[fish_on]

If you try to anchor in a hog line and are having trouble sticking, listen to the boat next to you trying to tell you to drop higher and let out more rope. Their not trying to be jerks, just trying to help.

If you are dropping anchor during the incoming/slack tide, and are the last guy to drop. When the current runs and all the boat suddenly find themselves with no room and lines crossed, you are the fist guy out.

 

[fish_on]

I love to fish the hog lines. I have been fishing the same one for 6 years and know most of the guys in it. You get to know who you want next to you and who to watch out for. The social dynamics are really interesting and I love to watch "the show".

 

[fish_on]

Here's a scenario- High slack at 9 am on a holiday weekend (like this one). So when everyone launches at o'dark thirty, the tide is running in and you can't anchor yet. When do you drop the hook and hold the kicker in reverse until theres enough current?

Holiday weekend and just before a closure with no running tide until about 10am, I would drop the hook at 5am.

 

[fish_on]

I have been resisting posting on this thread but cant stand it anymore. First I would like to say what I have always said regarding hog lines - you are either one of the two boats catching the fish or one of the 20 or in longview 50 boats watching those two boats catching fish. I realize that many enjoy this type of fishing. I dont and cant because of the amount of rods I run unless it is a loosely (sp) spaced line. As far as putting all the rods out the back of the boat with six customers and a boat rod just how would you propose to put seven rods out the back of the boat. I also dont like the attitudes in most defined hog lines. So with that said I do agree that you need to give the folks that perfer this type of fishing room, dont anchor to close below or above and let them do there thing. I have been told I am anti social and need anger management from guide friends of mine but the real truth is that I dont like that much company and will leave if folks start lining up on me. I catch just as many fish out of lines as those do in lines. If you feel the same as I do I dont think joining a line is in your best interest. the secret here is to find out by observing the lines above and below figuring out the depth and current patterns in the areas the lines are formed, then go above or below way out of the way of the boys and girls that think hog lining is the only way to catch fish and do your own thing. For those that are offended that people wont join a line I say lines may have been good 40 years ago but now with all the boats and differing experience levels they some days are not the best approach.

Very sound advise, some folks just shouldn't try to force themselves to like it. For me a hogline is about more than catching fish, it's also about catching up with some of the people I haven't seen since the last fishing season.