thunderstick question...

[danflorave]

What do you believe is the correct way to work a thunderstick when river fishing?

I know this may seem like a dumb question, but I have heard things about "quarter casting", which I believe is casting slightly upstream, and slow cranking as the lure swings over the hole...and I've heard "do not cast "completely" upstream, because the lure won't "dig" down...

Any imput would be greatly aprreciated...thank you, folks.

[Nailer]

Dan, welcome to the site.

[sjk984]

Quarter casting is so that you don't spook the fishi in the hole or run you are fishin. I cast up river and then just reel in the slack till the lure is in front of me or just entering the hole. NOw you can reel it in to retrive it or you can let the current dive the lure as itr swings toward shore. The second seems to be my best method but they both work.

Steve

[danflorave]

Thank you both...yes, skj, that makes a lot of sense... must say that it seems to me any hit on the stick has come 90 degrees to the shore (from a boat), or slightly past...

I must ask if you ever drop back after the initial crank down...or change direction as you crank in...again, thanks.

[danflorave]

Sorry, sjk984, for getting the username backwards...long day

[sjk984]

I do both to see what they wan't. sometimes they want that slight hesitaion or just a slight turn of the lure. Use both till you find out what's working.

Where will you be fishing?

[danflorave]

I will be on the Pere Marquette River this coming Monday...be fishing from a boat...most likely down river from Scottville.

I go out every year (past 4 years) with a local fellow that has done well for us...just like to get a perspective from others who have done this for years...nothing more valuable than good information.

[SUPERTRAMP]

I will be on the Pere Marquette River this coming Monday...be fishing from a boat...most likely down river from Scottville.

I go out every year (past 4 years) with a local fellow that has done well for us...just like to get a perspective from others who have done this for years...nothing more valuable than good information.

Try back trolling the holes with the thunderstick and with Hot N Tots its killer on the Kalamazoo and St Joe.

[eastcoasttransplant]

Depending on the day, you can catch fish with every method....upstream casting, quartering and swinging or straight downstream casting.

Now although I haven't fished the Michigan rivers, one thing I really like to do with stickbaits in minimal to moderate current is a hard downward jerking motion followed by a short pause. The jerking motion causes the plug to dive hard, stop and then dive hard again. It really seems to tick off fish that won't hit the standard straight retrieves.

I have had my best success with stickbaits for harbor and river salmon and trout by using this downward jerking motion. When standard retrieves aren't working give it a try.

[danflorave]

Hey, thank you for the info folks...

I happen to have a couple of lures called "Dave's Kaboom Mean Streaks" that have a bill that looks like they will dive into a 9' to 12' hole...was planning to try these along with the thundersticks...think they might work?

[eastcoasttransplant]

They will work but you can't use the jerk style retrieve with them. You can use a stop and go after reaching your target depth.