Reel Weeds

[zeke7434]

I am wondering if anyone has any experience with these? They really intrigue me as to whether they really work or are they worth the hassle? I think that the fish would just get tangled up in them or am I wrong. Any input would be great.

[harvey lee]

I do use mine every so often fishing for panfish in a basin of the lake. When there is no structure of any type. the fish will relate to them and one can catch more as they will hang around them.

I have never got tangled with them fishing panfish and I set them up in a V shape and fish inside the V.

Now with a northern, that could be a different story.

They do work.

[riverrat56]

They deffinatly make a differnce but they aren't magic. The Reel Weeds will hold fish in an area longer but won't bring them in if they already don't want to be there.

One tip would be to make sure your far enough away to not see the Reel Weeds on your flasher, they sure clutter up the screen.

[trapperdirk]

As rr stated they are not magic but they will hold fish longer . I don't use them that often because of my run and gun style of fishing but if I hunker down in a spot I do put them out . The crappies and perch really hug them .

TD

[Deitz Dittrich]

I'll agree with the posts above.. I have had them work before, where I was in an area with many other anglers and where they would have schools go through, I seemed to keep them in my area longer.. But if its really cold out, not a ton of fun to put out, or pull back in.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I’ve used them for a couple of years now. I fish mostly SW MN prairie pothole style lakes. Shallow, muddy bottom, very little structure. Yes, they do the job they were meant to do. Looking through the camera I’ve seen fish come in, and stay. Without the weeds down I see fish on the camera just kind of cruise through. This gives the angler more time to catch a few from the school, or the one loner that doesn’t know what he wants to do so he just hangs out.

I’ve also used them in open water situations and they do the same job.

Are they a magic pill? No. There isn’t a magic pill when it comes to fishing. The angler still has to find the area where the fish are. It’s possible they “Lure” fish into an area but I doubt Reel Weeds will lure fish from ½ mile away.

When I’m hole hopping I don’t put them down. If I’m going to an area and staying there I always put them down. When I’m in my perm house I have them set up around my house and go outside from time to time to kick the hole back open so they don’t freeze in.

A good tactic I’ve used is when I have a hunch the fish are holding in deeper water during the day and coming in shallower in the afternoon/evening to feed, I set up on the shallow side of the break line and put out the weeds in a “V” style pattern around but slightly in front of my portable. The weeds act as a funnel as the fish are moving in and direct the fish to my baits. Another awesome tactic is if you are on an area where the crappies are suspending, lift the weeds to the depth the suspended crappies are at. The weeds will hold the crappies in that area under you a lot longer. For me, this trick has been the difference between one crappie and eight crappies.

In lakes with hard fighting fish like big pike I’d be hesitant to use them too closely as a 40 inch pike could wrap em up good and make quite the mess.

Yes, they work. Don’t drop them down and expect the pannies to jump out of your hole, but they will give you a definite edge.

[MinnGuy]

I have my weeds connected to my camera line. Works great and not too much work deploying. Multiple weeds would be more work of course.

[bassmann77]

I have used them on Red Lake and other multiple lakes around the cities and they definitely work. They seem to keep a lot of fish around and work well when fishing around a lot of people. They do take a little bit to make sure that you set them up correctly, but it is worth the money to buy them. I have caught a few small pike with them, but they were small enough to keep out of the weeds.

[aczr2k]

Pain to put in and a pain to take out, especially when the weather isn't so nice. I have them, but I'm pretty sure they will be going up for sale, didn't use them once last year.