to take this grubby action to the jungles of eel grass or other vegetation or structure. Also, Ed Whited's preferred bait for dropping down on dock pillings is none other than the lowly brown grub. (Find a way to get some orange in there and he'll be extra happy). Grubs of a larger sort, like the Kalin's Mogambo, can be fished with larget heads up to 2 oz in deep water and make great sand bass forge. Also, use them for trailers on large spinnerbaits in the kelp when hunting summer calico bass.

Drop shotting works well for the grub and so does a carolina rig - anything that can show off that tail should get you some fish.

Standard and favorite colors include Rootbeer Gold Flake (Berkley), Chartruese and White.