Ledge Fishing Tips Part 4

Technique and Tackle. As previously mentioned, the techniques employed for ledge fishing are the same or very similar to the techniques you would use when fishing the shoreline. I recommend you approach ledge fishing from a "top to bottom" aspect, that is, start fishing the "top" of the ledge first and then work deeper on the ledge to locate the active fish. Many times the active fish will be holding just at the top edge of the ledge or on or near cover that is on the shallow water side of the ledge. You can visualize this if you compare it to fishing the shoreline in which the fish are in shallow water near the bank or between the bank and the edge of the first drop into deeper water. You would employ the same techniques here as you would if fishing the similar shoreline area you have visualized. Topwater, shallow to medium running crankbaits, Texas rigged plastics, jerk baits, spinnerbaits etc. Just as in shoreline fishing you may have to cover the entire spectrum of shallow to medium water techniques to find the right pattern and lure selection for these fish. Just like in shoreline fishing you must take into account time of day, water temperatures, cloud cover, etc. to help you in finding the right lure and technique for the shallower fish. Generally, if the fish are in this top of the ledge area they will be actively feeding and it does not take long to find out if the fish are there. If the fish are not responsive on the top of the ledge then you would start to probe deeper on the ledge just as you would if you were fishing a shoreline point. Visualize the top of the ledge as the waters edge if you were fishing a shoreline point and employ the same techniques that you would there taking into consideration the slope gradient of the ledge. Just as with a shoreline point you may be fishing a gradually dropping bottom or you may be fishing a steep dropping bottom into the channel. It has been my experience that ledges that have good cover that drop off at about a 45 degree grade are the more productive ledges but there are times when a steeper drop or shallower dropping bottom may be the pattern and should not be overlooked. I have found to it to be the most productive to use deep running crankbaits, large spinnerbaits, jig and pig, and Carolina Rigs to fish the "drop" side of a ledge. I prefer Bill Norman crankbaits in the DD14 and DD22 series for my deep cranking. Good selections of these crankbaits can be found in any good sporting goods store or tackle shop. I like to use Lock Jaw spinnerbaits in the one ounce size and have found these to be a deadly lure when slow rolled over the top of the ledge and let drop slowly down the ledge. Carolina rigging is my favorite method of fishing the ledges because as mentioned before they also transmit to me the information about what type cover and bottom I am fishing as well as being a very productive technique. I use a Falcon 7ft Carolina Lizard Dragger rod in MH weight for my Carolina rigging and have found it to be the best rod I have ever used for this technique. I equip my rod with a Lew's reel filled with 20lb P-Line for the main line and use 10-14 lb P-Line for the leader. I prefer to use a ½ to 1 ounce brass bullet sinker, two glass beads, and a brass swivel to complete my Carolina rig. Ledge Secrets. As you can see, there are no secrets to ledge fishing. It is just another way of employing what you already know but in a different area of the lake than you are now fishing. The next time you are out there on the water and pounding the banks and the fish are not biting, look behind you and take time to think about how many fish there are out there on those ledges just waiting for you to find them. If you will spend some time learning to fish the ledges you just might turn that other half of the year that you are struggling to catch fish into some very good fishing trips or even a check at the weigh-in. I hope this helps a few of you out as it has helped me!!!