Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Mar 10, 2011 13:49:27 GMT -5
Last year I tried using pretty large baits by ended up really irritated. When on floats, they caused unmanageable tangles. On bottom, they pulled the bait clicker non-stop and ended up in snags. How do you guys fish with large baits, lets say over a pound? What setups work best? I'm mostly interested in fishing lakes, but river rigs might be useful to know as well. I have tried cutting the fins off, adding 5 ounces of weight, etc. I really need help in this area.
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Post by Smoothkip on Mar 10, 2011 15:59:33 GMT -5
I just run a bigger sinker. Also with large baits trying not using a leader at all, the sinker will keep it pinned better on the bottom not letting it get the momentum to pull away. When I'm fishing from the boat ill throw my big baits out the back of the boat. Floats I can't help ya with.
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Post by bigcatpat on Mar 10, 2011 16:02:08 GMT -5
I like 1 big bait out every night.I just throw 16ozs on the line,that keeps em in place pretty nice.
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Post by ducky on Mar 10, 2011 16:15:03 GMT -5
Using more than 8 oz of weight will sometimes cause the hook to rip out of the bait when a flathead is running, I like doing what smoothkip does(no leader at all) but if the bait keeps pulling line out of the clicker that means he will have all the line he wants to swim around, causeing proplems around snags, so if your bait is pulling the clicker alot make sure every once in awhile you reel in the slack, and repeat agin and agin. Cutting the fins does help alot too.
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Post by katfish on Mar 12, 2011 23:12:59 GMT -5
Sean Not much about catching flatheads is simple ;D When using big baits you should keep taking back slack like Ducky said. The baits constantly fighting the sinker is a good thing because hunting flathead will investigate the vibrations. I usually keep mending the lines on big baits to keep them from wandering to submerged timber. If the process gets really old I may put a flat rock over a piece of line to the side of the rod. A flathead will pull the line free but the baitfish will continue to struggle without pulling it out. I imagine you could experiment with putting a rubber band on the line looped around an eye on the rod but that could also be a recipe for disaster. Probably better to get a downrigger release from Cabelas and adjust the tension so the baitfish can't pull free. I have a few lever drag reels and I can adjust the drag incrementally to make it harder for the baits to take line. I am very careful when I do this because a fast running flathead can drag a rod in. You can tighten the cast control on levelwinds after the bait is set but this often doesn't help enough to keep big baits from taking line. The only thing I can reccomend on floats is to experiment with paternoster rigs till you get something that works. I've studied the idea and worry there are to many complex connections which could lead to lost fish. Anyone that knows me knows that it must be really simple for me  |
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Post by bassmassey on Mar 13, 2011 19:02:48 GMT -5
I would recommend using a circle hook, hooking the bait in a way to leave as much hook gap as possible, using a bigger weight, and lock that reel down n let em' bow that rod up.....
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Post by katfish on Mar 13, 2011 22:57:27 GMT -5
For flathead?  ?  I always worry an Abu might get touched and get in gear and the flathead will own it  |
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Post by Smoothkip on Mar 14, 2011 4:52:08 GMT -5
Robby, Ive seen what Aaron is talking about. He uses rod holders deep in the river bank and backs his drag off some so you will get the circle to find its mark but not locked down so much that he will take rod and all. I tried this method late last year and was 6 for 6 on flatheads 48# being biggest. I always told myself that i would never use circles and old Massey made me a believer. The new 10/0 circle from bottom dwellers is the hook of choice, much bigger gap than the Gamas.
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Post by bassmassey on Mar 14, 2011 22:03:15 GMT -5
kip, I remember you had the 2# bullhead 70 yds down the river bank and about saw the glow stick on the tip of your rod about hit the water.....lol
that's joey that likes to back his reels off.........i like to keep mine at about the drag that you would fight a decent fish with in a rod holder that isn't going to go anywhere......
imo I beleive flatheads don't mind the tension as long as it stays the same, picking up a rod pre-maturely seems like they will drop it sometimes........there's been alot of shovelheads caught on limblines, jugs, and trot lines and nobody set those hooks.......
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Post by bassmassey on Mar 14, 2011 22:05:20 GMT -5
how much are those hooks kip?? is the gauge as thin as the gamakatsu?
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Post by Catfishrollo on Mar 14, 2011 22:17:36 GMT -5
I agree with Kip. Them circles Big Dav sells I really like for livebait. I have always been a J-hook style fisherman. Im really impressed with them! rollo
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Post by Smoothkip on Mar 14, 2011 23:15:16 GMT -5
how much are those hooks kip?? is the gauge as thin as the gamakatsu? There just a tad heavier gauge than the gamas and have a bigger gap. Check out Daves website for prices, a lot cheaper than the Gamas. www.bottomdwellerstackle.com |
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Post by bassmassey on Mar 15, 2011 18:31:48 GMT -5
damn kip, those are good lookin hooks, and the price is right!
Is local pick up available???
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Post by newcathunter on Aug 29, 2016 9:34:10 GMT -5
For big carp you guys reccomend short leader or zero rig its a good choice?
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Post by mexicanthreat on Aug 29, 2016 12:00:11 GMT -5
by zero rig you mean? just hook?
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