Runnin' tots....

[percheye hunter]

Heading back out friday mourning for some perchos and walleye. last trip was'nt so hot for walleye with running crawler harnesses. I do have some hot n tots and my question is just how far should i run them back from the boat and boards.

[Ralph Smith]

Heading back out friday mourning for some perchos and walleye. last trip was'nt so hot for walleye with running crawler harnesses. I do have some hot n tots and my question is just how far should i run them back from the boat and boards.

depends on depth your in and fish your marking and size of tots. If your in 20'-25' of water with 1/4 oz.,anywhere from 90' to 120' back unless you use a 1 oz. snap weigh at 2mph., then cut 1/3 off. Check the preicision trolling guide. I would say run a double rig off 3 way or slider, can't go wrong with crawler and tot on same line if fish are slow.

[Sparty_hunter]

What would be the best set-up for running tots and harnesses on the same line with a slider? Plastic on the main line and harness on the slider? If I am running 36-42" harnesses, how far up the line should i put my speed bead or slider stop to minimize tangled lines? Would I be better off just using a 12-18" harness? TIA.

[hartofthethumb]

What would be the best set-up for running tots and harnesses on the same line with a slider? Plastic on the main line and harness on the slider? If I am running 36-42" harnesses, how far up the line should i put my speed bead or slider stop to minimize tangled lines? Would I be better off just using a 12-18" harness? TIA.

I've honestly never run a tot on the same line as a crawler, but most times do run a spoon on a slider above my tot's. I put the stop bead about 3ft. above the tot and run the spoon on about a 6ft. leader... No trouble with tangles, so I'd think a 3-4ft. harness would be fine...

[Ralph Smith]

I've honestly never run a tot on the same line as a crawler, but most times do run a spoon on a slider above my tot's. I put the stop bead about 3ft. above the tot and run the spoon on about a 6ft. leader... No trouble with tangles, so I'd think a 3-4ft. harness would be fine...

I don't use a crawler harness, I use 2 hooks snelled on a piece of line with snap swivel. Take treble off a spoon of choice, and snap on the 2 hook rig(spoon harness) and put crawler behind spoon on the hooks:) Haven't tried a leach yet, but one day, also some of the nice jig tails looks like they might work too.

[bombcast]

6 of them on boards- outside lines 40-50 back, middle lines 50-70 back and inside lines (with or without weight) 70-100 back. If you can, drop a couple rods with jet 30's with a spoon down the chute 60-80 back. Toss in an oddball like a Thinfin with a 1 oz snap weight 50 back behind a board, or a jr thunderstick 80 back. We lean hard on metallic rainbow trout, and anything with metallic red bills.

Crawlers are a crutch for those who can't fish.

Play with snap weights and setbacks, speed and turns. FYI- 95% of the time you can limit on cranks and never dick with worm dirt. 2.1 to 3.3 mph, cover water, find a hot school and work em like dogs.

[THEJENNIE1]

"Crawlers are a crutch for those who can't fish."

Crawlers are a crutch for those who CATCH fish actually!!

Run em on the bottom .5-2mph and don't vary anything. Pack em in wet newspaper never dink with work dirt 95% of the time you will limit.

GOOD LUCK

[Big Jon]

Thank you Babe "bombcast" Winkelman! Man, you have those Bay eyes figured out!

[jrsoup]

6 of them on boards- outside lines 40-50 back, middle lines 50-70 back and inside lines (with or without weight) 70-100 back. If you can, drop a couple rods with jet 30's with a spoon down the chute 60-80 back. Toss in an oddball like a Thinfin with a 1 oz snap weight 50 back behind a board, or a jr thunderstick 80 back. We lean hard on metallic rainbow trout, and anything with metallic red bills.

Crawlers are a crutch for those who can't fish.

Play with snap weights and setbacks, speed and turns. FYI- 95% of the time you can limit on cranks and never dick with worm dirt. 2.1 to 3.3 mph, cover water, find a hot school and work em like dogs.
Oh boy.

[Blue Skeeter]

I have been using a crutch for the last 3 years pulling limits almost every trip for my clients. Crawlers make it much easier for them to see the bite on the boards. We should have a little contest to see if my crutchs can out fish your cranks:)

[bombcast]

was just kidding. I run plenty of meat too.

[bigdoedown]

I got no problem with running crawlers but I would take that bet with me running tots on our big boards.... I fish with a buddy that use the inlines and I can get lines back out much quicker and have no problem seeing fish bites, I might just leave one draggging behind becuase we are too busy getting the other 4 out of the nets.... We did a 6 man limit last summer in 50 minutes, I would think that would be tough to beat running 8 rods only..... But to each his own....:fish:

[jaybe]

I usually leave a couple small ones dragging behind with the hope that something bigger will take 'em. :lol::yikes::lol:

Thanks for the reports and the friendly competition.

[Ralph Smith]

I got no problem with running crawlers but I would take that bet with me running tots on our big boards.... I fish with a buddy that use the inlines and I can get lines back out much quicker and have no problem seeing fish bites, I might just leave one draggging behind becuase we are too busy getting the other 4 out of the nets.... We did a 6 man limit last summer in 50 minutes, I would think that would be tough to beat running 8 rods only..... But to each his own....:fish:

I know I shouldn't say this, but can't help it.....30 fish in 50 min., reeling in lines, re-setting, etc. I know this isn't the river section, but I might have to get the waders out, or atleast hip boots.:lol:

[percheye hunter]

I know I shouldn't say this, but can't help it.....30 fish in 50 min., reeling in lines, re-setting, etc. I know this isn't the river section, but I might have to get the waders out, or atleast hip boots.:lol:


Now thats funny!

And by the way guys yesterday i couldnt get anything to hit on tots...... got 2 walleye with crawlers. Ended up with 18 perch with nothing under 9 inches. I just keep getting frustrated this year with the eyes i usually can do pretty decent but Im having trouble and i use the same set up that caught limit after limit last year.

[bigdoedown]

Well say what you want but I have 5 teenage kids that were there and were witnesses... See what you inline guys dont get is that it takes way more time to get rods out and fish in with those boards......... I was there the next day we actually got 25 in an hour and a half, so dont believe it if you dont but it happened....... And this year it took us 3 hours to get a 6 man and that didn happen also, co go ahead and get your waders out.....

[bigdoedown]

also i dont have to take time out to put on new crawlers.............. Just put the rods back out as soon as we can see the lure.... You clowns....

[Ralph Smith]

Hey, all fisherman stetch a little here and there, its all in fun. Don't get upset, just ribbin ya a little:lol: Matter of fact if you need someone sometime to go out and share some costs, I'd like to see the high speed technique:D

[bigdoedown]

Well that would be great but I have been fishing on my buddies 24 foot bayliner this year because I had to sell my starcaft this spring... The economy you know, I do have a 14 foot deep v set up but would be embarrased to take anyone out in it... Not only that but it wouldnt take many people anyways...