S.O.S?

[toughguy]

Did anyone use this product last year? If so did you like it and would you buy it again? Also how many do you need for it to be effective? Finnaly what species did it work best on? I would assume pannies.

For those that don't know its Structure On a String (I think). It's artifical weeds that are lowered to the bottom to attract fish.

[Hotspotter]

Toughguy:

SOS or Structure On a String has been revamped for the 2006/2007 ice season. They've made the line/cord even stronger, have re-designed the carrying system to make it more simple to store and wrap up, and they've improved Reel Weeds for the structure.

While I did not have any last year, this year I'll be using the Weedbed, which is a pack of 5 SOS's X 4feet apiece, for a total of 20 feet. They also sell an Extreme Quadpack, which is 4 SOS's X 6feet apiece. I would recommend one of these two options.

If you go to www.reelweeds.com, you can view some good video clips of fish relating to the ReelWeeds, and see how they recommend to use them.

My plan is to try out the SOS's this year for panfish and walleye in areas devoid of much cover, but with good lake-bottom structure.

For more information, check out their HSOforum, and Ladredge Sponsor Showcase.

Let us know how they work out for you!

Joel

[nofishfisherman]

After looking at the HSOforum listed I am curious about this product.

Seems like a lake like Mille Lacs would be made better by something like this. Not alot of weeds to fish but with the rocks and flats you could set this up in your area and it seems like it should make a good area great.

I am wondering if it is possible to make something like this yourself. The do it yourselfers or the people without extra cash on hand might be interested in making their own. Do you think that the fish would still related to the artifcial weeds if they aren't as realistic as the original SOS? I think i could make some fake weeds but maybe not as pretty as this product, I think they should still work though, what are your thoughts?

[Blaze]

I used it with a friend last year for panfish - I do believe it helped us draw and hold sunnies and some crappies on a lake with pretty heavy pressure. We drilled a few holes, dropped the SOS, and drilled holes all around the perimeter of the SOS to fish the outer edges. Worked pretty slick - would've been nice to have an Aqua-Vu to see how they were relating to it.

[LMITOUT]

I considered making my own as well after reading the SOS posts from last winter, but after finding out how much a piece of artificial weed costs along with the time of messing around getting the other materials together I've decided it was worth it to just buy it right from the manufacturer.

With the storage system they have now it makes it easy to transport and store. Another item you'd have to make or buy. I like the option of taking it out of the box and using it....even if it costs just a little bit more than making it myself. Not to mention the time savings.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I had them work a couple of times... Where I KNOW it was because of the SOS.. both lakes are ones that have very little for cover or structure. Once Crappie fishing, the SOS held the fish much longer allowing me to catch more of them. The other time was walleye fishing.. and again, held the smaller schools of fish longer allowing me to catch more.

I have had great success uing them on gills as well. To me, they are another fun too to bring out on the ice. I may oreder a few of the longer ones, as I see they make a 6' weed this year...

The only thing I did differently with mine. I added more weight to the bottom to help get them down faster.

[TRM]

I used them last year with good results.(i think) I used them on Milacs and URL not sure if it was because of the weeds or just plain dumb luck but every time I would use them my house would out fish all other houses around us buy 5 to 1 if not better, now this was for crappie(URL) and perch on Milacs, I did not see a difference when targeting EYES. I have a 5 pac that I use and it is either all or none. some people think it crazy, but it is also the same people that want to borrow some of them when they are not catching anything .. I found a bunch of big sunnies in a lake buy my house this summer and cant wait to try S.O.S in this lake.

I am also buying a camera this year so I can learn a little more about what lurks below..

[GatorBait]

I just got done watching the videos and reading the testimonials, it looked truely amazing. We have many barren lakes over this way, so I will be giving this a shot. Will definately update on their effectiveness.

Has anyone used the one that attaches to your camera?? If so, is there problems with it blocking the view??

Thx,

Gator

[harvey lee]

I have 6 of them along with the camera weeds.I do believe they did work.I watched the fish hang around the weeds and try to pick at them.

As far as trying to make your own this is what I figured out.I bought the weeds,cable and weights and holders.After figuring out how much I spent I dont believe you save much.The bigger question might be,what harm are you doing to the lake with these weeds as you do not know what if any chemical has been used on them.I know this may not sound like a big deal,but if everyone did it then it could cause a problem.

LaDregde has done all the homework on the weeds and we know they are safe and really dont cost much more.

The home made ones I made got all funky after they got wet and froze and started to fall apart.Structure on a String hangs in there for sure.GREAT product.

[Zzapp]

I picked up the 5-pack at Thorne Bros. (support our sponsors!) last year after seing them on a HSOforum and used them on ML. The first night with them in 28 FOW I brought up a 26" 'eye; after that weekend just perch & lawyers. I still believe they help on the flats where is less natural structure, but would like to see what's going on around them. Maybe a camera this winter?

TJ

[ThreeD]

Had a crappie fishing contest last year and one of the houses used a homemade version of sos. Lets just say they out fished the other houses 2 to 1. I am a believer.

[Matt Johnson]

I use the SOS's on every guide trip and wouldn't have it any other way. They not only attract fish to the area, but they hold fish around the area as well. An excellent tool for roaming pannies over large basins or bowls. You can get real creative with the formations and I've actually personally witnessed fish trying to eat the SOS's on numerous occasions (using an underwater camera).

I'm definitely hooked on the SOS's and they have become a valuable piece of my ice fishing arsenal, especially when setting up over an area for an extended period of time.

The CCS (Camera Cable Structure) is also an excellent piece of equipment. It attaches to your underwater camera cable and hides your camera very well. The CCS also gets used on all my cameras when setting up over an area...

The guys at LaDredge Outdoors have really worked hard at designing a product that has helped ice anglers catch more fish. This year's SOS has changed slightly as far as packaging and storing the Reel Weeds. However, the concept is still the same as last year's models and both with work just fine.

I'm excited about the new Extreme SOS's, which comes in a 6-foot model. Last year we had all 3-foot sections, now this year they come in either 4-foot or 6-foot sections. Very cool stuff!

[GatorBait]

Thanks for confidence booster there Matt. The more good things I keep hearing about this system, the better I feel about buying them. Thanks again.

[Gordie]

Looks like an awsome product. Thats the kind of thing that makes you say why didnt I think of that.

[Hotspotter]

Guys:

I posted the wrong link. Please go to www.reelweeds.com to check out some great video clips of fish relating to them.

Joel