trolling for eyes

[elknud89]

Live in central pa fish raystown dam mostly striper. Looking for tips on trolling for eyes lake full of them few caught mostly by accident deep lake but standing timber from 40 foe out any info appreciated thanks

[Prof T]

If you can find a target depth on structure that you think is holding fish, trolling using a custom bottom bouncer has been discussed in detail on this thread. I'm fishing a river, started pulling thundersticks behind them and have had very good success. I keep a log and have been out 12 times since June 5. We have a three fish limit and I've kept 27.

Finding a place that holds the fish is the key.

[elknud89]

Lake full of eyes some really good ones know some spots that hold them. Was wondering about speed distance behind bouncers.

[Prof T]

I'm running into a 2 knot current most of the time. My experience is that slower is always better. The thundersticks have a pretty good action down to around 2 in flat water. When I was pulling rapalas, it seems the action went dead at speeds below 2.4. Guys also pull worm harnesses, but I have to contend with gobies.

As far as leader length behind the bouncer, depends on the working length of your net, as you can only reel the bouncer to the rod tip. Water is very clear here and I'm running the back about 7 ft on 20 lb florocarbon, swivel on the bouncer end, just a cross lock snap at the lure.

[elknud89]

Tried harness white bass tore me up.should I be running bouncers off riggers? Thanks

[Xxx]

Elknud89 I have fished Rays Town lake. I trolled long leads off the riggers with J9 in the perch color and the flor. Orange color with some success, we usually fish that lake in the fall after the summer season activities slow down.

[hookedupf7]

I am not a pro but we use bottom bouncers and worm harness a lot. I usually run about .9 with them for walleye. The key is to make sure you got them on bottom. You can see it in the rod. The 3 ouncers are good to about 25 to 30 ft of water.