Thread: Longlining 101

That ain't so bad.

Hard work in all that wind. Would have been better off to put fewer poles out and motor up wind then drift back. Heck of a lot better than trying to spider rig in the same wind though.

Wannabe...

Yep I agree, to much wind sux. But it sounds like you learned and have a plan for the next time it happens.

When I look back on my trip Saturday, I should have thrown out a couple of drift socks and slowed the boat down because of too much wind..

Good trip considering the weather and all. The wind is evil but you can make it work for you up to a point. By all means, fish going with it when you can. Nothing wrong with making a pass & then motoring back up to make another pass. Drift socks may work for some, but I like to drag a chain when I need to slow down.

Got chains and socks, but the wind was moving me below 1mph so I needed a little TM to keep at about 1. Trouble was, the direction meant that I couldn't move right and left to go around shallow areas without rocking and rolling. Other trouble was that with 4 on the boat and that many rods that I had to handle by myself, rolling up and motoring wasn't much of an option for a 15 minute drift. Ended up just picking about the longest continuous run I could do and sticking with it...then the wind changed and got stronger.....down with Big Weather. Occupy Weathermen!!!!!

Question, do ya'll drag socks and or chains when you're long lining off the back? Do you find that they spook fish or does it seem to have any effect?

Wannabe...

I drag a chain off the rear cleat (either side or depends on wind direction to offset wind). Do not think it spooks them. It stays near the boat. If anything, it may stir them up when it bangs into a stump or brush. By the time the jigs get to it they are scattered around the stump/brush and all the bait fish are too. Just a thought and no proof. Sure better than just blowing in the wind. The chain stays deep and out of the way unlike a sock that stays up and in the spread some what.

Wonder if I painted my chain chartruese or pink if it would draw some fish ???? NawwwwRofl

I usually put a drift sock off of each cleat in the front of the boat and stick the rods out the back. Were only allowed 3 rods per angler here in Michigan so we don't run more than 6. Usually I can control the boat by just steering the big motor left or right. But if the wind is too bad I'll use the bow mount. Haven't tried it in shallow water though.

[QUOTE=Shine Runner;1686136]I drag a chain off the rear cleat (either side or depends on wind direction to offset wind). Do not think it spooks them. It stays near the boat. If anything, it may stir them up when it bangs into a stump or brush. By the time the jigs get to it they are scattered around the stump/brush and all the bait fish are too. Just a thought and no proof. Sure better than just blowing in the wind. The chain stays deep and out of the way unlike a sock that stays up and in the spread some what.



What size chain do you use? and how long?