Rig for Shiners

[Batroun]

Not to beat a dead horse, but I think (I only 'think') I've figured out how to fish with the shiners. The trick seems to be to definitely use a heavy sinker and put it 3 feet from the hook, but line twist tends to be a problem. The shiner swims itself in knots. Solution is to tie a swivel on, then tie on the 3 foot line with hook on the bottom end of the in-line swivel. Might be basic for you guys who've been on the water a long while, but it took me 20 trips to figure out. Then, I added the split shot just above the swivel. Voila! No more line twist. Only downside is that with 3 knots between you and the fish, there are 2 more opportunities for something to go wrong. So be careful with your knots! I'm heading out tomorrow (Thursday) bright and early for some aqua-therapy. Will report when I get to the office. Happy fishing guys.

[VinnyH]

Batroun,
I'm not sure if you meant this but I plan on using a 3 way swivel, something like these


Hope to hear good things about your trip out. I'll be going out on Sunday for trout at kensico.

Best Always,
Vinny

[Batroun]

Thanks for that photo Vinny. I used in-line swivels, just 2 loops versus 3. Worked pretty well and significantly lessened line twist.

Went out today at 6.30am with a bucket of shiners, and was skunked, totally skunked for the second time in a year. Could not scare up a nibble, catch a bite at all, and it looked like I was not the only one out there struggling to find any fish. Actually saw a lot of smallies surface feeding. Good heavens they are aggressive! Saw one moment where the water boiled and the smallie hammered whatever poor baitfish it was pursuing. My money's always on the smallies! But to the morinng's lack of fish--I have a fish-finder at home, but seriously, it's Kensico! Who needs a fish-finder? Mine sits on the wall unused. Well, that's why it's called fishin' and not catchin', right?
Good luck on the weekend guys.

[VinnyH]

Actually saw a lot of smallies surface feeding. Good heavens they are aggressive! Saw one moment where the water boiled and the smallie hammered whatever poor baitfish it was pursuing.

I was out with my buddy, Arthur, not far from the bridge and he caught 6 smallies quickly on a Lucky Craft Sammie. He saw the same activity and went right for it. I had a Zara Spook on and caught 1. I now own a Sammie LOL.

Thanks for the report,
Vinny