Got my portable Cuda after making some adjustments to the suction cup I mounted it and took it out on its maiden voyage. O what I need to learn now...

#1). For bass and stripers what is the best method for rigging shad for depths beyond 25 ft?
#2). For bass and stripers what is the best method for for rigging soft plastics swim baits beyond 25 ft?
#3). For bass and stripers is it best to suspend the bait above the fish, below them or dropping it right in their face? Let's say the fish are suspending at 30 ft. How many reels should I make to get the bait at 25 ft?
#4). Finally, what is the best boat position for deep water or suspending fish? Or should I always just keep my face in the wind?

All of my fishing pre-fish finder was just finding visual structure casting a lure and hoping the fish are there. Like wise most of my fishing gear has been geared for 10 ft and above fishing.

I now have to enter an entire new realm of fishing.

Figure out how to use it in "demo" mode. Usually this means some variation of holding down the "power" button until you get a chirp or beep.

Once you get the unit into demo mode spend some time just playing with the unit until you figure it out.

Good luck

If I'm over suspended fish, I use the crappie method - strip line off the reel one pull at a time (each pull is about a foot) till you have the right amount of line out.

Couldn't help with the soft plastics because I use slabs at those depths, but for shad, just use a carolina rig with a leader about 24" to 30".

If you are using a baitcaster, you can count how many times your level-winder goes across. It's different for various line diameter. For instance, 17lb may be 6' for one time across, 12lb may be 10' for one time across. You can put a lure or weight on the end of your line and measure it to see for sure.
When fishing suspended fish, you will want your bait just above the fish. Hope this helps and doesn't confuse you.

Measure the length to your 1st guide on your rod. Strip out as needed.

OR

Depending on how sensitive your depth finder is, drop the bait or shad right under the transducer and you can see it on the screen. Raise it up and down, then you know its your bait and not a fish. Thus you know what depth you are.

Keep your bait slightly above the fish.


Face the wind for better boat and speed control.

Catching suspended fish Is difficult for me, but with swimbaits, casting, use a count down method, 1001,1002,1003, ect. Sometimes I let the bait sink all the way to bottom, use your reel and make 5-6 cranks maybe more depending on the depth, then letting it fall slowly. Covers a lot of the water column. You might have to experiment till you get bit, then duplicate.

Some may disagree, but this is what I do, and it works for me.