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?

[goosefish]

Current is a hard one. It goes way beyond being able to read a tide chart and knowing that wind against tide makes for an ugly ride.

[numbskull]

Then there is reading the stuff. Obviously seams are good but do you get your fish in the run or after you pop out? Once you pop out you creeping it back, or cranking it in fast to make another swing. How many guys swim a plug backwards? How you doing that with spinning tackle?

What about obstructions? You trying to swing in front, behind, or alongside? How far back beyond the obstruction do you find fish? What do you do when they wrap you in current? Try to drag 'em back, hold them and hope they swim upstream, give line?
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[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Any advice?

Fish jigs

[Rappin Mikey]

In the heavy current I let em run for a while till I get scared. Then I cup the school for a bit. If it is a big fish in big current, there is nothing left to do but tighten the drag once you know they are beat and horse them in. Keep em on top so you can see the giant wake. If you let em dig they'll screw you on the bottom break you off or keep taking line. If you have the ability to chase them down the bank, that is a different story. I don't like to give them chit. They will abuse you. Then again what do I know? I am still searchin for my 50, and I'm pretty sure I have blown my chance more than once in big current.

[spence]

Live eel with a teaser.
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[numbskull]

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

Fish jigs

If everything is open and the structure you want to cover is at 11-2 o'clock that is fine.........but what if the structure is up tide and you can't move, or straight downtide of you? Or the rip boils up from 15ft to 5 ft over a shelf and the fish are on the shelf? How do you manipulate jigs to cover those situations? I run into them all.
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[numbskull]

Originally Posted by spence

Live eel with a teaser.
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Atheist
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[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by numbskull

If everything is open and the structure you want to cover is at 11-2 o'clock that is fine.........but what if the structure is up tide and you can't move, or straight downtide of you? Or the rip boils up from 15ft to 5 ft over a shelf and the fish are on the shelf? How do you manipulate jigs to cover those situations? I run into them all.
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Lighter jig.

[ProfessorM]

Beats me. I lost several this year and I'm still whining about the one in Oct. in the afternoon when no one in their right mind would be wasting their time at the canal. That one hurt. I usually just do a lot of praying.

[Linesider82]

Up current works but like fly fishing slack is the enemy, down current works as well. Again to me, I think of fly fishing where I get strikes letting the current work the streamer, or in this case a plug. However it has to be in the right location, if you are on a rock and the current is at your feet this is good. If the current is in front of you hopefully is is 8-10ft out equal or close to the rod length. Let it sit, let it ride. It sometimes it is the moment the plug will collide with the obstacle. Rock, pier, etc. Let it wiggle, then let out two feet and re-set the line on the roller. Or, bring it forward a foot or two. A fish might be keyed-in but non committal until it moves a bit.

[ivanputski]

I was just discussing the live eel and a teaser thing the other day...

How do you decide how to handle the hit? if the hit is on the teaser, you set hook right away... eel hit : wait, then set...

BUT! How the heck do you know which it hit?

The split focus on my end would mess me up and make me miss fish.

i love eels, and fish teasers often with plugs... but never together

[MAKAI]

I try to fish parallel to the edge when conditions allow. Tend to try and fish with the current coming at me. But have done ok the other way. Can't count how many times I've got hits as I'm lifting the plug out of the water.
When it's really humping I bring out the big stick.
(VS 275 w 65# Samurai and a 1322 w 6 inches of the tip )
Can really put the boots to them but then you run the risk of pulling hooks out of flesh.
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[Slipknot]

Fish with Roy and see how he does it

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

Fish with Roy and see how he does it

I wish. That guy is the best fisherman I'll ever meet, but isn't he in Fla now?

So rat him out. How does he do it?

Seems to me that unless fish are breaking on top, almost all the fish I get are at a single sweet spot where the plug or jig approaches 2 o'clock. That might be OK in the canal, but plenty of other places I fish have specific structure that is not at that sweet spot.

My sense is that I am passing over fish, but my plug or jig is ineffective except when it hits that one sweet spot. Likewise, holding a plug and letting it work against current nabs an occasional fish, but the plug covers very little ground. I'm curious if people do better dropping back slowly, or pulling fast against the current.
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[Slipknot]

have you tried a needlefish plug, maybe one with a skinny nose and very heavy? I love needlefish. Jigs are my thing in current, but 10-15 ft. depths I would think darters would work, as far as the strike zone, not sure how to get them at a different spot if you can't stand where you'd need to. plant a boulder and get on it with wetsuit.


I have some crazy theories about Roy, he used to be a fish in his past life. The guy just has the gift, he's the type who will be next to you and you both are using the same thing and he will out catch you 10 - 1.
Yes , he is back in Fla harassing their fish for now.

[JohnnySaxatilis]

Originally Posted by numbskull

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?

Ahhh, ran into paul the other day said you were dabbling in the ditch...so thats what I assume you're talkin about
These past few weeks for some reason all my fish have been within 20 yrds of the shoreline. Mainly cuz ive been using that orca spook and unloaded redfin for the herring. It really depends on the spot, you have to know intimately whats going on out there. There are a few places where I know that you have plenty of room to let the fish go down current, there's little to no obstruction on the bottom and I just let them get into the side where the current isnt bad and fight them in there. Other spots that are deffinite fish catchers sometimes have a giant friggin boulder right in front of you, which limits your tactics jigging, but sometimes is a perfect place to swim the spook or swimmer over. When you do feel the fish wrap up on a rock, I don't move. I dont want the line rubbing on the rock, so I freeze until the fish turns and frees itself. I've been learning from a few regulars down there, and found some spots no watter what where the fish are always tight to the shore in that seam. Thats my favorite tactic last few weeks, let the thing go wayyyyy down current not even turning the handle just letting the current work the plug, and work the seam. Guys cast their jigs 100yrds out at the most popular spots as fish are literally sitting at their feet. we wait till they leave frustrated, move in and slam em on shads or swimmers tight to shore when nothings showing...

[Stewie]

First plug out of the bag when I'm there is a yellow darter. I cast it out as far as i can. I let it drift, occasionally stopping the line to let it struggle against the current. If I have the space, I'll work it for more than 100 yards. Then slowly work it back up the rocks. It's easier if you wear waders and stand knee deep. I suppose you could shorten up your cast to cover different water on each cast, but I never do.

When I hook up(not as often as I'd like), I set the hook hard and horse them in. This Spring I had a terrific battle with a monster bass, with grunting, groaning et.c.(and witnesses) I finally landed the brute. It might have weighed eleven pounds. I've landed much larger with a lot less fight. This allows me to believe that all the fish I can't stop are actually only little guys.

[Back Beach]

Something tells me Numbskull's next topic will be along the lines of "How do you rig a ladies bike with rod holders?"
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[Vogt]

Trebles + Braid + Hard Current = Dropped fish.

George,
If you're fishing trebles in current you are going to drop a lot of fish no matter what you do. You can only give so much line to a fish and keeping them out of obstruction is just a reality. Barbs may help a bit but I have lost many fish in hard current with barbs on my hooks. The only real solution to this problem that I have found is to run single hooks. Jigs, riggies, live eels, sluggos, etc. are my go to offerings in the current. I know you aren't an eel guy so that narrows it down quite a bit. If you must use trebles I have found that bumping up the size to the maximum that the plug allows for will help. Remember, more hook gap is better in this situation. There are also people starting to experiment more with replacing all of their trebles with free swinging single hooks. Even the belly hooks.

[Rockfish9]

I make many differant kinds of of plugs.. and at one time or the other.. I'll even fish a few of them.. but when it comes to fast water.. which for me is one of the most infamous inlets on the east coast there are two plugs that stand out..

A goo-goo eye fitted with single 9/0 siwash on the belly will work in the worst of currents... and you may( will) miss a few hits.. but you wont drop any once hooked up... no matter how much pressure you apply.. back when i sold my catch.. EVERY plug was fitted with singles.. now i dont care if I loose a few.. ..I think we discussed this once at plugfest...if I go this year i'll bring a few of the special riggies.. it's not something I make a habit of showing the public...

I also have very good luck with trollers under those conditions... on a moon tide the merrimack can reach 7 knots on the drop.. i troll against it at 1.5.. goo-goos and trollers are the only ones that get to the fish and not roll out..I'm using 60lb wire with the drag socked up tight ( the only time I fish a tight drag.. most big fish are lost because 90% of the people fishing use a drag that is just too tight).. .. I know this is a surf discussion but it is pertinant...

a simular technique can be used from the jetty( which is in such a state of disrepair that it is unfishable now a days.. ).. the plug is played out into the current and allowed to work the edge on an ultra slow retrieve.. pausing often to let the plug rise in the water collum.. sometimes I'll let it swim backwards against slight thumb pressure ( conventional reel).. but ti REALY sucks when a bass smashes the backwards swimming plug unless your paying close attention.. for the most part, most of this water is between 3'-12'... there also deeper "bowls" scattered in between..most can only be reached/worked by boat....when swimmig a plug from a jetty ( or even a boulder pile) work it right to the base of the rocks i couldn't count the times i have had a bass slam the plug as i lifted it from the water... ... again.. a goo-goo will dive and find fish when deep running plugs like conrads will roll out.... the edges, rather than the swift current are the lair of the larger fish... they also lie in the shallow depressions, mid current in otherwise flat water... your offering must scrape their head if you want a strike... it's way differant than fishing the beach...

you mentioned structure... it really doesnt have to be much... as I said before it doesn't have to be much more than shallow depressions... edges where two currents clash can make a holding spot... and of coarse the obvious.. rocks and mussel... shoals and the like...as far as how far back... it all depends on the structure and velocity of the current. some times they stay real tight.. other times the turbulance and slick after it extends back a fair distance.. if less effort is needed to hold in posistion they can be a considerable distance...

I know it's been said before.. and I preach it to anyone smart enough to listen... big fish are lazy.. they need to expend the fewest calories for the highest reward.. big bait big fish.. calm(er) water big fish.. the rips may be exploding all around a "spot" but if it's holding big fish.. they have a hiding place where the living is easy... fat men dont run to the salad bar...they walk to the buffet...

[MAKAI]

Ummm......I run to the buffet when the new food comes out !
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[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Something tells me Numbskull's next topic will be along the lines of "How do you rig a ladies bike with rod holders?"
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That, too, after watching what Paul accomplishes up there. But my concerns about current are more generic. Lots of spots I fish, Nobska, WH, Quicks, Robinsons, Scorton, SOH, Maravista have tons of it. For years I was convinced skirting the edges of it, fishing the changes, and poking around obstructions was the way to go. This year I've changed my mind and feel I am missing lots of fish who set up in or under the fastest current around.
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[chefchris401]

as far as plugs go in current my go has been super strike darter, noreaster baits darter, and ccw small danny.

my favorite spot to fish is also when one my toughest to land a solid fish at.

the structure is at 12, straight out from where you can stand safely,its the only spot you can stand, deep water on both sides, i cast slightly to the right of it and work the plug thru the pocket until about 3 o'clock. must the hits come as the plug drifts over the bar into the pocket.

the darters/ccw plug hold really well and shallow enough to miss the bar/rocks but still deep enough to hold in the rip.

once the fish is on, i hope that it goes to the right into clear water with little or no structure and less current, but more often than not the fish will hit and run to the left, now its on top of the structure and can easily get off, using the current and all the holes in the rocks to break you off or hang up, the bigger fish always seem to know this trick here and will almost always run into the reef/shallower water.

you cant really fish jigs here cause the water is shallow the fish seem to key in on the pause after it hits the pocket, ive had some success with soft plastics like rigged sluggos and single hook soft plastics, but nothing is as effective as a darter.

one thing that i do on my darters and must plugs is i crush the barbs on the rear hook only, that way if the hook does get into the fish it easily pops out not letting the fish get extra leverage, and 95% of the fish seem to take the front hook on the darter anyway. Ive noticed that this trick helps me land more fish on darters and does less damage to them too.

[piemma]

This is a great thread.

I have never used 2 trebles. Always switch out the rear hook for a 6/0 Siwash. I have done it a few times on the belly hook with great results. It just looks strange but the fish cannot get the same leverage with a single that they can with a treble.
Current is difficult at best. Back when I fished the mouth of Narrow River regularly I had my best results on a rigged eel or rigged sluggo. All single hooks. I do not think barbs make a difference.

[BigFish]

Some of my best catching days are when I fish my surfster......with the current running hard I cast it straight out and let the current work it as I slowly retrieve.......as the plug swims up along the bank I get alot of follows and hard takes from nice fish up along the side......many days when the bite is good like this I can get fish every other cast for awhile until the changing current shuts it off. The window usually lasts an hour give or take.......I like the 1 hour after low to 2-3 hours after low (mid tide) the bite is often great and most spend their time casting topwater out towards the middle......or they sit waiting for breaking fish? Mean while I am working the swimmers up along the bank catching fish!

[ProfessorM]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Something tells me Numbskull's next topic will be along the lines of "How do you rig a ladies bike with rod holders?"
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We have already discussed it
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[numbskull]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

We have already discussed it
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Because you're too lazy to offer me a ride on the handlebars.
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[ProfessorM]

LOL Now that would be a sight. Maybe I'll get one of those little trailer things for kiddies. Your not that big
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[tysdad115]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

LOL Now that would be a sight. Maybe I'll get one of those little trailer things for kiddies. Your not that big
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That would be a sight ...
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