Photo courtesy David Confair Confair targets big pre-spawn longnose gar with a terminal set-up similar in style to the popular Sabiki bait rig. He uses a pair of small No. 4 hooks and 20-pound test ...

When targeting suspended fish using Garmin LiveScope, Cooper relies on the Bass Pro Shops XPS Rock’n Shad in Green Gizzard. His key strategy is locating bait balls first, as bass will follow.

“The stripers are up on the banks at night,” said Indian Point Marina Bait and Tackle owner Dewayne Lamb. “We caught 17 last night.” While you can find gizzard shad tight to the shoreline ...