Quest Outdoors

Big Fish Addict · Adult Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 93

Hi there...Found this site and must say it is one of the best sites I've seen...Just wondering how you shot your line...I usually just fish the creeks and rivers east of Toronto...What size of shots do you normally carry? How many on average do you put on your line? Is it necessary to always have different sized shots (big to small from float to hook)? I know these are all variable but say I'm fishing the ganny rapids which are always fast and roughly 2-3 feet deep...How would I rig up for that?

I've been a bottom bouncer all my life and never had to worry about how deep the water was and how to rig (I only used 1 or 2 shots and a hook)

Any help is much appreciated (I'm a float-fishing newbie so anything would help)

Thanks a bunch

Snowmonkey · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 11:01 am Post subject: Fast water shotting

Fast water with some depth is one situation where clustering the shot in a group near (6-12 inces) from the hook usually works better than staggering the shot. Shot size is something that should be played around with...with smaller shot being more hydrodynamic and less visible to fish, but more needed to make up the same amount of weight as a few bigger shot. When staggering, I always go from bigger shot near float to smaller stuff near the offering. Most of the time I go from size 1 down to size 4 or 6, but in real clear, slower water with spooky fish I'll go down to size 8 or even 10.

ASM

GT · Smolt Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 41 Location: London

Its difficult to control and rig with precision for a fast but shallow run. I would prefer to fly fish such conditions but if I decide to drift these runs, I would use the smallest and as little shot possible. As SnowMonkey says, stack close to the fly or bait. You may encounter hang ups if you stagger or use big shot. Ideally, position yourself atop the run and 'trot' your presentation down the run. This will give you control over the speed and around the odd large boulder that is bound to take up your offerring.

Just what works for me,

GT

Steel Shady · Fry Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 28

Water clarity, depth and speed play a major factor when you are "Shooting" the float. In my opinion this is the most important aspect of float fishing. When I first started float fishing I never was interested in what the guy next to me was catching then on, but rather how his shot were positioned. The trick is to use the proper amount of shot so that when you are drifting, your bait and the speed of the current on bottom are relatively the same. Keep in mind you are always "Trotting" the float and the float reel is spinning.

Every one has their own way of "shooting" the float. The easiest way is to use the "Bulk" approach, just simply bunch up shot together halfway between the float and the hook together. Works good in deep faster waters, used often on larger systems such as the Niagara or in water less then 1' of visibility in moderate flows (The Saugeen).

My personal favorite is "Shooting" the float in a tapered fashion. Starting from a few BB shot right under the float moving down the column decreasing in shot size every 8-12". I never put shot on my leader, my rule of thumb is my last shot will be placed on what the water visibility is. If water vis is 3' then my last shot which is the smallest, will be 3' away from the hook. Fluorocarbon leaders are more dense then mono, therefore sink nicely down.

So if I was fishing the rapids at the Granny in 2-3' of water with visibility of 3'. My total length rig would be around 6', with shot positioned right bellow the float to balance it. Also a few shot 3' away from the hook just enough so that they would bounce of bottom.

Bow_buster · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 4:52 pm Post subject:

I've tried the long leaders but it didn't seem ti get the job done. I don't fish the same types of water you do but for me I will place my shot sometimes six inches from the bait. I will also at times place my bulk shot half way between my hook and float if I want to get my bait down and keep it down.

The size of shot being used makes a big difference. Generally I 'll start with a bulk of size ones, then stagger my shot with fours or sixes to within a foot to six inches of the bait. This is the set up I mainly use on some pacey and deep swims. Clear water the bulk goes closer to the float and the shot under the bulk will have more space between them while leaving the last shot a short distance from the bait. Another set up I'll use is the shirt button style a technique I've been using for years , I'll have a small bulk to balance the float then stagger my shot evenly down the line to within a foot of the bait. But, as everyone else has been saying you'll need to mess around with the shot to find the right set up to give you the right presentation. This can change form spot to spot or even drift to drift. Good Luck

Steel Shady · Fry Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 28

Bow Buster,

When fishing long leaders, and sometimes I will use 12' in 6-7 feet of water, you have to cast up stream well ahead the strike zone. Once the float is in front of you start holding the float back hard until the bait swings forward then start "Trooting" normally the run or pool. Long leaders have to be "shooted" properly, becouse to much shot will lead to snags.

In water visibility between 1-2' you can use normal leader lengths that mach the depth. Just my prefrence....

Bow_buster · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 3:07 pm Post subject:

Steel Shady,

Ask ten different people and you'll get ten different answers. What ever works right? You prefer your style of shotting and I prefer mine but, we all can learn from each other. And besides each situation will call for a different way to set the shot up. So, in one section of river your way may be better than mine and vise versa. Hope you had a great season.

Bow Buster