Bouncing poles help

I need some help with my poles bouncing what seems like a lot while trolling. I run a 15/46 xpress and 12’ poles of 2 different brands. I’ve noticed that my rod tips seem to bounce dramatically even in lighter wind such as yesterday. I’m trolling typically an 1/8 oz jig head minnow and 3/4-1 oz egg sinkers. Is my boat too light(fishing alone w little gear n boat) or do I need to consider stiffer rods or any suggestions? Have a small drift sock that I used but didn’t seem to help much. It may just be part of it but seems difficult to keep bait in relatively same depth while moving. One other note I will notice that my line will end up twisting and knotting up around my sinker which is a foot above my hook so I know the underwater movement is matching the visual.


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I would think stiffer poles would make it even worse. Think I would find a cheap way like sand bags to add some more weight to front end to start with.

Are your rod holders moving, as in shaking?

Cray is spot on, limber but stout poles and wieght is the answer. Glass poles instead of graphite seem to help like the Pinacles sold at Grizzly.

If you want some glass poles, I can make your day. :)

You’re in a light boat with no weight in it and it sits high on the water. I went through the same problem. I’m in an aluminum boat very similar. When by my self, I have 200 lbs of weight up front. Sand bags are great, coolers, batteries, etc. Also consider pulling a log chain or get a bigger drift sock to sit the back of the boat down some. You’ll see a difference. What poles are you using?

Thanks for the ideas. Fur the rod holders are solid J the poles are jenko and a couple from academy that are there brand. Figured it was probably a weight problem but wasn’t sure about poles. Weight will be the first thing I address. Thanks.


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Those poles should be fine

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Originally Posted by FurFlyin

If you want some glass poles, I can make your day. :)

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you can make my day with those rods that you don’t like I’m always into xtra poles especially those that you have ! For the money you can’t beat em! Pulling jigs especially

I knew a guy who would just take a 5 gallon bucket and start putting water in his aluminum boat to get it heavier and balance it out some. The water would just stay under his floor. Then he'd just turn on the bilge pump and pump it out when done.

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Originally Posted by Slabprowler

you can make my day with those rods that you don’t like I’m always into xtra poles especially those that you have ! For the money you can’t beat em! Pulling jigs especially

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I had a couple of PM's on them last night. If they decide not to take them, I'll hook a brother up. :) I know those poles will work fine for certain things, I just much prefer graphite poles.

Another way to help stop the bounce of the front of the boat is to take and tie a drift sock to each side of the boat near the front. The socks will pull the front of the boat down and take some of that bounce out.

Haven’t thought about the socks up front. Had planned on going this weekend and taking buckets to fill with water while fishing and setting up front instead of sand or other weights. That way I could lighten up when running in and out but never made it out Saturday. Also figured buckets of water could help me fine tune how much weight I needed easily.


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I like using a float on my line to stop the bounce. Get one that is the right size for the weight you’re using. I use one about the size of a small chicken egg for a 3/4-1 oz setup. Attach the bottom snap of the float to your main line at the depth you’re fishing as long as the depth isn’t deeper than the pole is long. Leave enough slack above the float to your rod tip to account for the amount of bounce you’re getting and just watch the floats. I use this a lot when the wind is blowing and the lake gets bouncy. Lets me keep my Baits from jerking up and down from the pole tip and I can fish more spots where the lake or boat is bouncing. The float actually rides the swells and eliminates the bounce. That keeps your bait in the strike zone longer.


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Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine

I like using a float on my line to stop the bounce. Get one that is the right size for the weight you’re using. I use one about the size of a small chicken egg for a 3/4-1 oz setup. Attach the bottom snap of the float to your main line at the depth you’re fishing as long as the depth isn’t deeper than the pole is long. Leave enough slack above the float to your rod tip to account for the amount of bounce you’re getting and just watch the floats. I use this a lot when the wind is blowing and the lake gets bouncy. Lets me keep my Baits from jerking up and down from the pole tip and I can fish more spots where the lake or boat is bouncing. The float actually rides the swells and eliminates the bounce. That keeps your bait in the strike zone longer.


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Works too

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine

I like using a float on my line to stop the bounce. Get one that is the right size for the weight you’re using. I use one about the size of a small chicken egg for a 3/4-1 oz setup. Attach the bottom snap of the float to your main line at the depth you’re fishing as long as the depth isn’t deeper than the pole is long. Leave enough slack above the float to your rod tip to account for the amount of bounce you’re getting and just watch the floats. I use this a lot when the wind is blowing and the lake gets bouncy. Lets me keep my Baits from jerking up and down from the pole tip and I can fish more spots where the lake or boat is bouncing. The float actually rides the swells and eliminates the bounce. That keeps your bait in the strike zone longer.


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Good idea


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Thank you. Headed for dove field this weekend but may try that too when I get back.


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I don't know too much about how much bounce is too much. The last 2 trips I've went out the wind was blowing considerably in the 10-12mph range and I actually think it helped my success rate. Of course most of the fish I saw on the screen were varying around 2' in their holding pattern within each school.

I use floats all the time, they work great- I buy the slip floats and put a cork stop where I want for the depth. They will increase your catch rate, I have proven it many times.