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Flipping.
This is the method used by Denny Brauer last year (1998) to win
the Bassmaster Classic.
Using a spinning rod and reel, loaded with 15 pound test, I tie
a 2/0 Gamakatsu wide gap hook directly to
the line and fish the larger 3 a half inch baits with a small lead
weight (called a GITZIT Glider) inside the lure.
The lead is there purely to add to the overall weight and assists
in bait presentation. I prefer one eighth of an
ounce, but if conditions are tough, I will reduce the weight to
a one sixteenth of an ounce. A tip here for those
of you unfamiliar with this type of fishing. Place the lure in your
hand and close your eyes. Hop the bait up
and down in your hand and “feel” the weight of the lure. I guarantee
that when you pitch or flip the lure into the
water and remember the feel of the total lure weight, you will be
able to detect bites more easily. Presentation
under docks or into weed edges should be made with the same delicate
entry, as you would use for a jig and
pork. The less surface commotion, the better. Allow the bait to
fall naturally, giving extra line from the spool if
needed. Often the bait will be taken on the fall, so watch your
line. Once the bait reaches the bottom, feel the
weight of the lure with your rod and twitch the bait slowly back
towards you. If the lure feels heavy or seems
to be stuck set the hook! I would rather stick a submerged pad or
piece of structure, than lose a fish.
Hot colors for the island include, but are not restricted to: black,
black and blue, black with red flake,
pumpkinseed with black flake, green pumpkin, green with a cinnamon
tail and watermelon with black flake.
Pitching.
Similar rules apply here as they do for flipping. Casting a distance
with a lure like this will make a
quiet entry into the water a little more difficult. The best technique
is to raise the rod tip just as the lure is
about to enter the water. This slows the bait in the air and will
lessen the impact on landing. Casting a longer
distance than you would have for flipping requires additional attention
to the line. Feeling the bite can also be
aided by running the line over a finger in front of the reel. Subtle
movements are often felt with this method
when retrieving the line.
Carolina
Rigging. I see faces frown at the thought! So let
me share this with you. Carolina rigging a Gitzit
can often pick up the larger fish that hold deep and are wise to
worms and lizards. I have fooled many 3-pound
plus fish into taking a Gitzit fished this way, so please do not
over look it when the fishing gets tough.
Finally, Gitzits can also be fished Texas stylewith the weight on
the nose of the lure. In heavy weeds I will
allow the weight to run freely on the line. I find this eliminates
a lot of snagging in the weeds. If the weeds have
open areas, peg the weight with a piece of toothpick, making sure
the excess is snipped off. I will not use a
weight over a quarter ounce as it most certainly effects the lure
action.
Purchasing Gitzits can be a daunting task. The original “Mr. Gitzit”
Bobby Garland, recently sold his
business to BUD’Z FISHIN WAY’Z of Northfield, New Jersey. I have
spoken with Bud and he is a great guy.
You can order his extensive range of Gitzits by calling toll free
(888) 758-2864 or faxing an order on
(609) 641-3087. Fishing clubs and organizations should call Bud
to ask about volume discounts.
Tight Lines!
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