snap weight problems

[Pat H]

I'm fairly new at trolling for walleye and I just bought a snap weight kit and every time I use it the lure just rides up to the surface. I've tried the weights all the way up to 3oz and it still does it. I've also tried different leads between lure and weight, no dice. Usually I'm using hot-n-tots or rip sticks. What am I doing wrong? Any help would be great. Thanks and tight lines to all!

[TK_551]

Are your lures that you are using in tune? My first guess is that they are not in tune. Also, how fast are you trolling?

Pick up a copy of Precision Trolling. It shows Dive Curves for a lot of the popular cranks as well as snap weight trolling.

Tom
#551

[Kip]

Pat,

How fast are you trolling? How far is the wieght from the lure, and how far off the planner board if that is what you are using?

[SUPERTROLLER]

When your lures come to the surface, are they fouled with weeds? As others asked,,, Are the lures tuned? I don't see how this is possible unless you're going way to fast for the lures and they're out of tune for the speed your trying to go.

[catchNrelease]

OK boys, lets back it up for my sake. How do you know when your lure is "tuned" or not. I've had the same problems with boards and just assumed I was trolling too fast even when I was at a snails pace. Give me a couple of months, I'm slowly catching on....

Thanks

[Toolman]

Assuming you are at "normal" crankbait trolling speed (1.5-3 MPH)let out 6-8' of line. Make sure the boat is traveling in a straight line and drop the bait in the water. Watch the bait for a tendency to run one way or the other. Now sweep the rod foward to simulate the surge of the boat/planer board from wave effect. If the lure darts or runs either way you need to adjust the connection. If it runs right then tweek (slight adjustments) the eye to the left. If it runs left adjust the eye to the right. In the case of Tots, bend the wire snap SLIGHTLY in the same manner as I described above. Sweeping the rod also simulates a slightly faster trolling speed. Tots can be a little tricky but Ripsticks usually run pretty good out of the package (not always, though). It is important to check the tune of the lure before putting it out and after catching a fish. Every time. An out of tune lure will not run to it's max depth. If it's really out, it will kick out and surface. Good luck.
Tim

[catchNrelease]

Thanks Toolman. That makes total sense.

[eyegetit]

This doesn't sound like a snap weight problem. How does the lure run without any snap weights? Does it still want to ride up to the surface?

[Tim]

Sounds more like trolling with 25# at too fast a speed with too little weight. On the other hand, what does he mean rides up? If he thinks he is going to get down to 50' with a 3 oz snap weight at 1.5 mph, then that is the problem. Need a 1 pound drop weight for that.

[Pat H]

As far as my trolling speed yes around 2-3mph. Also, yes my lures are in tune, they have to be when you troll 250-350' behind the boat. No weeds either, as far as line, 6# Fireline. I've tried both behind planerboards(both in-line and post style) as well as flatlining.I just don't get what I'm doing wrong. thanks for the help.

[puzzled]

How far ahead of the lure is the snap weight? Are you using 50/50?

[puzzled]

Have you got spiny water fleas on your line?

[rebs]

if the snap weight is too close to the lure it might be turning the lure upside down and causing it to rise up instead of diving down

rebs