snake95

I do this all the time for both large and smallmouth. one of my most effective baits and rigs. I find it’s a faster and more active way to fish the flatworm compared to a dropshot. I use all kinds of retrieves - fall and spiral, swim, mini shakey head. Have not found one that doesn’t work. I like both lengths but especially the longer ones.

Very interesting to learn this history. I'm a relative rookie to fishing for bass and my frame of reference doesn't go back that far. I first started hearing about the Damiki Rig during the Feb 2017 Elite event at Cherokee Lake; in more recent events Damiki Rigs and similar horizontal sitting jig/fluke rigs seem to have become more and more predominant. I understand from listening to Jeff Gustafson that guys have been fishing horizontal-sitting minnow baits for quite a while. @WRB what is the connection between dart head rigs and Western bass fishing in the 80's (?) and 2010+ era Damiki/moping fishing? Or none?

Thanks Baron, I was bank fishing this particular case and that wasn't an option but I get what you are saying. I live down in Georgia and mostly fish largemouth in GA and FL, but went to school in your neck of the woods and love to fish smallies every year in Ontario. Will give 'em more rope next time.

Thanks Dwight this is exactly what happened and where I went wrong.

Yes. It was a fantastic experience. They are crazy fighters. This guy was my first ever true monster smallie. I thought I had a 10+ walleye at first. I will use a heavier leader.

@Dwight Hottle@ajay Thanks guys for the thoughtful and informative responses, I really appreciate learning from you guys. I was in a classic big smallmouth, crystal clear water, rocky steep bank situation and you guys know that well. I am originally from up in northern Ontario where I was fishing when this happened, but have lived in the deep south in largemouth (and spot) country for a long time I did not know much about smallmouth fishing growing up as a kid. I don't get to fish in my hometown much. I am mostly in weedy ponds or highland reservoirs down south. Today I was way up north and found a shoreline spot where I could pretend to be Gussy, Johnston Brothers, Taku, Zona, or Dwight and AJay, etc and then got my dream fish on. You guys have been there. I will absorb everything you said for the next attempt. Thanks guys.

Thanks @A-Jay and all other responders. I know you could relate to my situation. After reading this and other comments, I think my mistake, such as there was one, was to jerk too hard to resume bringing her closer after a jump. It probably would have helped if my drag was set lighter. I have had bass dive into rocks and brush and get buried and wrap me up or abrade the line etc -- I guess we all have. I know it isn't ideal to wear a fish out for the sake of fighting it, and that was not what I had in mind. I was more interested in just landing it. I was in a rocky area fishing from a steep bank. Its hard to make these split-second decisions, complicated by the emotions. My heart rate monitor spiked! Very interested in the responses. Clearly this is part of the challenge of fishing!

Any tips on this topic? Specifically when to pull to control 'em, when to give them enough leash to run and wear out. Lost the smallie of the decade for me this morning. Left me shaken but that's fishing. Fishing 8 lb Tatsu with a ned rig. Using a decent knot I think. I know, lots of variables like wear on line from being in rocks. Broke me off when I had 'em close and pulled kind of hard trying to keep out of the rocks. I am more used to largemouth fishing and eager to keep them out of the brush and rocks. Interested in any tips... when are they worn out enough? Maybe this is just luck of the draw and "the agony of angling."

I read an article in which a pro recommended making multiple casts to a target with a buzzbait rather than just one. as I recall he said even more than a dozen casts was sometimes what I took to get a bite. I have had good success with this approach- it sometimes takes multiple casts to get the bite.

LOL thanks - let's just say I have a lower center of gravity than ideal! I did what others have told me to do. Just tried it! I did it in a small pond on a scorching Georgia spring day. I tried standing near the bow and other weird places. I am pushing myself because I think that's what I need to do enjoy kayak fishing more and do well at it. I did not know that. I will watch what she does.

I gave it serious consideration, and will again. For now, I'm going to stick with what I've got but someday that will be on the wishlist. Good point and experience about the lures.

This is a possibility, thanks for the suggestion. It is stern mounted. My inclination was to steer with the PDL rudder, but that requires sitting back down.

Laughing about the almost dying part. I get it! Admittedly, I am not that sophisticated with my simple Bixpy motor and paddle. Maybe that is the answer - I need a fancier setup. (Saying with a bit of a wink - I am not reading into this you are saying the answer is spend more $$ and get more gear, and I would prefer to hold off on that for now). I have shocked myself that I have figured out how to stand and fish. One step at a time!

Looking for some advice about how to stand and motor down the bank in a kayak. Background: Kayak fisherman (OT Sportsman 106PDL, Bonafide RS117). Combo of Bixpy J2 motor and using kayak paddle to steer from standing. Just learned to stand and fish. I managed to stand and fish and periodically fire up the motor to move a few feet down the bank. Worked well and was less awkward than you might think. Probably helped I wasn't catching fish! But I had my hands full - rod in one hand, paddle under one arm to occasionally steer, motor controller in hand. Can anyone with experience doing all this suggest a smoother and more efficient way to stand, motor, and fish? (in the kayak).

Wow that is it!