12/15 Lanier report..... (kinda!)

[Beavz]

I had hoped that this would be a report about my first successful trolling expedition... but it's NOT!

I'd ordered Spyderlocs from Gene, and they arrived last week. My intention was to mount them on the front, (I ordered an extra set of bases [backordered] to put on the back of the boat) however the cables on the Fortrex would require me to mount it farther back on the port side than I'd like. I plan on upgrading to a Terrova around March, and don't want to drill any unnecessary holes.

Let me include that I'm completely impressed with the quality of the Spyderlocs! (two Millineum seats were ordered as well, impressive also)

After contemplating for a few days, I decided that after watching Hotwaters "long lining / trolling videos" on Oconee I'd mount the current set on the back, and wait until the Terrova was installed to mount the front plates.

Well..... today was the day. First time out long lining.... mind you, I've never even been in a boat while it was performed. Jay makes it look simple, heck.... he's even gone so far as to make a video about how to exactly rig the jigs! How hard could this be, right?

I was in the water on the north end at 7:15... mind you, it was a bit chilly (if above freezing, not by much.) I get 2 14', 2 10', and 2 6' bass rods all "splayed" out across the back, and orient them out to what I believe is an acceptable pattern.

Everything was going along fine.... for about 2 minutes. Let me just inform any who believe that you can watch 6 lines on the back of a 19' boat while trying to maintain "proper" coarse heading on the front of the same boat..... it ain't gonna happen!

I'm truly thankful that I was the only boat on the lake today... but I'm quite sure it would have made a hilarious video had someone captured it!

Boat back on the trailer about 3:30.... nose constantly running, and my fingers numb.

Needless to say... I'll be placing that mounting plate on the right side up front when it arrives, and just wait on the placement of the left side. Besides... dealing with four poles while running that foot controlled TM will probably be all I can keep up with!

Nope.... nary a fish caught on my first "trolling" adventure, back to the "drawing board!"

Jay "Hotwater"..... all I've got to say is....... your, Da MAN!!!!!!

Beavz

[Hotwater]

I think today would have been a tough day. I believe we had a front move through and if so that can hurt the fishing. I don't want to tell someone how to spend their money but you may want to consider a minnkota ipilot. If the wind is up it can be a challenge no matter what kind of TM you have. We try not to fish if the wind is over about 6-7 mph. It is frustrating. We have all been there. Don't give up. It will get better. We have bad days too. I don't make videos of those days.

Jay

[Gabepeeps]

Remember Beavz......youre trying to longline on the hardest longlining lake in Georgia if not the world. Reason being, it's shaped like no other and is very deep. The crappie don't get out in open water and suspend much. More brushpile and dock fishing. There are times when it works but you have to be at the right place at the right time for sure. Ive only had 2 really successful days longlining on Lanier. Both were 5yrs ago and it was by accident. I was anchored and had a few poles out with floats and maribou jigs tipped with minnows. My anchor line loosened and I started to drift in a pretty good wind. I looked back at my floats just in time to see them both go down. A longliner was born! Casted out a few more lines and trolled around in that cove for 4hrs wearing them out. I was only in 5ft of water. Lasted 2 days and poof.....they were gone! It's been 4 or 5 at most ever since.

[Thunder]

You have not long lined until you get a line side on and have to cut every jig off and start from scratch. I have had all lines wrapped up and looked like the inside of a baseball


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[Ttexastom]

Hang in there, when fronts roll thru it can be a challenge.
You had more nerve than i would have had today. Lanier IS one tough LAKE. Keep on trying, it will come to you with time. Don't have any advice except if you stay on lanier you may have to downsize your jigs. Pretty days help a lot too.

[Jig Puller]

X2 on that brother. I longline exclusively except I might spider rig this time of year occasionally. I fish with jigs and sometimes I might put a minnow on. This is how I learned to fish for crappie and that is what I fill more comfortable with. I agree about the I pilot trolling motor it is very hard to longline with out it but I couldn't afford one at that time so I did have some difficulty at times but this is how a learned to fish for the slabs. Don't give up because that method is very addictive and it is very productive, I'm still long lining even this time of year here in NC.

[papasage]

don`t give up . practice make perfect .
i have a 24 volt I pilot on my pontoon boat but it wanted to turn on its own and i ordered a new eye worked a short time now it doesn`t work hasen`t in several years . just haven`t checked it out may be the switch or loos connection . my 16 ft crappie boat had a cable steering on it i got a power drive and it stayed on coarse where the cable wanted to turn when i took my foot off it and less clutter in the floor .

[LittleJohn]

Beavz until you get your terrova. You can long line from the front of the boat. You have to staggard your rods. Whenever I got extra people in the boat I do this lot. Woks real good.
LittleJohn

[Beavz]

Jay makes it look simple, heck.... he's even gone so far as to make a video about how to exactly rig the jigs! How hard could this be, right?

Jay "Hotwater"..... all I've got to say is....... your, Da MAN!!!!!!

Beavz

I tried, and tried, and tried... to figure out how to edit the post from last night, then found that it can't.

I'm embarrassed that I got your name wrong,JAY! ( I know that Jim is your fishing buddy who tightlines from the front) My fingers were still numb, and my brain hadn't completely thawed back out yet.

Yes sir... whatever trolling motor that I decide on will have the autopilot feature (and that spot lock makes me drool.) I've never had a "drive by wire" TM, and the Terrova is expensive. The Ultrex is even more. I don't need the auto deploy feature, and don't know if the cable drive is worth the added expense.

Whichever I decide on, I'll be adding the HB 360 on the front as well...

After purchasing the boat new in August, I've added the Helix 10 Mega SI at the console (WOW,) and Helix 12 (not mega) DI at the bow. I'm ashamed to admit (not really) that I'm completely ignorant pertaining to any electronics (computers in general,) and can't take full advantage of what I've already gotten (yet.) My computer at home is a Mac, and isn't compatible with the HB... I've not gotten a card for the unit yet (screenshots,) and also have not installed Lakemaps, either.

I'd just like to pass along my appreciation for your willingness to pass along your knowledge concerning this passion we call crappie fishing. Whether you realize it or not, you do a great service to us "junior fellows" with respect to time and expense in our pursuit of the finest eating freshwater fish on the planet!

Thanks for your willingness to help others along!

Bryan

[Beavz]

Lasted 2 days and poof.....they were gone!

They may have moved, Gabe.... but they havent left the lake! Meet me at that same boat ramp sometime, and I'll show you some GLORIOUS images on a Helix 10 SI MEGA! I've pulled a few from up there off of some docks (enough for a couple of fish frys for me & the wife,) but want to get better at my production.

I'm not one to give up easily, and have only gotten started... just gotta iron out the small details that make "all the difference." (I've not caught a single fish on those poles I got from you... excited about the first one!)

Let's meet up sometime...

Hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas!

Beavz