There are many different fishing techniques to entice a fish to attack a lure. In the sea, the elevator is one of the most unusual, as it's the only one that moves the lure vertically over a large part of its depth.
Location and vertical fishing
Pollack is a species that responds particularly well to vertical fishing, and in particular to the elevator technique. While it's true that vertical fishing makes it easier to approach and exploit deep spots (sometimes around 100 meters), it also proves to be the most profitable on this species for a specific reason.
The swim bladder and decompression
The swim bladder is an organ possessed by certain species of fish, which they fill or empty with air in order to stabilize themselves at a certain depth. While this change in volume can take place relatively quickly, there is a physical constraint that fish can't overcome, otherwise their bladder will swell under the effect of decompression (as depth decreases, pressure also decreases and the gas relaxes, increasing its volume). If the fish ascends too quickly, the bladder comes out of their mouth.
A threshold that must not be crossed
As a result, when ascending to the surface, the lees must not exceed a certain limit, or their survival will be threatened. This limit constitutes a wall that they know and will never risk crossing.
Forcing the site to make a choice
The elevator technique is based on creating a conflict... The aim is to present a lure to the local fish, which is particularly curious, and encourage it to follow it until it attacks. By moving the lure vertically from the bottom to the surface, the fish is forced to follow the lure until it reaches the limit. Once it reaches this limit, the lure is forced to make a choice or risk losing its prey forever: attack or give up!
Of course, it's not that simple
While the elevator technique is based on this physical constraint, as you well know, fishing isn't a science and it's not always simple. Getting a lure up to the wall isn't always enough, and other parameters often come into play: lure shape, size, color, ascent speed and pauses are all factors you'll need to vary.
