Tackle and Landing a Giant
| Setup | Rod | Line | For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jig / worm | 7'3"–7'6" heavy, fast | 17–20 lb fluorocarbon | Riprap, football jig, Texas rig |
| Deep crank | 7'6" medium-heavy, moderate | 12–15 lb fluorocarbon | 10–20-ft cranking on rock |
| Swimbait | 7'6"–8' heavy / XH | 20–25 lb fluorocarbon or 65-lb braid + leader | 6–8-in swimbaits and glides |
| Jerkbait | 6'10"–7' medium, moderate-fast | 10–12 lb fluorocarbon | Pre-spawn points |
| Spoon / finesse | 7' medium-heavy | 15-lb braid + 12-lb leader | Ridge and deep schools |
These are my recommendations inference.
Landing near riprap. Riprap cuts line. After a hookset on the dam, swing the boat out away from the rock, keep the rod tip high, and steer the fish into open water before you net it. Check the last 3 ft of line after every fish inference.
Fishing deep. A big fish pulled up fast from 30 ft or more can get barotrauma (a swollen swim bladder). Bring deep fish up slowly. If one floats belly-up, ask ODWC about fizzing or descending devices before you use one inference.