Sinking stickbaits

[Mark Harris]

Although I tend to fish with surface stickbaits more than chuggers these days, I am a bit of a novice with sinking stickbaits, and would appreciate any pointers.

The only sinkers I own are a range of Orion Bigfoots and a few Shimano Ocea Pencil 110 grams sinking version.  Have caught fish with both, but would appreciate any other recommendations and suggested retrieval techniques.

I know this will depend a lot on conditions, water depth etc., but do any of you have a rule of thumb for how long you allow the lure to sink before starting the retrieve?

[Travis Heaps]

Would be dependent on lure i suppose, maybe count how long it takes to sink metro then time the start of you retrieve to match the depth of structure you're fishing. 

I don't use sinkers to get deep but rather i find they cast better and hold the water better for my standard styleless fast retrieve

[Kasey Leong]

Don't let it sink too long, or this might happen....


(Diving for bigfoots)

[kriss brown]

i would like to know as well.i am land base and usually cast from high places than normal boat horizontal position.Some mentioned its better use sinking stick bait than surface one.any help is appreciated.

[Mark Harris]

Don't let it sink too long, or this might happen....


(Diving for bigfoots)

Your usual helpful self Kasey  .

[Tom Slater]

Have a look at the FCL Labo sinking CSP stickbaits

[Mark Harris]

Thanks Tom. I like FCL Labo poppers, so will indeed have a look at their sinking sticks.

[Tom Slater]

No worries Mark

[Andrew Pennisi]

I'm with you the fcl labo are good. I generally find the sinking baits easier to use for some reason particularly is choppy conditions

[Dave Foyle]

Hi Mark,

You won't go far wrong with the big foot.  I don't think there's just the one way of making this lure work -  though to me it looks best on a slightly steadier retrieve with long pulls and pauses.  The big foot will work sub-surface to a metre or so down on a normal retrieve.  If you are on fish / bait and can't get a hit on a normal retrieve let the lure sink right through the bait then whizz it back at pace....sometimes stirs things into action.

Tight lines   Dave

[Warwick Joyce]

Of all the "sinking" stickbaits I have used they all sink rather slow (with the exception of the bigfoot) and they all come to the surface (or just under) fairly quickly on the retrieve.
There is a specialty lure from Orion which sinks very fast (cant remember the name).

I find the best thing about a sinking stick is that you can give it twitch as it slowly makes its way down the water column. Great for pausing mid retrieve and I think they look more natural in the water.

Also if you are fishing schooled up fish letting the lure sink may get you closer to the bigger fish underneath the group.