Every angler has a certain style of fishing that they can always catch bass on. I have a buddy that fishes topwater baits almost year round and always seems to catch bass. Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jeff Kriet is renowned for his talent when deep water structure fishing. Kriet from Ardmore, Oklahoma, has won over $626,000 and qualified 5 times for the Bassmaster Championship; in fact, many of his top finishes and big sacks of bass have been caught on a big 10-inch worm fishing deep structure.

Professional bass anglers that excel in certain techniques always seem to be working with lure companies to produce lures that complement their style of fishing. That's how Kriet and Big Bite Baits (www.bigbitebaits.com) ended up together. The demand for big worms right now among anglers is soaring. "There were certain details that I wanted in a big worm, so together Big Bite Baits and I were able to come up with the 10-inch Kriet Tail Worm," said Kriet. Not only did Big Bite Baits come out with 10-inch and 6-inch version of the Kriet Tail Worm, they also have the Kriet Kreature in 4-inch and 6-inch.

The 10-inch Kriet Tail Worm was designed for fishing deep water structure like ledges but will also catch bass flipping into wood or around aquatic vegetation. "Its great for stroking ledges like at Kentucky Lake, the large body of the worm displaces a lot of water, but it's the big, thick, tail which is the key," pointed out Kriet. To fish the worm in deep structure, Kriet likes to either practically dead stick it, crawling it very slowly, or move the worm gradually until it hits cover then slowly work the worm through every branch or piece of cover. Kriet also pointed out a major mistake that anglers have a tendency to make when fishing deep structure; "They keep their line to tight from the bait to the rod, its important for anglers to have a little slack in the line; it makes feeling the bite easier and for better hook sets."

Another Signature Series Kriet bait made by Big Bite Baits is the Kriet Kreature. The long body of this bait has ribs back to 2 appendages out the side and 2 out the back. A versatile bait, it can be flipped, Carolina rigged, or an angler can cast or swim it around wood or aquatic vegetation. Kriet also pointed out the Kriet Big Tail Worm and Kreature Baits were available in Biobait formula. Biobait, he explained, is a patented formula that releases scent at a higher rate than traditional plastic baits; the ingredients are naturally derived, biodegradable, and will not shirk or dry out when exposed to air.

Knowing what lures and key areas of the lake to catch fish, Kriet broke down Grand Lake reservoir in northeast Oklahoma, where he finished second place in a past Bassmaster Elite Tournament. Spring: Early-cold water temperatures anglers should fish jerkbaits, wiggle warts, football head jigs around transition banks, during the spawn cast Kriet Kreatures in spawning beds. Summer: Try fishing out in front of willows, rocky points, and deep structure with big worms and Carolina rigs. Fall: Bass are moving back into creeks so fish fast moving baits like spinnerbaits or shallow crankbaits around wood, and points with chunk rock with gravel mixed in. Winter: Focus on points and look for shad. Football head jigs and jerkbaits around boat docks will produce fish. The key lures for catching bass are jerkbaits, football head jigs, and 10-inch worms. "The main thing is bait; you have to be around the shad to catch them on Grand Lake," added Kriet.

While having baits named after him, Kriet was quick to point out that his inventive juices had not stopped flowing; in fact, his expertise also includes finesse fishing a shaky head worm. I predict that soon anglers will be catching bass with a Kriet designed finesse worm.