Steve Lucarelli's Secret Spawn Technique
Not for Tournament Anglers
April 3, 2009
That’s right, this technique makes catching bedding fish too easy – it’s a result of using the Float-N-Fly® system on clear, coldwater smallmouth on lakes here in New Hampshire. For years I've been using the Float-N-Fly® for bedding fish with great success; just lessening the distance to the small jig from over 9 feet to changeable depths. But with a no lead law the Float-N-Fly® hair jig fell under the size limit length for using lead headed jigs. I replaced the hair jig with a 4” Senko and have never looked back.
The system is very simple and requires only a few items that may not be in your tackle box: a bobber and a bobber stop. First place the bobber stop (photo b) on the line a couple of feet from the end of the line (hint: you may want to wet the line so the bobber stop slides easily). Next tie on the hook, then take the bobber and as shown in photo B, keep the bottom hook in the forced open position by simply pushing down on the bobber top button and turning it slightly. Before you let go of the top button on the bobber, place the open bobber hook over the line between the bobber stop and hook. That’s it!
Photo A shows the way the set-up should look.
Photo F shows what it will look like when fishing.
Find a bed and determine what the depth of the bed is (this can be a trial and error process). Slid the bobber stop up or down (wet the line). Photo C shows what the system should look like while casting. Throw the Senko/bobber past the bed keeping the rod tip high and reel it to where the bobber is on the furthest outside edge of the bed. There's a good reason for keeping the rod tip high; as the bobber is stopped at the edge of the bed, lower the rod tip, allowing the Senko to fall right into the bed.
I know everyone is aware that a Senko can be deadly for bed fishing, but there are a few pluses to using a bobber with predetermined depth control. For my guide service it allows the clients to watch the bobber instead of trying to watch the fish pick up the bait and ultimately drop the it and swim back to the bed. With the bobber against the bobber stop the slightest movement permits my clients the ability to see that something is happening with their bait.
This technique is deadly on deep nests that are difficult to hone in on. Most often the fish will rise up and take the bait before it hits the bottom. If it's windy and you know where the nest is just let the bobber drift over the area with the Senko in the lowered position. The fish will find it and you’ll know the fish has hit it by the slightest change in bobber direction. This is a great technique to use with kids, as it gives them something to watch and helps keep their attention.
As for largemouth the set-up permits an angler the ability to position the bait/bobber over the nest while the fish may be circling. Get the bobber set up on the edge of the nest while the fish is not around and when the largemouth does return drop your rod tip allowing the Senko to fall into its nest. Proper depth (largemouth being shallower) is important. Shake the Senko just off the bottom works wonders also.