b'SOFTBAITINGA Minn Kota offers stealth advantage when casting softbaits into the shallows.EAST COAST GO SHALLOWOn the east side, I like to head into the shallows early in the morning prospecting the coastline behind breakers on a sandy beach, into quiet bays on outer islands and along the coast away from other boaties.The key here is stealth and to come into these areas early and with as less noise as possible.So, bringing the boat in from 100m out at idle speed and turning off the outboard to drift into your casting zone.A Minn Kota is lethal for this style of fishing, we have fished using them a lot over the past few years and our catchThe newer Z-man Darterz 6 rate has gone up because they give youBeer Run colour has become a new favourite of the writer.an edge in the shallows.Use the Minn Kota to explore the coastline quietly and cast your softbaitsis high overhead, move out to deeperwith larger softbaits in deeper water so into the rocks and work back to the boat. water (15m+) to look for fish sign onswitch to either a Z-man 7 Jerk Shadz We typically use 1/2oz Light Bulb jigthe sounder.The fish leave the shallowor 6 Darterz which have become a heads matched to a Z-man 5 Jerk Shadzwater for the safety of deeper spots andnew favourite.or Paddlerz.This gives good weight forespecially after a high tide in the morningPeople ask me what softbaits I use, I casting 30-40m out and keep moving thewith retreating low tide. honestly reply only Z-man and I have lure steadily to prevent if from snaggingHeading into deeper water you willa few that are my favourite colours or in the foul. want to go up in jig head weight to 5/8styles, but they all work, and their tough We will fish the shallows from daylightor 3/4oz and if more current is running,durability means they are simply the best until about 11am and when the suneven 1oz jig heads.I prefer to fishsoftbait hands down.FIGZ48FISHING IN GODZONE MAR/APR 2022'