Reel Weeds- Making from scratch

[harvey lee]

Originally Posted By: TruthWalleyes

Originally Posted By: JimBuck

I'd be careful about the fake plastic leaves that you decide to use. Many of those are manufactured with awful chemicals that can release into the water over time.

This is good advice, I was thinking about christmas decor. Lots of that for cheap right now. Often these materials do not come with any MSDS etc. How would you know if it is harmful or not?? Ingorance is bliss??

I have seen a lot worse things in the waters we inhabit ie: dead batteries, tires, propane tanks the list goes on and on... I even seen a dead cow last year. but it is a good point

This means then it would be ok to dump some unhealthy chemicals in the water as others already do? I now see why our waters are as bad as they are.

Everyone else does it so my little bit won't hurt.

[carpmanjake]

when i made mine i cut up an old green denim coat into 6x1 strips and tying them onto a section of tip up line with a 1oz weight tied onto the bottom. then i used a cat brush to fray the fabric. it takes ALOT longer. but it is alot more realistic and works alot better than using rubber

[JimBuck]

Originally Posted By: dan z

Originally Posted By: TruthWalleyes

This is good advice' date=' I was thinking about christmas decor. Lots of that for cheap right now. Often these materials do not come with any MSDS etc. How would you know if it is harmful or not?? Ingorance is bliss??

I have seen a lot worse things in the waters we inhabit ie: dead batteries, tires, propane tanks the list goes on and on... I even seen a dead cow last year. but it is a good point [/quote']

This means then it would be ok to dump some unhealthy chemicals in the water as others already do? I now see why our waters are as bad as they are.

Everyone else does it so my little bit won't hurt.

Exactly. It seems to be a common problem lately.

[TruthWalleyes]

The possibility of these outdoor christmas green items leaving chemical residue in the waters is not that likely. Since the indended purpose for these is indoor/outdoor they're meant to be in a wet environment. If there is chemical leakage it's happening on people's yards etc...I am an environmentalist and do not intentionally pollute. If i notice some residue on the water surface i'll certainly not use this product and inform the group also.

I like to see the concerned faces.

[TruthWalleyes]

oh another on another note do you think these things would hold crappies if they are suspended just leave the weeds in the suspended spot or is that not natural ne tips or input would be great...

good question...worth a try, i couldn't say. I think it couldn't hurt.

[basssmasher*]

Not exactly the same thing but same concept.. I have seen people use the multi-colored flags from car sales lots and other places. they are used the same way as reel weeds and I have seen them also bring in fish.. getting them to bite is another can of worms though.. Also of note perch seemed to be fond of the different colors

[Deitz Dittrich]

There is also a product called Weed'Ez, they are quite affordable.. Not sure why I would want to make some when you can get a 4 pack for $20...

[TruthWalleyes]

There is also a product called Weed'Ez, they are quite affordable.. Not sure why I would want to make some when you can get a 4 pack for $20...

Cuz i got all my supplies for under $20 and thats 100' of this stuff. probably going to return half of it after i open the box and see how much it is.

...I had to laugh after i bought the stuff. I've only got a hand auger...Man is that going to be a lot of work!!

[KMR85]

yes it will, especially if you have to move around a few times.

[catflisher]

Note from admin, please read forum policy before posting again, thank you.

[jigging-matt]

I purchased the Weed-eze last season. Seem like a good product am happy with the way they work. Easily worth the money.

[WallyGader]

I agree with deitz, your not saving a bundle of money, just spend the extra couple bucks, support fishing, save yourself some time, and dont take the risk of polluting the waters.. My 2 cents

[2000AlaskanDC]

This means then it would be ok to dump some unhealthy chemicals in the water as others already do? I now see why our waters are as bad as they are.

Everyone else does it so my little bit won't hurt.

Yeah im sure thats what hes saying!!!............wow !!! hahahaha

[TruthWalleyes]

I'm trying them out today on minnetonka. Ended up making 6 strings.

[FISHINGURU]

so far they have been a reel waste of time for me...but i've only tried them twice.

first time i put them down in my consistant crappie hole i didn't catch a fish...i pulled up the reel weeds and caught a few 10 minutes later.

the second time we already caught a few so i dropped the reel weeds and didn't catch anymore...pulled them up and caught some.

the lake i was fishing would be the perfect scenario for reel weeds so i don't know whats up...maybe just bad luck or strange timing so far....or i called in the pike and didn't know it.

in theory you'd think they would work great.

[I_icefish_in_my_sleep]

Maybe that is the way to go with the weeds Fishingguru, send them down to get their attention then take them out. You just may be on to something there.

[NyQuiLlama]

I successfully made my own for less than $10. Go to Michaels craft store if you can bear it after the holidays when the sturdy wire garland is on sale. Then just use buoy markers. I got mine on close-out as well.

I've only used them once and they did what they were supposed to. Unfortunately the vexilar was all screwy from them so I pulled them up.

[addictedjerry]

FYI for those thinking of using christmas garland;

I tried it, 2 years ago, and found that initially the garland looks nice, but after a short time (a few minutes)it becomes water logged and sinks to the bottom of the lake (witnessed on my aqua view).

I tried the green tinsle type and the evergreen looking stuff, both have an inner wire that I think affects it ability to float.

[Chef]

I used the garland from Michaels, Decoy String, Decoy Weights and pieces of the foam deals the kid's use to beat each other in the pool.

I made 6 6ft. strings, used 3 of them on Waubay perch fishing cuz there are zero weeds in 21ft. It really had no measurable positive effect on the number of fish that came into my hole compared to my companions. So I pulled them up and haven't used them since. Frankly, we drag so much stuff out on the ice these days that it's a pain to drill even more holes just to hang your weeds. Too low of a return-on-investment for my taste.

[FishinChad]

Just curious, isnt it illegal in minnesota to put anything in the water to create structure?

[shaunlenway]

not if you remove it when your done

[mrmanners]

Used the fake flowers from Joann's with 30lb Mono and Some trolling weights (attached to the bottom). Wrapped them around those plastic extension cord deals and then threw them into a bag. It was fairly cheap, less then twenty and that made close to a dozen I think. Plus I have left over stuff so I can make more down the road.

[TruthWalleyes]

FYI for those thinking of using christmas garland;

I tried it, 2 years ago, and found that initially the garland looks nice, but after a short time (a few minutes)it becomes water logged and sinks to the bottom of the lake (witnessed on my aqua view).

I tried the green tinsle type and the evergreen looking stuff, both have an inner wire that I think affects it ability to float.

I've made some of the christmas garland. I don't quite understand how it could sink to the bottom. I've got a weight holding them down and thin rope holding them upright. How could a wire "sink" as you say?? Mine stay in a straight line as intended.

Re-think your setup. Mine are not suppose to do any floating.

[pow & legend]

I was thinking of trying this idea just to see how it would work but i think after reading some of the feedback it convinced me to just fish how i normally have and avoid the extra work. I'll just stick to the peanuts, a few brews and the green hornet

[Haybinder]

I have made my own and they work great. I have seen a chub swim over 15 feet (from inside the shack) to get into the weeds. Buy the 9 foot section of X-Mas garland. Run Tip-up line through it and spool the remaining line onto an old spool that you have sitting around. When you drill your hole, leave the slush on one side and put the spool in it, that will keep the weeds from falling to the bottom. Also, another tip that I am going to try this weekend, buy some copper pipe insulation ($3 for 12 feet) and run your line through this, that way if your hole freezes over, you can chip your hole out without cutting the line.