Newbie Question

[ahsheel]

I just got back fishing East Pit lake this morning. I am noticing almost everytime I reel back my line, it gets snagged in the weeds, and usually the bait I have on my hook is gone as well(and replaced by weeds). It seems like no matter where I go on the shoreline, the area I cast into has weeds on the bottom lol...

I am pretty new to fishing, so I am not sure if it's normal to lose your bait when you reel back the line. (Tbh I actually can't tell if the bait is being lost while reeling back or during the initial cast :/)

The set up I'm using is a carolina rig with power bait dough. If any one could give some tips on what I can do to prevent this that would be great

[Bemoredog]

Lengthen the leader of your Carolina rig so the bait remains off the bottom. The thing with this rig is it's really designed for bait that floats, and powerbait doesn't always do this (depends on your hook size). You might want to try power bait floating trout eggs or put more power bait dough on the line (make sure it's the floating kind).

If you cast, let your weight hit bottom, then reel back at a medium speed the bait should remain off the bottom as well.

Another strategy if the weeds are really high is to use a fishing bubble or bobber. This should keep your bait above the weeds.

You could also try adding a weedless hook to your setup.

I'm thinking that where you're fishing the weeds are pretty thick and you might want to try a rig that'll get you out of them. I do really well fishing with bubbles and a 2 to 4 ft leader and straight hook with bait.

I would think if you really want to use the Carolina rig you'll need to bait up with a soft plastic to keep the hook point buried and try to keep the rig as weedless as possible.

[ahsheel]

Thanks bemore!

Is there a way to keep the egg sinker from getting snagged as well?

[yetiseeker]

When you get close to where you think the weeds start, lift your rod tip high into the air and reel like heck.

This will bring your line higher in the water column and hope to skim over the weeds instead of pulling them through the weeds.

Also, try go with a lighter weight and this may not be an issue.

And lastly, you can also mix your bait with a bit of flour to stiffen it up, and hold onto the hook better (depending on your choice of bait of course).

[Bemoredog]

I don't know of anything that could help keep your weight free of weeds. You could try using a bottom bouncer, but if the weeds are really thick it'll catch too.

I've seen guys attach 2 oz egg weights to 2 to 4 foot of leader, a small 6 to 10 size hook, covered in dough bait and then cast far out into the water. They might gently tug at their rod, but they don't really reel the way you would with a lure. Just sit and wait. I would absolutely not recommend this for catch and release. By the time you feel a tug from a little rainbow that fish has swallowed the bait pretty deep.

[huntsfurfish]

Float and fly (if fishing is for trout).

http://www.thefishinhole.com/index.c...oduct&se=20457

Thread on and tie a fly on leaving 3-6' leader between fly and bobber. Fill with some water if needed cast out and very slowly reel back.

Should help keep you above the weeds.

[KegRiver]

Originally Posted by huntsfurfish

Float and fly (if fishing is for trout).

http://www.thefishinhole.com/index.c...oduct&se=20457

Thread on and tie a fly on leaving 3-6' leader between fly and bobber. Fill with some water if needed cast out and very slowly reel back.

Should help keep you above the weeds.

East Pit lake is stocked with Trout. I googled it.

[KegRiver]

Originally Posted by ahsheel

I just got back fishing East Pit lake this morning. I am noticing almost everytime I reel back my line, it gets snagged in the weeds, and usually the bait I have on my hook is gone as well(and replaced by weeds). It seems like no matter where I go on the shoreline, the area I cast into has weeds on the bottom lol...

I am pretty new to fishing, so I am not sure if it's normal to lose your bait when you reel back the line. (Tbh I actually can't tell if the bait is being lost while reeling back or during the initial cast :/)

The set up I'm using is a carolina rig with power bait dough. If any one could give some tips on what I can do to prevent this that would be great

I would switch to Earthworms for bait and float that rig about a foot below the surface.
I'm not a Trout fisherman so others might have better suggestions.