Long Lining alone from the front

Hey folks, I've been a lurker on here for a bit but now trying to get into this long lining that I see folks doing.

I have a couple of questions about long lining. I'm not looking for folks to tell me where, when and what lure to use at all. just some good ole advice.

I have a Bullet 21XD which is 21'10" without the motor. Is this boat too long to long line from the front solo?

I tried last weekend on lake Sinclair and didn't get a bite. I was using rod holders on the front of the boat and trolling at a slow speed with a 12', 10' and shorter 6' rods out each side. I was rigged with 2, 1/16oz jigs on 6lb line. Jigs tied about a foot to 1 to 1 and 1/2 foot apart. I trolled in water that was from 20 to 8 foot of water.

I did manage to get good largemouth off of a point in about 10 foot of water,(that was fun on a 10' limber pole) but no crappie.

My technique was to basically get the boat going straight and the cast each rod out as far as I could throw it. They where a bit behind the boat. I didn't let any extra line out. I didn't have any issues so much with crossed lines but did hang up a time or two in the shallower water. (to be expected I recon)

My basic question is....Is it not productive to long line from the front when solo. If it is productive what am I doing wrong. weather was great and I did put the holders away and cought several largemouth in 6 - 8 foot of water.

I'm heading back out in the am and was just looking for some pointers.

Thanks for the advice.

Longlining from the front solo is just as productive as any other way. What was your speed? Try to keep it at 1 mph, you can slow down or speed up as needed, let the fish tell you what speed, but you have to experiment to you find the zone. A easy way to do this is troll in a "s" pattern, which will cause the jigs on the outside curve to speed up, and the jigs on the inside slow down...pay attention to what side is getting bit and that is an easy way to tell how fast/slow the fish want it. Tie your double jigs further apart I usually run mine about 3 ft about and tied with a long loop knot.

I run 8 rods out the front, 2 13', 2 10', 2 8' and 2 5'6" with 6lb line and will wear the crappie out with this setup. Another way to troll is run a single 1/16 oz jig with a #3/0 or #7 split shot about 2 ft up the line...I catch a heap fishing this way as well.

Hope this helps...any specific questions let me know

Long lining from the front is perfect. You need 3 rods out each side and I would put 4 to 6 out the back buy the motor the ones in the back can be the same length. You need to know your speed. Then you may not need 2 16 the oz zigs on the same line could be going to deep. 16 the will go about 8ft deep at .8 mph with 6 lb test. I would tip some of my jigs with minnows. Also tie your jigs with a loop knot.

Personally I like one jig.

Thanks for the replies. All this helps. I'm going out in the am to try my luck.

My father is coming down the last weekend of the month and we have a cabin rented on Sinclair. We'll light the dock up at night but these tips help a ton for daytime fishing.

He is 72 and loves eating Crappie. I'm a bass fisherman in all aspects. I've flipped jigs and spinerbaits in the grass over the years and cought several bass...yet watched folks drag in crappie just behind me dragging jigs. I'm just trying to get the technique down as he loves him some white perch/crappie/slabs.

Dutch, I don't really know my speed as I don't have a GPS. It was pretty slow though. I'm using an older OMC 24V variable speed troller on a very low setting. Just enough to keep the lines straight. I recon I was in the 8ft range as I got hung up on a point or two in that depth.

Dutch, Did you know Shawn Davies?

Knowing your speed is all important to trolling, if you don't have GPS I suggest mirroring another troller to make sure your not too fast…of course you have to know what weight jigs he is pulling and the depth he is targeting.

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Originally Posted by bullet225ho

Dutch, I don't really know my speed as I don't have a GPS. It was pretty slow though. I'm using an older OMC 24V variable speed troller on a very low setting. Just enough to keep the lines straight. I recon I was in the 8ft range as I got hung up on a point or two in that depth.

Dutch, Did you know Shawn Davies?

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Not off the top of my head...I aint real good with names, I have to see a face to recognize someone.

If you have a Smartphone get the Ulysse Speedmeter app...just as good as a GPS to determine speed.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ys.speedometer

All of the above advice is great advice. Speed is probably the most important and 1 mph is a great place to start at...Sometime the presentation needs to be a little slower and sometime a little faster...And I have seen times that it didn't matter at all, but speed (and weight) dictates the depth you are pulling the jigs at. Don't be discouraged. We have all had days that we couldn't do anything wrong and we have had days we couldn't catch a cold fishing naked in Michigan in February. Sounds like you have the basics down, just keep on trying....It's addicting!!!! Good Luck!!

Thanks a bunch folks. I didn't make it out this weekend. I opted to take my 6 year old to perry "Go Fish" center and let him get a taste of fishing. hopefully one day he can be a big help out the back of the boat. I downloaded the app on my phone and will use it next time out.

Here's the results of the perry trip. he had a blast.

Attachment 195160Attachment 195161Attachment 195162

How far do you live from Perry?

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Originally Posted by TnT

How far do you live from Perry?

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About 10 miles. I live in Warner Robins.

Maybe we can hook up at Blackshear sometime and I' show you everything I know about long lining....That is if you have about 5 minutes to spare:Rofl

Let me know when you'll be on the water. 5 minute lesson is better than no lesson at all ...LOL