Using Split-shot Weights

[StinkyH]

Was fishing earlier with a snap swivel on the mainline and adding on the pre-tied #6 hook leader and a plastic 3" pumpkin grub. My question is - since this was casting a bit short due to being light, I added a few split shot a few inches above the snap swivel. Was this the right place to put this or should have I went with a sliding weight instead? Does the split shot spook the fish at all being that close to the bait plastic? Also - could I have rigged the grub on a jig instead to get more weight?

Thanks for any input.

StinkyH (panfishing newbie)

[squirrel fisher]

Stinky you have asked many questions and I believe you need your questions answered. I would like to know what type tackle you were using spnning,casting,spin casting? A pretied snelled hook would not be my choice for using a 3 in grub. Adding the weight were you did may or may not spook the fish depending on the clarity of the water. I would like to have more Ifishers add their comments to this post. I think the fellow at GI Joes gave you a wrong steer when he told you to use this rig for the application you were using it for. If you were using this rig in the ocean on the jetties it would be ok. If you were using it for bass I believe their is better ways of rigging your grub. A 1/8 to 1/4 jig head may be a better choice. A spinning reel with the pretied snell may be better choice if you were using a casting reel trying to cast a light outfit. The snelled hook would definetly catch fish if you could present your bait in a effective manner. Many questions and many different answers.

[StinkyH]

Thanks for the reply. Using an ultra light spinning reel(Okuma EF15) on a 6'0" light rod(Lightning Rod) using 6lb mono. I was kinda puzzled when I got home last night and rigged the grub on the hook - was really light. Tried to cast today and did not do well til I put some split shot on it.

I got a copy of Fishing for Dummies today. There's a lot about panfishing that I don't know. [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] Figure it'd be best to get a book and read instead of spam the forum with questions. Will continue to scour the archives and read this book. Hopefully soon I'll be reeling 'em in! :smile:

This is my first time doing this kinda fishing since I was a teenager. I remember I enjoyed it much but never knew that much to begin with.

Thanks again,
StinkyH

[ 01-18-2004, 07:00 PM: Message edited by: StinkyH ]

[shalom]

STINKYH ... It is hard to answer several questions like you would like . Feel free to come to the next meeting of the OREGON BASS AND PANFISH CLUB . THURSDAY JAN. 22/ O4 . iT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT 7:00 PM AT THE PGE auditorium
3700 S.e. 17TH Ave .
Portland or .

E-mail me if there is anything else that i can help you with . The people there are very frendly and will to help you . Be sure to say hello and talk to people .You will find that most of the people are knowledgeable and willing to help , just like the people on I- Fish . net .If you need some further help ask for a board member and we will find and answer for you .Drop an e-mail to me if there is anything else that i can help out with . That what our club is all about is helping people to catch fish .

[Wannabe]

Oregon Bass and Panfish is a good club with many functions to participate in, which in turn brings about the sharing of information and new friends. A magazine called "In Fisherman" is also a great choice for info.
&lt))><

[Smj]

Stinky...If your using a grub you defenitly want to use a jig head as mentioned. Pulling a grub on just a hook will twist your line. When I'm "Split shotting" I use along the lines of a 4" straight tail worm and one or two split shot a foot to foot and a half up the line, be sure to use the split shots that don't have the little ears to reduce hanging up on weeds. Adjust size and number of split shot to depth of the water you're fishing.

Regarding rods and lines, when I'm fishing for bass, I've moved from light rods and lines to medium/medium heavy rods and nothing lighter than 8# mono, most times it's 10# mono. I always carry one or two rods with 14#-20# braid or some kind of super line (Fire Line, Spider Wire etc.). Believe me, when that 18" smallie comes a knockin' you don't want to be setting the hook with whimpy light action gear and 6# line! Of course if you're going to be "Jerkin' perch" and "Catchin' crappies" then the light action stuff will be fine.

I'm mostly a smallie fisherman, 'cause that's what I've got the best access to close by. The gear that I use and type of fishing I do would be described as "Finesse" fishing. I just don't get into pulling crank baits (Plugs) and spinner baits for smallies, so all my bassin' gear is spinning gear.

I do go to Siltcoos and some of the lakes in that area for a couple of weeks, and fish for large mouth,(release) and perch (Eat) every fall though.

Go to FMS and find Gary Yexley (The bass man), Go to the bass gear section with him and he should show you what you need.

Please consider releasing most if not all of the bass you catch from our local waters, especially eary in the season (Pre-spawn) as those are the big girls that are trying to bulk up for the spawn.

Maybe we could get together for a smallie trip (My boat) once the Willy hits 50+ degrees?

Smj

[snowball]

there are numerious ways to rig your grub, but the last method i would touch is using a snell. YOu could lindy rig it, carolina rig it,texas rig it, slide it up over a jig head, etc. check out infisherman, there's a wealth of information to be had.

[bucketmouth]

I thought SMJ's offer to hook up with you to go Smallie fishing was a great jester on his part. I too am willing to take you out in my boat and show you some of the terminal tackle methods that hopefully will help you git bit.

Reading info is always helpful espically in books & mags like In-Fisherman. Nothing however will supplant practical experience. Getting out on the water and experimenting is the best school for learning bass and panfishing.

[shalom]

Stinkyh
You will learn a lot fishing with BUCKETMOUTH.Keep in touch,and i will take you out in my boat to.Pay attention and learn all of his secrets . When we go out in my boat we will see if they work .