Keel weights???

[5Alive]

Last night on "The next bite" Keith K. was fishing with a "keel weight" that was followed up by a crawler harness. I have never seen or used this rig. I was just wondering if it's hard to use and is it only for open water use? If anyone with experience running this rig cares to commment I'd appreciate it. He was explaining that it had a holographic finish that drew fish toward the bait (harness). It looked like a very effective presentation. Thanks...

[Marble Eyes]

I have used them both the BPS type that Keith was using and the smaller inline 1/4 oz plain lead type for running over the top of shallow water weeds with harnesses. Both work great.

I have had days when running them just off bottom in 30 foot of water would catch fish all day but a bottom bouncer rig wouldn't.

Give em what they want.

[Terroreyes]

Use them all the time when I troll floating or shallow baits. Works great! I just run a 6-8' leader between the keel and lure. I generally use 1 - 1 1/2oz for 10-20FOW. Up to 4oz. for trolling the bottom of the shipping channels. Alot less weeds during the summer than using snap-weights.

[JCarp]

Bead chain trolling sinkers with and w/o keels have been around since before any or at least most of us were born. They were very popular on Saginaw Bay the 1st time I fished there 6 yrs ago and I've heard a lot more talk about them on erie the last yr or so. I'd consider the BPS deal a refinement. Pa's offers a finished weight with a diving lip (& spinner blade?) that you may wish to check out too.

A couple of approaches to run them open water is to guess-timate what depth you reach with a certain weight & start out staggering leads by 10 ft intervals or use the same length leads and use different weights (ex: 1, 2, 3, oz) until you dial in what the fish want.

You get a lot of vertical movement with speed changes. It is an efficient way to pull spinners.

Generally, it's never necessary on erie if your fun fishing :) but if you want to dial in precise depths for the exact speeds you troll, find a snag free flat & measure leads to contact bottom at various speeds and weights.

Good Luck,
jc

[5Alive]

Guys, thanks for the replies and the info. This is something I'd very much like to try on my home lake. I especially like the idea of running shallow (floating) plugs with it. If I can ask, where is the best place to pick some up? I will be fishing from 25-35' mostly. This is something I do not see locally in our inland NE stores ever. Thanks kindly.

[5Alive]

Sorry Marble Eyes, just went back and re-read BPS style weights. Thanks again.

[5Alive]

Terroreyes, I was hoping to find a 1 1/2 oz. Holographic keel weight. BPS doesn't list a 1 1/2oz. Called customer service, they don't have one. Is the 1 1/2 oz your referring to a holographic or straight lead weight? Appreciate the help...Anyone know where to find the 1 1/2 oz holographic? Thanks..

[Terroreyes]

Straight lead is what I buy, but I've been painting my own to match lures/patterns, glow, or flourescent colors. I usually get the plain 1 1/2's from Cabelas.

[5Alive]

Thank you!

[Dan(MI)]

They work great all over walleye waters, especially the big water. I find the eyes hit the weights too.
Dan