Help! How do you place a marker buoy?

Though I don’t own a boat, I have rented boats for fishing trips and family vacations for over 40 years. When I go fishing with my fishing buddy, Bubba, in his boat, he always drops the marker buoy directly on top of the structure we are going to fish. Sometimes these structure are relatively small (8’X8’ crib, 12’ circumfrnc. rock pile, or bend in creek channel, etc.), limiting the area atop, behind, and in front of the structure where you can cast. We end up only fishing the sides of the structure. One of us, (usually me) ends up snagging the buoy line on every fishing trip. This drives me crazy.

I contend that if you place the marker buoy 10-15 yds (2 boat lengths) to the leeward of the structure (side opposite of the direction from which the wind is blowing), then position about 30 yds (5-6 boat lengths or, so) to the windward of the buoy, then you are able to cast the whole structure, with diagonal cross casts, too, covering more fish holding area without fouling the buoy line.

One day when I brought this up, again, while fishing with my two fishing buddies (both experienced fishermen/boat handlers) they just brushed it off like, “How dare you? This is the way we have always done it, this is the way it’s done.” Blasphemy! I did not learn my method from a YouTube Video, or Infisherman episode; but at the College of Hard Knocks. Who is right? How do you do it? I’m talking about casting, not vertical jigging. It makes even more sense to me when trolling.

“I’m going crazy out there at the lake.” – Mr. Mohra, Fargo
I’m about ready to throw myself in the wood chipper, eh? : ) Thanks for any replies. I will respect your knowledge/opinion even if it differs from mine.

Be hard to get them to change the way they do it. With depth finders and electronics as they are these days you rarely see bouys out any more. Generally speaking the ship captain usually gets to pick where the bouy is placed when one is used.

always just tossed mine out and hoped it was close and then tried my best to fish "around" it to find the sweet spot , it is often mind boggling how far off a buoy can be from the actual structure it was intended to mark.

Thanks DSJ,

Trolling motors with auto pilot/spot lock would make it a moot point, I suppose. And, one reason I don't press it, too much, is I don't want to appear ungrateful to Captn. Bubba for taking me out. I sure appreciate it.

But it is like being invited over to a friends house for a steak dinner, and finding him cooking it on a candle. Wouldn't you show him the grill in the backyard and how to use it?

Thanks again

Folks are set in their ways for sure. At times I resemble that statement as well. Everyone believes their way is best. Takes an open mind to accept change.

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Originally Posted by Ketchn

... it is often mind boggling how far off a buoy can be from the actual structure it was intended to mark.

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Ain't that a universal truth.

Thanks, Ketchn

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

Folks are set in their ways for sure. At times I resemble that statement as well. Everyone believes their way is best. Takes an open mind to accept change.

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Yeah, and I've been wrong before, so my wife tells me. That's why I put it out there. I believe most folks do it like my fishin' buddies. Been out with guides who toss atop the structure. There's sure a possibility I'm not seeing all the angles.

I like to disturb the structure the least amount that I can. Especially on areas with high fishing pressure.

This is exactly why I am trying to buy another boat. I fish with a lot of people and am grateful for them. With one of my friends it is his way or not. Same ole' holes every time. Never will try a new place.

Throwing the buoy upwind of the structure allows repositioning of the boat downwind of the structure ... without the buoy being in the way ...

Rickie

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Originally Posted by tnduxcaller

This is exactly why I am trying to buy another boat. I fish with a lot of people and am grateful for them. With one of my friends it is his way or not. Same ole' holes every time. Never will try a new place.

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It is good to have freedom to goes where you please

I'm more of the mind that a bouy is more of a reference point than an exact mark of where structure is. I can accurately cast and fish 6 feet to the left of a bouy just as easy as 6 inches to the left.

I'm also of the opinion that dropping a 2 lb lead weight through the middle of a school of crappie is a great way to scare them off, at least some of them.

Cross over brush pile into wind, drop anchor and drift back over brush, throw rear anchor out.:Rofl

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Originally Posted by BJH

Cross over brush pile into wind, drop anchor and drift back over brush, throw rear anchor out.:Rofl

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Vintage spotlock right there

I take my fishing partner out and set markers my way. I drop the first one as the structure came in view on side image. I drop the second as it left the screen. I knew it was 10 ft to the side of the boat. Once they are set I drop the trolling motor pull the side the wind will line us both up to fish to the same side. We can both throw over or pull a little closer and jig the brush pile. Now my fishing partner is 90 and has forgotten more than I know, likes doing it this way because we can fish both ends of the boat. If we're both up front we may just circle with the trolling motor pointing right it the structure. If I ever break down and buy LS or spot lock the game will change again. If we take his boat out we set markers and fish where and how he says. The captain decides. We will suggest to each other what, how, or where to fish. But in the end it's the boat owner's call. Hope that helps.

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

Vintage spotlock right there

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There is no wrong way to do it. Lol I hate to admit that this has happened to me before.

Sent from my HD1925 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

I got an anchor stuck in a brushpile before. Messed it up a little getting the anchor out. Started using coffee can anchors after that. Cut the rope and move on

BTW does anyone still camo the buoy these days ? just asking for a friend .....:Rofl

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

Vintage spotlock right there

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tie off to one tree on the off bank in the creek and paddle over to the other side as you let out rope , tie off to a tree on the opposite bank and let out rope as you pull back over the top of the pile , when stationed exactly right over the pile , tighten both ropes to bow string tight and hammer crappie till you get tired of it or the stringer is to heavy to lift , it does require some paddling though and without a motor or a graph you best know the watery spot you plan to take advantage of .....

Too many bass boats around here. They would be into one of your ropes at a high rate of speed before you knew it

I had some of the small Arkie bouys. They were extremely stealthy if you forgot to unhook the weight before you threw them out. They would make the bottom of the structure and only you would know they were there. :Rofl.

Visit "Fish the Moment" website. Jonny Schultz (bass angler) does a good job explaining how he does it.

Back when I still used buoys , method I used was locate it with electronics coming in from down wind . Then toss a buoy just past brush on upwind side . That way it is not in your way fishing . If you get busy and get off trolling motor you won't get blown over your spot .
Now I been using a Humminbird with heading sensor/compass (mapping) to stay located and sonar. Still using mapping but Garmin livescope makes it even easier and also see if the fish are there .

Down wind of target . say 5 ft. circle back and put nose of boat on /or near marker .

Goodness! LOL
1. let's start with a strong mix drink and calm down. just kidding.
2. I always paint my markers olive drab or black
3. first marker out is my reference point. I may or may not need the 2nd one. Most of the time if it's windy, I'll need the 2nd.
4. if your using 2d up front, tilt the transducer forward a little bit to pick up your target.
5. don't forget to pick them up when leaving. I've done that several times.

Captain is the captain its his show .that right there is why i buy my own boat and my own marker buoy then its my show.:biggrin

Like going out on a charter with a idiot captain that has no clue. no matter how much you want to say something you just don't .i have went out and paid good money for a boat ride .i should have got off soon as i saw the rusty dull hooks we were "trolling" for tuna .i knew instantly they had no clue .the kicker was when the "mate" tried to gaff a tiny 12 in dolphin .only fish caught and i really wanted to let loose on that trip i just had to laugh .

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Originally Posted by Ande

Like going out on a charter with a idiot captain that has no clue. no matter how much you want to say something you just don't .i have went out and paid good money for a boat ride .i should have got off soon as i saw the rusty dull hooks we were "trolling" for tuna .i knew instantly they had no clue .the kicker was when the "mate" tried to gaff a tiny 12 in dolphin .only fish caught and i really wanted to let loose on that trip i just had to laugh .

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there are lots of "pro" fishing folks that ain't all that for sure , been round quite few in my travels.
it simply amazes me how many of them make a living at being not so good at ketchn fish for sure .....:Rofl

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Originally Posted by bigdoug03

I'm more of the mind that a bouy is more of a reference point than an exact mark of where structure is. I can accurately cast and fish 6 feet to the left of a bouy just as easy as 6 inches to the left.

I'm also of the opinion that dropping a 2 lb lead weight through the middle of a school of crappie is a great way to scare them off, at least some of them.

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With livescope it shows just how spooky they can be . No two days alike . I have seen them run from the boat at 30' and another time bumped stake bed with motor and never stopped catching .

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Originally Posted by NIMROD

With livescope it shows just how spooky they can be . No two days alike . I have seen them run from the boat at 30' and another time bumped stake bed with motor and never stopped catching .

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It is crazy like that, the spookiness factor.


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