|
|
| O.K., was given great info on the crawler harnesses! I am glad I found this site!
Next question is in regards to your trolling set-ups out there.
Speed - both crankbaits and crawlers.
Depth- once fish are located do you get in their faces or run above them (i.e. bottom bouncers)?
What size bottom bouncers does everyone use? Or how do I know what weight bouncers for certain depths - is there a chart out there?
Lastly for now...What rods length wise - do you use shorter on the inside boards? do you flatline? Are standard "planer board" rods the correct choice. Both Gander and Cabelas have economical planer board rods in 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 foot length's.
Thanks so much in advance - I promise I will never ask for spots!! I have much more time available this year , but less money also...so I am looking to crack the Bay, but want to make sure I am set up right and don't have to make any mistakes with the gear.
Dave |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 3899
| Dave, good questions.
I go real slow most days with spinner rigs. .9 is about right for me most days. Cranks are faster. Maybe 2-2.5 or more in summer. Fall/Cold water, I go slower.
Depth is going to very, but I try to keep my offerings at or just above the fish. Rarely below them. Walleyes tend to feed up.
I don't use a lot of bottom bouncers on the Bay. Especially in shallow water. Too clear, and bottom bouncing stirs up the sand, and spooks the fish. That's what I think, anyway. Weights I do use are none, splits, keel or inline sinkers, and snap weights. Each have their place and time. I'm talking for spinner rigs here. For cranks, leadcore works for me.
I like longer rods, this year will use a 7'10" trolling rod. I used 8'6" rods for several years. Fairly soft and slow tip, but good backbone. Gander's Planer board rods are real nice. I'll use shorter rods if I am flatlining braid inside of leadcore in the rivers.
Don't take this as gospel. It's what works for me. You'll get some good advice here, from some great anglers. Have a great year. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 2567
Location: Manitowoc, WI | For Green Bay and any other body of water for trolling, the boat setup, to me, is more important than what I put on the business end of a line. Proper electronics, planer boards, rods, linecounter reels, line, trolling motor, etc....it all adds up to success when it's done right.
For electronics, I use Lowrance color units with split screen Sonar/GPS. I'm a firm believer in repeating my presentations when I find something the fish like. With a GPS unit to retrace my path I can do that.
For rods, I like 8'6" to 9' planer board rods. Gander Mtn. makes some nice ones, as do many other rod manufacturers. Choose whatever makes you comfortable.
I use Offshore Tackle planer boards and I like the tattle flag feature for increased focus on light-biting fish.
Daiwa makes the best linecounter reels, as I have many of the SG27LC series. I couple all of them with 10 lb. Trilene XT. I use the same line on all reels.
Good luck and I'm sure you'll get more advice here. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 885
| Dave, I usually run a 5/8 oz inline keel weight right inline above my harnesses. This will get me close to the bottom in 19-21 feet of water depending on the speed you troll. While fishing shallow, I don't run any weights. A #5 Colorado blade with 6-7 beads will run a couple of feet below the surface @45 feet behind a board and that is all you need because of the clarity of the water. Where and how deep to fish on the bay for me has always depended on wind direction and strength. If it's very windy, I go shallow. If it is calm, I go deep. Electronics play a big part in finding fish. I have 2 Lowrance color Depthfinders/GPS on my boat. The difference between color and monochromatic screens makes locating fish much easier especially in shallow weedy conditions, it's money well spent. Look for the tournament boats and follow them a couple feet behind with binoculars. Ask them if you can anchor your boat and fish with them. Especially follow Jayman, Shep, Jerry, Horshac, Ranger Pat and Brad.... They all know the bay very well and will put you on fish every time.... right before any tournament is always the best time to follow them. That's how I learned. (OK... the last part of my suggestions may be a little off base) |
|
| |
|
| Purple Skeeter - 3/16/2007 9:23 AM
<p>Dave,</p><p> I usually run a 5/8 oz inline keel weight right inline above my harnesses. This will get me close to the bottom in 19-21 feet of water depending on the speed you troll. While fishing shallow, I don't run any weights. A #5 Colorado blade with 6-7 beads will run a couple of feet below the surface @45 feet behind a board and that is all you need because of the clarity of the water.</p><p> Where and how deep to fish on the bay for me has always depended on wind direction and strength. If it's very windy, I go shallow. If it is calm, I go deep. </p><p> Electronics play a big part in finding fish. I have 2 Lowrance color Depthfinders/GPS on my boat. The difference between color and monochromatic screens makes locating fish much easier especially in shallow weedy conditions, it's money well spent.</p><p>Look for the tournament boats and follow them a couple feet behind with binoculars. Ask them if you can anchor your boat and fish with them. Especially follow Jayman, Shep, Jerry, Horshac, Ranger Pat and Brad.... They all know the bay very well and will put you on fish every time.... right before any tournament is always the best time to follow them. That's how I learned.</p><p> (OK... the last part of my suggestions may be a little off base )</p>
LMAO I love the ending! Thats great stuff there. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 1656
| Dave, you got some great answers from these gentlemen ( can I really call 'em that?  ). One thing that I'll add, when it comes trolling harnesses/lead. Pick a speed and work from there, what I mean by that, is everything that sinks is speed dependant. Yes, sometimes you gotta change speeds. But if you work from one speed and get a good "feel" for where your stuff is running depth wise. A lot of it is trial an error, but once you get comfortable/know your depths. You'll be much more effective at getting your baits in the strike zone.
Binoculars are a good idea too.....I got a new pair of waterproof ones this year, just so I can keep an eye on Purple Skeeter. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 617
Location: Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Follow me if you like... I'm following Stacker!
10 different people will have 10 different ways of doing the same thing. Best advice I was ever given is find something that works, then change it. See if it works better or worse. That's especially true for trying new cranks - the best time to try a new color/style/lure is when the fish are biting good.
As far as depth and speed, consider getting a copy of the "Precision Trolling Guide". It has depth curves for a lot of different cranks as well as a good discussion on snap weights, leadcore, and the basics of what you need to consider to achieve the target depth for any set-up.
BTW, I have an old copy of the PTG that I was planning on selling later in the spring. If your interested in that, I sell it to you for a decent price. Send me a private message if your interested. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 3899
| Welcome ALL the way back Purple Skeeter! That is some funny stuff!
As for the following? They're all following me anyway, except for jerry, and I don't have any no cuts rules, so you might as well just find me, and tie on to my rear cleat! But you gotta turn off your sonar so it doesn't interfere with mine. If you have a hummingbird, disregard that last part. They won't cause me no harm. hehehe
Excellent point on the PTG, Brad. I keep forgetting to mention that!
Edited by Shep 3/16/2007 10:53 AM
|
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 794
Location: Elgin, Illinois | Fish the FLW League event on Winnebago as a C0-angler... You will learn about the "how"... it is not all about the equipment... |
|
| |
|
| This site rules! I love it. In all seriousness, I never really thought about making sure I kinda am in the vicinity before a tournament rolls through...I am not an idiot generally but, what is the etiquette in terms of how near to other boats you can be before encroaching on anothers water/right of way? The last thing I want to get screamed at by grown men while fishing - I can just drive around all day in the passing lane on 41 and go 54mph's for that kind of entertainment 
Thanks for the answers guys!!
Dave |
|
| |
