Corpusfishing.com

[kodos2012]

After yesterdays success with smacks at the port a jetty I went out this morning to try again. The smacks were definitely there and were feeding though there was not quite as many. I only saw 2 caught in 3 hours. It was very cloudy so I thought perhaps the fish could not see my little lure sparkling in the sunlight like they did yesterday. I must have cast a few hundred times but only caught two small strikes. Do y'all think the clouds were the problem?

[ltorna1]

I've caught them on cloudy days, and I actually prefer fishing for them with the water is less clear because they are less picky about being leader-shy and are less likely to hit a swivel or knot and cut you off.

One thing I have found that works when they aren't hitting a spoon on a steady retrieve regularly is to fish vertical. Put on the heaviest spoon you have - like one of the largest Cordell spoons people use for jigging white bass in lakes. Mannolures work too. Normal spoons don't sink fast enough for this. I actually made my own from 1oz lead shad-shaped molded bodies I bought from ebay (decked out with some shiny lure tape). But the cordell spoons are great for this and come 2 to a pack for 3 bucks.

Once you have the heavy lure tied on, cast it and let it sink to the bottom. Lower your rod tip, and then jig it up by lifting your rod all the way up, lower your rod tip down all the way and let it sink back down, and then do it again over, walking it vertically back to the rocks. THey will often nail it on the free fall - sometimes 2-3 times on one fall. One you get it close to the rocks you need to stop jigging it and reel in quick so you don't get hung up. When the fish are finicky or are deep off the rocks, this seems to catch smacks (and jacks and trout too) at a much better rate than just casting a spoon or got-cha lure and retrieving straight. maybe its the motion, maybe its because it explores more water, maybe I'm imagining it? But several times it seems I've outfished guys right next to me when fish are picky. Just my .02. Good luck and thanks again for the report
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[kodos2012]

That's great info thank you! Though I am a seasoned bait fisherman I am a bit new to artificial techniques.