Finally got my boat back in shape and went after stripers the last 3 days. I saw some fish being caught but I couldn’t get them to bite my herring. Out of all 3 days i managed 1 bite and my line broke. I was fishing mid lake from 8:00-12:00 using down rods while drifting. The only thing that i noticed that was different between me and those who were catching fish is they were anchored. Maybe my drift had the bait at the wrong depth. I was targeting 30-40 foot. Any tips?
Do you have an ipilot? If so spot lock once you find fish. You can chum and beat on the boat to try to get them to bite. I find a hollow spot on the boat and drum on it after chumming. Right now I would look for humps to set up over. Don’t be afraid to move if you can’t mark fish. are you using fluorocarbon for your leader? What size hook and weight?
TEAM HARD OF HERRING
1991 Scout 172
2006 Yamaha 90
We finally got out for the first time in a long time Wednesday as Patti’s rehab from her ladder tumble has got her somewhat recovered. Spotlocked on cuts adjacent to a couple points. While we marked fish frequently at 30-40 feet of water, wasn’t much of a bite and only managed one 27 incher. Will try again Friday.
Thanks for the tips. I don’t have an ipilot, i’ll have to use the anchor. No I don’t have a fluorocarbon leader. Is that for strength or for transparency? When you chum do you just cut up some herring and chunk them out or do you use a chum bag? Good luck on Friday pattianne. I won’t be able to get back on the water until next weekend.
When drifting it can be hard to figure out what depth you’re at unless the winds are calm. Slowing yourself down with a drift sock helps alot. Depending on how fast you’re drifting, vary the amount of line you count off starting with just a bit more than where you want to be and keep adding a bit more as you let out others and keep in mind how much line you counted off on each rod so you know what’s working when you start catching.
I haven’t been out for a while myself, so I decided to take a day off to fish this morning. Things didn’t go very well for me either. 
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
I have been hearing mixed reports. Some are like yours while others are catching 3-4 limits of 22"+ size fish. All above tips are great. When chumming, just cut up herring. You should get about 5-6pieces out of one bait for chum. Also try cutbait on a downrod. Got some reports that was producing over live bait in certain areas of the lake…
I haven’t been out in a long time. Was tired of borrowing boats. I wanted mine…lol…well I drop mine off tomorrow for a new 140 suzuki… can’t wait!!!
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
quote:
Originally posted by striperskiffWhen drifting it can be hard to figure out what depth you’re at unless the winds are calm. Slowing yourself down with a drift sock helps alot. Depending on how fast you’re drifting, vary the amount of line you count off starting with just a bit more than where you want to be and keep adding a bit more as you let out others and keep in mind how much line you counted off on each rod so you know what’s working when you start catching.
I haven’t been out for a while myself, so I decided to take a day off to fish this morning. Things didn’t go very well for me either.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
You got towed in? What happened Tim?
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
Not sure. Ran fine for about an then cut off while idling. Now starts for a few seconds, then shuts off.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
I’ve read about using drift socks on kayaks but never thought about using it on my boat, good idea. I’ll do some research on it but it sure sounds easier than pulling up that anchor several times a trip. I think I saw you getting towed yesterday and thought that motor looked brand new from where I was. Hopefully it’s an easy and cheap fix, if that even exists.
I’ve never tried a drift sock, though there have been days I wish I had one. I’ve heard a 5 gal. bucket works. I don’t know if there are holes drilled in the bottom or not. I’m sure someone will chime in.
quote:
Originally posted by MurrymakerI haven’t been out in a long time. Was tired of borrowing boats. I wanted mine…lol…well I drop mine off tomorrow for a new 140 suzuki… can’t wait!!!
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
When are you getting your boat back? I hope it’s not too long. I know you’re probably chomping at the bit to water test it.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
Hoping it’s done by the 19th/20th…I leave tomorrow for disney and come back the 19th. Motor was ordered from suzuki this past Monday. Getting ready to go drop it off in a little bit.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
quote:
Originally posted by ratherbfishinI’ve read about using drift socks on kayaks but never thought about using it on my boat, good idea. I’ll do some research on it but it sure sounds easier than pulling up that anchor several times a trip. I think I saw you getting towed yesterday and thought that motor looked brand new from where I was. Hopefully it’s an easy and cheap fix, if that even exists.
Hoping so, I about eliminated everything external to the motor, so thinking maybe fuel pump. Got someone who actually knows what they’re doing going to take a look. The motor’s a 2007 and I bought it new. I use it quite a bit in both fresh and salt water and this is the first thing to go wrong yet, so I can’t complain.
Bob, I tried the bucket (with holes) thing a long time ago and didn’t find it to work real well. I belive my sock is 44", but you can pick up a cheap 36" at Academy for less than $20. That’s as small as I would go.
They’re really nice in the summer when there’s fish suspended out in the big pool…especially for guys without a TM. They stow away real well too, so you can just leave it on the boat instead of having a bucket in the way that you may or may not use.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
quote:
Originally posted by pattianneWe finally got out for the first time in a long time Wednesday as Patti’s rehab from her ladder tumble has got her somewhat recovered. Spotlocked on cuts adjacent to a couple points. While we marked fish frequently at 30-40 feet of water, wasn’t much of a bite and only managed one 27 incher. Will try again Friday.
Mike, it’s good to see you back. Glad to hear that Patricia is doing better. Now get out there and y’all catch 'em up.
-The size of a fish is directly proportional to the time between when it’s lost and the story is told. - Me
-What’s the best eating fish, you ask? I’ve found that for a lot people, its the ones that they happen to be able to catch, clean, and cook. - My Dad
-Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. Anatole France (paraphrased)
-RIP my “Puppy Dog” 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013. I’ll never forget him. What a special friend he was.
-Team Gonna Fish
quote:
Originally posted by Murrymaker…
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude</font id=“red”></font id=“size4”>
Time to change your signature…
-The size of a fish is directly proportional to the time between when it’s lost and the story is told. - Me
-What’s the best eating fish, you ask? I’ve found that for a lot people, its the ones that they happen to be able to catch, clean, and cook. - My Dad
-Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. Anatole France (paraphrased)
-RIP my “Puppy Dog” 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013. I’ll never forget him. What a special friend he was.
-Team Gonna Fish
Chip did your Motor die?
quote:
Originally posted by bomberChip did your Motor die?
Dropped a cylinder back in nov while prefishing the day before a tx in TN… brand new white suzuki 140 four stroke on the way!!!
Charles I will change get that signature once she is bolted on and broke in.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
Hope it works out for you.
quote:
Originally posted by Happy BobI’ve never tried a drift sock, though there have been days I wish I had one. I’ve heard a 5 gal. bucket works. I don’t know if there are holes drilled in the bottom or not. I’m sure someone will chime in.
Bob,
Buckets will work but there are a few things that make the drift sock better. Non-drilled buckets weigh a ton so when you go to pull them back in the boat it’s a real workout. Drilled buckets become weak with holes in them. Lastly, the handle on a typical bucket really isn’t up to the task for any length of time. Drift socks have an additional attachment on the front so when it’s time to pull them in, they collapse and don’t hold water. I use drift socks for a variety of reasons other than just slowing the boat down. My favorite is to keep the front of the boat pointed the direction I want by dropping a sock off the side. I fish from a 24’ pontoon a lot and it catches wind like a kite- making it want to spin. A drift sock can stabilize that issue when using the trolling motor or the main motor for directional control. I keep 2 drift socks on my boat- I think they are of the 36" variety. To really slow things down I deploy both together.
quote:
Originally posted by scgmcquote:
Originally posted by Happy BobI’ve never tried a drift sock, though there have been days I wish I had one. I’ve heard a 5 gal. bucket works. I don’t know if there are holes drilled in the bottom or not. I’m sure someone will chime in.
My favorite is to keep the front of the boat pointed the direction I want by dropping a sock off the side. I fish from a 24’ pontoon a lot and it catches wind like a kite- making it want to spin. A drift sock can stabilize that issue when using the trolling motor or the main motor for directional control. I keep 2 drift socks on my boat- I think they are of the 36" variety. To really slow things down I deploy both together.
Yep - especially on really windy days when pulling boards … if the wind is at my back then I deploy the Drift Sock to help slow the boat down and keep it somewhat in the right direction … on really windy days I have to use the sock AND run the trolling motor in reverse …
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
Lock the boat down with an anchor. Lots of times the fish wont bite when the boat is moving. That’s what I like about the ipilot. You can spot lock on a school and fill the boat with fish if you can find them.
Carolina Skiff 218 DLV
140 Suzuki