colored hooks , lindy rigs , and , longer casts

[DEADEYE NICK]

I live in pa. and walleye comes in may 6th.my partner and I can't wait !!This the most important day of the year for us!

I've heard good things about gamakatsu hooks but haven't been able to find them in my area.Any suggestions?

Also I am not familiar with the lindy rig ,What is a lindy rig?And how do I tie them?

AS for the colored hooks I have been unable to find them either.I've always used mustads . I am going to paint them , but I want to make sure the paint I use doesn't have an odor. Any suggestions?

I know I am asking alot of questions , but I want to be heavily armed for the eyes! So one more .

I fish strictly from shore, I've heard about the "break away casting system" and I understand you use a rubber band , But how and where do you tie the rubber band??Any other advise on getting out ther a longer distance would be helpful.

Thank you in advance

[Jon'eye']

The lindy rig is all I use if I'am fishing from shore. This is what you will need.

1) 2-3ft. of 6-8 lb test monofilament
2) a barrel swivel (to connect two lines together)
3) a Gamakatsu hook
4) a walking sinker, or egg sinker
5) small colored bead optional

Take your mono leader, tie on the hook, add a bead if you want for a attractor, then tie on the barrel swivel. Put your sinker on, and tie the main line onto the lindy rig. Done.

The lindy rig works very good for walleye and any other fish that feed on bottom. Keep your bail open with your index finger touching the line, when you feel a slight pull, let the fish take some line. With the sliding sinker the fish will not detect anything unusual and drop the bait. Give the fish a couple of seconds to swallow the bait and then set the hook.

I use these rigs when fishing from the boat too. You can pick up all you need to make lindy rigs from the Cabela's magazine. Pages 80-85.

Good Fishing!

Jon'eye'

[rmblam]

FYI,

We use snells from 1 foot long to about 12 feet long when Lindy rigging from a boat. The length varies by activity and feeding level of the fish. If we mark fish high then I'll go longer usually, but have someone else try shorter... From shore I would start shorter of course though. Don't be so eager to get far out. During certain conditions the fish can be right tight to shore or close and you'll be fishing out beyond them.. Try one close and some out further.. mix it up.

When tying a lindy rig don't forget to use a good swivel before tying on the leader to prevent twist from the minnow or bait spinning.

I find the red gamakatsu hooks work best, but have had good luck with orange as well. Chartreuse has been ok. You'll have to experiment.

As far as the rubber band goes, you put it on your handle, open your bail and pull some line back under the rubber band to hold it. When the fish bites it pulls the line out from under the rubber band (set the tension light). We used to do this when fishing from shore for coho on lake michigan. I fish strictly walleye's now. We would place a partially (1/4) filled can of soda next to the rod (on concrete) with the line through the rubber band and looped on the top of the can. When a fish hit and pulled the line it knocked the can over. We could hear the can fall if we didn't see it; which worked well fishing at night also. This was lots of fun for us when we were about 10 years old and catching nice coho and an occasional big king.... As a youngster it helps to have a grandpa that knows how to fish and fish well. Dam I miss him...

Good luck.

[Famous]

A colored hook has its sight attractant benifits,but a standard hook will work well also. More important than color of the hook is live, natural presentation of the live bait. Freshen bait often and make sure it swimming and moving a lot. Fresh , lively bait far outweighs hook color anyday. Good Luck

[Jenn_WI]

Hello,
Perhaps you already know about it; but Lindy has a webpage ...
http://www.lindylittlejoe.com
Go to the "interactions" heading on the right of the mainpage, then go to the "fishing tips" section beneath that. It will link you to a few different pieces of information on lindy rigging. I think you can order from that page too in case there is not a place near you that has their products. But, their product line is in most tackle shops!
There are more variables you can experiment with once you get going, including beads (which I think was mentioned), floats, and blades.
Have fun with it.
~Jenn

['eye spy]

Great job on the info guys..I use both the Owner and the Gamakitsu hooks when I tie my own(most of the time). A good option though is the pre tied Owner with the red hooks and the glo paint over the knot.
Good Luck
Lee

[DEADEYE NICK]

I just wanted to thank you guys for the info.
I have been using lindy rigs all along and didn't
even know it!
Thanks again , you've been very helpful!
HAPPY FISHING!

[SLPBOBR]

VMC Circle hooks work great on a lindy rig.... the fish hook them selfs, which works good on a dead pole in the boat. They come painted also which is a big plus as an attractant. :)

[TJIGHEAD]

TRY BASS PRO OR CABELAS.THEY HAVE THE HOOKS YOUR LOOKING FOR CALL TODAY AND YOU WILL BE HAPPY.ALSO HAVE YOU EVER TRIED A FLOATING JIGHEAD WITH A SPLITSHOP ABOUT 1TO 2 FEET AWAY.USE AS MUCH WEIGHT AS NEEDED.