Tried to imitate Lanier Jim on Hartwell yesterday

I bought a couple spybaits and some extra morning dawn roboworms yesterday at lunch. We got on the water around 6:00 p.m. and started drop-shotting with 0 waypoints. I didn't even look for brush piles, but scanned an underwater hump in the 15-25 ft range. We marked a lot of singles and caught a couple that way. Later we found a few fish together and ended up catching 10 with the biggest being a 2 lb largemouth.

I tried casting the spybait into a small school, but I think the 8# mono is too much based on what I've been reading. I don't think I could feel comfortable throwing a $10-15 lure with braid and a 4# leader??? - assuming that is how it is fished most often.

We tried to get something on top-water, but I couldn't stick with it when I didn't see any chasing bait. So anyway, it felt like a success since I'm still practicing on the drop-shot. I imagine it would help if I put some time into setting or marking brush piles.

Thanks to you guys for sharing your experience and methods so some of us can learn from you.

Here's a pic of my FIL hooked into one.

Burton, I'd give that spybait a try on 7lb fluorocarbon loaded on a spinning rig. No braid or leader, just straight flouro. With this clear water here on Lanier you need to size down the line and use a good clean/clear fluorocarbon. I would Imagine Hartwell is pretty clear too right now? I use a 7'3" medium heavy rod to throw it with.

I caught a LOT of fish last year on Lanier throwing a spybait on 15lb big game. I was just what the rod had on it.

CMH said:

I caught a LOT of fish last year on Lanier throwing a spybait on 15lb big game. I was just what the rod had on it.

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What kind of reel were you using CMH? As light as those spybaits are I don't think I could get a decent cast with that size of mono, plus the fact that mono pretty much floats. That's another reason I use the smaller line size flouro, with the light weight of the spybait I need it to get a long cast and the flouro sinks better than mono.

First - thanks for the props....I think.

I use a medium or Medium Light action Okuma EVX ....6'6" or 7'1"...7# Sunline FC Sniper (which is much stronger than it sounds)....and at times, like in the video Jim shot - I was using Sunline SX1 10# braid with a 8' FC Sniper 7# leader. I use the Albright Knot to connet the two....small and strong knot.

Drop Shot fishing....I use straight 7# FC Sniper but for customers, I will rig up the same 10# SX1 braid with 7# leader...but I tie the knot on the outside of the rod/reel....then reel up until the knot is between the first eye and reel....cut leader at the reel (on outside). This will give you about a 8'-10' flouro leader. I like this because if vertical fishing the drop shot, many times you will be dropping through some suspended fish.

Science says a fishes eyesight is 8 times better than a humans under water....so if we can see 10', they can see 80'. Keeping this in mind, I think (and it's just my opinion) that fish can see braid easily in clear water like Lanier.

Just my two cents - LJ

Who is selling the spy baits locally. Anyone know of a supplier in Macon area?

I wonder if these would work well for big trout?

Duo Realis, Storm, Lucky Craft all make spinbaits. I like the Duo and Storm but have heard the Lucky Craft is a pretty solid bait too. Go to Rapala.com....they own several companies including Storm. You can see the spinbait there and very reasonably priced.

Lanier Jim said:

First - thanks for the props....I think.

I use a medium or Medium Light action Okuma EVX ....6'6" or 7'1"...7# Sunline FC Sniper (which is much stronger than it sounds)....and at times, like in the video Jim shot - I was using Sunline SX1 10# braid with a 8' FC Sniper 7# leader. I use the Albright Knot to connet the two....small and strong knot.

Drop Shot fishing....I use straight 7# FC Sniper but for customers, I will rig up the same 10# SX1 braid with 7# leader...but I tie the knot on the outside of the rod/reel....then reel up until the knot is between the first eye and reel....cut leader at the reel (on outside). This will give you about a 8'-10' flouro leader. I like this because if vertical fishing the drop shot, many times you will be dropping through some suspended fish.

Science says a fishes eyesight is 8 times better than a humans under water....so if we can see 10', they can see 80'. Keeping this in mind, I think (and it's just my opinion) that fish can see braid easily in clear water like Lanier.

Just my two cents - LJ

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Great info, Jim. I bought a lucky craft and a storm for my first attempt(s). I don't think I'm going to throw them away just yet. I looked for the realis, but it wasn't in stock at Cabela's. I just picked up some new FL line, and I'm going back Thursday this week. I'm taking a kid from church with me and hope he can hook into a few.

Burton said:

Great info, Jim. I bought a lucky craft and a storm for my first attempt(s). I don't think I'm going to throw them away just yet. I looked for the realis, but it wasn't in stock at Cabela's. I just picked up some new FL line, and I'm going back Thursday this week. I'm taking a kid from church with me and hope he can hook into a few.

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I make a Long cast....let it sink a 5-6-7 count (sometimes down to 10) then a medium to slow...to slower retrieve. Today, I had Rory and Danny with me and they got slammed pausing it a second or two.

Good luck - let us know how you do. LJ

Lanier Jim

I think you will fish with anyone........

Rory and Danny!

Yeah...I was desperate for company Now those two are characters together....the trash talking started first 30 seconds into the day

Burton....don't forget to let me know how you did. LJ

Lanier Jim said:

Burton....don't forget to let me know how you did. LJ

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Haven't forgotten. I've got two reels spooled with new fluorocarbon and I'm loading two more reels tonight.