Trip To Table Rock 6-11 May

[mrcold]

When we've thrown fins the last couple years, the average size seems quite a bit larger, but the bite is only on for an hour, and our hookup percentage is horrible. It sure is fun though. I'm gonna have to find some photos somewhere to determine exactly what you are referring to with bluff ends and swing ends. Is it just where the bluffs come down and transition to gravel or chunk rock?

[dtrs5kprs]

When we've thrown fins the last couple years, the average size seems quite a bit larger, but the bite is only on for an hour, and our hookup percentage is horrible. It sure is fun though. I'm gonna have to find some photos somewhere to determine exactly what you are referring to with bluff ends and swing ends. Is it just where the bluffs come down and transition to gravel or chunk rock?

Bluff ends are the point made at the end of the bluff where the channel swings away. Some are rounded, some are pretty sharp. Swing ends are basically the same structure, but not necessarily with a true vertical bluff bank, just a place out in the main lake or river arms where the channel swings in against the bank. It is basically a bluff that does not look as vertical, if that makes sense. Look at a map of HWY 13 area and find Whiterock bluff...follow the channel along it both ways and you will see bluff ends and a swing end at the mouth of Whites Branch. Other places are across the James from Pt 9, and at the end of Cedar Bluff. Those may not be the places to be, but are examples of the structure.

If fish are missing that fin, either slow it down some, or swap out for another wake bait or a floating swimbait. Helps sometimes.

[MstStudent10]

Most of us probably take this for granted as we already do it, but u never know, some people may not know to do this. NEVER throw a Redfin with the stock hooks it comes with. Replace with sticky sharp Gamakatsu or Mustad trebles. Night and day difference when it comes to hookups.

[Bill Babler]

Great Point MS Student

[Jason Essary]

My problem is I can not get one to run right. I was told once that you have to buy like 4 to get one that runs right. Any suggestions?

[dtrs5kprs]

My problem is I can not get one to run right. I was told once that you have to buy like 4 to get one that runs right. Any suggestions?

1 in 4 would be a good return. Bought about $300 of them a few years back in one purchase, maybe 3-5 of those run well, another 3-5 ok, rest are "brother in law specials". There are a lot of simple tweaks that help:

Change out the hardware to lighter grade rings.

Change out to Gammie trebles...seem to weigh less, smaller hook up front, larger in rear.

Rear hook should be a fairly long teaser, flashabou or feather (creates some drag?).

Add a couple of suspendots to the belly of the front section, right at the joint.

The rest of it is a combo of luck, retrieve speed, boat control, etc. Keep it coming at you, not behind the boat. Throw it and get it going, and try not to move the boat in the process. Move the boat after retrieve is done, wait to throw until boat stops again. Run heavy mono.

There are some other good wakers out there, from small pockets to large. The jointed thunderstick will work, as will a plain long A bomber. Strike King wake shad is a pretty good runner that throws well.