Ep. 85: Alex Manibusan on Glide Baits, One-Rod Philosophy & SoCal Salt and Fresh

Guest: Alex Manibusan

Hosts: Daniel Dahlin ([FISH]rx), El Charly, Luke Dean (Bait Slingers / Artemis Charters)

Episode 85, recorded live on May 13, 2025, is about fishing differently on purpose. Alex Manibusan breaks down glide baits for spotted bay bass, fishing with a single setup on foot, and why approaching pressured fish with something they don’t see often can completely change results.

In This Episode

• Glide bait for spotted bay bass — a non-traditional presentation that draws reaction bites from fish used to smaller swimbaits
• One rod, one reel approach — fishing on foot with a single setup and building your presentation around it
• Fishing something different — avoiding the most popular bait in pressured water
• Kicker Fishing, War Baits, and Nishi Rods setup — mixing proven community gear
• Spotty Bowl and double sessions — saltwater tournament followed by freshwater fishing the same day
• Freshwater and saltwater crossover — similar structure, feeding behavior, and reaction patterns across both

Why Fishing Different Works

The biggest idea in this episode is simple: fish see the same baits over and over. Showing them something different — whether it’s a glide bait or a different profile entirely — can trigger bites from fish that ignore standard presentations.

This ties directly into fishing pressure. In heavily fished areas, small changes matter. The spotted bay bass guide and SoCal structure fishing guide both reinforce this idea — fish position predictably, but how they respond changes based on what they’ve already seen.

The one-rod approach pushes that even further. Instead of constantly switching setups, it forces you to commit to a presentation and learn how to make it work. That constraint often leads to better decisions and more consistent fishing.

Why This Episode Matters

This episode matters because it challenges the idea that more gear or more options lead to better fishing. In reality, the opposite is often true. Fishing something different — and committing to it — can produce better results than constantly switching between the same familiar setups.

The glide bait conversation is especially worth noting. Multiple guests have mentioned it as a presentation that draws fish that won’t commit to smaller swimbaits, including Ep. 122 and Ep. 69. That consistency makes it worth experimenting with more seriously.

Watch the full episode on the Time On The Water YouTube channel. New episodes every Tuesday at 6 PM.