Easy,

Don't let anyone pull your chain on the "first light" or "tide change" routine with Blackmouth.
Those two times are just optimal times. Might have been a different story if we had clear skies with the 98% moon this morning.

Gotta keep that bait on the bottom to within 10' unless the Candlefish are there- 5 feet then. I lower the ball until its hits and crank 'er up 1-2 feet... This generally keeps my ball at roughly 3' and the bait at 6'-10' depending on how fast I am trolling. Watch the f/finder when the ball hits, stay two feet either side of that depth... This takes a little practice to get the "feel" of where your ball is at.... So try and lower the ball at a slow speed until you get the bounce. Lastly, on the big tide swings (greater than plus/minus 6') , gotta get out in that deeper water out of the current. Don't be afraid of fishing 150'-250' deep. Herring do not tolerate big tide swings... You'll be suprise how many fish you'll catch greater than 200'.

The above is "text book" however, last season, I caught a lot suspended 50'-90' (go figure) in the deeper water... These will be your "first light" fish. Just when you think you have it figured out huh?

Downriggin'