Conference wahoo::fishing-v2

    	My understanding of flat-lining is that it's nothing more than
    trolling without anything to help get the lure down.  No planers, no
    downriggers, no lead/metal lines, etc.  Just your plain old rod and
    your lure/fly/shiner (or other baitfish if in the Salt).
    	When to use it?  Right now!  Works great for Landlocked Salmon and
    Rainbows!
    			B.C.  

B.C., would I use some kind of clip attached to perhaps the tow
eyes on the stern?

	Flat lining usually implies a line release mechanism attached to 
some hardware on the boat such as the tow rings etc. They can be used if 
you don't have outriggers or if the hardware you are towing is too heavy 
for your outriggers, as is sometimes the case with smallish boats like mine.
You can also use them in conjunction with the outriggers to get more lines 
in the water. 
	They can be used in any trolling situation.
Regards,
Paul

    I've heard of this technique before. From what I gather it's the same
    sort of release that you use for downrigging. Instead of attaching it
    to the downrigger cable/ball you attach it somewhere on the back of
    your boat.
    
    It will aid in setting the hook during flat-lining trolling. The rod
    will be placed in a rod holder. Grab the line acouple of feet from the
    end of the pole, pull it down forming a good bend in the rod and clip
    it into the release. Then that huge Rainbow comes along, takes the
    bait, pops the release, the pole straightens out and cattapults that 
    Bow right in the boat!!! Your results may vary....
    
                             Jeff (Captain)
                             Team Starcraft

    3+4 beat me to it...  However I had never heard of using a release for
    it in freshwater before.  I thought that it was generally done as Paul
    said, straight out the back usually on a short line in the salt.
    
    					B.C. 

    When I "flatline" I like to use my old cannon type downrigger clips
    attached to the transom. It keeps my line very close to the water and
    the light tension (from the clips) helps to set the hooks when a fish hits 
    my line. I don't put enough tension into the clip to allow my rod to
    bend into the clip (like you would for a downrigger) I just run the line 
    from the rod to the clip and then off the back of the boat. It takes a lot 
    less line to get out farther away from the boat for the fish that tend to 
    be boat shy. Flatlining basically allows your bait/lure to run at the
    depth it was designed for (ie 6') vs being pulled down by a rigger and ball.
    
    Don

    I started using flatlines while trolling for bluefish last year with
    great results.  I found that I can trol 4 lines two flat lines inclose
    to the boat and two from the rod holders back further.  
    
    My setup is simple, take a rubber band and put it on the cleat in the
    stern, let out the desired length of line and pull the rubberband over
    the line and hook it back to the cleat. 
    
    It gets the lures down deeper and when a fish hits it the rubber band
    breaks and hooks the fish.  The drag should be set light so when you
    get a hit the mono "saws" thru the rubberband.
    
    Caution:  use the smallest rubberband you can to hold the line.  I once
    used one too heavy and almost broke a rod in two.
    
    I think I get more hits on the flat lines.
    
    Gordon

I think the critical piece of information to be gained from all these notes
is that since the line is closer to the water, the lure runs deeper.  A 
secondary benefit is better hookups.

Tim

    RE: .8
    
    	I wouldn't call that the critical information in here.  I think the
    most common use of the technique is in offshore big game trolling where
    the flatlines are generally VERY close to the boat and skipping on top.
    I think the biggest benefit is just plain more lines in the water.  If
    you need more depth from your lures there are lots of more effective
    methods to get them deeper.
    
    					B.C.

    I have done some experimenting using flat lines.  Most of the time I
    only fish two lines, if I have 3-4 people with me then I fish more.
    I feel that I get more hits with flat lines.  I have fished the same
    lure on both rods with one on a flatline and the majority of time the
    hit comes on the flat line.  Also a cheap way to get the lure a little
    deeper (the cost of a rubber band).
    
    It works for me and I will keep doing it.
    
    Gordon

Any opinions on using a trolling weight hung off of the tow hooks?

Would I get much of a benefit by  hanging a trolling weight a foot or 
two into the water? I could just hoist it up by grabbing onto a
loop on the line to the weight. Since the tow hooks are about two feet
off the water, it would allow me to eliminate that distance also.

Otherwise I'll wait till next year to get a downrigger for real.

	Steve

 My order from Cabela's came in yesterday. Yay! :-)

 I've got my roemer release, and it looks like there's going to be no problem
adjusting the release to trip for small fish without having the release screw
fall out. It seems to be in there pretty well. Maybe they have corrected the 
problem of earlier models.

 Can't wait to try it out.

 The Doctah

    In response to .11
    
    I'd be real carefull putting a weight down into the water so close to
    the motor. A downrigger is usually about 3 feet away from the motor.
    You could also use some rod holders like "downeasters" that would allow
    you to adjust it so the rod tip is just off the water.
    
                          Jeff (Captain)
                          Team Starcraft

Jeff,

Thanks, I like the idea of just using the downeaster's to put the 
rod tip down. I have got a couple that I use on a row boat.  I 
have meant to put them on my larger boat anyway.

	Steve