John Keeler and I started fishing at 10:00am on Thursday, July 26, 2007. The location was in Maryland's portion of the Chesapeake Bay. After reading all the hoop-la on live lining we just had to give it a try...using a plastic look-a-like lure. Our choice was a Storm WideEye Shad, 4" long in Bunker. Like real spot this lure caught large striped bass.
Most Productive Technique:
Putting the lure in the strike zone: The lure should be approximately 6" below the rod tip. Put the rod tip on the water and open up the bail. Lift the rod swiftly from 9am until 12pm, drop the rod tip on the water, let the line get tight, and lift the rod swiftly from 9am to 12pm. Do this until the lure is in the strike zone.
EXAMPLE: The fish finder light up showing suspended fish from 20 to 30 feet over water 52 feet deep. You want the lure to be between 18 to 28 feet deep before starting this technique. With a 6' rod do the above, explained in Putting the lure in the strike zone 3 to 4 times.
The Technique: With the lure in the strike zone, swiftly move the rod tip from 9am to 9:30am and follow the lure back down with a tight line. The fish will take the lure on the drop. And as usual the larger fish will be located near the bottom of the suspended school (or 30' with the above example).
Fishing Tip: To save time and catch more fish, purchase a good fish finder. Without it you could be fishing dead water all day.
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Tight Lines,
Capt. Tom Hughes Full Time Light Tackle & Fly Fishing Guide