Conference wahoo::fishing

    Hook them THROUGH the lips!
    
    THE BASSTARD

	I've had that happen to me before, and the only thing I can 
	recommend is to modify your casting method, because that's
	how I got around the problem.   It's hard to explain but you
	sort of go easy with the swing of the rod and cast with a smooth
	follow through so that the weight you are using doesn't *yank*
	too hard on the shiner on its way out.  Go back smoothly, and 
	swing the rod out smoothly and it should help.

	Are you using a weight ?  What size ?

	I always put the hook in front of the back/dorsal? fin, with a
	size 2 hook (I think).  

	Hope this helps.

	Ken

    Ken
    
    I was using a 1/2 oz lindsy type walking sinker.  I slid the sinker
    before the swivel.  The lindsy rigs have about a foot of line with a
    small styrofoam float that you can adjust up or down.
    
    Brian
    
    

re:                        <<< Note 1381.3 by DELNI::OTA >>>

	I'm not sure what a Lindsey rig is, but 1/2 oz. weight doesn't
	sound very big.  My mind is elsewhere today, as today is the due
	date for my first kid.  

	In any case, try a smoother cast.  Distance will probably improve
	with time and # of casts ;-)

	Ken

  My father-in-laws's answer to this problem was solved using a sugar cube and
a small rock.  The problem is the minnow is not heavy/stout enough to handle
the 'G' force of a long cast.  What he'd do is tie a short line from the
hook (minnow attached) to a sugar cube.  He'd also tie a small (1 oz) rock to
the sugar cube keeping the lines as short a possible.  Then he'd cast the rig as
far as he could throw it.  The heavy rock would do all the work of getting the
line out without over-stressing the bait. After it entered the water, the sugar
cube would melt leaving the minnow to swim around free of any weight.... 

  I'll grant you that he "doctored" up the rocks a little to make it easier to
tie/hold the line, but you get the basic idea.  You let the inexpensive rock
get the line out, and use the sugar cube as a coupling between the weight and
the rest of the tackle.


Al

    	Does this guy write the script for McGyver? What an idea! I've
    always had this problem too, thanks for sharing the solution with us.
    
    Barry
    

     I used a similar rig about 20 years ago (I was very precocious...) for
    salmon eggs. I simply attached a sugar cube to my ultra light rig's
    running line (4 lb test) using a small, dentist type rubber band about
    18" from the hook. You cast it out and the rig sinks, then as the sugar
    cube melts, the egg floats slowly up. Works great, but if you use
    "Pow-R-Nuggets" you don't need the sugar cube because they float real
    well.
    
     I used an ultra light because you need a soft, light action rod to
    cast a sugar cube by itself. Remind me to tell you about the time I
    went to Walden with an unopened can of corn, only to find out once I
    got to the pond that I bought CREAMED corn...
    
    --The Skoal Bandit  

    I might also suggest a sidearm cast as opposed to overhand.  I find it
    less jerky although less accurate.
    
    BTW, remember to clip off half the tail fin of each minnow before
    casting.  This forces them to thrash/swim constantly to remain
    horizontal and can be quite an attractor for predator species.
    
    -SSS-
    
    

    re:- Upper tail fin cut or lower?
    
    Dave'
    

    I CUT off their whole head so they swim
    in circles and it saves time on wondering
    which fin to snip!! Plus they cant see any
    thing swimming after them. with this method
    you need to hook them through the back.
    
    							Ronni
    

    
    I cut off the lower tail fin ....
    
    I'm not sure it makes any difference.
                               
    Ronni, what do you do with the heads?  I probably don't want to know
    ;-(
    
    -SSS-