Once you get the "feel" of slabbing, you will see finding fish on your graph to be the more challenging part To me slabs are the easiest to use for kids and newbies on my boat because of the weight at the end of the line even in windy days.

I like to cast the slab and let it go to the bottom, depending on depth of the fish, I retrieve the slab 5 to 6 times and let my slab free fall back to the bottom. I like to release my button and actually let it free fall than just gradually drop.

Sounds like your getting a lot of great tips. I know the struggles that can be had in slabbing from a pontoon. Do you have a trolling motor? Not that it matters but there are times when I am out slabbing in my pontoon that I need to move around a bit say on humps...for that it is a must have. Keep at trying the slab and dont give up on it, once you get into a good school you will feel like a pro in no time. When I am out targeting hybrids if all I am getting is sandbass. Move around but pay attention to the depth at all times when you start pulling fish. Can be useful on fishing breaklines on ledges, flats, or on or the edges of humps. You would be surprised the difference a foot can make. I like the method dropping beside the boat for sandbass. But for me, I have really better luck at times fishing for hybrids away from the boat. When fishing on or around humps cast the slabs and vary your retrieve when you start getting the hang of slabbing, those hybrids will pick up the slab on the fall as you swim it, coolest bite there is. I mention this because you mentioned hybrids, sometimes they can be a bit more evasive than the sand bass depending on their population in the lake you fish. As it heats up late Jun, July, August and into the fall I love throwing big slabs...size does matter. Can you catch hybrids on 1oz slabs sure. But trust me you want at least 1.5oz to 2.5oz size slabs, big hybrids like big baits. Also, in most beginner slab fishermen I have seen where fishing with at least 1.5oz size slabs helps. You can really feel what is going on with it, you can feel the light taps, and you can really feel the snags...so be careful if you are dragging the bottom....although sometimes that is the trick to. Being good with a slab is just being versatile, the bite can be completely different same trip between sand bass and hybrids depths can be to. I learned a lot on my own trial and error, but learned a whole lot from guides that I have fished with. They can fix your learning curve significantly. Feel free to pm me or call me sometime, I dont fish much but have caught one or two on slabs.

Another thing: I have replaced the treble hooks with single hooks on many of mine, much better for me.

I usually cut off the welded hook of the treble hook. This saves time when taking off the fish and going down for another.

This or replace with single hook, also a swivel will prevent line twists.