Tactics an techniques for soft-plastics

[Ghanja]

Since I fish from shore most of the time I am concentrating on soft plastics (shads and twisters) because it's a good way to reach the fish on the areas I fish. I am targeting zander and pike and I thought we could exchange some thoughts (techniques, equipment etc.) here since the walleye and zander are close relatives.

[Waconia Guy]

Greetings! Where do you call home?
Also, for shorefishing you might want to try casting long-cast Rapalas, suspending stickbaits like Husky Jerks or a sinker and floating Rapala combination. Attach a medium size sinker to the line 2-4 feet ahead of the crankbait, pitch it out and work it back in.
Can you use live bait in your area?
Just a few ideas.
Thanks and good luck fishing!
Waconia, MN USA

[Toolman UL]

Ghanja,

I'd experiment with lighter jigs/plastics (1/16-1/8 oz) cast parallel to shore to work the shallower depths with a swimming retrieve and heavier jigs/plastics (1/4-3/8 oz depending on depth) cast out perpendicular to shore and vary the retrieve from dragging, hopping, or swimming and let the fish tell you what they want.

BTW-Metallica rocks!

Tim

[bladerunner]

To cover alot of water I like crankbaits. I use suspending Raps near shores w/ a deep drop-off. Jointed shallow rattle Raps for open bays w/ an even bottom contour. And no# 5 & 7 rattle shads for everything else.

For weedy, mucky areas where casting accuracy is key I like 1/8 & 1/4 ounce jigs w/ a 3-4 inch twister-tail or tubes in the same size fished similarily; cast it out, let it fall near bottom, give it a couple quick jerks up & repeat.

Out of curiousty... how big does the average Zander get? Aren't they a larger, more colorful salt water cousin of the walleye?