the bait to fall to bottom on a controlled slack line and give it a few lifts or shakes before moving on to the next spot. Watch your line to detect hits. Many strikes can be subtle, so a quick hookset is needed. There are, however, exceptions to in- their- face vertical presentations for inactive bass. Chong, for example, also uses poppers, and Sim said, " Stickbaits often produce strikes from the most lethargic fish." Seasonal Movements As discussed earlier, post spawn is a top time to hit flats for largemouth. Weed growth will still be down, offering less of an opportunity for fish to hide, but allowing anglers to use open- water presentations. As summer wears on, though, weed growth thickens, water warms, and bass hunker down more often than not. Mid- summer finds me picking apart a flat more thoroughly, as op­posed to giving it a quick once- over. The fish are there, you just have to put in a bit of over­time to find them. Early fall sees a saturation of bass inhabiting flats again. As weeds begin to die, fish seek out the greenest vegetation they can find, often moving shallower than at any other time of the year to feed. If you hit the right flat on a warm fall day, be prepared to get into solid numbers of bass. Once this flourish ends and lake turnover occurs, flats, especially those in shallow areas, become devoid of bass, as they shift to deeper water to winter over in. Boat Control

Boat Control Covering a large flat can be overwhelm­ing at first, but need not be. Always con­sider key factors. If a breeze is blowing, use it to your advantage. Start at the edge of the flat and let the wind push your boat along it. Once you reach the end, a quick motor up to the begin­ning, moving inwards 20 feet or so, allows you to cover the area thoroughly. If the wind strengthens, a drift sock is a good tool to slow your drift. A bow- mount electric motor is best for working a flat when the wind is calm. Keep the speed on low and work the area steadily, making sure to clear the prop of weeds at the first sign of it bogging down. Although flats might appear identical from the surface, finding subtle differences in their structure and composition is the key to uncovering the best of the best. Pick apart a flat or two this year. They hold the potential for you to catch the Bass... Bass... Bass...