Single Pole fishing

Posted this on the main forum, but wanted to get some input from the MS single polers too.

I have messed around with this some over the past few years, but have tried to get serious with it this year. Some days they "thump" it pretty good and it is not hard to detect a strike. Other days, only the line will "twitch" or the bait doesn't fall as far as I know it could. Most of the big fish I have caught this year were near the bottom and I never got any indication of a bite. I would pic up to move it or twitch it some for action. Then and only then would I notice it felt "heavy" and set the hook. Sometimes they would feel me before I had time to set the hook. I have noticed that the whites seem to be closer to the bottom and the blacks seem to be holding higher up. The blacks seem to always thump it. The whites seem to be more likely to just suck in the bait. I have tried 1/32, 1/24, 1/16, and 1/8 oz heads in many different bait types.

Questions to ya'll is: What helps you detect a strike? What set up helps you feel the bite better. What baits have you found the fish hit harder than others.

Any other tips you want to post or send me in a PM are welcome.

I use high vis yellow line and watch my line for movement

Use some line with as little stretch as possible, ease jig down without getting slack in line will help you feel'em bite it on the fall, and will give you a idea of the depth fish are suspended. When in doubt... Set the hook !!!

The line helps to see those bites . I hold my pole at the upper end of the handle . over first finger under and over . I think just over the first would be enough . but a lot of time you can feel the liter bites . sometimes nothing helps . if and when I find them deep and the bite is like that when i see fish . I will raise it up and let it drop slowly . If they are there they think it's running then THUMP . the finger helps . I also leave my drag loose and us my fingers for the drag . I like a real sensitive pole and put the hammer to them . I like a 1/16 best the deeper the heavier . 3/32 and sometimes a split shot about a foot above the jig . there are a bunch of different ways that work . I know sometimes they like that smaller jig when they are biting like that . nothing like the thump . it gets in your blood .

Single polin with a slip cork is fun. I have noticed a "fish on" when the slip cork lays on its side. Crappie generally bite "up", and that will take pressure off the cork and it'll lay on its side. I use braid line because it is 'no stretch' and it seems more sensitive with 'easy' bites. Plus a good (read: little more expensive) sensitive pole really helps too. Heck man, it's all fun.....just go do it!!

Yep it is fun feeling that thump!
Thks for the replies.

Single poling at the FJ this past Sat there were several times that I had a fish on and didn't realize it until I raised my pole to move the jig.

Rods make a big difference.And to me length makes a big difference.The shorter the pole the more sensitive it is to me.I have started using 12' rods and the thump is not as good as when i was using 11'ers.But a good rule to follow when is doubt snatch it.

i LIKE 12' . I USED 10' FOR A LONG TIME TILL I WAS TRYING TO FISH 14' WITH A TEN FT POLE . IT WAS A CHALLENGE . DIDN'T WANT TO LOOSE DEPTH . LIKE A FLY ROD LINE ALL LAYING IN THE BOAT . LOL IT WAS A GOOD DAY . I HAVE MY FAVORITES . i HAMMER THEM WHEN I FEEL ANYTHING OR SEE ANYTHING .

On the 'pick up' bites off the bottom just keeping pulling.. Don't try to set the hook.. I started using sickle hooks for pole fishing... 8/10 of those pick up bites will be females.... Keep the pressure on and get em to the top and in a net.. Caught some monsters last year at Sardis like that