Hard Current

[numbskull]

As much as I've fished it seems that there is always so much more to learn. This year was my year to get humbled by current. I fished it a lot more than prior years and was amazed at how difficult it is.

Seems like the plugs I've acquired were inadequate. Slow retrieves and big swimming action were poor. Streamlined heavier stuff with smaller lips and tighter action worked better.

Then where to cast. The usual swing 11 o'clock to 2 o'clock still worked, but it limits you to a very small strike zone unless you can move laterally, which often isn't practical.

How do people do fishing straight down current, or up current? Something I always thought looked unnatural, but apparently works.

And landing fish on plugs. Ouch! My last good night I hooked seven bass (3 mid thirty and up) and landed only one, not a big one. Any advice? You horse back hard or baby them into the quieter water? Seems like when they get close and turn the plug pulls across their mouth and pops out. Almost makes me want to use barbs and mono again.

Got a whole winter to rethink all this. What are other's experience?