anyone try real weeds yet??

[Dking(MI)]

I was going to buy some or make some, but havent yet and probably wont this season. Are they any good?

[C20chris]

I made my own and have only had one chance to try them out but I think they are excellent for pike fishing (too bad I was Crappie fishing at the time) I probably saw 10 pike on the camera and we had four on 3# test caught one.. the one we caught was at 7:15 :mad: I am not sure how well of an idea it is for panfish because the pike just come in there and hang out I literally watched a pike just "lay down" about 10" below my minnow and just camp out for 10-15 mins before I scared him away... I think all the pike kept the panfish from coming in....but I think it will take a few more trips to different lakes before I decide if I like them or not... unless you like pike fishin'. our jigging poles had 4 times as many hits as the tips ups!! the only hit I had on a tip-up was after I moved the tip up right next to the shanty and "real weeds"

[THEFISHHUNTER]

What are real weeds???

[ifish4eyes]

here ya go. http://www.reelweeds.com/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

[Michigan Mike]

I think they are funny and just proves there is still one born every minute!
What next..."Real Sand!"
:lol:

[Southend517]

I went to the dollar tree and bought something really close for $1 and tied it to my m]camera. Didn't see any difference walleye fishing.

[Mr.Bluegill]

We have been fishing with them over here in Wisconsin and they have definitely made the day quite a few times this year. Out on Lake Winnebago, there is nothing but a big mud flat that the perch, walleyes and crappies roam around. I have been setting them up just like decoys in J patterns or Va Patterns and then fishing along the edges or in the pockets. The last day out we were fishing a weed edge when a whole bunch of people decided to come out and fish by us. We moved out deeper and set the weeds out which in turn made the weeds extend out to deeper water. It didnt take but an hour and most of the fish were out by us. I like them and would recommend them to anyone.

Troy

http://mrbluegill.com/Fishing%20Pictures/Ice%20Fishing//mel_troy.jpg

[Dking(MI)]

Thanx!!

[BFG]

The online video that I saw where the guys used the Real Weeds was shot in exactly the same conditions as described by the Winny poster..

Basically an area devoid of vegetation...but one that will get it in the summer from time to time....

Pike, walleyes, and perch all set up off of it...and hell, for all I know that Winny post was made by the guy who shot the show...as he did the same thing...set 'em like decoys to give the illusion of a "weed bed..." with a distinct edge, shape, etc.

[cobia302]

How do you use the weeds? Drill holes around you and put weeds down there? Or put them in the same hole? I think I am going to make my own and try it. If anyone has any advice i would appriciate it. Thanks

[byronbaitskimmer]

i made some of my own from some pet shop artificals and used them this past weekend. i fished an area like the videos described, open flats where fish seemed to roam. i need a few more outings to fully determine if the weeds make a huge difference. i set mine up in a "w" pattern and set my camera up to watch. the fish swam all around and in between the weeds and we had fish around us for the full five hours we fish. however, i found the fish with my lowrance before i put the weeds down, so i don't know if i was just in the area where the fish already wanted to be. the best hole was about 5 feet from the two points of the "w".

[Bonz 54]

Harvester T.T.P. and I made our own. We went to Michaels Craft store, they have all kinds of fake plants in 6' long strands. You just twist a nylon line down the center, to a large bell sinker, and use one of the noodle pool toys (cut to lenght) to wind it up on. Viola ! You have a mobile weed bed. The strands were around $2.00+ each and the rest is easy enough to figure out. FRANK

[Oldgrandman]

the Winny poster...

I am thinking this means Wisconsin poster? I can be a little dim sometimes, admittedly. I usually refer to them as cheese heads :).
Absolutely no offense meant by that either. I have a cheese hat and happen to like Wisconsin!

[jiggineyes]

Bought them at the beginning of the season but havent had the chance to see the fish respond with the camera. Water clarity hasnt been good. Did descent with them this weekend at selfridge. Brought home 26 fish on sunday morning when everyone we talked to after fishing only had a couple. But then again, I've had that happen without them numerous times! I am gonna use them walleye fishing this weekend in a clear water lake, which should be fun with the camera!

[BFG]

I am thinking this means Wisconsin poster?

Winny = Winnebago...

Although..folks from 'Sconsin would tell ya' it's....

'Bago....

[Captain Gadget]

I just discovered and learned about these yesterday. The concept is actually a pretty intriguing idea :idea:. The sales videography on the Company’s website leaves a lot to be desired since it can’t be played with MediaPlayer or blown up to really see actual usage details :smile-madb.

They seem to be pretty darn expensive :dizzy: if you ask me! Effective usage would also seem to require lots of product (more to lug around & fuss with setting up/taking down) and lots of holes; and from what is depicted on their website they seem quite bulky. It just seems that that you’d have to have a lot of them down for them to have much effect thus making them pretty cost prohibitive while very profitable for the manufacturer given what I think is a high retail price. While they don’t address it directly, I can’t help but wonder if they won’t freeze up when relocating or packing up, and if not, how this is prevented. While the Co. acclaims their usage, they also don’t say anything about warranting them.

[William H Bonney]

I just discovered and learned about these yesterday. The concept is actually a pretty intriguing idea :idea:. The sales videography on the Company’s website leaves a lot to be desired since it can’t be played with MediaPlayer or blown up to really see actual usage details :smile-madb.

They seem to be pretty darn expensive :dizzy: if you ask me! Effective usage would also seem to require lots of product (more to lug around & fuss with setting up/taking down) and lots of holes; and from what is depicted on their website they seem quite bulky. It just seems that that you’d have to have a lot of them down for them to have much effect thus making them pretty cost prohibitive while very profitable for the manufacturer given what I think is a high retail price. While they don’t address it directly, I can’t help but wonder if they won’t freeze up when relocating or packing up, and if not, how this is prevented. While the Co. acclaims their usage, they also don’t say anything about warranting them.

:lol: Warranty. Just kinda struck me funny.
As far as them freezing up,,,,, they thaw out once you chuck them back down the hole.

I've never bought these,,,, but I have created my own "hump" out there in the lake before, with the products a few have mentioned from the local craft stores.

[Captain Gadget]

From what I saw on their website, they come with a flat board holder of sorts which you wind them up onto when you remove them from the water. The potential issue I was referring to here was that on really cold days they might freeze together once they have been all wound up together onto the holder and then you’d have a difficult time unwinding them. Kinda like when you wind up Christmas tree lights into a loop like one does with a rope or extension cord; and then when you try to unwind the lights its difficult because the lights get tangled up together. As an example; wind up a wet rope, and let it sit even for a short time on a “0” temperature day and then just try and unwind it. Not that the SOS will get tangled, but that they will freeze together into a solid unit which would cause the similar issue of not being able to unwind them. That is unless you put them in a heated area so that they can thaw out. Don’t know, just guessing.

As to warranty, I was thinking along the lines of how well the synthetic weeds would stay attached to their stems with continuous use, especially given the aforementioned potential issue of having them freeze together/one-another forming one solid mass of ice, which could result in pieces or clumps detaching. The issue here is “How rugged / good is the material they are made from at staying together – will the material easily break and come apart like lots of artificial plants do”!

BTW... how well has your own homemade Hump (?) worked at drawing, holding fish and improving your catch for you?

[William H Bonney]

,,,,,,,,,,
BTW... how well has your own homemade Hump (?) worked at drawing, holding fish and improving your catch for you?

Aaahhh,,, ok, I guess. The hump is realitively small and I seem to get snagged on it alot:lol:

[Captain Gadget]

Mr. Bonney

FYI... (:dizzy: pricing + check out the size of the box they come in)

LaDredge Outdoors - Reel Weeds Structure (5-Pack)
Item Number: 89043500103
Description: Structure on a String
Our Price: $79.99
http://www.franksgreatoutdoors.com/item.asp?id=276063


LaDredge Outdoors - Reel Weeds Structure (2-Pack)
Item Number: 89043500102
Description: Structure on a String
Our Price: $34.99
http://www.franksgreatoutdoors.com/item.asp?id=276012

:bowdown: I'll bet your Hump is a whole lot cheaper!

[TrekJeff]

Christmas garland works well too.

[USMarine1171]

Hey guys,

I just got back from Jo-Ann Fabrics and they're having a sale...90% off all Christmas accessories!!!

I JUST GOT $70 WORTH OF "REAL WEEDS" FOR $7!!!

Get'em while they're still there, and thanks for the idea. For $7 it's worth a shot.

[gsepan]

I made my own... Just 2 so far and the results have been stellar so far for use on LSC. Mine cost me around 6 bucks a piece and I have photos in my gallery. I keep them in a black 2 gallon bucket which somewhat keeps them frost free and I have never had a problem with them freezing up. All I got to say is don't knock'um until you try them.

[Muskie_Addict]

I made my own... Just 2 so far and the results have been stellar so far for use on LSC. Mine cost me around 6 bucks a piece and I have photos in my gallery. I keep them in a black 2 gallon bucket which somewhat keeps them frost free and I have never had a problem with them freezing up. All I got to say is don't knock'um until you try them.


Awesome looking weeds.
Where did you get the weeds at?
What are they called when shopping for them?
Also where did you get the push button stopper on the line to adjust the float height?

Thanks
Bill

[gsepan]

Awesome looking weeds.
Where did you get the weeds at?
What are they called when shopping for them?
Also where did you get the push button stopper on the line to adjust the float height?

Thanks
Bill

Thanks for the kind comments Bill... The weeds are called Giant Asparagus plants and you can find them online or ask your local pet store to order you some. The plant has one 3' piece and other smaller pieces that can be attached to each other. Split them up evenly and you should be able to make two weeds at about 48" long. The button stopper (draw string stopper) was bought at Jo-ann fabric's or you can get them at Michelle's. I got the line there too... but I'm pretty sure that the green tip-up line will work great. The float is a chunk cut off of a swim noodle. All the weeds were attached with small green zip-ties spaced out every 6 inches. It took me a few hours to put the two together but well worth the effort. Get building!!!

Greg (gsepan)

[Muskie_Addict]

Thanks for the kind comments Bill... The weeds are called Giant Asparagus plants and you can find them online or ask your local pet store to order you some. The plant has one 3' piece and other smaller pieces that can be attached to each other. Split them up evenly and you should be able to make two weeds at about 48" long. The button stopper (draw string stopper) was bought at Jo-ann fabric's or you can get them at Michelle's. I got the line there too... but I'm pretty sure that the green tip-up line will work great. The float is a chunk cut off of a swim noodle. All the weeds were attached with small green zip-ties spaced out every 6 inches. It took me a few hours to put the two together but well worth the effort. Get building!!!

Greg (gsepan)

Greg,

Thanks so much for the directions, I plan on getting started in hopes of using them by this weekend, if we have any ice left.

Bill

[gsepan]

Greg,

Thanks so much for the directions, I plan on getting started in hopes of using them by this weekend, if we have any ice left.

Bill

Here is the link to the EXACT same plant I purchased. I don't think you will find them locally. It/they will have to be special ordered. You can try your local petsmart... who knows...
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754561

[Muskie_Addict]

Here is the link to the EXACT same plant I purchased. I don't think you will find them locally. It/they will have to be special ordered. You can try your local petsmart... who knows...
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754561

Yah just got back from the local Petsmart and they have everybrand of Fancy Plants except the one I'm looking for.

Hey when you say split them up evenly and I should get 2 weeds at 48", that will require purchasing 2 packs, correct?

Thanks again
Bill

[gsepan]

Yah just got back from the local Petsmart and they have everybrand of Fancy Plants except the one I'm looking for.

Hey when you say split them up evenly and I should get 2 weeds at 48", that will require purchasing 2 packs, correct?

Thanks again
Bill

1 pack = 2 weeds

They are all attached to a plastic base the longest of the bundle is 36" long... Then you have other strands that are of different lengths. If I was ordering, I'd by 2 and make 4 weeds because the shipping is 4.99 if you buy 1 or 100. This way you can surround your shanty to "funnel" the fish into your bait.