hand lining??

i saw a few guys doing what i think they call hand lining last weekend. It looked like they had a cannon ball to feel for the bottom and one or more baits above that. is this the correct name for this and what is really happening?

They were using thier hands and a big spring loaded reel on the boat? That’s handlining. I’ve never heard of someone using a cannon ball rather than a “stick” style weight though.

I think Kooty is the resident Handlining GURU.

Just Kidding, I agree with Chappy. More of a Monster Pencil weight in lieu of a Cannon Ball.

Heres some info on them.

Riviera Handling

I’ve seen the cannon ball handline weights. The first set I ever used had the ball weight

Most people use long skinny weights now because there is less resistance to flow. What you saw was indeed handlining. It can be a very effective way to fish walleye at certain times of the year.

Baldwin isn’t too far from Everts. Dean has a set up in the baitshop.

I’ve heard about handlining before on IDA, but last weekend I was talking to one of the FLW Pros and he explained to me how it works an why it’s more efficent. In a nutshell, it keeps your lures in the strike zone better. HL also allows a person to cover “spots” better as a person can cover the water from left to right…where a three way rig or lead lineing is pulling the bait forward.

If I was a wallabe guy, I would look into the set up.

There were at least 10 boats handlining in front of Everts for the FLW Tour.

PS I’ve never been in a boat handlining so I’m only repeating what I was told by a pro.

Hey Scott, do they handline on lakes too? I’m guessing it’s not as effective without current(?)