Thunderbird archives

Too late. I'm all in!!!!


Just kidding. By no means am I going to jump right out and throw down the cash to get the complete set up straight out the gate. As with everything I would try it 1st and with only a couple of rods. I would have to pick up a couple of rods as all mine are light to ultra light. I already have 2 baitcasters that would do the job just fine. I enjoy the thump the most but am just trying to think outside the box at the bird because it seems like it is a dink fest lately. Just want to have a backup plan when the usual brushpile, submerged trees and docks aren't producing. Nothing worse than leaving the lake empty handed. When I do leave the lake empty handed I sit there and ask myself if they are all out in deep water? I'm only 1.25 hours a way from Eufaula but that isn't feasible with the work and kid schedule I have going on now so I'm stuck with the bird. Thanks for all the info guys.

yea like everyone has said no need to go out and buy new gear. I used to use my bass and catfish rods. just angle them best you can to give the largest spacing. after I got more into it I got a few new rods and reels. academy has a store brand trolling rod in various lengths that I really like. Its heavier than the expensive rods but who cares if its in a rod holder. I have also started trolling cranks with 20-30 pound braided line. this way I have a better chance of saving my $4 crankbait when I get hung up. I have others tell me they think its boring which is sometimes true when they aren't biting. but when 3 or 4 rods go off at one time while trolling cranks its anything but boring. and if its a school of sandbass it gets damn near extreme haha. one other tip I will give. I troll with my rod holds on the sides of my boat and the lines out the back. I will then point my trolling motor strait and keep it there. find the right speed with the trolling motor then use the steering wheel of the big motor to steer. this allows for more pin point speeds and more gradual turns.

Yeah I would put my mounts on the side.

redneck, a lot of people pull with 20# yellow braid to try and save cranks. Do you use line counter reels or just cast and then let line out until you catch fish? The best place to pull is out the back of the boat (you can turn easier without get lines crossed) but not to many people have remote control TM's.

rdj, I do not use line counters. I used to pull the line out by hand and count but wasn't worth the time. I just throw all four poles different lengths then when I catch fish try and do the same for all of them. I use yellow line too. well it used to be yellow. sun faded it to white lol

I have never had used any yellow Braid that didn't turn white very quickly. That makes it harder to see your lines. I do use line counters because I have had to pull 90-100ft. behind the boat to get my cranks down to the fish.

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Originally Posted by rdjj71m

I have never had used any yellow Braid that didn't turn white very quickly. That makes it harder to see your lines. I do use line counters because I have had to pull 90-100ft. behind the boat to get my cranks down to the fish.

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X2 on the yellow turning white fast!!

so what do yall suggest to use if I still want line strength and bright yellow? maybe some 12 pound mono or something? might change the depths the baits run but shouldn't be much id guess.

I really like Bonehead mono but the hi-vis isn't all that hi-vis compared to other hi-vis. Never used it for pulling cranks.

I use 8 lb Vicious Panfish hi-vis on my pulling rods for pulling or pushing cranks --- works great!