After a full morning of talking about flooded brush and dirty water in the Ouachita River system, one question directed at Summit Select pro Mark Rose makes the Arkansas pro pause and grin: “If you were sent to all corners of the country to fish for bass, but you’ll only be allowed to take TWO BAITS, what would those baits be?”

“TWO baits, for the whole country?” Rose asks.

“Yep, two baits,” comes the response. “South Florida, two baits. California Delta, the same two baits. Columbia River, Clear Lake, Lake Michigan, Mississippi River, all the same.”

Rose fires back immediately.

“My first bait is a 1/8-ounce Strike King green pumpkin shaky head with a Strike King 7-inch green pumpkin KVD Finesse Worm,” he says. “Most people would call that a ‘trick worm’ – I don’t care what you call it, that bait is a banana split to a bass. I’ve been fishing for a living for 18 years, and that bait is like my first-aid kit. I have to have it with me, any place, any time, any season.”

And Bait No. 2?

“A Strike King 3.75-inch Rage Swimmer,” Rose says. “The reason I choose that is because I can rig it so many different ways. I can use it as a trailer, I can fish it just by itself on top, I can fish it down in the water column depending on what type of jig head I put it on. That size is a good profile for smallmouth, spotted bass and largemouth, and I’ve caught all sizes of bass on that bait. If you want me to dial it in even more with a color, I’d choose Pro Blue Pearl because that color works in muddy, stained OR clear water. It just blends in well with everything.”