| Method 1EquipmentI fish baits at all depths, | | | | equipment is not the most expensive but it is |
| not just the bottom, in wide-open water. I | | | | practical. The main thing to remember is to |
| always set up and fish deep lake structures. | | | | keep whatever equipment you use in good |
| Besides an understanding of the contours on | | | | condition. Many know all too well about the |
| the bottom of the lake, being mobile and | | | | disasters that can be caused by old line and |
| being able to read your fish locator are the | | | | improperly maintained fishing equipment and |
| keys. The tools I use are 8-foot heavy action | | | | big Blues will test everything from your |
| rods, circle hooks, cut and live shad, | | | | knots to your rod holders. If there is a weak |
| balloons and the all-important fish locator. | | | | link, they will expose it.Find the Big |
| I use 30-pound line, large capacity reels, | | | | FishYou need to know how to tell the |
| 8-foot heavy action rods, 2 oz. Egg sinkers, | | | | difference between larger fish and bait fish |
| barrel swivels and #7/0 circle | | | | while using your fish locator.There are two |
| hooks.Basically a Carolina Rig, I have a hook | | | | main structures that I catch Blue Cats on: |
| with an 18-inch leader tied to your barrel | | | | ledges and humps. Blue Cats are creatures of |
| swivel, which is connected to your main line, | | | | edges and they seem to congregate on the |
| which is where your egg sinker is attached. | | | | brake lines of ledges and humps. The one-two |
| My boat is equipped with steel rod holders, a | | | | punch comes when you find these structures |
| hand-controlled trolling motor, two fish | | | | with both bait fish and big fish mixed |
| locators, a big dip net and marker buoys. My | | | | together on your locator. |