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.

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

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?