Tight-lining

Just curious if any of you folks tight-line fish for bream & shellcrackers in currents in rivers. By tightlining I mean finding a deep hole in the river (8 to 12 ft); anchor up and rig a pole or reel with a large enough egg sinker to keep the worm or cricket at or near the bottom in the current. No cork, just watch the tip of your pole.

I've fished rivers this way since I was a kid and have been lucky enough to catch a lot of fish this way. If I'm fortunate enough to find me a spot with plenty of shade, it's one of the most relaxing ways to fish I've ever experienced.

I guess the reason I'm asking is that it seems I don't see as many people fishing this way like I did when I was a kid.

Never tried that in a river. I mostly use floats in rivers. (I mostly use floats everywhere else, too. :D )

If the water is moving, I want my bait to be moving with it.

Your method does sound relaxing, though. :)

I used to fish that way primarely as a kid. I grew up close to a river and that is how my dad taught me to fish. It is effective if you know the river really well and you know where the fish are. If not, It can get pretty boring. The good thing is, you never know what your going to catch or how big its going to be. I've seen some monster bluegill pulled of the bottom with worms in fast moving water at the lower end of an island point.

You're right. If there is no action it gets boring but I'm always prepared to re-rig and ease along the banks tossing crickets with a cork. Another point you brought out is correct, you never know what you're going to get.

As for the "relaxing" part of it, I was on the river last year in late September. Had me a shady spot and was picking up a nice redbelly every few minutes. Had my Seminole football game on the radio while sipping on a cool beverage. How's that for relaxed?

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Originally Posted by fishwish

As for the "relaxing" part of it, I was on the river last year in late September. Had me a shady spot and was picking up a nice redbelly every few minutes. Had my Seminole football game on the radio while sipping on a cool beverage. How's that for relaxed?

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Change that to "Kentucky basketball", and I'd say you'd have heaven on Earth! :D

I like the 'Noles, too, though. ;) Bobby Bowden's a good guy and a good coach.

Absolutely disco, nothing wrong at all with listening to the Wildcats.

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Originally Posted by fishwish

Just curious if any of you folks tight-line fish for bream & shellcrackers in currents in rivers. By tightlining I mean finding a deep hole in the river (8 to 12 ft); anchor up and rig a pole or reel with a large enough egg sinker to keep the worm or cricket at or near the bottom in the current. No cork, just watch the tip of your pole.

I've fished rivers this way since I was a kid and have been lucky enough to catch a lot of fish this way. If I'm fortunate enough to find me a spot with plenty of shade, it's one of the most relaxing ways to fish I've ever experienced.

I guess the reason I'm asking is that it seems I don't see as many people fishing this way like I did when I was a kid.

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Fishwish, I live about 10 miles from the Ocmulgee river here in central georgia and when the river gets down where you can not fish up in the dead rivers and creeks that is exactly the way we fish. But like someone already posted if you do not know where to fish it can be boring. We have had some good luck doing it this way.I guess if I had my pick I would prefer to use my flyrod in still water.

strictly jig fishermen here,, my sons and i all use various sizes, colors and weights of jigs in all situations..we do fish a lot of current and find jigs can produce quite well in most situations. but i think we will just have to give that a try this summer., thanks

I fished that way when I was growing up pond fishing. I used to catch some big bream that way. I always called them shellcrackers thinking they were big bream until I started reading crappie.com

fishwish I fish that way for crackers, carolina rig.