(06-06-2024, 04:24 PM)stan55 Wrote: Set back was 35 feet then snap weight then 30 to 40 more feet let out. That's a total of 65 to 75 feet of line out. At 1.5 mph that gets you down to 10 to 12 feet per charts. I know we were fishing a little deeper than that depth because when I hit 15 feet depth on the finder the snap weights were dragging bottom on the 75-foot total line out while 65 wouldn't. That's how I check the real depth.
Interestingly 3 oz snap weights fished to get to same depth did not catch a single fish. Distance from boat was playing a bigger role than depth. Didn't have any 1 oz weights with me to confirm that theory. I would have fished them a with total of 85 to 95 feet of line out.

I was keeping my initial set back at 35 to avoid snagging the powerbait dunkers. I would normally be a little farther back. At Jordanelle I use 40-to-50-foot setbacks before attaching snap weight.

(06-07-2024, 04:06 AM)Jmorfish Wrote:

(06-06-2024, 04:24 PM)stan55 Wrote: Set back was 35 feet then snap weight then 30 to 40 more feet let out. That's a total of 65 to 75 feet of line out. At 1.5 mph that gets you down to 10 to 12 feet per charts. I know we were fishing a little deeper than that depth because when I hit 15 feet depth on the finder the snap weights were dragging bottom on the 75-foot total line out while 65 wouldn't. That's how I check the real depth.
Interestingly 3 oz snap weights fished to get to same depth did not catch a single fish. Distance from boat was playing a bigger role than depth. Didn't have any 1 oz weights with me to confirm that theory. I would have fished them a with total of 85 to 95 feet of line out.

I was keeping my initial set back at 35 to avoid snagging the powerbait dunkers. I would normally be a little farther back. At Jordanelle I use 40-to-50-foot setbacks before attaching snap weight.

I agree with your "distance from boat was playing a bigger role than depth."...especially if your target depth is just 10 to 12'..so your 75' total set back makes more sense...usually at those higher up target depth's (5 to 20') I'll be trolling 90 to 120' back...That is, however, if I'm in my, or someone else's boat, with gas trolling motor...If I'm just in my canoe with elec. troller, set backs can be half that, or less, at those shallower fishing depths...sounds like you don't use down riggers?

(06-09-2024, 04:56 PM)Humbadingo Wrote:

(06-07-2024, 04:06 AM)Jmorfish Wrote:

(06-06-2024, 04:24 PM)stan55 Wrote: Set back was 35 feet then snap weight then 30 to 40 more feet let out. That's a total of 65 to 75 feet of line out. At 1.5 mph that gets you down to 10 to 12 feet per charts. I know we were fishing a little deeper than that depth because when I hit 15 feet depth on the finder the snap weights were dragging bottom on the 75-foot total line out while 65 wouldn't. That's how I check the real depth.
Interestingly 3 oz snap weights fished to get to same depth did not catch a single fish. Distance from boat was playing a bigger role than depth. Didn't have any 1 oz weights with me to confirm that theory. I would have fished them a with total of 85 to 95 feet of line out.

I was keeping my initial set back at 35 to avoid snagging the powerbait dunkers. I would normally be a little farther back. At Jordanelle I use 40-to-50-foot setbacks before attaching snap weight.

I agree with your "distance from boat was playing a bigger role than depth."...especially if your target depth is just 10 to 12'..so your 75' total set back makes more sense...usually at those higher up target depth's (5 to 20') I'll be trolling 90 to 120' back...That is, however, if I'm in my, or someone else's boat, with gas trolling motor...If I'm just in my canoe with elec. troller, set backs can be half that, or less, at those shallower fishing depths...sounds like you don't use down riggers?

So I recently bought a kayak with an electric trolling motor. I would like to try trolling for trout, something new to me. Looks like using snap weights are a great way to get down in the water column. I run 8lb mono on my poles. Would this be sufficient to use 1-2 oz. weights or would I need to use heavier line?

(06-09-2024, 04:56 PM)Humbadingo Wrote: So I recently bought a kayak with an electric trolling motor. I would like to try trolling for trout, something new to me. Looks like using snap weights are a great way to get down in the water column. I run 8lb mono on my poles. Would this be sufficient to use 1-2 oz. weights or would I need to use heavier line?

(06-09-2024, 09:43 PM)stan55 Wrote: 15 is my preference but if going deep I use 10 or 12. I wouldn't go lighter than 10. I hate losing gear. I like the concept of Dipsys and have tried them but I can never get them to trip properly and reeling a Dipsy that hasn't tripped with a fish on the hook is a chore and a half.

(06-10-2024, 12:29 PM)SkunkedAgain Wrote: Stan that sounds like a lot of fun...  I love a bow trip this time of year, it takes me back to the good old days fishing with dad.... Loved those trips... Thanks for sharing this one with us.... I'm also finding the discussion on the snap weights really interesting... I've never tried them, I've always either let out way more line than I should or used lead core or down riggers, but after the discussions the last few years showing how much the fish avoid the boats, I think your longer line set backs is a great idea.... How do you get the weights off the line and keep reeling in the fish?  Guess I need to pull up a Youtube video and learn how this process works... Fun report, thanks... J

(06-14-2024, 03:19 PM)BYUHunter Wrote: Because the wipers there are more of an "incidental catch" than something you target, IMO.

Part of the reason they're so huge, is that their numbers are becoming fewer, and there's more groceries to go around. That also makes them harder to catch.

I am sure someone will jump in here and tell me how wrong I am, but I defy anyone to go catch a handful of wiper in a day at Otter Creek.