don't knock handliners

[skeet]

Not long back someone made some comments about handlining not being a type of fishing or ethical or whatever. I blew it off as someone with a narrow mind and limited knowledge of different types of fishing. I handline the Det. river all spring until the fish move towards the lake and then switch to crawler harnesses, planers etc. but my brother and I think that those "handline haters" who jig the river owe us some grattitude. We have pulled out pounds of your jigheads and miles of your fishing line. I don't believe that a 1 oz. jighead with 22' of spiderwire makes for the most ideal spawning habitat. Oh, and to date this year, all I have polluted the river with is 2 lips to perch rapala's. Just something to think about.

[zbobw]

I had heard and read about handlining for years and was always curious about how it was done. got introduced to it this year and view it as an awsome tool to have.looking forward to learning more and refining my own presentations. think about it,what would you rather be faced with while your slipping and jigging,a boat coming at you with all lines right underneath and able to move any direction,or a full spread of boards covering who knows how big of an area? havn,t heard any whining about it yet, just curiosity and questions.

[You Betcha]

It is alot easier to share the river with handline trollers than some idiot with a full spread of boards out as if he were on the big lake, on a crowded stretch of river. If it is state legal, or tournament legal, all should be abl to fish as they wish, while still respecting the courtesy afforded by others.

[Walleye Express]

Skeet.
I'll be on the St.Claire again this Saturday night. I'm one of those part time, crazy Pencil Plug Whippers. I tried hand lineing last year with one of my buds. Man, I was sore all over the next day from all the leaning and awkward positions while doing the sport. I'm thinking hand lineing of sorts has been around since man first discovered the hook and line. It seems as ethical to me as any fishing sport. Good luck this season and (bend an arm).

[Bigdog]

Showing my ignorance here, but what the heck is handlining?????

[Dman]

Good question. I have never heard of it.
Dman

[Walleye Express]

Bigdog/Dman.
I was kinda waiting for Skeet (the obvious expert) to answer your (what is handlining question). My buddy is really into it and I've only done it once but will try to answer your question. It starts with a Very BIG spring loaded reel that holds about 300 feet of thin wire line. This reel is attached to the side gunnel of your boat or mounted on a reinforcement arm that stick out about a foot to the side of your boat. The wire line runs off the reel through your hands and into the water near the back of the boat. A thing called a shank is connected to this wire line at the end and then a weight adequate enough to keep in close contact with bottom at a steep angle, sometime up to 6 ounces of lead. The spring loaded reel allows you to take in or pull out line as needed to stay in bottom contact as it gets shallower or deeper. This shank is wire as well and has spots on it to attach 3 leader lines that stay seperated along with the chosen plug at the end. The whole deal is softly lifted up and down by hand (thus handlineing) and kept in contact with bottom as you slowly troll along up or downstream. A thin pair of leather gloves is almost a must to novices, as I had a few cuts after a couple medium sized walleyes. And an unexpected snag might leave you being called lefty if your not careful. The current does most of the work to work the plugs. The strikes are little more than extra weight on the other end. There is a formula as to how much line is let out from each shank connection to avoid foul-ups, but I forgot what it is. Hope I answered your question.

[rabble rouser]

Capt. Dan had the basics close. The weight usually is 20 oz. a little heavier in faster current. The leaders running off of the shank usually are 30', 15'and 5'. Some guys have their own preferred lenghts. The top lead is usually double the middle lead. Juls has a good article in the archives listed under "handlinning". Capt. Dan how did you do Sat. in the cold weather and dirty water? Did you stop in St. Clair for the tournament? The top 20 fish went from 7#3oz. to 8#9oz. We had 392 people enter it, which was good being it was the first year.

[Walleye Express]

Rabble.
Ya, the handlening weights are heavier. Thats why the sore hands/fingers at nights end. Anyway, decided to go "whippin" Friday night, considering the tournament. I only have about 3 spots I frequent and know well on the St.Claire and was afraid somebody might have them sewed up on Saturday. We caught 7 so-so walleyes. Water seemed clear enough all right. Went on the Bay last night and went 5 for 5, with one being about 6 pounds or so. Planning another trip to St.Claire this Friday night. Marine City ramp about 6:30pm. Get a chance, drop down.

[rabble rouser]

Capt. Dan,
Water should be good by weekend. It was alot dirtier in St. Clair than Marine City last weekend. I ended up fishing by the Lambton Power Plant last weekend. I work afternoons, so I won't be in MC, been working 12 hrs. lately so its cutting into my fishing time. Good luck this weekend.

[perchjerker]

I am a handliner and very proud of it. Its not as easy as people think. It takes a lot of work, and its a ton of fun. Expecially when you get a fish over 6 lbs or so and have to use your fingers as the drag. Much easier fighting a large fish with a rod and reel. It takes as much skill as any other kind of fishing. Anyone who says otherwise doesnt what they are talking about.

[rangerpat]

Hey Brian, The best thing about Handlining is the groove in my index finger from the coating wearing off the cable, now I use the groove as a break system. Been doing good pre-fishing Winnebago system biggest so far #6. Try & show up for Saginaw I've got some baits for you to try in Detroit River. Or call me soon. I wish the best for you & your family. See Ya Pat Cavins

[Rodney York]

I too am a "Handliner", and can't say enough good things about the technique. Just started last year and I'm still learning, but have been fortunate enough to take 4 Top Tens in Tournaments this spring on the Mississippi River and just missed a check on the Illinois River by 1.5lbs (I made a bad decision). So the rate of return on the investment has been pretty hard to beat, the reels have paid for them selves many times over!
In my opinion handlining is the most precise method of trolling.In comparison, when pulling boards or leadcore you have to make fairly wide "S" curves, when 3-Waying you can make sharper "S" curves, for Handling it is more of a "Z" shape and allows you to fully sweep a contour where you would miss this opportunity by using more conventional methods. It takes me about 2hrs to go 1/10 of a mile!
The std weight is 20oz and the angle of the line should remain around 45deg. The lures we use are the same as for 3-Ways - Original Rapalas, Husky Jerks, Rogues, T-Sticks, etc... Small cranks in the Spring and Big in the Fall. And don't be afraid to try spinners, trust me they also work in cold water. Have never fished the Detriot River, but understand the current to be much faster, and the lures used are different also??? Hoping to get out to the Detroit next spring?
The Reels I use are the Riviera Reels and can be purchased thru Off Shore Tackle.
The leads I run off the shanks are similiar to what was desribed 30' Top and 15' Bottom, 20lb Berkley XT (Anything lighter you'll have a mess in the boat). I only run 2 Leads with the Mississippi being border water, not coordinated enough to run 3, besides not legal here in Minnesota!
Boat speed is dependent on current speed, but I generally target 0.7 to 1.1mph
The beauty of Handling is letting the River work for you, the current controls the lure action, and I let the current also control the boat by turning the nose - allows for real affective sweeps, the "Z" action I described.
The best way to learn the technique and all the little quirks is to get in the boat with some one who does it alot. If you want to learn on your own, leave all the other rods home and force yourself to experiment. I was fortunate to start out with some good councelling, and will take this opportunity to again thank Hutch, he taught me more about River Angling in 2 Days than I could have learned on my own in 5 years!
If you haven't tried the technique you're missing out, it's awesome!
And the popularity is also growing fast, but still a good advantage when competing against those who refuse to try it!
Rodney

[rabble rouser]

Rodney,
If you get a chance try using Mason' Leader Material for your leads. we find that it works better than most other brands. We usually use 25 or 30 lb. test. When you bring your leads up into the boat, they don't tangle. If you get up to Detroit, get yourself some 'pencil plugs', Nightstalker brand, they work good and are alot cheaper than crank baits.

[Hutch]

Rodney, you forgot one more important thing. When the local your handling with says were gonna get wet and it could get ugly, we'll there usually right. Remember the bright light and then the loud crack and all those pretty sparks flying off that tree. That will get your blood pumping LOL. Thanks for the kind words buddy!!! Hutch Just a little food for thought on the topic. I consistently catch fish thoughout the entire year handling. The misconception that it's only used in the Spring is just an old wives tale to me. 6 to 60 feet, it works. Ya know I just noticed I got one of those quick release fingers too. LOL REMEMBER ALL OUR SERVICE MEN & WOMEN, THEIR DAY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!!!

[Walleye Express]

Heck,
I guess while we're on the (kiss Hutch on the lips)thank you wagon, I'll also add that Hutch has and sells the best dag gum Jigs I've ever (bought) form anybody. And at a more than resonable price. I usually make about 1,000 of my own during the winter, but hutch's short shank/fuzzy holder jigs can't be matched. They take names and kick butt on the Tittabawassee year round. I know your jig pourer is going to kill me if you get any more orders for those (fuzzy holder wires Hutch). Sorry to get off the handline thread.

[BIG B]

I gotta jump on the bandwagon too! If you don't use Hutch baits already start NOW, don't miss anymore fish dinners. If you haven't tried Handlining, try it now!! I went handlining for the first time Saturday with ecnook, using Hutch's setups, what a hoot!! I'm hooked, THANKS HUTCH!!!!!!!!

[Rodney York]

Hutch,

Thought you would have forgotten about that particular "Light Show" by now. Can't believe you made me fish in that stuff! Just kidding, not sure who was the stronger "Die-Hard" that day! Actually have some better off weather stories to share: Was out on Mille Lacs a few years back and watching storms roll in from the SW, saw my line suddenly elevate to what appeared be around 15ft in the air and the poles started buzzing, too much static in the air, also good sign to get off the water. Had a fluke incident on Lake Michigan, +20 Miles off shore, could see the clouds moving in.....not a big deal! Until it started hailing, not sure if any of you have ever been hit by 3/4" Hail before, but I felt like a golf ball for a couple days!

On a more serious note, Walleye Angling is very serious to me, and the future of our sport is my focus. I have a 4 1/2 yr old son that grew up in the boat, as a baby I set up a play pen in the back of the boat, and have pictures of us together with fish since he was 6 months old. All were released! I can only wish for everyone's sons and daughters to be able to experience what we have today!

Getting back to "Handlining", I've done about 18 months of research, Trial & Error, etc... I'm convinced that there are 2 "true" experts in the world on the technique. Hutch on the Mississippi and JR on the Detroit. Hutch is a personal friend that I fish with and work with and ultimately owe alot to! JR, I've spoke with over the phone, although I haven't met him yet, I have a ton of repsect for him and the content of our conversation. JR actually invented the first "Pole Line" set-up to make the spin-off of "Handlining" legal in the PWT. Not to let the "Cat out of the Bag" but as I understand it was basically a pool cue with a Handline attached at the base, Later named the "Broom Stick" if I'm correct??? Enough said, if Jr wants to respond that would be good, I don't want to land any injustice by trying to speak for the expert, and no doubt both Hutch and JR are the "True Experts" when it comes to this technique. I know I'll get some true controversey and different opinions on this topic, but there are only 2 people in this arena, Again "Hands Down" you 2 guys are the best. No Kiss butt here, just recognition for a sport that is just developing.


Just developing??? I Grew up in upstate New York, learned how to Lead Core by Tony Tucci when I lived in Maine all for Lake Trout, didn't find out about "Handlining" before I moved to Minnesota. As I understand, folks have been Handlining in PA and all over the east coast for years, if it's true then a hidden secret (Which doesn't suprise me)!

Rabble Rouser,

Thanks for the insight on Mason, who makes it? Where can I find it? Any numbers or locations would be helpful! Have tried the new Cajan Line (Red Color), even went as low as 17lb test, invisible in turbid water but of the same caliber as Flourocarbon, A lot of memory, very brittle, and weight (It sinks). But I caught a lot of fish on this line, I think it actually deserves it's time in the right application.

As Far as Pencil Plugs, haven't used them, but appreciate the info. You pick a day on the Detroit, time wise if it works, I would love to bust some eyes with you?

I have no problem posting my home number, as you could easily find it anyway. (651) 407-6029 Can only hope that a good looking & rich women reads this post anyway. A little good humor not to mention truth?

Rodney

[perchjerker]

Rodney-
Masons wire is available at Andys Tackle Box on Dix in Melvindale. I use 90 lb coated, I think its a bit easier to handle. My friend got some real nice wire from a company that makes artifical limbs. That stuff is so soft and flexible, you wouldnt beleive it. But it was real pricey, cost and arm and a leg!! ROTFLMAO!!!!

[rabble rouser]

Rodney,
Mason' leader material is a stiff mono, it comes in spools from 2# to 90# test. It is clear in color and is found in most tackle stores in the Detroit area. Its like anything else, you can only find things where it is mostly used. I remember the first time the pro's came to this area to fish Walleye. They seen the 'pencil plugs' and the colors they were painted and couldn't figure out what they were or what bait fish they represented. Lakeside Tackle in St. Clair Shores has most of the things we use here. Their number is 586-777-7003. I use 90# uncoated wire on my A&S handline reel. If you are looking for a reel A&S is about the best you can get. they run about $150 with wire installed. I don't fish the Detroit River, I fish about 50 miles north of there. I work afternoons, so I don't start fishing till 12:00 midnight.Their web site address is: www.lakesidefishingshop.com
Hope this helps you out.