Depth Question

[phatcat]

Hey all! This is my first post and let me please warn ya ahead of time....I am a noob when it comes to fishing. I just started fishing last fall and just recently got my first rod/reel. I just fished castaway last weekend with a Katmaster513 and a couple other friends we met down there. Here's my question..

When you go to a lake, whats the best way to figure out the depth where you are casting? I want to have the option of fishing different depths but without knowing the maximum depth of the water I am casting in I don't know how far down on my line to place my bobber stop. If I place it too far down the line, I could be on the bottom and not even know it. Without knowing I could be on the bottom even after moving my bobber stop up.

Thanks in advance for any help! Keep in mind, this question is directed at pay lake fishing. I know the rigs needed to use for fishing the bottom of a river with current.

-Phatcat

[butlersbeagles]

If your bobber is laying down your on the bottomn. Move your stop up alittle til it stands. Thats what i do

[shovelheadfanatic]

Apr 24, 2009 16:15:31 GMT -5 butlersbeagles said:

If your bobber is laying down your on the bottomn. Move your stop up alittle til it stands. Thats what i do

That's why I like using non weighted bobbers...Very easy to tell if your on bottom.

[Alsept1]

if you use a straw than it shoud be up tight to the bobber. If it is lying down than you are on the bottom. If you are just using a float find out how it should float at 1 foot deep, it should loat the same way as long as your not on bottom.

When i go to a new lake i find the bottom first then work my way up. I would move your stop every foot untill it is of bottom. Once you are off bottom then mover your stop up the lenght of your leader. That should put you at the right depth.

Dont foget to look for holes!!!

[katmaster513]

Jay you should have ask me.I have a rig that i use that includes the non weighted bobber. And also the more you fish, the more experience you gain.

[flatheadsteve]

May 6, 2009 0:06:21 GMT -5 Alsept1 said:

if you use a straw than it shoud be up tight to the bobber. If it is lying down than you are on the bottom. If you are just using a float find out how it should float at 1 foot deep, it should loat the same way as long as your not on bottom.

When i go to a new lake i find the bottom first then work my way up. I would move your stop every foot untill it is of bottom. Once you are off bottom then mover your stop up the lenght of your leader. That should put you at the right depth.

Dont foget to look for holes!!!

thats how i do it!

[MIKE SCHALL]

hey bro.... if you use weighted floats your float will stand taller out of the water when your on the bottom (i think weighted floats are the best because they don't lay down when your on the bottom and you can see the glowstick at night), and you should use enough weight so that when your not on the bottom your float will stand about an inch or two out of the water so the wind won't drift it.... and use rubber beads on the outside of your weight so your knot don't get smashed and brake!

[Vince Nadosky]

If you need any answers on depths at Castaway I am there every weekend and usually 1-2 nights during the week just talking. I will let you know everything that I have seen going on there. I had 20 Fish between thrusday and friday night out there. Most were Shovels though and I was fishing the shallow end.