Thread: manual bail flipping...

Originally Posted by john g

Thats what your index finger is for,to feather the cast in order to slow it down.

Oh, slowing it down isn't the issue. The Arkansas tailrace (where I fish) has so many rocks and is moving so fast (When all or most of the gates are open on the dam) that if you don't start your retrieve almost as soon as your jig hits the water you end up bouncing off of the rocks and almost inevitably get hung up. It doesnt help that hundreds of other anglers have had the same problem and left an uncountable amount of line (both braid and mono) trailing from their jigs or hooks which are also stuck on the rocks. However, with a long cast and a fast retrieve that begins at the right moment (As soon after touchdown as possible) you can keep your jig within the top few feet of water and avoid the rocks; hopefully attracting the attention of a striper or hybrid. Reaching up with my left hand (while I hold the rod with my right) to flip the bail and then go back to the handle to begin my retrieve takes just enough time that I end up in the rocks. Even though it takes half a second to flip and begin the retrieve, with the current and the way the water boils around the rocks it's not an effective option for me when I fish here.

I have seen guys that work the reel and line so precise......put a 3 oz jig right at a cobia and start the retrieve keeping the jig on the surface right at it,s nose......almost feeding the jig in it's mouth.....sure isn't me......but with YEARS of practice, you might be able to do it too......I don't think I can.....to late in life and don't fish the manuals but down there


Like bow hunting,never wanted to put in the time with a compound to get good, and now my shoulder's won't allow it.......so I use a xbow......sight it in and it's good to go