Rooster Tails

[Creature]

Fellow Fisherman and Fisherwomen,

I wanted to know the best technique to fish in-line spnnerbaits?  What is the best rig for them?  Your success with them?  I fish a small lake where the bass just seem to be extremly lethargic. There is a lot of cover on the edges.  The lake is fairly shallow deeps section being about 8ft. (I guess you can call it a pond.) I fish from the banks so I always try the stealth approach.  I have various size soft plastics but nothing seems to work.  There are some really nice fish in this water and I need all the advice you guys and gals can possible give.  Thanks.

[Fish Man]

ok ill just start off by sayinthat in lines are my specialty ;D and that as far as technique a cast and steady retrieve works best.run near the cover but not right throught it cuz they are by no means weedless..they work ok when the bass are lethargic an i guess u could catch them considering i have in february while its just above freezing out. our water too is shallow(1-4 feet in most places we fish). while fishing from the banks try to cast it just past a bush or whatever cover you have without gettin hung up in it an run the lure as close by it as possible, often this will attract fish out of the cover and bite..however dont forget about casting into open water( if its cold this may be best because they stay in deeper/warmer water while its cold)....with both techniques a fish will often follow the lure until a couple of feet before it is to the bank....i like to use a frog colored roostertail (any style) and a gold shiner blue fox which also works great for bass

O and i forgot, my favorite rig is a 5,6 foot light action pole with a shimano sahara reel and 8#sufix seige

P.S these lures will catch panfish too in smaller sizes(3/16 an under)

Logan

[captaininsaneo]

not that roostertails will not work, because they definitely will, but with the amount of cover you are describing i think you are much better off with some sort of soft plastic.  Depending on the weather wherever you are, these fish are most likely very tight to that shoreline cover, or spawning backed up to it.  Get a pair of polarized sunglasses, and try to look for some fish.  Regardless, a plastic worm or lizard TX rigged, or a creature bait like my new favorite the YUM Wooly Hawg Tail will produce.  Just take your time and fish slow.  Stop your retrieve occassionally and let the lure rest on the bottom while you shake it in place.  No matter how tough fishing gets, never abandon soft plastics all together, especially in heavy cover.