How to fish Stick Baits-Technique & Gear - Casting Stick Baits

In this video I discuss the How, Why, When, and Where to effectively fish Stick baits in both fresh and saltwater. A few years back I saw a group of guys in Australia called CAST that were catching these monster fish on floating and sinking stickbaits and I knew that I needed to be a part of that! After some years of testing, I have been able to successfully adapt that style of fishing to my home waters and I cannot tell you how much fun I am having! This technique is very effective for everything from Bass to Tuna! I have no doubt that if you apply this style of fishing to your home waters you will catch some epic fish!! Who doesn't love topwater explosions!! Am I right?
If you have any questions or comments you can reach me at
@RyanHanksFishing on Instagram. I love to help people and I am very passionate about fishing Stick baits.
Gear used in this video:
Sinking Stickbaits:
Cast fishing 40g "Fatboy" Sink- castfishing.co/collections/ca...
Cast fishing 60g "Fatboy" Sink- castfishing.co/collections/ca...
Floating Stickbaits:
Cast fishing 40g "Fatboy" Float- castfishing.co/collections/ca...
Cast fishing 60g "Fatboy" Float- castfishing.co/collections/ca...
Rods:
Temple Reef STK 74MH - templereef.com/rods-salt-wate...
Temple Reef Ronin 83-6 - templereef.com/rods-salt-wate...
Reels:
Shimano Shimano Stella 8k (16k Maxel transformer spool)
Shimano Shimano Stella 18k
Line:
Diawa J braid Grand (60lb), Diawa J braid 8 strand (50lb)
Hooks:
Gamakatsu, Bkk, Shout, Decoy
Spro swivels, Owner Splits

[@waterbobwaterstorage5114]

I’ve fished with Ryan many times now and he proves this every single time. We recently fished -20 ft shallows for grouper and CAST stick-baits were hooking everything that swims. Side-by-side, Ryan threw sticks while I was throwing spoons, spinners, plastics, etc. Though I did catch a few, I looked like a fool. Want to catch more fish? Get some stick-baits, practice the technic and see the fun you’ve been missing

[@RyanHanksFishing]

We need to back out there soon brother!!

[@fishingcaribbean]

The most comprehensive content on casting I’ve seen so far. Thanks for the tips !!

[@RyanHanksFishing]

You are welcome! Glad I could help!

[@tracybadham4225]

Not only are you a great fisherman, but you are a great teacher. This is an awesome instructional/informative video.

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate the kind words!

[@nztopcatch_776]

This will be great information for those who are just starting out with stick baits.

[@JohnnyJigsTV]

Excellent video...Very informative. Thank you Ryan.

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks brother!!! I appreciate it

[@SouthernmostBrainard]

Probably one of the best “how to” videos I’ve seen on any fishing topic! I looked for just such a video on SPJ and ended up going out with a guide with an SPJ guest so I could get this kind of detail. Thank you!

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks so much! Keep me Posted on how you do with the stickbaits!

[@travisodoherty9678]

Great video Ryan, good presentation and very informative over all components.

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks so much!

[@biggeorgiaspots]

Very informative! I'm really looking forward to putting one of these in front of some big spots!! Nice job, Hanks. Great vid.

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks brother!! I can’t wait to get up there and chase some spotted bass with these!

[@ayeayroncali6977]

Thanks heaps. Good to know about the different leaders for sinking or floating. If just started learning this way to fish I’ve put in close to Ten hours so far and have foul hooked a stingray and that’s it!!! I’m gonna keep grinding here in NZ

[@davidnewcomb2431]

I'm now a true believer in the OG Cast!!! Been smashing em on Lanier and Carters!!!!

[@RyanHanksFishing]

So awesome to hear brother! Those are 2 of my favorite lakes! Thanks so much for the support

[@imeyouthem9303]

Great lecture. Thank you, Brian.

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks so much! Glad to help

[@steffensamlal1854]

You taught me something so you did your job, thank you.

[@koogle612]

Wow I went through all my saltwater stickbaits this a.m. & was checking youtube videos by manufacturers on how to fish them (all the nomads, shimanos, jackfins) the cast, the retrieve & the info on rods reels to pair was very helpful too. Thx very much. Liking subscribing. Hope to see a future video on stickbait selections (brand, colors, size based on species). Really good stuff.

[@RyanHanksFishing]

So glad I could help! Good luck on the water and let me know if I can ever help with anything

[@AnglingwithAdria]

Great information!! Awesome content can’t wait to order my CAST gear!

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks so much!! I really appreciate the support :)

[@koogle612]

Excellent content!

[@richstrobel]

Great information. This will help. Thanks.

[@RyanHanksFishing]

You are welcome!

[@pelagichunter9266]

Brilliant video mate! 👏👊

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks brother 💪💪

[@digflfishing2177]

Your casting looks like a tutorial for a good golf swing. Good Stuff. I learned a lot.

[@RyanHanksFishing]

So glad I could help brother

[@ghazaligaffar5845]

Well explained!

[@iluknikilos726]

It's a very interesting tips for fishing,thank you for sharing this

[@RyanHanksFishing]

You are welcome

[@Ramanou14]

It's thank, YOU, for those precious tips dude !

[@RyanHanksFishing]

You are very welcome

[@alancastellon9225]

Great video brother I appreciate it!

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks so much

[@MattiMoshi]

amazing video mate. Great guide, im going to use it when i fish of sydney harbour.

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks brother

[@jonathanmathau7401]

Thank you so much for making this video, as a beginner trying to learn you have made it so much easier and very encouraging. God bless 🙏

[@RyanHanksFishing]

You are very welcome

[@fishmania]

Hey! Great instructional video! Thanks!

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thank you!

[@albukhariidjirani6045]

New subscriber here and also new to rod fishing. Your breakdown on gears and retrieve techniques I find very valuable. I have acquired a Medium action rod paired with a spooled Saragosa, and will soon find both sinking and floating stickbaits from a local tackle shop. Can't wait to experience my very first cast soon.

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Glad it helped!

[@allistairgibson9657]

This is awesome!

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks brother!! Thank you for 🎥 you did a great Job

[@jasonlenz9195]

Great video thanks for the information

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks so much! Glad I could help

[@japinoybettajapan]

Great info boss thanks for sharing

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Glad I could help

[@rickbold9337]

Thanks a lot. I learned a lot

[@RyanHanksFishing]

You are very welcome

[@GTBUSTER]

Awesome mate

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks brother and thanks for the inspiration!!

[@handle22ful]

Thanks mate hooked fish with this method!

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Awesome!

[@DaNZealand]

Great video, thank you!

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thank you

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thank you

[@ReelFloridaFishingChannel]

Awesome video man! Definitely going to be trying out some stickbaits!

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks brother! Let’s fish together soon . You are welcome to join us !

[@ReelFloridaFishingChannel]

@@RyanHanksFishing let’s do it! I’m in for sure 🤙🏼

[@JKreal678]

Thank you!

[@kisses4257]

Nice explanation master

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks so much

[@Coholbell15]

Very nice

[@dr3395]

enjoyed thank you

[@RyanHanksFishing]

You are welcome

[@shojicastillo9711]

Man.. that fluoro carbon sinking, mono for floating makes sense! I keep using fluoro and it makes my floaters sink! 🤪

[@anglerbaa]

Thanks for information...

[@RyanHanksFishing]

You are welcome

[@josephgaspar5992]

Sweet, thanks.

[@RyanHanksFishing]

You are welcome bud

[@Tight--LiNeZ]

If you tie your leader to a McMahon clip, you can change your lures as will, without having to tie a new knot each time. The design of McMahon clips means it can never let go of the swivel or ring you attach it to, even if the clip gets bitten down on.

[@wakeelmohammed2473]

Super informative brother. Watching from SRILANKA ✅ 🇱🇰🇱🇰

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks so much man. Glad you enjoyed it

[@wakeelmohammed2473]

@@RyanHanksFishing Yes I am ❤️❤️

[@miketexas4549]

Wow GREAT video, so many questions answered. I'd like your input on which reel to pair with the Temple Reef STK MH 74MH and why: Saragosa 14000, 6.2:1, 53 inch retrieve, 24.7oz, 33lb drag Saragosa 18000, 5.7:1, 51 inch retrieve, 32.3 oz, 44lb drag It has to be either reel, can't afford the Stella. I'm in Hawaii, will be throwing stick baits in 100' water targeting 50lb GTs and smaller sized tunas.

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks so much! Glad you were able to take something from the video!

[@franklippens1823]

Nice to the point video Ryan. What knot are you using to connect the leader to the swivel? Greetings Frank.

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks! I normally tie just a simple uni knot

[@nessmuktahashi4919]

Excelente video hermano Ryan ,creo que los chicos que viste pescar es cavy y sus amigos seguiré tus consejos la próxima vez que pesqué en agua salada ,tengo una rod Shimano para agua salada de 7ft con capacidad de Lure de 3onzas creo es suficiente trataré y te mando video por cierto que buena pesca y si camisa excelente felicidades Eres bienvenido a este país zaludos desde Guadalajara Jalisco México

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Gracias!!!

[@benskai2475akurfishing]

Greetings from Indonesia, Maluku Province, the Aru Islands, the video is very good, seniors

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Thanks so much!

[@benskai2475akurfishing]

@@RyanHanksFishing Thank you again senior, the inspiration and knowledge is the best for me

[@saltylawaia8958]

One more question. How dependable is the Temple reef stealth, I’m planning on picking up the 7’4 for shore casting

[@RyanHanksFishing]

It’s a great rod but I would suggest something longer for shore casting such as the Shimano Grappler

[@pablohidalgo7761]

👍 nice

[@evanherrera5948]

Lmao sold haha u got me ima get some

[@RyanHanksFishing]

It’s a really fun way to fish

[@oj6842]

Ryan im going to purchase a rod for stick baits…most of my gear is shimano and was looking into the grappler type c, also looking at the temple reef stk..my fishing is done in the keys off a boat. Would appreciate your guidance on what to purchase and what models specifically to look at? Thanks bro

[@RyanHanksFishing]

My suggestion would be the grappler 8’2 MH

[@vsonic86]

I wonder the same thing in America, particular for striped bass. I went to Cape Cod Canal and asked why aren't many people using Stick bait for top water beside jigging. I'm surprise some of them don't even know wtf is Stickbait. I saw a lot of people are using stickbait a lot in Australia.

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Exactly! It’s a very under utilized technique that is so effective. I actually just got back from lake Lanier and we caught striped bass on the stickbaits. We are heading to cape cod in 2 weeks to target bluefin. I keep a full trip report on my story highlights on Instagram @ryanhanksfishing if you want to check it out.

[@ralphsaldana529]

🤙😎

[@josephgaspar5992]

What kind of knot are you tying to your swivel? Also, why not a loop knot?

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Hey Joseph I tie a simple improved clinch knot most of the time and especially when I am using heavier leaders in the 100-200lb size. I do not tie a loop knot as I feel I get plenty of action from the swivel to split ring connection.

[@novanpratamaputra1259]

If you use 40 gram stickbait,what PE size did you use?

[@RyanHanksFishing]

I normally use PE 3 (50lb) with a 50-60lb leader for the species I am targeting here in Florida. This is mostly smaller blackfin tuna and mahi where I want the lure to be able to sink down over the structure. If you are fishing for Reef species I suggest going heavier but it will limit the cast ability of the lure. It’s all relative to the depth and structure and species. For example if I was fishing the 40g for coral trout on top of the reef I would go much heavier on the line and leader to be able to keep them out of the coral . Hope this helps

[@rommeldelacruz2982]

what size split rings and swivels?

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Hey Rommel they are different sizes for the different size lures .. i use 150lb splits the majority of the time

[@delstep2255]

Hi my brother. What is the length of your leader line?

[@RyanHanksFishing]

I use a very short leader for my fishery. My leader is only a few feet long and my connection knot stays outside of my guides. This enables me to make the longest cast possible

[@delstep2255]

Thanks for response. I am going to try this.

[@mukhtarparkar8132]

How to order lure

[@saltylawaia8958]

What size bkk trebles on the 40g?

[@RyanHanksFishing]

For the 40g float I am using size 3/0 Raptorz for the belly and size 3/0 -5/0 Diablo single for the tail . For the 40g sink I am using size 2/0 Raptorz for belly and size 2/0-3/0 single on the tail

[@miamiwax5504]

I like long rods but I hate those long butts when I'm fishing on a kayak

[@kenyan854]

Like this vedio

[@megamindtvsydney3967]

Morning tide fishing Cavey fishing Survival beast Briggsy fishing Best

[@wheeziefosheezie9149]

The "how to" part starts at 9:50 the first 9 minutes is him talking about his rod and reel. Technically this video should be titled "my favorite rod & reel i talk too much about during a video that is suppose to be about how to fish a stick bait"...long title, i know, but accurate.

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Haha I am glad that fired you up enough for this response. I felt it was important to show the viewer the gear I was using to throw stuff stickbaits so that they were well equipped

[@borntocatch]

I need a “It pretty much ruined me” shirt

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Hahah same here 🤣🤣

[@pelagichunter9266]

I'll take 1! 🤣

[@RyanHanksFishing]

@@pelagichunter9266 🤣🤣

[@rainbosprinkles6548]

Mono doesn't float...

[@seahunters4728]

unfortunately there are a lot of techniques in europe that are not used in america. i have never see you guys(american ytbers) use long jerk...long jerk is a slimer version of the jerkbait which has a more wounded action that usuall. long jerks like rapala maxrap are very effective in our seas, give them a try and show us the results

[@BaccillusAnthracis]

Nice coverage learned a lot.hopefully i can use it when i go to rhodes island greece nxt yr with my mates.

[@RyanHanksFishing]

Glad this helped. I few updates since filmed this. I definitely encourage using a longer rod such as an 8’2

[@BaccillusAnthracis]

@@RyanHanksFishing the only rods i can bring are two shimano beastmaster stc rods twin tip 300cm/240cm length, casting weight 28-122/150-300g & this one i cant wait to try out the throne extreme travel concept rod 8’1 ft casting weight 15-140g paired with shimano shimano Saragosa 8000,Penn Spinfisher 8500,Daiwa 20 BG MQ 10,000.what’s your sweet spot weight you use for your stick baits,poppers? Any tips ? Much appreciated thanks

[@RyanHanksFishing]

@@BaccillusAnthracis In America they rate rods differently and use power vs is PE . I use a medium heavy for lures 90g or less and go heavy or xtra heavy for lures above. Really depends on the species and depth. Fishing deep in open water vs a shallow reef etc

[@BaccillusAnthracis]

@@RyanHanksFishing thanks a lot for the reply.will probably bring loads of diff weight lures as we are planning to go all over the island hunting for Pelagics. If we are lucky maybe a tuna 😂😂😂😂

[@RyanHanksFishing]

@@BaccillusAnthracis that sounds like an awesome trip! Have a great adventure

[@MenCanNotBeWomen]

trebble hooks damage the fishes mouth and not to mention, the damage it can do to human hands legs face etc. use single inline hooks..

[@jzfishing103]

Is a Daiwa saltist hyper heavy rock special good for some rock fishing in Australia?