Looking for a drag queen

  • Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 60010
    #1333395

    Well that should get some looks. LOL!

    Actually, there’s been a lot of talk about the “dragging bite” and there’s a bunch of people that would like to know just what it is.

    So instead of me trying to explain how to drag in a walleye, I thought I would poke some of you guys that do it all the time.

    Speed?
    Upstream vs down stream?
    Weights?
    Colors?
    Depth?
    Lines?
    Rods?

    Help a brother out huh?

    herb
    6ft under
    Posts: 3242
    #1036424

    I got this friend, see, and he wantin to know=======
    uh huh!

    85lund
    Menomonie, WI
    Posts: 2317
    #1036429

    I usually go with 3/8 oz orange jigs and a gulp minnow about 2 mph upstream

    millerman
    Red Wing, MN
    Posts: 627
    #1036433

    Here you go!

    2619
    Northeast MPLS
    Posts: 136
    #1036435

    Buy the video, It will shorten the learning curve a ton!
    heres my two cents, by no means am I an expert, but this is what puts fish in the boat for me.

    Upstream
    Hard line = less drag/resistance
    ML rod of choice 6’6 to 7
    Speed SLOW .2 to .6 with S turns

    Downstream
    Mono Slows fall of jig(best way I can describe)
    Rod – M 6’6 to 7 = more back bone, better hook sets for the mushy mono
    Speed 1 to 1.5+ mph depends on flow
    (if no wind I calibrate speed of current, and work speed from there, let the fish tell me what how fast

    Jig weight 1/8oz for 10+ feet of water
    3/32 to 1/16 for shallower water
    Good rule as for jig weight – as light a jig as possible
    Plastic style and colors experiment based on fish mood
    Color will depend on light penetration day vs. night and water clarity, I’ll let someone else explain that some more.

    I like to have rods rigged with both mono and hard line so I can cover water heading downstream, and then zero in on spots holding fish and fish them slowly up stream.
    If flooking to learn this technique the IDO video will explain and cover all details, it is well worth it!

    I look forward to thers input.

    2619
    Northeast MPLS
    Posts: 136
    #1036436

    Oops, maybe I’m in wrong forum

    jason-pitts
    Des Moines, IA and Hager City, WI
    Posts: 196
    #1036438

    Kall mee, I kan’t tipe verry good.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 60010
    #1036453

    Thanks guys. You too Millerman!

    mike-g
    Bloomington,MN
    Posts: 556
    #1036456

    Haven’t watched it for a while, but I remember the video being very good. I’ll have to pull it out again….I’m curious to what # test / diameter hard line most guys are using (and mono). I’ve got rigs with 10/2 PowerPro and 6/2 832, along with 6# Cortland Endurance.

    How many are stepping down to the MicroIce FireLine (4/1 or 3/0.75) and what are the advantages? Thanks in advance…

    85lund
    Menomonie, WI
    Posts: 2317
    #1036458

    Quote:


    Haven’t watched it for a while, but I remember the video being very good. I’ll have to pull it out again….I’m curious to what # test / diameter hard line most guys are using (and mono). I’ve got rigs with 2/10 PowerPro and 10/4 832, along with 6# Cortland Endurance.

    How many are stepping down to the MicroIce FireLine (4/1 or 3/0.75) and what are the advantages? Thanks in advance…


    I’ve been using the 6/2 suffix 832 with good success this year.

    scott-k
    Red Wing
    Posts: 539
    #1036464

    Anybody used the 832 Ghost line? I know the weave is quite different than Fireline Crystal, but is it much different in underwater appearance?

    Mike W
    MN/Anoka/Ham lake
    Posts: 13324
    #1036465

    General rule of thumb for me is .5mph up river. little over 1mph going down. Of course that will vary with conditions and mood of the fish.

    Shallow water draggin this time of year keep a eye on that depth finder looking for fish hugging the bottom. If you are seeing them its worth while spending a little time figuring what color, speed ect they want. Not seeing fish and not catching them its time to move. Keep in mind while draggin rocks you typically wont see as many fish as draggin sand. They are pretty good at hiding in those rocks.

    If you are draggin sand or areas with few snags regular style jigs like the H2O are fine. If you are running rocks and wood do yourself a favor and get some Draggin Jigs. Very much worth the money. For this time of year I like black for colors but its not a bad idea to play around with this a bit.

    I like keeping the fishing pole in my hand while dragging. This allows you to feel for bottom, give the jigs a little extra action if needed and quick hook sets. The walleyes usually hit dragged jigs pretty hard. Its a shame to leave that rod in the holder and not feel that.

    For setting up the drag its pretty simple. Get the boat speed going first then cast those jigs about a half cast to 3/4s cast behind the boat. Thats about it. to know if those jigs are near bottom just drop the rod tip back and see if the line goes limp or it looks like the jig if dropping more.

    Draggin is a pretty laid back way to fish. For guys that are used to vertical jigging it can seem very different at first but there are days that those fish like moving jig over a vertical jig. Now draggin for big fish can be a blast. You may not get as many fish but when those 25″+ walleyes smack that jig you know you have been bit.

    Mike W
    MN/Anoka/Ham lake
    Posts: 13324
    #1036469

    10/2 power pro is about as light as I go. To thin of line and it sinks to fast especially when you get in very shallow depths. You could go with some very light jigs to off set this but keeping them a little heavier also helps when I drag past those key spots and want to make few quick casts to shore.

    Mono is 8 pound. There again dont want that line to sink to fast. Guess I spend far more time draggin water less than 10′ deep than deeper water. I see plenty of guys running 10 to 20′ or more and at those depths thinner line would be better.

    mike-g
    Bloomington,MN
    Posts: 556
    #1036471

    Thanks Mike.

    tom_gursky
    Michigan's Upper Peninsula(Iron Mountain)
    Posts: 4751
    #1036493

    The video was done by James and Jason Halfen… The article actually covers the video principles in greater depth.
    Jason and Marty Hahn both were instrumental in my “Dragging” learning curve…
    An awesome technique for walleye just about everywhere…

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 60010
    #1036865

    Good point Tom.

    Cptn Marty is a great teacher, if your looking to shorten your learning curve, check out Marty’s site and spend a half day with him learning the ups and downs to dragging.

    Link to Marty’s Site<<

    crawdaddy
    St. Paul MN
    Posts: 1856
    #1039534

    I know you can drag up or downstream (downstream dragging to me is like vertical jigging without jigging the jig) but are there any rules of thumb as to when to drag up vs. down? And is there also a time when one should “drag” vs. vertical jig with a jig/plastic.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 60010
    #1039536

    Quote:


    but are there any rules of thumb as to when to drag up vs. down? And is there also a time when one should “drag” vs. vertical jig with a jig/plastic.


    Don’t hate me for this.

    Rule 1. Always drag up stream when more fish bite that way.

    Ok, seriously. Check out both directions there are times when one works better then the other way, but a person doesn’t know until he tries both.

    Jigging vs Dragging.

    In my catfishing opinion, the clearer the water the better dragging works over vertical.

    However since I don’t fish for walleyes, I would take others opinion over mine faster than you can say “walleyes don’t have whiskers”.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 60010
    #1039537

    Quote:


    downstream dragging to me is like vertical jigging without jigging the jig


    I think you’re using too heavy of a jig…the way it sounds.

    Conditions very greatly, but most of the guys that are into drag (sorry) have two sets of rods. Two set up for up stream and two set up for down stream dragging. The only difference is jig weight.

    I’m sure the experts of drag will chime in.

    redneck
    Rosemount
    Posts: 2627
    #1039544

    Using 2 sets of rods with different jig weights for upstream and downstream (one size lighter for downstream) is one approach but you can also play with your speed and the amount of line out (less for downstream) and get by with one set of rods for both directions. Upstream is better on most days for numbers but downstream can produce big fish but not as many fish. If you think about it most fish face upstream. When dragging upstream the bait is already going away from them when they first see it and it is a reaction strike. Coming downstream in clear water they can see the bait coming and they will either eat it because they are hungry or let it go. On average dragging seems to work better in low light conditions when the fish are a little shallower and vertical jigging works better in the middle of the day. Just like everything else your results may vary and the only way to find out is to get out and experiment. BK, what are you doing playing in the walleye forum again

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 60010
    #1039551

    Darn it Rich, that was pretty good!

    I wish I had a son to tell me what to say!

    redneck
    Rosemount
    Posts: 2627
    #1039558

    A good son will tell you what to say! A GREAT son will teach you what is going on and put it in words even I can understand—I have a GREAT son I won’t even get into colors and shapes of baits and jig size. There are so many variables in dragging but when it all comes together it is a blast out there

    jeff_huberty
    Inactive
    Posts: 4941
    #1039666

    Quote:


    Well that should get some looks. LOL!


    Did you try looking in the Mirror?

    Joel Ballweg
    Sauk City, Wisconsin
    Posts: 3295
    #1039733

    Quote:


    When dragging upstream the bait is already going away from them when they first see it and it is a reaction strike.


    I might agree with that concept except for one thing. Dragging upstream is done at such a slow speed that there is no need for a fish to react quickly.
    A walleye or sauger can easily follow your jig at it’s leisure and eat it any time it wants.
    No quick reaction is required because it’s not like that jig is going to be gone in a flash if Mr Walleye doesn’t eat it right now.

    Down stream dragging is actually done at speeds twice as fast or more than upstream and since the fish is facing upstream, it really has less time to react to a bait coming downstream than vice versa. Yes, many times the walleye or sauger can see that bait coming but they are not going to move out from there location until that bait gets within there strike zone. At that point, they will decide what they are going to do. They may eat it and/or they may decide to do nothing or if they are slightly interested, they may follow it for awhile until they can make up there mind. While there following it, you might decide to twitch your rod which could trigger that fish to bite. It might also make the following fish turn and swim away.

    Again, I don’t see the speeds we use for dragging as so great in either direction that any fish couldn’t easily turn and follow the jig for as long as it wants before eating it.

    I guess in my mind, I don’t see it as a reaction bite regardless of direction but certainly not while going upstream.

    We all see things differently though and if someone has a good point that explains this differently, I’m always open to listen and consider it.

    basseyes
    Posts: 2617
    #1039734

    The hook set in the video was interesting to me, for such a wide gapped hook, so far behind the boat. A side arm hook set seems odd, on a jig drug behind the boat at that angle. But guessing with two rods, the logistics or mechanics, of dropping one rod to get the other rod tip up higher wouldn’t be possible. It worked, just looked more like a rig hook set.

    John Schultz
    Inactive
    Portage, WI
    Posts: 3309
    #1039867

    Like rigging, when dragging, you typically have a fair amount of line out. A sweep hook set allows the line to stretch out if using mono, and still bury the hook. Your rod tip can travel a long ways with a sweep. Plus, if you are facing the front of the boat, it is just the most effective way to drag and set the hook.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 60010
    #1049990

    Bumped to the top for folks with questions.

    FISH ON!!

    riverdan
    Posts: 295
    #1050080

    Okay I will incriminate myself, after all I am the queen

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 60010
    #1050251

    No way…you’re from Silver Lake, MN?!

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