James Holst,s
latest fishing report is on fishing wing dams, what kind of line does everyone like to use when fishing wing dams and do you prefer a bait caster or a spinning reel? Why do you prefer one over the other?
Depends on what youre doing.
Most of the time fireline gets the nod.
When Im drifting plastics such as ring worms etc, or throwing hairjigs, or drifting light jigs and bait such as crawlers I like a monofilament such as xt #6 solar (for visibility) for its buoyancy. Mono allows that light 1/16 to 1/8th ounce jig to drift a bit better and not sink so fast.
For everything else I choose fireline 10/4. This includes throwing cranks, trolling, 3-waying etc. Mono would just get scuffed to heck in the previously mentioned applications. Of course any part of a rig that offers live bait is snelled up on mono.
Fireline would work for all scenarios but the mono has its place. I used to pull spinners with crawlers on a 3-way rig alot and I remember losing some fish though because the fireline didnt stretch and hooks would rip out. So I could see the argument for 10lb mono in that application because of the stretch. But I never really put that to the test and instead went to using a glass rod that had more flex to it so I had better hooksets.
As for reels…I tend to go with spin cast reels for throwing jigs and cranks and deadsticking. For trolling or rigging I use a baitcast type reel.
I just pull up to the wingdam, register sonar contact and roll depth charges…. if theres an oil slick then I know I got sheepheads or something….. but dont worry I practice blast and release……
ok…. just kidding… actually Ive not done much wingdam fishing…. used to troll closing dams quite a bit… cuz it was soooooo easy…… but Ive only anchored on wingies a handful of times…. Ive been waiting to find some time to hit them with James… hes promised to give me some lessons……
and of course I will show him just what size of depth charges to use… cant use TOOOO big or you will blow yourself right off the river!!…… j/k!
Fireline gets my vote when fishing rocky areas. I use soft tipped rods to keep from ripping out hooks. Also I changed my hooks on my cranks to mustad triple grips,they stay hooked up. I`ll use mono the same way Steve use`s it and in cold water.I gotta try that dept charge thing, where can I order a couple. 
John
Boy I wish I new how to fish wing dams 
ec
When I fish wingies on Pool 2, I often sway towards the fireline for most applications such as cranks, plastics, hair.
For throwing cranks, I like to use a baitcaster filled with fireline. I like the sensitivity the fireline has when my crank bounces in and out of every nook and cranny on the wingie, but also highly effective for getting cranks out from badly snagged areas. In my neck of the woods, the current can be swift at times and I have found that with mono, I cannot free alot of lures using the ol’ quick rod snap that normally frees a snagged lure, I think the current really pulls your line donwstream and when you go to “snap” it out, you are fighting the current and the stretch of mono to try to dislodge your lure.
For hair or plastics, I prefer to use a spinning rod coupled with both fireline and mono. Having both rigged and ready can present the same lure in a completely different look. As Steve mentioned, mono can really slow your drop rate of your lure which makes a big difference at times in real cool water when the fish want something with a slow deliberate sweeping motion. Having the high vis lines offer some excellent line watching capabilities for this techniques. 
I have to agree with the fireline. When pulling three ways, I’ll tie from the rod to the swivel with fireline and then use mono for the snell and drop line. Lighter line on the drop will allow for the sinker to break off rather than your crank/spinners (saves $$). The fireline really allows you to feel the bottom content. For casting cranks on wingies, again fireline would get the nod for feel and allowing the bait to dive deeper, faster. As far as jigging goes, I’m caught in a dillema right now. I love the added sensiitivity that fireline provides, but since using mostly fireline jigging this year, my hook to bite ratio has gone down the tubes. I don’t know if I’m setting too hard or what? Especially when vertical jigging. Any body else have this problem or any thoughts on it?
Fireline for me thanks. I use a stiffer spin cast rod, and if I do get snagged up, I let line out to go down stream over the wingie, and give it a few good hard snaps. Quite often, the Fireline will pull the snagged lure out from behind this way, freeing it. Mono will not let you do that. The 14/6 or the 10/2.
Tuck
Hougie nailed my preferrences to a “T.” The only time I’ll use fireline to toss jigs is when I’m using heavy jigs and BIG plastics. A 3/4 or 1 ounce jig and a 5″ tail feels a bit much for 6 Lb mono… so I opt for the fireline in those instances. Slowing the sink rate in that instance isn’t a problem either as a tail that big really kicks up some water when fished in the current of a wingie and needing a 1+ ounce jig, even in late summer-fall to reach the wingie, isn’t terribly uncommon. I do so love that big plastcis bite… and it just around the corner. All those mongo walleyes of fall yet to be caught!!!
Coincidently last weekend fishing wing dams I happened to have several breakoffs using Fireline w/8lb mono leader.I began to think that I was setting the hook to hard.The mono was new and I hav’nt fished Fireline in a while so I adjusted my hookset and I realized that I was definitely setting the hook to hard. You definitely have to adjust depending on what line your using. I have heard of people breaking poles but I hav’nt seen it. 
ecnook
I’m new to river fishing and wondered the same thing as you about wing dams so I thought I would do myself and my lower unit a favor and book a guide trip with James Holst. Monday I spent the day with James and learned more about fishing wing dams in one day than I could of learned in my life time by myself. Fishing was tough but by fishing dozens of different dams we managed to catch a decent bunch of fish. Now I am confident I can find and fish the better dams. So if you are real serious about learning to fish wing dams book a trip with a good guide, you won’t be sorry.
You know ??????
I may just have to do just that 
What do you think James ?
ec
hey, hey,….. get in line!! no pushing!! come on!! jk
Yep….when I first met James he claimed to not know jack about wingdams. The following illustration depicts how he took my fundamental tutoring about wingdam fishing and ran with it. He’s a monster now!
Hey I think some of us media staff will have to document some of this wing dam stuff. It’s gonna be a tough job but someone has to do it. LOL Steve
GEZZZ….Hougie thats gotta hurt…or at the very least ..Leave a MARK……!!!!
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