it down getting the bait deeper than needed,” he explained. “But in the last few years, I have changed my mind on that thinking.”
Preferred action for a situation is a determining factor in McClelland’s line choice. “When I do not need as much action in my stickbaits and need to keep the bait up, I will grab a reel that is spooled with Sunline Super Natural monofilament; but when I need more action out of my stickbait, I will grab a reel that is spooled with Sunline Reaction FC. With less stretch, I get more action out of my McSticks.”
Line size will affect the depth. When you need to get your baits deeper, turn towards smaller test like 10-pound. It will have a smaller diameter and will get the bait deeper than a larger diameter line.
Use your line options to your advantage. When you do not need as much action out of your bait (during cold water periods or when faced with fishing in cold front conditions) turn towards mono as your line choice. On days when
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it is the action that will get you bites opt for fluorocarbon to get the most movement out of your stick offerings.
BAIT ADJUSTMENTS
McClelland is not a fan of adding adhesive weights to force baits deeper or to hold them at a certain depth. He makes his key adjustments by changing hook sizes. Spro’s McSticks come with size #5 Gamakatsu trebles. If he prefers a deeper presentation, McClelland will upsize his hooks one or two sizes.
He starts with the middle hooks. Then, he drops the bait into the water to see the impact of the change. “The smallest change, many times, will get the job done as to what you are trying to accomplish,” he said.
If a deeper presentation is still required, McClelland will add another split ring onto the hook holders. “By doubling up on split rings, I can add more weight and not take the fish catching action from the bait,” he explained. “After each adjustment, make sure that
you test your bait alongside of your boat to see how
this has changed the action of your bait. This quick
look at what the bait is doing will give you a pretty
good idea if the changes that you made to the bait
are the changes you needed to get the bait to act like
you wanted it to.”
FISHING CADENCE
All fishermen know how retrieve is critical to getting bites. You could be around fish all day; but if you are not giving them the bait way the want it or working the bait the right way, you will not get many bites. Of course, this idea holds true for stickbaits.
“One of the biggest mistakes in working the stickbait is not working the bait on a slack line,” said McClelland. “When fishing your stickbait it is key that you keep slack in your line to get the most action out of your bait. If you are working your bait on a tight line, you will move the bait too much with your jerks. You want to have slack in the line so that when you make the downward motion with your rod, the bait will jump to the side, not move forward with the jerk”.
To start his retrieve, McClelland will give the reel handle three or four turns to get the stickbait down
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