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| I read about and have been told about some keel weights from Bass Pro Shops that are called XPS Keel Weights. Everything I've heard about them revolves around fishing Lake Erie. What I was wondering is if anyone has tried them in other bodies of water and what you thought of them?
Thanks in advance for any input. |
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Location: Rhinelander | What do they look like? I have some that are made in Canada, really easy to use and come in about a dozen weights. They simply attach to the line through a bracket, and can slide on the line or be rigged to stay put. Same concept? |
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Member
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Location: Green Bay, WI | They don't work for Viking fans!
But seriously I've used them a little on Winnebago and the a lot on Green Bay. Not much luck in either place. They look great. The problem on Green Bay maybe that the water is too clear, but the water is clear on Erie too. Maybe they don't work for Packer fans either? |
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I think he means inline weights. They have a bead swivel and the lead weight is the curved shape of a keel. My MWC Partner, Pete Huibregste is a big fan of these weights.
And those sliding weights from Canada, are made by the Gibbs Company, a big tackle maker. These oval-shaped flat weights can be attached anywhere on the line, much like a snap weight. But the difference is in how its attached.
There are 2 small coat hanger type wires curling out of the top of, and down the side of the weight. After "hanging" the weight on the line on this "hanger", there is a small spring shaped wire out the end. And its here where you slip the line between the spring to hold it in place.
While the line is bent by the weight of the sinker, it stays inplace on the fishing line. But when a fish bites and straightens the line, the spring releases the weight, and it is free to slide down (the weight is still "hanging" ) to the barrell swivel you have tied to the line 3 feet in the front of your bait.
Used these all summer with perfect success, and was really good when out fishing myself, as I didn't have to take the weight from the line when reeling in a fish.
The only problem is the shipping cost in getting them here. I have bought a large batch, and if anyone is interested in trying some, will find a way to get some to you - provided you can pay!
Edited by Rick Larson 12/3/2003 8:32 AM
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Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | I used the XPS weights this last season. I did not see any additional attraction from fish than normal in-line weights or snap weights. In other words, I did not see an increase in catching any more fish while using them.
I was told by Keith K that he used them on Winnebago while testing and he thought they worked better there than normal weights. I will continue to use them to see if there is a difference but the verdict is still out for me.
Last season, they only came in one and two ounce sizes and I suggested that there should be a 1/2 ounce size for shallow water situations and Keith agreed. He said that he passed that suggestion on to Bass Pro Shops. We'll have to wait and see if they listen. My only word of warning is that they will spin if you troll too fast. But in the warmer summer months I have a tendency of trolling faster than most. It could just be me.
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Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | Rick,
Do you have a web site that can be used to learn more about the weights that you described? |
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No! I did a search and found the company, but they didn't have the weights described. Wait a bit, will get my camera and take a picture and link it to this post.
Attachments
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 Multisizes.jpg (147KB - 256 downloads)
My Pile.jpg (151KB - 235 downloads)
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Member
Posts: 714
| Here is the link to these weights.
http://www.basspro-shops.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=4274...
They look like they would almost catch fish by themselves. |
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Posts: 714
| Sunshine, they took your advice and have them in half ounce sizes now. |
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Thanx for the link JLD. These aren't the weights my partner uses, but they sure are pretty! Good enough to put hooks on 'em! |
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Posts: 617
Location: Oshkosh, Wisconsin | I tried the rainbow trout pattern on 'bago last year. I wasn't impressed. They would spin on occasion and tended to foul much more than the keel weights I normally use. I might try them again (in the 1/2 ounce size) if Santa brings me another gift certificate from BPS.... |
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Posts: 2393
Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | Originally written by Rick Larson on 2003-12-03 9:07 AM
Thanx for the link JLD. These aren't the weights my partner uses, but they sure are pretty! Good enough to put hooks on 'em!
Your comment is not far from the truth. I've heard guys who swear that some fish have hit the keel weight instead of the crawler harness. I can't claim that it has happened to me yet.
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| My experience with keel wts is limited, but I too would be concerned with fish hitting the wt. as apposed to the business end of the presentation.....any other comments or experience with this?
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| If I understand correctly, most of the time on Bago and Green Bay, you use larger blades than I normally do on Mille Lacs. I usually use #2 or #3 colorados and pull them anywhere from .8-1.5 mph. and normally in a 3way set up using 2-3 oz. weights. Do you think from your experiences that these weights would spin in that set up? |
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Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | IMHO they're not designed to be used in a 3-way setting. |
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Location: Westland, Mich. | DENNIS:
after fishing with rick and seeing these weighs in action i did a search and found the website for the company. they don't list them, so i e-mailed the contact. i have'nt had time to follow up and i don't know exactly where berry's is, but here's the reply i received. let us know what you find out.
Dear Bill,
Thank you for your recent e-mail and for your interest in Gibbs
products.
The best chance for you to purchase a Gibbs Slip Sinker is to use one
of the
on-line stores listed on our website at www.gibbsfishing.com - I would
suggest that you contact Michele at Berry's Bait and Tackle at
www.berrysbait.com - they may not have this product listed on their
website,
but they so stock it in their store!
Best regards,
Alison
Alison Glover, BA
Sales & Marketing.
Gibbs/Nortac Industries
***New E-mail: [email protected]
"Catch the Good Life with Gibbs!"
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Posts: 714
| Originally written by Sunshine on 2003-12-03 11:30 AM
IMHO they're not designed to be used in a 3-way setting.
Seems to me I should be able to substitute the keel weight for my normal tear drop weight and connect the spinner harness directly to the Keel weight. As realistic as they are, I might even tie a spinner harness only 1-2" behind the weight. Sort of a modified "Erie Dearie" so to say. |
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Yeah Jake, also visited that site with no luck. The biggest problem is the shipping costs. Got mine through John Dolly's (registered user to this site) father Jim. If you want to buy 500 bucks worth like I did, then he would be the person to talk to, as he has a direct link into where they are made.
Otherwise, you have to deal with me! (don'tworryiworkcheap) |
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Location: Niagara Falls New York | Rick, Thanks for the good words about Gibbs weights. We feel they are the best and easiest slide weight on the market. If anyone should want any try Rick first for small amounts due to shipping costs. If you should desire large amounts you can contact me and i will give you the prices. |
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Location: Rhinelander | John, Gibbs is the Brand I have. Great product, and easy people to deal with. I found them through a web search after Jim Devenport picked up some of the weights over on Erie this Spring, and contacted them via email. |
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Location: Westland, Mich. | (don'tworryiworkcheap)rick', you're the first guy i've seen who can type the way he talks. lol. |
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Your not so bad yourself there Jake. Not many guys would take 3 full fishless days with me and still be so friendly!
Your a real Pal. |
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