Hole: Approach lines, rigs, and casting

Work one shoulder first, then switch to the other

Cast diagonally from outside the hole across the shoulder, letting the bait fall down the slope. Don’t make the first cast straight into the center and drag it back on a straight line; that route can’t tell you which side fish came from. After a bite, note whether it was before crossing the shoulder or during the fall, then repeat that same phase.

If the mouth is small and deep, hold the boat outside and present in place; if the mouth is shallow and clear, increase distance. When the weight keeps burying in silt, go lighter or keep a small soft bait off bottom. Constant rod-tip shaking can’t make up for the wrong depth zone.

Starter gear and when to swap

For precision on the rim: 7' ML/F spinning, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid to 8 lb fluoro leader, size 1 hook with a 3-inch worm, 1/4 oz drop shot. For upper-water in the hole: 7' M/F, 10 lb leader, 3-inch finesse swimbait on a 1/8–1/4 oz jighead.

Rig assembly, hooking, and gear details: Drop shot rig, Jighead rig. If you need to compare boat positioning and execution, continue with Related tactics.

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