Shore fishing

[WallStreetAmigo]

I seem to be getting the hang of topwater bass fishing, and I catch most of my bass using a Rapala Skitter Pop and a Hula Popper. What I seem to be having trouble with is using spinnerbaits and crankbaits properly. When fishing from shore, it does not seem to matter what type of retrieve I use, I either don't get bites or I am not noticing any bites. I have only caught one fish with my spinnerbait. Any tips on how to use other types of lures effectively from shore?

[Rebbasser]

In and around cover. Spinnerbaits are pretty weedless, so you can throw them in the thicker cover. Crankbaits work best when they hit something-I love throwing a Bandit 100 series in flooded timber-the bait has a square bill so it doesn't get hung up nearly as much as you would think. It bounces off branches and triggers strikes with the erratic movements. For more open water I like to throw a crankbait that runs deeper than the water you are fishing. That way it digs up a mud trail and looks like a crawfish or other bottom dwelling critter.

Also, don't just throw straight out-when I'm shore fishing 90% of the time I'm throwing parallel to the bank, and that is where I catch a lot of fish. Throw at a 45 degree angle to the bank and work your way in-start at 45 degrees, then closer to the bank, then closer to the bank...you get the idea.

[tenmilefisher]

Originally Posted by Rebbasser

In and around cover. Spinnerbaits are pretty weedless, so you can throw them in the thicker cover. Crankbaits work best when they hit something-I love throwing a Bandit 100 series in flooded timber-the bait has a square bill so it doesn't get hung up nearly as much as you would think. It bounces off branches and triggers strikes with the erratic movements. For more open water I like to throw a crankbait that runs deeper than the water you are fishing. That way it digs up a mud trail and looks like a crawfish or other bottom dwelling critter.

Also, don't just throw straight out-when I'm shore fishing 90% of the time I'm throwing parallel to the bank, and that is where I catch a lot of fish. Throw at a 45 degree angle to the bank and work your way in-start at 45 degrees, then closer to the bank, then closer to the bank...you get the idea.

agree'd. he pretty much summed it up. one more thing, sometime's a lure wont trigger the fish because they are'nt interested in it. or it could be that your presentation is to slow or to fast, or the bait your running is'nt running properly which means you will have to tune it. there are so many details to fishing and being a consistant fisherman, but trouble shooting is a great start for figuring out patterns to catching bass. i hope i gave you a little help and good luck

[WallStreetAmigo]

I notice my spinnerbait runs perfectly vertical during a slower retrieve but tilts a bit to the right on a quicker retrieve. Any ideas how to fix this?

[WTL]

Bending the wire can help alleviate that, but sometimes you will get a spinnerbait that is improperly balanced that can be a pain to tune. Just experiment bending the wire, sometimes you want to make the angle at the R bend more acute to minimize roll and also sometimes afet catching a fish the arm will be leaning to one side causing that roll.

[WallStreetAmigo]

Thanks WTL

[tenmilefisher]

Originally Posted by WTL

Bending the wire can help alleviate that, but sometimes you will get a spinnerbait that is improperly balanced that can be a pain to tune. Just experiment bending the wire, sometimes you want to make the angle at the R bend more acute to minimize roll and also sometimes afet catching a fish the arm will be leaning to one side causing that roll.

very true. also if tuning a booya spinnerbait try not to tweak it to much the wire breaks very easily.

[Rebbasser]

WSA, if it runs straight on a slow retrieve but rolls on a fast one tuning a bait really won't help. The problem is torque caused by the blades. On a slow retrieve the bait is heavy enough to run straight but as you run it faster you have more torque thus the roll. Simple solution: Take either a rubber core sinker(remove the rubber insert) or split shot and crimp it on the wire just above the spinnerbait head. It won't effect the way the bait works but adds a little weight to it.

[zooker]

Originally Posted by Rebbasser

WSA, if it runs straight on a slow retrieve but rolls on a fast one tuning a bait really won't help. The problem is torque caused by the blades. On a slow retrieve the bait is heavy enough to run straight but as you run it faster you have more torque thus the roll.

change the largest blade out for a size or 2 smaller

zooker