Whipping Two rods

[Stkbow]

Was whip fishing last weekend for the first time and encountered a problem. How do you keep your lines from eventually tangling in back of the boat? I was deadlining one rod, whipping the other, going back and forth working them farther out. Eventually, after both rods are out pretty far, the current draws them together, and makes a mess. Add to that the natural motion of the boat swinging back and forth in the current which I'm sure adds to the problem. Does anybody us a mushroom anchor to keep the backend of the boat planted? How do you deal with the lines coming together? I thought about working one going out, and work the other coming back to the boat. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[newtothervr]

I haven't encountered that problem...yet. My rod holders stick straight out the side of the boat. I suspect it might be the current in the area you're fishing? I pick up a lot of fish when swinging the boat back and forth in the current so I do not recommend anchoring the back of the boat. I've only been whipping for a couple of years, see what some of the other guys have to say.

[Fishnnut]

Keep both rod's on the opposite sides of the boat. Try letting out less anchor line so it does not swing back and forth as much.

[sniper's mojo]

Move to a different area and you will not have that problem. It is most likely that there is some type of structure on the bottow there causing the current to swirl behind your boat. You will probably find that you don't need to move that far up or down the river to get into a more steady current.

[Bob B.]

Was whip fishing last weekend for the first time and encountered a problem. How do you keep your lines from eventually tangling in back of the boat? I was deadlining one rod, whipping the other, going back and forth working them farther out. Eventually, after both rods are out pretty far, the current draws them together, and makes a mess. Add to that the natural motion of the boat swinging back and forth in the current which I'm sure adds to the problem. Does anybody us a mushroom anchor to keep the backend of the boat planted? How do you deal with the lines coming together? I thought about working one going out, and work the other coming back to the boat. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Working two rods is a pain but can be done. If your beside a seawall, tie off to the wall and tie your anchor line on the side of the boat the wall is on just enough to keep tension on the line to the wall. Be sure to tie the wall line towards the front half of the boat, if you tie on the back half and your anchor lets loose the current will turn your boat around backwards in the current then ya might get your feet a little wet.
If your not by a wall to tie off to and the boat is swinging back and forth, work the line on the side the boat is going. If it's swinging toward the middle of the river work the line on that side and the same for the other.
Working two lines is ok as long as your not catching any fish. But you'll find out when the fish are biting you won't have time to work two rods and enjoy fishing (Been there, done that). Also if your working two rods and something happens and you have to act quick, like the wind changes and starts blowing hard out of the south pushing the boat up past the anchor, it's wasting valuable time trying to get the other line in the boat to take care of the problem. Never take the river for granted, it's beauty can turn on you before you know what's happening.........................Bob B.

[Stkbow]

Thanks a lot fellas. I never thought about the current swirling around and causing the problem.

[FishTales]

If you really want to fish two rods, just whip with one and use the other as a dead stick.
When it warms up you can put on a harness or flatfish with a piece of worm on it.
Rich

[greelhappy]

Don't know if this will help you, but here is what I do. I have a downrigger on my boat. I set a body bait about 50-60 back, send it down a couple feet off the bottom and let it sit. While whipping, the rigger rod has potential for trout, salmon or walleye and does not interfere with your whipping efforts. I realize everyone does not have a rigger on their boat, it's just a suggestion if you do.

[Paul Thompson]

Fish one line long, the other line short, no sence in having all of your lures side by side the same distance behind the boat. Set the long line first, then set the short line, reel the short line in first if you have to clear the lines.