Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Capt. Tom Hughes posted this on another website....good stuff!

Fishing in the bay!

Fishing Tackle: 6', MH, Fast Tip, Spinning Rods // 2500 Series Spinning Reels spooled with 30# test Fiber Line // 6', 30# test Quality Fluorocarbon Leader

Most Productive Lure: Bass Assassin, 5", Chartreuse Glitter Soft Plastic Bait on a 1 ounce Jighead

Most Productive Technique:

Cast & Jig-Cast the lure. Let it drop to the desired depth (drops 1 foot per second), then lift your rod tip swiftly from 9 o’clock to 10 o’clock while taking up the slack line. Repeat this again and again, until the lure is back at the boat. Striped bass normally take the lure when it stops or starts to fall.

Fishing Tip: Techniques used to land and handle striped bass on light spinning tackle. These are recommendations only:

1) Use spinning tackle rated strong enough to handle large striped bass without over stressing the fish.
Example: MH spinning rod, 30# fiber line with a 30# test quality fluorocarbon leader.

2) Use lures and jigheads with quality hooks. Quality hooks do not have to be sharpened. This is done during manufacturing. Use jigheads with wide gap hooks. Example: Bass Kandy Delight Jigheads

3) Set the hook using speed, not power. Snap the wrist in a quick upper motion when you feel the fish.

4) Do not raise the rod past 30 degrees to the horizon. This allows the rod and reel to work together and puts the most pressure on the fish. If you try to pump the rod, slack can get in the line and you will lose the fish.

5) Do not crank the rod handle when the fish is pulling drag.

6) Keep your hand on the rod handle at all times to take up line when possible.

7) Lift the fish, swiftly and vertically from the water. Place your thumb inside the bottom lip against the tongue tightly, and your fingers under the bottom lip.

8) Once the striper is out of the water, immediately place your other hand under the fish and in front of the bottom dorsal fin. This will support the fish while a picture can be taken.