lindy rig set up

[jighead 3]

what is the best way to set up a lindy rig do i have to use a snell knot to my hook?

[Team Otter]

Refer to a post titled "Lindy Walleyes" on page 3 of this forum. Thanks.

[jighead 3]

thank you

[Mike Walerak]

Lindy Rigging

mw

[crewdog]

re-read some of the posts hoping to find out how people are rigging for really long snells (up to 15 ft). does the bobber stop method really hold some of the larger weights needed for large water "chop"? doesnt the weight just cause the knot to move? had great success with 9ft snells on the big pond but it was a (Contact Us Please) trying to net some of the hogs (and I mean hogs) when your by yourself using a long snell (must have been funny to the other boats though). ANY tips (pics even better-call me slow) or how to's would be greatly appreciated.

[dieguy]

Ok I have read everything i can find here about, "lindy rigging" The main thing everyone says is "use the smallest weight possible" and everyone seems to say use the "bouncer" type weights as the don't snag as much. Here is my experience tying to figure this all out during my weeks vacation this past week. I seem to get way more snags with the bouncer type weight than with the plain old swivel top bell shaped weights. I know you shouldn't just drag the weight along the bottom but the bouncer types seem to snag way more often. Am I doing something wrong?

Then I tried to use smaller weights and I can't seem to keep it down. I had some succes using the 1 ounce bell weight going .5 MPH on my gps. I tried to go down in weight to a 3/8 oz and 1/2 oz and I couldn't keep the rig down without letting our a ton of line. I am using fireline for my main line so that should help keep it down but even when I used the trolling motor against the drift speed to get the speed down to .2 or .3 MPH I can't seem to go below 1oz weight. Is the ground speed reading on my GPS decieving? My sonar/gps is capable of inputing a water speed sensor would this be a better way to measure my speed? Also I have been trying to find these "foam walkers" made by todays tackle but I can't seem to find them anywhere. I have looked at Fleet Farm, Gander, Dick's, Sportsmans warehouse, etc. I ask and they all seem to look at me like I am crazy and say they have never heard of anything like that. Sorry about all the ? but I am starting to get a little confused.

[Mike Walerak]

As a general rule while you are lindy rigging, go as slow as you think you need to go, and slow down a bit more. This is a finesse technique and patients is a virture.

There has been times when I have marked a fish on the graph, stopped the boat and five minutes later the fish bites. Sometimes the fish never bites at all .

Get your Foam Walkers HERE

mw

[Northlander]

Foam walkers are great. I use them from 1/4th - 2oz. As far as you bottom bouncers snagging up this means your dragging and not bouncing. Keep the needed weight on to keep your line at a 45 degree angle or so. Bottom bouncing to me is a search method and not a lindy rigging method. I use bouncers when trolling spinners and other faster techniques.

The foam walkers are great for slow things like Lindy Rigging as are the Lindy no snag sinkers. I use both often. The thing I like about the foam walkers is the rise a bit when at rest. You can twitch you rod a bit when stopped or moving slowly to make the bait go up and down in the water column.

[crewdog]

still want to know if the bobber stop method or something similar really works for long snells and the how to's if anyone is willing to share.

[Team Otter]

I wouldn't trust a bobber stop for that application. I always have a barrel swivel and bead between my lindy weight and the snell.

[Northlander]

Me too. Bobber stops will work on light weights but I wont trust them to hold any more than about 1/4th oz. You may be able to put 2 back to back though. I would stick with a good barrel swivel and a small beed to protect your knot.

[dieguy]

Ok guys this is how I am rigging up tell me if I am on the right track:

1st a black clip that the weights snap on and off of the slides up and down the line. with whatever weight I choose snapped to it

2nd a quality snap swivel. So I can change (or replace) the snells quickly

3rd a 4-7 ft snell usually with a spinner and several beads. I am purchasing the snells as I am not too good with knots. Some of these have a barrel swivel on the end which I hook to the snap swivels others just have the loop. By the way I usually buy the flourocarbon snells. I have been experimenting with floating snells instead of the ones with the spinning blades. This seems to catch more smallies.

I was out again on the St. Croix on Sunday morning. No eyes, tons of sheephead, many smallies, one 14" crappie, and one fiesty 7" sunny who just inhaled my whole hook and most of my nightcrawler, I dont know how he stuffed it all in. Is my lack of eyes on my last few trips likely a location or a technique problem. I was in an area that I have caught a few eyes before but I am very green when it comes to Walleye fishing and don't have alot of experience to draw from. i thought I had this lindy rigging thing figured out now I am starting to think I just got lucky a couple times. Thanks in advance for any opinions or advice.

[Northlander]

Sounds like your doing ok. Only thing I would add is a bead between your quick exchange weight clip and the barrel swivel to protect the knot a bit.

The spinners can be trolled faster than your floating live bait rig and then you may need to increase weight to keep bottom contact. Against curent start trolling your spinners around 1mph. With current about 1-1.7mph. Lots of variables here but experiment with speed, colors, weight, leader length and baits. Nothing works every day out so you have to change up til ya find what they want that day or even hour.

[BigWadeS]

is there any diagrams that show this in detail and/or a three-way set up?

[Team Otter]

Diagrams are available in local sporting goods stores throughout the state. You could also ask a clerk at your local bait shop to tie one up on site for you as a live demo.

[HEUY]

I tie my own slip knots and if I want to I can get them tight enough were they will NOT move. Do a few more turns and pull the tight with 2 pliers. It will work on mono to the effect the line will be pinched which is not good for the 6# mono I normally use for leaders. I am not sure about commercial knots as I haven't bought any for 15+ years. I use candy sticks to wrapped my knots on. Often get 6+ per stick.