I am new to Hybrid fishing, I have been using the Hell/Pet, but, recently it has not been producing. Would like to get good info on slabbing. How do I go about slabbing and catching some fish? Any and all comments welcome. Thanks for the help,
Emmett

hi emmett, im kinda new here and also new to slabbing, so maybe we both learn something in your thread.

for what its worth, heres how i do it, ive also only really done it on 2 trips now, so my experience is limited, but here goes.

i try to find bait on my finder. i would try to say i look for fish, but i dont think my hummingbird is really that precice, as the fish that i do see on there look like those little soup crackers and i have a hard time taking that seriously.

so when i find pretty dense looking bait, i try to drop my slab just right over the top of the bait, maybe a foot higher than i think they are running.then i just jig it up and down in movements of anywhere from 6 inches to a couple of feet.

i always let the slab drop fastenough to flutter, but not totally slack line during the drop part, because it seems i get a lot of bites and dont realize it fast enough because im slack letting it drop, and a fish is gargling it. i realize its happening because the slab dont snap the line tight at the bottom of the drop, and then its been figured out by the fish and by the time i set the hook, he is swimming away, shaking his head and smiling.

if i can think of anything else i will post it.

ps. congratz on that whole all time nfl rushing leader thing.

kidding.

flyinbryan, Thanks for the tips. Sounds about right, I was thinking the same thing and also just looking for fish on the bottom around humps and other good structure and then dropping the slab down.
I wish that was me. My bank account would look a lot nicer. LOL.

lol, ya, i hear that, if i had emmitt smiths money i would throw mine away.

yes humps and structure, more humps for me, as i mentioned not trusting the detail precision of my cheapo hummingbird to really see structure very consitantly.

i actually did slab one other time with a guide a long time ago, and he said just drop it to the bottom and just jig it enough to make it bounce and stir up a little silt.

we mostly caught small sandies like that, but more of them.

the larger fish ive caught slabbing were caught the way i first described.

oh ya, ive done the best with chrome on sunny days, and for some reason, white or chartruse on cloudy days.


and one other thing ive noticed that might sound crazy is that if i really concentrate, and try to really feel the bottom and the wieght of the slab, and try to feel for a fish, i do better than if im not really into it, or i am just going through the motions. i even can sometimes feel bait either hitting the slab or my line, and usually if i feel this, its fixin to happen.

does anyone else ever notice this?

Here's a few slab suggestions that have worked well for me guys (and I'm not an expert or professional guide):

1) graphite rod for jigging, not fiberglass. Fiberglass is great for trolling or live bait, but for slabbing, you want graphite so you can feel those subtle hits.

2) braided line with a swivel & mono leader. Same thing about sensitivity.

Between those two things, you ought to be able to feel almost any hit so long as the slab is actually falling (not alrady on the bottom). Most of my hits come when the line is slack as the slab falls ... you feel that tap or twitch that tells you its time to set the hook. Goes in with what you're noticing when you're 'feeling out' the bottom.

May also want to tie a streamer fly or similar lure about 12-18" above the slab. I've had days where the fly gets more fish than the slab (and its fun to pull them up two at a time lol).

http://heartlandtackleservice.com/spooning.stm

Here's a great article that's been posted before. It works!

Thats a great article, enjoyed the read. I hadn't seen before. Thanks.

That is good information. Another good site to check out is T N T slabs. Bryon has some good info on there. We also have some slabs that have been working very well. We are looking at producing a lager bait, 1 1/2oz shad shape, these are being tried up on Texoma by a couple of guides and reports are good.

Welcome and good luck!

Mario

www.dakotatacklecompany.com

http://www.sixoldgeezers.com/ad.html

slabbing tips at bottom of page

Great info, Thanks guys for the help. That should make a differance with my slabbing. Maybe now I will be able to catch some nice Hybrids.
Emmett

There has been a lots of guides that promote meet and greets at BASS PRO SHOPS InGarland and grapevine ,that is what they are for ,to get a personal lesson and the best tips in person with us .They are there on Thursday @friday eves.cHeck with the store nearest you.You can't go wrong with a one on one with the guys that fish year round.

Sassyman, I am sure you are right about the one on one at BPS. The problem is the closest one to me is over 170 miles away, and I can not drive that far due to medication. That is one of the perks of this forum is to learn from each other, fellow fisherman.

Sorry about that info ,I didn't notice you were from down south .There is so many dallas people on here that I didn't look.But that is good info for all Dallas guys out there.

There is a new Cabela's in Buda, I think they do the same type of teaching. You might give them a call or check their website. www.cabelas.com

Good luck and thank you for your service! May God bless you.

Mario

www.dakotatacklecompany.com

Thank You, I will check it out at Cabela's. It is still a bit a drive from here, but, much closer then the BPS (which I like better).
Thanks for all the help and comments. I picked up some real good tips and advise here.
Emmett