Beginner's Tacklebox

Beginner’s Tacklebox: Justin Atkins

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Bassmaster Elite Series pro Justin Atkins is about to fill this Lure Lock utility box with his choices of baits for a beginner’s tacklebox.
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - Bassmaster Elite Series pro Justin Atkins is about to fill this Lure Lock utility box with his choices of baits for a beginner’s tacklebox.
First to go in the box is a Berkley Choppo 105. “Everybody needs a topwater bait to cover the top of the water column,” said the pro from Florence, Ala. “Plus, topwater fishing is a fun way to get beginners hooked on fishing.”
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - First to go in the box is a Berkley Choppo 105. “Everybody needs a topwater bait to cover the top of the water column,” said the pro from Florence, Ala. “Plus, topwater fishing is a fun way to get beginners hooked on fishing.”
The cupped propeller tail creates an enticing plopping sound and spray that calls fish to the surface to strike. Precision weighting ensures that the tail begins spinning immediately, and it swims perfectly straight at a variety of speeds. Color of choice is MF Shad, chosen to imitate a wounded shad.
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - The cupped propeller tail creates an enticing plopping sound and spray that calls fish to the surface to strike. Precision weighting ensures that the tail begins spinning immediately, and it swims perfectly straight at a variety of speeds. Color of choice is MF Shad, chosen to imitate a wounded shad.
Next to go in the box is a Berkley Squarebull 5.5, a 2 3/8-inch bait weighing 3/8 ounce and designed to run 3- to 6-feet deep. “You can fish it from the bank, and it’s designed to make contact with cover,” he said. “It’s just a good all-around bait for getting their attention.”
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - Next to go in the box is a Berkley Squarebull 5.5, a 2 3/8-inch bait weighing 3/8 ounce and designed to run 3- to 6-feet deep. “You can fish it from the bank, and it’s designed to make contact with cover,” he said. “It’s just a good all-around bait for getting their attention.”
The shallow-running bait features a durable square bill that is built for banging against wood and rock to trigger reaction strikes. The bait is armed with two razor-sharp Fusion19 treble hooks to keep bass hooked up. Big Money is his color of choice.
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - The shallow-running bait features a durable square bill that is built for banging against wood and rock to trigger reaction strikes. The bait is armed with two razor-sharp Fusion19 treble hooks to keep bass hooked up. Big Money is his color of choice.
Next up is an all-time favorite. It’s a Berkley PowerBait Power Worm. “The ribbon-tail design makes it ideal for a swimming action, and you can fish it shallow, deep, over suspended fish, just about anywhere,” he said.
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - Next up is an all-time favorite. It’s a Berkley PowerBait Power Worm. “The ribbon-tail design makes it ideal for a swimming action, and you can fish it shallow, deep, over suspended fish, just about anywhere,” he said.
“I don’t put my boat in the water without a Power Worm tied on,” he said. Blue Fleck is his color of choice.
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - “I don’t put my boat in the water without a Power Worm tied on,” he said. Blue Fleck is his color of choice.
Another similar choice is this Berkley PowerBait Bottom Hopper Worm, rigged to a 3/16-ounce Berkley Fusion19 Shakey Head. “It can be fished on spinning or casting tackle, and is a good all-purpose bait,” he said. “The bait stands up on the bottom for enticing action.” Color of choice is black.
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - Another similar choice is this Berkley PowerBait Bottom Hopper Worm, rigged to a 3/16-ounce Berkley Fusion19 Shakey Head. “It can be fished on spinning or casting tackle, and is a good all-purpose bait,” he said. “The bait stands up on the bottom for enticing action.” Color of choice is black.
Next up is a 1/2-ounce Berkley Warpig,
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - Next up is a 1/2-ounce Berkley Warpig,
“A lipless crankbait is the perfect bait for beginners, because it can be cast out and retrieved back at any speed,” he said. “It’s easy to cast, easy to fish, and can be fished at any depth.”
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - “A lipless crankbait is the perfect bait for beginners, because it can be cast out and retrieved back at any speed,” he said. “It’s easy to cast, easy to fish, and can be fished at any depth.”
Special Red Craw pattern is his color of choice.
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - Special Red Craw pattern is his color of choice.
“Every beginner’s tacklebox needs a bladed jig,” he said. And with that, a Z-Man Evergreen ChatterBait Jack Hammer goes into the box.
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - “Every beginner’s tacklebox needs a bladed jig,” he said. And with that, a Z-Man Evergreen ChatterBait Jack Hammer goes into the box.
Atkins uses a Berkley PowerBait Chigger Bug for added strike appeal. “It resembles a crawfish, takes out some of the kick and tones down the wider wobble,” he said.
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - Atkins uses a Berkley PowerBait Chigger Bug for added strike appeal. “It resembles a crawfish, takes out some of the kick and tones down the wider wobble,” he said.
Another soft plastic of choice is a Berkley PowerBait Bunker Hawg. “it’s a classic beaver-style bait that is a great alternative to the worm or shaky head rig.”
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - Another soft plastic of choice is a Berkley PowerBait Bunker Hawg. “it’s a classic beaver-style bait that is a great alternative to the worm or shaky head rig.”
Specially cut tails generate a subtle kicking action on the fall, and a tapered body shape allows the bait to slip in and out of cover without getting tangled. A trough-style belly provides less resistance when setting the hook for better penetration. Black Blue Fleck is his color of choice.
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - Specially cut tails generate a subtle kicking action on the fall, and a tapered body shape allows the bait to slip in and out of cover without getting tangled. A trough-style belly provides less resistance when setting the hook for better penetration. Black Blue Fleck is his color of choice.
Next is a soft plastic frog. “It’s another alternative to the topwater,” he said.
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - Next is a soft plastic frog. “It’s another alternative to the topwater,” he said.
“The frog is best suited for heavy cover, and it’s really fun to get a beginner hooked on the sport,” he added.
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - “The frog is best suited for heavy cover, and it’s really fun to get a beginner hooked on the sport,” he added.
The final bait going into the box is a jig. “I like to have a jig in my tacklebox for any heavy cover I encounter,” said. “What’s more, it’s a proven catcher for big bass.”
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - The final bait going into the box is a jig. “I like to have a jig in my tacklebox for any heavy cover I encounter,” said. “What’s more, it’s a proven catcher for big bass.”
Atkins chooses a 5/8-ounce green/pumpkin model, rigged with a matching Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Power Chunk.
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - Atkins chooses a 5/8-ounce green/pumpkin model, rigged with a matching Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Power Chunk.
“I chose baits that cover all the bases and that are user friendly,” said Atkins. “Hopefully, this lineup will lure more beginners into the sport.”
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - “I chose baits that cover all the bases and that are user friendly,” said Atkins. “Hopefully, this lineup will lure more beginners into the sport.”
Atkins also uses the baits in the beginner’s tacklebox throughout the season. “You can get proficient in using them and get even better as you gain more skills.”
Photo: B.A.S.S. Communications - Atkins also uses the baits in the beginner’s tacklebox throughout the season. “You can get proficient in using them and get even better as you gain more skills.”