Inline weights are trolling tools that let you present your bait at a variety of depths. They are especially helpful for catching fish suspended off the bottom. Experimentation will help you find the right depth on any given day. Adding more weight, using lighter line, letting out more line and trolling slower helps you fish deeper. Where legal, using multiple lines with different combination rigs will help you locate fish faster. Then you can adjust other lines to the same approximate settings to catch more fish.
Items you will need
Boat
Trolling rods and reels
10-pound test monofilament fishing line
Snap swivels
Knife or scissors
Nightcrawler harness or other lure
Fish finder
Rigging Inline Weights
Tie a snap swivel to the end of your fishing line with an improved clinch knot. This lets you quickly change lures and reduces line twist.
Clip the snap swivel onto the front eye of the inline weight.
Cut a 6-foot length of 10-pound test monofilament fishing line for use as a leader.
Tie the leader to the rear snap swivel of the inline weight. If the weight doesn't come with a snap swivel, add one.
Tie a snap swivel to the opposite end of the leader.
Clip on a nightcrawler harness, spoon, crankbait or other fishing lure.
Fishing Inline Weights
Monitor your fish finder to see which depth walleyes are located.
Drop the fishing lure and inline weight into the water.
Slowly let out line. Keep slight tension on the line to avoid tangles.
Let out 50 feet of line. Line-counter reels are useful for knowing how much line is out.
Put the rod in a rod holder and wait for a bite.
Tips
- Inline weights are painted brightly to resemble baitfish and attract walleyes. Sometimes walleyes will bite the weight instead of the lure. Some inline weights now come with a bottom eye that allows you to attach a hook so you can catch fish on the inline weight as well.
- You can vary the length of the monofilament leader, but it should never be longer than the length of your fishing rod to make landing fish easier.
- Consult references sold with inline weights or Precision Trolling publications to learn how deep an inline weight pulls your lure based on a given trolling speed, line diameter, weight size and line length.
References
Tips
- Inline weights are painted brightly to resemble baitfish and attract walleyes. Sometimes walleyes will bite the weight instead of the lure. Some inline weights now come with a bottom eye that allows you to attach a hook so you can catch fish on the inline weight as well.
- You can vary the length of the monofilament leader, but it should never be longer than the length of your fishing rod to make landing fish easier.
- Consult references sold with inline weights or Precision Trolling publications to learn how deep an inline weight pulls your lure based on a given trolling speed, line diameter, weight size and line length.
Writer Bio
Joe Shead is a freelance writer specializing in outdoor writing. He has written for numerous national and regional outdoor magazines on various topics from hunting to fishing to his pet subject, shed antler hunting.
