trolling in shallow, how to keep lures away from ground in several cases.

[XV2PS]

Hi All,

here am I on my next moronic question:


I intend to troll lures (rapala magnum sinkers, spinning spoons and other sinking lures).

Water is pretty shallow from 7 feet to 25 feet and very muddy with debris.

If I stop the boat for any reason, all sinks and potentially tangles in anything on the floor.

If I troll in shallow far behind the boat, lures will drag the floor.

So my question is: is there any "floating" device that can be fixed on the line couple of feet ahead of the lures?

Thanks in advance

Pierre

PS I know there are specific floating lures, but I just do not have them available here

[nedarb2]

attach the line a few feet up from the cannonn ball to stop it from hittign the ground while trolling, if you stop the only thing i can think of is use floating or neutral weighted lures

[XV2PS]

Thanks Nedarb2, unfortunately, nothing as such found here.

[dsteve]

If you go to the following Internet address, you will find instructions (in Italian, but there are good pictures) for how to protect treble hooks so that they are less likely to foul. You might give it a try (I have used this method with success). There is another page on the same site that explains how to protect single hooks as well (but there are only pictures of the finished result). http://xoomer.alice.it/cjbur/a_antialga.htm .

If you are handy with tools (looks like you might be from the picture in your signature), you can also try drilling out a core in the lures and filling with some floating material.

You could even try using a triple shackle at the end of your main line and add a float on a thin piece of line to the third loop. You would have to experiment around with the relative length of the leader that is attached to your lure and the length of the leader that is attached to the float, and the buoyancy of the float. But logically, if you get it right, while you are under way, the lure's weight (you say they are all sinking lures), plus its action should cause it to dive, but when you stop, the floater should bring the lure up to the combined length of the lure leader and the float leader.

[RollerGuide]

For simillar reasons...i now mainly use mann's stretch lures... They are all floater-divers
And i buy them all online since in Sri Lanka...all you get is rapalas, mirrolures and all the sinking divers
worth the trouble of online shopping and the the added shipping cost for mann's in my opinion

BTW... nice boat you got there Building from plans?

[Parapapam]

I would replace the treble hooks with singles. It won't stop the lures from sinking if they are not neutral bouyancy. But it will help you aviod snagging stuff on the bottom....

Mike

[auguste]

I believe that the rapallas are available in neutral buoyancy as are the Manns . . . no other solution re their sinking when you stop other than offseting with a piece of foam and that would detract the fish I believe

[Bullshipper]

When you get a strike, reel in the other lines before you slow down to fight the fish.

Rapala magnum series with plastic noses float, metal noses sink. The plastic noses also catch more fish IMO.

[XV2PS]

Thanks all,

this italian trick is very smart and I think I will soon try. I was also thinking to drill inside the body and filling with foam, but since they are not so cheap..... but would like to try one.
Bullshipper, I was also wondering how to handle the other lines in case of strikes, and I got the reply hehe. But here, the strike possibility is minor

Just one more question regarding tralling in estuaries, where/when will I best catch?

re when, I understood when tide just start to go up, am I rught?
re where, I have no real clue,
+ all is rather flat except some slight hills and trenches.
+ some places are calm, some places are rapid current, some are swirl turmoils
+ some are smaller rivers entries

any clue on the aboves?

For the teak boat, I have amended my signature for you not think I am such a hero
There is no drawing, all is done step by step according to my feelings. Just 2 months ago, I still had no clue wheter would be out or I/O board

Thanks again all

[Bullshipper]

A fish finder will tell you where they are.

Mornings, evenings and start of the incoming tides will prbably be when fish are most active.

Rod holders hold your other rods while you reel in the others.

[XV2PS]

Hi Bullshipper,

unfortunately, FF rings all the time and mostly indicates where not to fish, as most fish found are actually debris.

Thanks again