Yo-Yos, Rattles & River Bass

Cliff Prince rarely swims a Rattle Bait when he targets offshore bass during the cool months. Instead, he lets the bait sink all the way to the bottom and then yo-yos it back, continually lifting and dropping it but keeping it close to the bottom. The bass may hit it on the lift or the drop. When they do hit, Prince knows he must be ready, because they'll often hit it quickly but not get hooked if he doesn't react with a prompt hook set.

Prince's No. 1 bait for this technique, which is more like working a worm or a jig than a typical hard bait, is an XCalibur Xrk75 One-Knocker. However, he also likes the Xrk50, which is a slightly smaller ounce version of the same lure, and the rattling models of both sizes.

The bass congregate on or near bottom structure during the cool months and feed on winter-slowed or dying shad. The yo-yo presentation of a One Knocker matches the hatch perfectly and delivers big winter catches for Prince, a B.A.S.S. Elite Series rookie from Palatka, Florida, who gets to gets to begin his career of competing at the highest level on his home waters (St. John's River) in about a month and a half.