HELP,HELP!!!!HELP!!!!!

[carl]

So who else can shed some light on winter fishing. Hurry up guys, we're surposed to get hit with cold weather next week. :p

[msivey]

I'm not sure this technique will work in your area but in Tennessee when nothing works I can usually put a fish or two in the boat with a float and fly. If you have not heard of this it involves a 10 foot buggy whip or noodle rod spinning real spooled with 4 pound line, preferable fluorocarbon suspend a small doll hair or maribu jig below a float. Locate the fish with your depth finder and set your float at that depth. In tennessee the fish usually suspend around 15' when the water temp. dips below 42. Cast this rig out and just let the jig sit for a minute or so then make 1 or 2 cranks of your reel stop let it sit repeat.What you are trying to do is put the jig right I the fishes face. they will take this rig because it's an easy meal the fish can take it without expending much energy. Smallmouth in particular will fall for this presintation, and with this light gear your in for a long battle.Two years ago I caught several Smallmouth in the 4 to 6 pound range at Dale Hollow lake, north Tennessee, and it's very exciting batteling a 5 ld. pound smallmouth on 4 pound line.
When the float starts going under just raise your rod tip feel for weight, and just give it a tug, don't set the hook hard or nine times outta 10 you will break off.
When I first started using this technique I didn't have a noodle rod so I rigged a spinning real on a light 10 foot fly rod. Went out that day and caught 4 nice Smallies so I went right out and bought a Browning noodle rod and started catching fish. This lasted for three winters but for the past two years our water temp. has not been cold enough for this technique to work, guess I'll have to go north to find water cold enough to use my noodle rod.
Tip: if your not getting anything, tip the jig with a small minnow or a short peace of worm, anything to give it just a little flavor/ sent.
Let me know if you try this I'm intersted to know if this method works outside Tennessee.

keep after um,

[carl]

Thanks much, I'll give it a try. Just reread an article in Bassmaster on scucture fishing (Nov.'04.) The bass I have been targeting are very difficult to catch, at least according to the article. Don't feel so bad now. I will try your tech.,although I'm not sure I want to go out and spend money on another rod. Thanks again Carl. PS. Hope to be on the water tomarrow.

[msivey]

Carl,
I know what you mean about spending money on a new rod for a technique your not sure will work, that's why I started with an old fly rod, but with the length between the float and the hook in Tennessee it,s usually about 15ft. and it,s really hard to cast without the extra length. Like I said before this rig dosen't work unless the water temp. is below 42 and we haven't seen that for two years. My noodle rod has turned into a crappy rod, works pretty good for poking around tree tops.
keep after em
upriver

[brendanc]

Guys,

Have you looked into using a float with a plastic/nylon line stopper? There are even some float systems that do not require a plastic line stopper. A gentlemen by the name of Mick Thill is considered a lengend when it comes to fishing with floats. You should check out his site and also look at "Lindy's" site, since they bought the "Thill" float company from Mick:
http://lindyfishingtackle.com/
http://www.mickthill.com/

Keep in mind that there are float systems out there that do not require you to use a long rod. I typically use a 6' or 6' 6" rod with my float & fly setup...

BC

[carl]

Brendon, I went to the Lindy site, and saw more floats than ever seen in my life. Any suggestions about the kind of fishing we're talking about. Thanks Carl.

[msivey]

Brenden,
Yes, I use them quiet a lot when crappie fishing but the float and fly method seems to work better if the jig pendulum under the float, with the slip float the jig is pulled up and forward, and for some reason I can’t explain the fish don’t react to the bait the same?

[carl]

Well, it's been an interesting week. Been out three very exciting days. I fished despite being shot at by duck hunters twice. I'm ready to go out and buy body armor, luckily duck season is over. I used the new Rapala Jigging Raps. They seem to work, although I didn't land any, I got bites which is better than anything else I've been using, spinners, jigs, and vibrating blades. QQQestion for Johnnie, Dan or any one else. Do you use a loop knot or snap swivel on verticle/crank baits. The loop knot didn't hold when snagged, the snap did. Carl.

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Carl, when vertical jigging whether it's a balde bait or spoon, I always tie a improved clinch knot to the snap-I don't use swivels, just bass snaps. This allows the bait freedom of movement and I have found that tying directly to thgese baits can actually cut or crimp your line. Good luck. Johnnie