canal

[Saltheart]

Hi cradad. It's not you , its the fish. All the guys I've spoken to have been getting skunked this week. I fished monday morning and could only manage four hookups and had to cheat to do it. I fished jigs with 8" curltails in white and black. Was getting these very short "ghost" bumps. No way to nail them like normal. What I started doing was getting the jig into where the fish were then givig them a free bump with absolutely no attempt to set the hook. Then based on timing , setting the hook despite feeling no bump. My thought was that if a fish bumped it and I didn't react at all by moving it fast (a hook set) that I would get a second strike from the same fish. I just kept adjusting the timing of my hook set to anticipate the second strike. I found that about 2 to 3 seconds was working. Every fish I got fell off the hook when I got it in and let the tension off the rod. None were hooked solid. I was barelay getting them. Tomorrow they could be smacking the lures but if they are still finicky , try that technique.
For teasers , you could try these two. First is old reliable. About 20 bucktail hairs with 2 to 4 , 3 inch black hackle over it tied with red thread. Use a 4/0 long shank hook. The second would be about 10 bucktail hairs with about the same amount of irridescent fishahir over it, Then about 6 strands od silver krystal flask with a two peacock herl over that. Tie with silver or white thread. Again keep the teaser 3 inches or less long. I believe that if you fish these ahead of a Crystal minnow you should get some attention from the surface active fish. You can put the same teasers ahead of a jig and probe deep but be careful cause you'll get more snags with the teaser on there. Pay particular attention just before you come in contact with the start of the upslope coming up the edge. The fish have been right at the beginning of the upslope and thats also where you will get easily snagged on the bottom.
Another thing you could try as a teaser is some very small white shad bodies. I mean the tiny 2 inch variety. The smaller the better.
Good luck and lets hope the bass get a little fiestier this weekend.