Handlining or Jigging the Detroit River

[Gene Wellman]

Handlining or Jigging the Detroit River, which is the best? I know each has its pros and cons, but after the initial cost of rigging the boat with two hand reels and needed equipment (have lures already) is this the best way to catch walleyes? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks, Wishing you all tight lines and a limit of fun!

[Slimshady]

Gene,

It depends on the water clarity. When it is dirty, handlining will always outfish jigging. However, when it is lightly stained to clean, the jiggers will do better. If it is chocolate milk, no one does very well.

Slimshady

[huntingmaniac45]

Yeah.......what Slim said!!!

[Homie]

Handlining or Jigging the Detroit River, which is the best? I know each has its pros and cons, but after the initial cost of rigging the boat with two hand reels and needed equipment (have lures already) is this the best way to catch walleyes? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks, Wishing you all tight lines and a limit of fun!.......I would keep a hand line reel in the boat at a min. You will be sorry if your out there jigging and a handliner comes right by your boat and start tearing em up. When you havn't caught anything in the last two hours. Slim hit it right on the head.

[River Rat]

Gene, In my opinion handlining is the most consistant in catching river waleye through out the year. As the season progresses your tactics should also change. not to say that jigging does not produce fish, because it does.

[Quadd4]

I know that it's always great to be catching fish, but what about the fun factor? I have a couple handling reels but seldom use them because I like to have the fishing pole in my hand. Nor have I ever caught one handlining so I don't know what it's truely like.

I know there are a lot of handliners out there that seem to love it but is it as exciting as reeling one in with a rod and reel?

[Homie]

[quote=Quadd4] but what about the fun factor? I agree with the fun factor, nothing like sticking em on 6 or 4 LB test......I have caught fish handlineing, and it is just as fun as catching fish jigging. If that is the only way to catch fish that day!!!! Water clearity should tell you the method of the day....Truth is everyone says how hard it is to jig the river, but if you have the patience to handline most of the time. ( Especially in the summer with the weeds ) you are a better man than me. That is the trick! Be versatile. All that said, I prefer to jig....Good luck learning the river..Need some help just ask.

[kdogger]

I say there's nothing better than jerking off the river with a weighted cable!

[Homie]

You got issue!!! L.O.L

[Captain Tan Can]

The old guys that I knew, who fished the River regularly, called handlining "meatfishing" for a reason. It is a highly productive method, but that said, sometimes you just have to have a rod in your hand.

[allucaneat]

I enjoy both.True enough they are awesome to catch on a light action rod with 6# test, but just as awesome to pull in a spring pig by hand or two on the same shank. As far as pros & cons, all pros no cons. Of course there is the water clarity issue,but Ive smacked em' good pullin' wire in clear water quite often and I've also jigged up quite a few in the muddy water. Like everyone else I generally jig when its clear and troll when its dirt. As far as the expense. I spend much more jigging, when you add up the rods & reels,jigs & bait, electric motor and battery(ies),VS. Two trolling reels, some Raps and cheap spoons, and a few shanks and sinkers. But I'm certainly not complaining I love both methodsand think most walleye fisherman will agree. Good Luck!!!!!:)

[Houghton laker]

I know there are a lot of handliners out there that seem to love it but is it as exciting as reeling one in with a rod and reel?



Slap that reel on your boat and give it a try!! I was a little aprehensive when I started Handlining last year for the first time......Once is all it took...I am addicted now!!! Nothing like pulling a nice one in hand over hand!!

[fish eater]

:yeahthat: Smiley, Tin Can and Ed Michrina got me hooked. Pullin wire is really fun and cool. I love that tug tug feeling in your hand.:)

[Quadd4]

Ok, you guys convinced me.

Gonna bring back ol pop's 16 footer from up north to pull some wire this spring. Working on refurbishing the 6HP Chrysler kicker this weekend. Hope it's all worth it. For the last few yrs I've been taking ol pops jigging and he can't seem to catch a thing.

Maybe pulling wire will make him successful although I may only give him one leader off the back. I can just imagine all the line tangles he could get into :lol:

[Big Frank 25]

Need a handicap kid?:lol: Go get them!:D

[slowpoke]

I have always wanted to give handling a try myself. If you need someone that knows nothing about handling (just what I have read) to go with you give me a PM. I have had some success jigging and can help out in that department. I know handling is good in the day time but most of it is done at night.