How to Ready Yourself for the Big Spring Bite

By Dan Duncan

Most of us know a little about fishing for the big fish of spring, but let's look at some of the little things that can be overlooked. First let's talk about terminal tackle. You will first need to think about what you are going to target. You may wish to just go after fish up to 20 lbs. or so or you may want to target very large fish up to the 40s or lake record.

If you target very large fish then you will need to use better tackle. I would suggest you use medium heavy rods with at least 20lb main line and up to 30lb or more in some instances. Then you will want to have a reel with a smooth drag system, such as the Shimano Tekota or a reel with an equal quality drag system. This can be paramount when a fish of the 40 lb. caliber attacks your bait.

Now let's discuss the leader and hook combinations. I try and set up all my rods the same way, with about a 5 or 6 foot leader, and a bead and swivel separating the main line from the leader. This provides the flexibility to use any of these rods with planer boards or flat lines.

Now add a poor man's down rigger with a weight and release. It can now be attached to any of the above combo's and quickly turn these setups into down lines. This can be very successful when dropped below the transom. While the weight can be moved from just at the swivel to as much as 10' or more above the leader. This will now allow your weight to drag just under the transom. While your weight may be 15' down, your bait is another 10' or more back from the weight, and now essentially giving you a deep prop bait. This method is extremely effective in April and May as the fish start gathering back up and staging just in the 20' to 35' contours.

Now as far as hooks go, I use the octopus 3o all the way up too a 7o, but this is definitely your independent choice, when it comes to your preference in hook styles sizes and bends.

I prefer 3 baits of choice; dollar bill size to large gizzies, medium to large trout, and the largest blue back's I can find. With this smorgasbord, you can pick and choose how you wish to set up your spread.

There are several different schools of thought regarding planer board placement and positioning. I tend to believe it is best to place your largest baits on the boards closest to the boat and your smaller baits on your outside boards. This is called the sign post method, luring the fish in with the large baits and the heavy vibration closer to the boat. Now if the fish is not large enough to take the big bait, he can then attack the smaller bait as the fish retreats. I will change this up however when the water temps hit that 55 degree mark and the big sows head to the very back of the creeks and are now in very skinny water. This is when I want the big baits with only about 10' of line behind the board on a short leash right on the banks.

When looking for that giant fish, consider these fish are now staging for their spawning role, and will gorge themselves preparing for this strenuous time of the year. Now you will want to fish close against the bank, looking for smooth clay banks as well as brushy edges and stump fields, especially if it's on a western face.

When you can find a small hole or drop off, it will also pay to sink a bait right in the hole. When you have taken a monster strike and she didn't take the bait, keep a cut bait rod ready to throw back at her. This will get the strike and hook up many times.

As the day gets older and the sun gets higher, you may also want to try adding small amounts of weight to your leader until you find the depth the fish want the bait presented to them. It will be beneficial taking your contour lines a little deeper.

These are just some ideas to keep in mind as we head into the wonderful time of GIANT STRIPERS. I hope that maybe a few of these suggestions can pay big for you this spring. Good Luck!!!