Just as, if not more than, important as gear and bait, is the location you fish in as well as you’re technique. without either one of these you may be in for a long day at the river with nothing to show for it.
LOCATION
This is kinda difficult to give advice on, and is definatly debatable. Try to get a spot away from major barge traffic. Also make sure you have drop offs. We have found that they love these. Also shallow areas just can’t hold the big fish. Run offs are not always good areas, niether are bridge piers. We do have a spot that has a run off, but it doesn’t really seem to matter.Try different locations at different flood stages. Some spots are good for a high river while some are better for low stages. Fish up and down the bank. Remember these fish are constanly moving due to the current. It may be a good idea to have multiple poles out at different spot, not too far away, when first trying a spot. Try the coves, but don’t expect much. Sometimes the coves are great, other times not so. This again may depend on the river’s stage. This last bit of advice may be purely superstitious, but if a spot is too easy and accesbalie, it may not be good fishing. We usually walk about a half to a mile and a half on train tracks, gravel and sheet rock. The bigger of a pain the better the fishing seems, especially when it’s hot. then again maybe we just appreciate it more.
TECHNIQUE
The fishing technique we use is quite simple. First you’ll need to get setup. First off, tie a rock at the end of you’re line. Make sure you have plenty of little ridges in the rock so it doesn’t slip off in the current. Also, make sure you’re rock isn’t too heavy or too light. A heavy rock will be a bit of a pain to cast out, and one too light will not sink that fast and will be carried by the current. BE SURE TO TIE THE ROCK ON GOOD AND TIGHT. You may want to shake it around a bit to make sure it won’t pop off.
Next tie an overhand knot on a bite (tied by a loop in the line) about 6-12 inches up from the rock. This is so the hook is not directly on top of the rock itself. Then feed the loop though the eye of the hook and slip the hook through the loop. Pull the line so the loop is secured around the the top of the hook by the eye. Now make another loop between the hook and the overhand knot and feed the hook through and tighten. Do this 2 or 3 times. This is so the hook float free of the rock and the main line. Now cast out. You’ll need to be at least 5 foot out. Use you’re judgement on distance and expiriment with you’re spot. Take into consideration the current and the hieght of the river. This part is mostly trial and error.
Depending on you’re terrain, you may need to use rocks or loggs to prop up you’re rod. Also make sure to have the rod secured on land. When you get a bite, you’ll know it. You’re rod will pop hard and sharp. This is how you can tell the difference between the current and a fish. This is also why you’re rod needs to be well anchored. Yes, a 5 lbs. cat can pull you’re setup in in a blink of an eye. When you’re rod pops, grab it fast and set the hook immediatly. Now you’ll be angling like anywhere else. Take into consideration the current. these bad boys will use it to thier advantage. You may need to work the fish a bit so as not to break you’re line. Here’s a hint, pray for a barge. We have found that they tend to go more docile when a barge is comming. When you get ‘em ashore have you’re stringer ready, bait up, and cast back out.
