Alright, let’s talk about this… uh… split shotting thing, ya know? It’s somethin’ folks use for catchin’ them fish, bass they call ’em mostly.
What is this split shot stuff anyway?
Well, it ain’t rocket science, I tell ya. It’s just these little lead balls, kinda like tiny pebbles, but made of metal. You clamp ’em onto your fishin’ line, see? Helps your bait get down deep where them fish are hidin’.
Now, some folks get all fancy with it, but I say keep it simple. You take your hook – the pointy thing you stick the worm on – and then you put a split shot or two up the line a ways. How far up? Eh, maybe a foot, maybe a bit more. Depends on how deep the water is, I reckon.
Don’t go squeezin’ the life outta them split shots though. Just a gentle pinch is all ya need. If you squeeze too hard, you’ll mess up your line, make it weak, and then snap goes your fish, line and all. Lost a big one that way once, learned my lesson I did.
How to do this split shot thing right?
First off, ya gotta have the right hook. Folks use all sorts of hooks, curled ones, straight ones, whatever tickles their fancy. Me? I just use a regular hook, somethin’ strong and sharp. Gotta be sharp, otherwise the fish just spits it out.
- Pick a good hook, not too big, not too small.
- Put your worm on the hook, make it look tasty.
- Clamp a split shot or two up the line, like I said before.
Now, the tricky part is feelin’ the bottom. You gotta keep your bait down there where the fish are. But you don’t want it draggin’ on the bottom the whole time, just kinda bouncin’ along. It takes practice, ya know? You gotta get a feel for it. Keep your line kinda tight, so you can feel if a fish bites.
When a Fish Bites – Hook ‘Em Good!
When you feel a bite, don’t jerk the rod like you’re tryin’ to pull a tree outta the ground. Just a nice, smooth sweep. Gives you enough room to tighten the line and set that hook solid. Keep that line tight, and you’ll feel everything, every little nibble, every big chomp.
Some things I’ve learned about split shot fishing
When the fish ain’t bitin’ much, folks tend to get all antsy and start fishin’ too fast. That ain’t the way to do it. The tougher the fishin’, the slower you gotta go. But, if they’re bitin’ like crazy, then you can speed things up a bit, I guess. It’s all about feelin’ what them fish want, ya know?
And don’t just stick to worms neither. You can use all sorts of bait with a split shot rig. Little plastic things, even those jiggy things some folks use. It’s all about experimentin’ and findin’ what works best on that particular day. Fish are finicky critters, just like my old man was. Sometimes they want this, sometimes they want that. You just gotta figure it out.
Keep it Simple, Stupid!
This split shot thing, it ain’t complicated. Don’t let all those fancy fishin’ shows fool ya. You don’t need a boatload of expensive gear. Just a rod, some line, a hook, some split shots, and a bit of bait. And patience, lots of patience. Sometimes you sit there all day and catch nothin’. That’s just fishin’.
And remember, the more you practice, the better you’ll get. You’ll learn to feel the bottom, you’ll learn to feel the bites, and you’ll learn to hook them fish. Just like learnin’ to bake a good pie, it takes time and a whole lotta practice.
So, get out there and give it a try. Split shot fishing, it’s a good way to catch them bass. And who doesn’t like a good fish fry, right? Now, if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go find my fishin’ hat.
Final words
You don’t need fancy stuff to catch a fish, just some simple tools and a bit of patience. That’s the truth of it. Just like life, keep it simple and you will be just fine.
Tags: [Split Shotting, Bass Fishing, Fishing Techniques, Fishing Rigs, Fishing Tips]
