Detroit River Technique Question

[BAMBAM]

I am new to the area and have heard a lot about handlining, but have never done it.
I do not have handline reels, but why couldn't I use a stout rod, with a 3 oz bottom bouncer trailed by a 4-5 ft leader tied to a Rapala or Thunderstick? Am I missing something? Any of you ever try this vs. a 3 way rig?

[Homer]

The technique will work, but you're going to need a lot more than 3 oz (closer to 8, and more in other places) to get anywhere near vertical in the strong currents present in the Detroit River. Get ready for some sore forearm muscles. Also, it's not as easy to quickly change depths as you work up and down structure as it is with handling, unless you get someone else to work the trolling motor for you.

[perchjerker]

I agree with my friend Homer.

What I would do is concentrate on jigging and boat control. Those will get you the fish. No offense, but all a 3 oz bouncer and a rap will get you is lost tackle, if you even hit bottom.

Maybe chatman can schedule a little session so us locals can clue you guys from out of town in on whats going on there. Its a rather unique situation.

[whitetips]

Any advice can be learned at the tournament in April , Good Luck to all participating.
Info will be hard to come by till its over. Money is on the line.

[perchjerker]

I am not looking to help any pros, they know what to do. They for sure dont need my help.

I am talking about the average Joe who spends his own time, and money to travel to my area to fish during this time on the Detroit River. I am more than happy to share any info with them, or anyone else for that matter. I would hope they would do the same for me if I traveled to their area. But maybe Im just naive.

[rangerpat]

Hey Perchjerker, Thanks for any info, as far as the other guy whats his name oh it doesn't matter, but I'd bet if he goes anywhere away from home,he's asking questions. So keep it up! you come around Green Bay & I'll take you fishing Tourney or not. See ya Pat Cavins

[Homer]

You said it, PJ! If one of the things that comes with tournaments is keeping secrets from average fishermen until the tournament is over, their image is going to suffer.

[Hunter]

I agree Perchjerker, I actually believe if the local's could form theyre own teams and fish against teams of pro's, the locals would be winning 6 out of 10 times! Local's know all the hole's and have several friends who fish, so reports can be very up to the minute.

Ive seen 3-way rigs with 3-5 oz's of weight and 6-12' leads to the lure's. It produce's! maybe not as much as handbombing, but it works. Ive also seen people 3-way pencil plugs at night and just clean-up on big fish. The wildest thing ive ever seen on the river was a writer from the Ontario taking picture's for an article,, about flyfishing at night for walleye on the river. And he was catching fish!! Somtimes it just pays to experiment!

[Rabble Rouser]

BamBam,
You can use that setup, and it will work because I have done it. What you will have to do is troll with the current. Make sure your boat is going alittle faster than the current. You can also use a bottom bouncer or Lindy NO-snag sinkers. That system works good in the spring in the shallow water. Handlining is done against the current, either trolling upstream following a structure or slipping the current. Slipping is trolling at an angle against the current, but not making any headway or very little. That is done when you are trolling over a hump.Hope this helps, it should get you started. Once you get the hang of it you will fine tune to your liking.
Eric

[Dan(MI)]

Pick up the most current copy of Walleye Insider, there is an article on Polelining, it describes how to do what you mentioned. However you will need more than 3 oz's of weight.
Go Fishin
Dan

[Keith Krych]

If you want to learn more about handlining drop me a line at walleyefisherman@comcast.net.

Maybe we can meet on the river and I'll show you how it's done

Keith Krych
#372

[rabble rouser]

Dan,
It all depends how fast the current is, how deep the water is and how fast you are trolling. Remember, you are trolling with the current, not against it.
Eric

[Cangl]

Somebody aught to mention that when trolling 3 ways it is not neccessary to be vertical if not detrimental. In my mind the the only true advantage handlining has over a rod is vertical trolling (which even with handlines is not always perferred) the ability to hook deeper fish ( more hooks) and multiple lures ( more hooks) When rod trolling 45 degrees and sometimes longer in snag free areas works fine rememeber the longer your drop line (weight line) from the swivel the further back you can troll. And the longer a main leader you can use.

[perchjerker]

Maybe we are talking about different parts of the river. In the Trenton channel, the current is about 8 mph. If you are trolling downriver a little faster than the current, you are pulling lures by fish at 9-10 mph. If the fish are sitting on the bottom spawning, the lures are flying by them. I have never seen anyone troll downriver at that clip, maybe they have been, and I just never noticed it before.

I could see doing that in different parts of the river where it is sandy and less of a current.

[BAMBAM]

Thanks for the info. I am no pro. I am new to SE Michigan. My previous walleye fishing experience is from Winnebago, and that appears to be a world of difference from April in Detroit. Last year was the first year I tried the river. I could not believe the number of boats in the Trenton channel. I did not do well vertical jigging, which led me to wonder I should consider handlining, trying this hybrid I asked about, or try someplace other than the trenton channel. Seems to me that the river is big, they cannot all be in the trenton channel! Maybe I am wrong about that, I hope to experiment this year.

I know that I should fish one of tourneys as an amateur to learn, but I screwed up and scheduled my annual fishing trip to the 10,000 Islands of South Florida (snook, redfish, tarpon, etc) during the end of March and early April. (That has got to prove that I am new to SE Michigan...who would schedule their vacation during the walleye run, and then leave the state!??)

Thanks for all of your advice, This is a great website due to you helpful guys. I hope to get my first one over 6lb this year! I just have to get out more!!!

BAMBAM
Bruce Mueller
muellerb@umich.edu