Fished with dad again from 6:30 to about 8:30. Found them on the first hump started to catch them good. Wind was much calmer and there wasn't another boat in the area so what's a fish addict suppose to do? Learn something new I said to myself.

So cut off my favorite slab and fly and tied on the #4 undressed Algia. I tossed back as far as I could and waited, waited, and waited. If I was more studious, I think I can almost have the entire boat scrubbed while I waited! This is almost like driving speed limit down the highway. You can almost cook breakfast and juggle while doing it right? Well, my sensei would have been proud of me. I persisted. And on the third try, BAM! The tug back was heavier than the pull of the spinning Mepps. Fish ON! Hallelujah it works! My first sandy on the Mepps! Flip, dance, frolic and a picture please.

Five more fish with me singing the same song and I think I have it mastered! NOT. Let just say I have a bird's nest that I need to have a neurosurgeon to look at later. Having caught fish on Mepps, here is my expert opinion on the matter. Thank you Dennis and looking forward to more learning.

Here is the picture of my first sandy on Mepps.

LOL on the mepps experience. I can tell that slab lovers will have a challenging time learning this method. But as they say, patience is a virtue for this style of fishing! But I know it works!!!

A helpful few tips for GasPasser and All. Find fish first. Find fish first. Find fish first! Have another person in your boat use slab. You throw the mepps. 5 to 10 yrds is plenty far, or verticle fish like a slab. Point the tip to the line so no tension on the rod tip. This will help you feel the bite better as oppose to having tension/weight on the tip as you crank. Work it just like dennis video, 5-6 cranks then release. Anticipate the bites will be on the retrieval so it will be lighter bites than slab bites (which is mostly on the fall).

A week ago I was on top of good fish and tried both slabs and mepps #5. Slabs caught more fish and faster rate. But mepps caught more quality fish. But its just one trip so take it as it is. I like both methods and slab is currently my favorite lure but time will tell as I experiment more Happy learning and experimenting, GassPasser

booyahh!!

Did you change to small diameter 10 lb line? It makes a lot of difference on fall rate. If that's still too slow for you, add aweight up the line like I do on the #2 Mepps.

Is that what you use Dennis? 10 lb test?

FYI: After having talks with Dennis, I have switched to 10 lb. 100% fluorocarbon line. You also need to be using a very good reel. I use a 13 ceramic bearing, carbon fiber bait-cast reel. Another note, is I turn my spool drag off, so it free spools. Just need to use light thumb pressure. Dennis and I both use a pinch weight 16" above the mepps when using #3 or smaller. I have wore them out using this method, it does take some practice and the right gear and set up. I have also noticed like SeaPro Todd, you will catch better quality fish.

My wife and I have had a couple of competitions. She used her favorite slab with a custom hand tied fly above. I am using the #4 Mepps. Even though she would catch some doubles. I always ended up catching more with the Mepps. Usually 6 to 8 more fish and better quality. I also caught several large hybrids, when she did not catch any. It is a reaction strike, unlike the slab method. Just my

Again, thank you Mr. Christian for sharing your technique with us. And same to you Steve for answering my skeptical PM questions. Despite my rants, I really love learning and trying something new. This is after all my second try only so there is lots and lots of room for improvement. Give me a little credit, I did catch six fish using the technique. And the only thing that stopped me was my inability to cast.

I use 8# cheapest mono from walley world or Academy. I am cheap but not poor so I may upgrade my reel and line in the near future. Talk about cheap, I was fishing with BassThumb two days ago and he said he didn't realized that I am left handed. I told him me neither but after fishing with PittState one day and liking his setup. I bought myself a set that was on sale and CHEAP. I am a left handed fisherman since.

I use 10 or 12 lb Vanish flourocarbon. It is small dia line.

Thanks for sharing. When fishing a slab, do you just throw it out and reel it in or is there a similar technique for slabs?

Just curious and naive.

Thanks.

BTW - Nice Sandie!!

I'll let the slabbers answer that one.

I am not expert but here are my thoughts. It depends on where the fish are. The easiest way is vertical slabbing when they are right below you. Drop it down to the bottom, play dead, burn it, flip it, fast/slow/medium jigging, break dance, do the wave, etc and the sandies may bite depending on their mood, barometric pressure, moon etc. Not a lot of work and just bringing them in is my favorite method. When fishing with my kids, I use my trolling motor and try to get them on top of the fish.

Sandies have a mind of their own and do not just sit at the bottom waiting for our slabs. This is where side imagine is very helpful. Use it and throw your slab toward the side you see them to improve your odds of catching. I would then slowly work it back to catch them. For me, the hardest thing to do is what SeaPro Todd alluded to earlier, my first rule of fishing. Fish where the fish are. Not where they were yesterday, this morning, last year, or some else's report. Invest sometimes into this and you will be rewarded. Hire a guide etc to help the learning curve. But most important is to enjoy the process.

Cheers.

"ENJOY THE PROCESS" I heard that GP!!!! We. Will. Fish. Soon. In. Same. Boat. Just please be ready

BTW the # 4 does not require a pinch weight ? What size is required on # 3 and smaller? thx.

thanks for sharing