Deploying Reel Weeds

[wayne123]

I received a set of Reel Weeds (five - four foot strings) for Christmas and am wondering how to deploy them. My first outing will be fishing in 27 feet of water next to an island in a Fish Trap Yokon. The crappies move toward the island and shallow water when it starts to get dark and then move back out after dark. Should I use a "V" pointing towards the island and then reverse it when the fish start moving back out? I assume the fish house should be inside of the "V". How close should the Reel Weeds be to the hole I am fishing out of? Sorry if this has already been addressed in another posting. I searched and did not find much.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Its all up to you, I dont think shape plays a huge factor, I would make a circle or square around your house, or just a line. No need to change the shape during the day.. But thats just my opinion.

As for distance to fish from them. Fish as close as you can comfortably. The deeper you are fishing the further you will need to be away. The biggest problem will be that the Reel Weeds will show up on your eletronics and make it hard to read. Start at about 6-8 feet away, drill closer as needed.

[wayne123]

Thanks for the reply. I did not think about the weeds showing on the flasher. Common sense once you think about it but as they say common sense is not common knowledge. I can't wait to try them.

[Deitz Dittrich]

just glad to be able to help. Let me know if you feel they helped you at all. I know I have had times where they helped.

Have fun!

[Andy Loos1432404924]

I usually like to keep them tight together in a line or else a hook at one of the ends. Deitz explained well, so I wont type it all again, but if you do have any additional questions feel free to contact me.

[Fever]

I did use a v pattern last week fishing in 15 fow. I drilled a single hole inside the v and then two near the point of the v where I put my portable. I also drilled about 10 holes in a large circle around my port. I found that fish showed up inside the v and started biting inside the v about 345ish. there was a guy fishing about 40-50 feet away who was not marking or catching fish while I pulled up one after another from the hole inside the v. I then went into my portable and could only fish with one line ( a small jigging spoon )and i didn't even need bait (live or artifical). After the fish started biting inside the v it took no more than 15 min and I had a limit of 9-10 inch crappies. I know those arn't too big but on this lake it's about par for the course. In summary... I've tried putting my weeds in a line, in a circle, an L shape, and now a v and even though it could be coincidence I have to say I've had the best luck with the V.

[wayne123]

I will let you all know how I do when I get out.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Deitz gave you some real good info, I'll add a thing I learned over the past couple of years.

Depending on the lake, sometimes fish will mover shallower towards the evening to feed. If this is the case, and you set up shallower to meet them, the "V" pattern is golden. As they move the V funnels them to you and your bait. If they are moving in to feed, and you funnel them to your bait, you could be in for a dandy evening.

During the day and in deeper water I like to use either a straight line, or a "J" type pattern and set up on the hookey curve part of the J. Kinda like setting up decoys for Bluebills. As stated, the deeper you are, the farther you want to be from the weeds.

Another thing to consider, if you are fishing for pike, or there are pike in the area, set the weeds just a tad farther than you think you should. In 20 FOW, a 5 pound pike can wrap up a lot of weeds if you let him.

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

[snoozebutton]

Another thing to consider, if you are fishing for pike, or there are pike in the area, set the weeds just a tad farther than you think you should. In 20 FOW, a 5 pound pike can wrap up a lot of weeds if you let him.

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

I'll second that on the pike. Last year I was out on an area lake and watched 2 guys trying to untangle their reel weeds set up and about a 5 pound pike. They were at it for quite a while.

[norwall]

Do these things really work? or is it just another gimmick that will be here for a min? I've heard alot of horror stories so far.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I've said it before, and I'll continue to say it. I've spent a LOT of time on the water using Reel Weeds. Most of my time has been spent on SW MN lakes.

Do they attract fish? I don't know. Do they hold fish in one area longer??? Yes they do. I've spent a lot of time watching the camera to see how fish react to the weeds. I've seen perch, walleye, crappie, and pike just kind of cruise through. Then I put down some weeds and see the same species come in, and hang out for a while next to the weeds.

So, to answer your question......are they a gimmick???? Nope. Do they work??? Yup. They will help hold the fish there longer. Catching them is still up to you.

[mr_jman]

I agree with everyones statements. I also feel that they do work. I don't think the weeds "call" the fish in, but once the fish locate them, they seem to hold longer giving you a chance to get a few more cracks at fish that otherwise may pass you bye.

[fishingforester]

Roughly, what are the dimensions of the "V" or "J" (or any other letter ) that you guys are making. When trying the reel weeds out last year, I was making more of a weed patch adjacent to where I was fishing with the weeds ~4-5 ft apart, instead of putting myself inside of the patch. After reading how y'all are doing it, seems like a no brainer. Stems back to the common sense vs. common knowledge comment...

Thanks!

[Fever]

I tried the good old V pattern last night with my five pack of reel weeds. I had my two holes drilled inside the v pattern. The fish were there and stayed there.... I marked fish for four hours straight and caught two.... yeah 2. and they were 2 8 inch crappies. Anyway, the reel weeds obviously held the fish there. The biting and catching part was the tough part. I could get them to cruze in and take a look but that is all they would do. Seemed to have lock jaw. Just four days prior in nearly the same spot fish were unbelievably agressive. But bottom line is these weeds do have their application and they do keep fish in an area longer. The do not however make the fish bite. Last night prime example.