Northwest Reel Life July 2024 Volume 3 Issue 9 - Flipbook - Page 29
between the weight and
your hook, perhaps 18" as a
ballpark figure) will enable
you to keep the bait off the
ground with the shallow
angle that will result from
a long cast. For a more
vertical presentation, a
shorter distance from the
hook to the bait can work.
Imparting Life to the Lure
Despite the initial
perception of working
this lure, it is not all about
jiggling and wiggling the
bait. An angler can indeed
work the bait this way, but
I can tell you from personal
experience, that wiggling
and jiggling has accounted
for the fewest number of
catches.
So what should one do in
addition to the wiggling/
jiggling tactic? Keep the
weight on the bottom
for the most part and
leave enough slack to let
the bait sink on its own
weight. Then, when you
think the bait is near the
bottom lift/twitch the
rod just enough to move
the bait a little (without
moving or minimizing the
movement of the weight on
the bottom) and repeat. In
effect, what you are doing
is working a semi-slack line
and this is what is imparting
action to the bait. No hits?
Repeat if you wish, or add
a little dead sticking to the
mix or, drag your bait to
the next spot. All are good
choices. The dragging of
the weight from one spot
to the next also imparts
life and action to the lure
and can help to draw a
strike. In addition, working
with the slack and dead
sticking have been far more
effective for me compared
to wiggling and jiggling the
bait to death
Not sure what the bait will
do? Find some shallow
water and drop down your
bait. The depth should be
one where you can see
all the way to the bottom.
Once the weight is on
the bottom, let your bait