The downline bite for us was slow this morning. On the other hand leadcore 8-9 colors back with Cast Away Baits Lanier blueback jig was the ticket. A 13lbs and 16lbs fish made our day considering struggling early. Hope this might help someone.

Looks like you made it a very nice day, Good Job!!!

Thanks Dan . Just wish Brandon could of had these fish for us the last tournament . It never happens when you want it too lol

Some nice fish right there fella's. Good to see that jig catching some fish. I'm making some of those today for an order. I'll have to make some extras to run on the downrigger later this week. Good job and nice fish!

maybe ill catch some fish like that for the tournmnet next month

Quick question...are down riggers just as effective as lead core? Just wondering if they are worth the investment.I am not a big fan of reeling in 250 feet of line...too much work...thanks jimmy

How heavy of a jig are u using Dan

Jimmmy,I agree with u 250 ft of leadcore is a lot of realing...I use dnriggers with decent success,I even put the u rig on them and drop the ball dn 17 ft,, There are those that believe that the ball scares the fish,,and i suppose that can happen but i have caught a lot of stripers on the dnrigger and u rig Dan

If you use heavy enough jigs I think leadcore is just as good but alot of guys use both so they can have four lines going at once and not just two. And about the ball spooking the fish, Jim Farmer makes a piece of lead in place of the ball that actually looks like a fish and has had stripers come up and slam the weight before Haha. So if the ball scares them get with Jim.

I have found quite the opposite! the fish come to the balls all the time. I think sometimes we are not as successful with the downriggers. Because many times the Jig or whatever lure you are useing, is running TOO FAR back. The fish come up and look at the balls and if the bait is close by I think you receive more strikes. IMO

Depends on the year. Believe too strongly one way or the other and one day you are going to get waxed by the other. I think guides are the worst at this about not changing. Have real good luck with one exact way for a few years then bam someone new comes along doing it slightly different like closer or further awar from the ball and they wax your butt. The Spro Mcstick is a good example. We have been catching tons of stripes on the Long A for decades. You have so much confidence in it it is hard to throw anything else but no doubt some nights the Mcstick was the choice. Is it the herring? maybe so but who knows. Maybe that is just different. Maybe it is just noiser. Either way I have not figured out a way to get a striper to tell me why.

These fish are just like women , you can't never tell what there gonna do

Backwoods....you are correct...kinda....all stripers are female...just when you think you have them figured out....you know the story...<")))><

Hahaha that's right Bill ! Good to c ya out there on the lake today !!