[jassut6]

When I was a boy, my dad and grandfather would often run down to the Detroit River late in the day and handline into the night. This seemed to be a fairly productive way to catch walleye at just about anytime of the year. I did a quick search on this forum, but posts related to handling appear to be quite old. Does anyone still handline? If so, would you say that it is more or less productive or about the same as it was back in the 80's?

 

[KI Jim]

There is still a community who handline the river. It is still very productive.

 

[gatorman841]

When I was a boy, my dad and grandfather would often run down to the Detroit River late in the day and handline into the night. This seemed to be a fairly productive way to catch walleye at just about anytime of the year. I did a quick search on this forum, but posts related to handling appear to be quite old. Does anyone still handline? If so, would you say that it is more or less productive or about the same as it was back in the 80's?

Right now you can use any tactic you want there is so many eyes in the system , take your pic. No matter what this spring will be productive, casting , jigging , trolling or hand lining. Fishing 100 times better now then 80s

 

[Divers Down]

Right now you can use any tactic you want there is so many eyes in the system , take your pic. No matter what this spring will be productive, casting , jigging , trolling or hand lining. Fishing 100 times better now then 80s

Had one grab on taking a leak last year...some guys gotta be careful...gettin dangerous out there.

 

[auger]

The handlining community is still out there!

 

[jassut6]

Is anyone aware of this technique being used anywhere else? I have only ever seen/heard of it on the DR.

 

[wateroperator]

Lots of hand liners. I see a lot of posts on FB in late spring/early summer and again in early fall. There seems to be a pretty decent amount of people that do it.

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Michigan Sportsman mobile app

 

[EZHOOPS]

Just don't be the guy Handlining and weaving in and out of jiggers in the spring unless you are very experienced

 

[50incher]

Yep, yep and yep....I think that handlining is much more productive than jigging or harness fishing except in the spring and very cold water....a buddy of mine grew up handlining & still does, but has switched to rod & reel too, lol....his older buddy has more years on the river than anyone I know & has never owned a fishing pole !!!!!....sorry, but there's something wrong with that to me, lol....

But DANG if he don't know some area's for fish !!....

Check out Big John ? he's got a u-tube channel and does some handling on the river....me, I want a pole dance, forget a wire snagged Walleye ....cheers....

 

[Pikestabber93]

Is anyone aware of this technique being used anywhere else? I have only ever seen/heard of it on the DR.

I see it alot in the spring/summer on the St Clair river also so it's definitely used more places than the Detroit river.

 

[kisherfisher]

It still puts fish in the boat ! Ask the guy with the new Ranger ! Lol

 

[yellowbelly80]

Is anyone aware of this technique being used anywhere else? I have only ever seen/heard of it on the DR.

buddy who use to live up here moved down deep south, he kills the walleye and sauger, the hillbillys down there look at him funny for keeping them, he still lingers on this site somewhere

 

[yellowbelly80]

Just don't be the guy Handlining and weaving in and out of jiggers in the spring unless you are very experienced

i mean if the jiggers would stay outta cow pasture we would have no problems

 

[jassut6]

I see it alot in the spring/summer on the St Clair river also so it's definitely used more places than the Detroit river.

I was wondering about the St. Clair River. I have never fished it, but I know it is similar in characteristics to the DR.

 

[davido]

Yep, Grew up in the Finger Lakes in Upstate NY handlining for Lake Trout. Very productive for them as well.

 

[jassut6]

Yep, Grew up in the Finger Lakes in Upstate NY handlining for Lake Trout. Very productive for them as well.

I guess since they tend to stay near the bottom like walleye, that makes perfect sense!

 

[Groundsize]

It still puts fish in the boat ! Ask the guy with the new Ranger ! Lol

Handlining has been very profitable.

 

[scubajay]

I've been known to work the handline on the SCR a time or two. And I've never made a jigger move for me... mostly because I'm out at night.

 

[Fishndude]

The only reason handlining is popular is because the Detroit River is largely too rocky on the bottom to just troll lures. Handlining allows people to pull lures close to the bottom, without getting hung up, and breaking off, as much. It is very popular in the Trenton Channel, since that is one jig-eating, lure scarfing SOB. lol

 

[downriverbob]

Some days I will jig downstream and handline back up. This year will 57th year of handlining, have handlined Detroit, St Clair, St Mary's River, Lake Erie, And Lake of the Woods, caught walleye, musky, bass(of all kinds), white bass, sheephead, perch, and lake trout. I think it is a little tougher with clearer water, so have gone to longer leads and using fluorocarbon line, more natural color lures. The picture is the reel I bought when I was 12, I made the money shoveling snow and cutting lawns. The reel cost about $20 in 1966.

Bob