spinning or casting gear. Even a 3/8-ounce underspin with a trailer can be thrown on a medium-heavy casting rod. Choose what’s comfortable for you and don’t let gear ratio dictate one reel choice over another.
I prefer a 7”, medium-heavy Abu Garcia Villain 2.0 casting rod with a Lew’s Tournament Pro G reel. I often fish 10- or 12-pound InvizX Fluorocarbon as our waters are clean and clear.
Should you prefer spinning tackle, a 7”, medium- heavy rod with a braided main line and fluorocarbon leader will work great, especially for additional casting distance.
SET THE HOOK ON SUCCESS
One last tip consists of how to set the hook with an underspin. Your efforts depend on how the fish are eating the bait.
Much like the dropshot technique, setting the hook on a fish who eats the bait from the tail to the head is more tension-based. Consider slowrolling the bait, allowing the tension to build and then steadily applying pressure once you are certain the fish has eaten the bait.
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For those fish who smack the bait - head first. You will find they often knock slack in your line. Reeling up that slack and then setting the hook over your shoulder is usually best, because when the baitis inhaled, it is deep enoughto withstand a hard hookset.
And that is the underutilized underspin, no longer a secret to those of us out west.
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