tight lines a problem

[Hashaam]

Hey folks just another quick question.
I recently started fishing for catfish and am having problems keeping my line taut when it is at the bottom. My line keeps slacking and when i reel it to make it tighter it eventually just comes back. I looked around and other fishermens lines were as tight as a guitar string. Am i just not putting enought weight on my line or is there some other problem
thanks
hashaam

[Katmaster Jr.]

If you are fishing a river adjust your weight to fit the current.KIRK

Yep, most likely you need a bigger weight.

[wewamohawk]

up here in north west florida when i fish the river i need about 8oz and in the lake i use 4 to 6ozs that should help you to keep your line on the bottom good luck from the mohawk

[nosnag]

hashaam,
It is'nt necessary to have your line"tight as a guitar string".If your weight is staying in the deeper water you are just fine.When "ole" whiskers takes your bait,he will let you know about it.This is one reason so many fishermen use a slip sinker rig.They will run the slack out in a hurry.As long as your rod is secured you should have no problems. Also the current/size of your bait governs how much weight you will need.Bigger bait means more weight to resist the water flow. If you are using a three way rig and your bait is swinging towards shore,definately use more weight.A drifting three way rig is asking for trouble because of hang-ups on the bottom litter.
Usually a slip sinker rig is used to cover more area,and a three way is to hold in a fish producing spot.
Hope that is some help to you.
Now go out and get a few of those whisker fishes.Good luck,
BILL

[Hashaam]

thanks for the advice soupy. i defintily would love to come and fish with the WIF family but it takes me a good 5-7 hrs to get out of the lone star state... someday though i will make the journey.

[duckmaster]

you should use a 2 to 4 oounce no-roll sinker to help keep your bait in place in current

[Rainman4u2]

You can continue to leave the line slack if you wish, you just have to watch it closer. I prefer tight lines when fishing the bottom just to see the bite better, especialy at night.

Ray

[three_rivers]

A good rule of thumb we use fishing the river is once it hits bottom i'll lock it in place and pull up hard on the rod. What i want to feel is the sinker hitting the bottom when i lower it back down. If i can't feel the sinker on bottom i'll up the weight until i do. Soupy gave some good advice too, we use big weights 12 to 16ozers and if a fish wants it hes gonna hit it either way. I've had them tap tap tap and finally get hooked up and had others just slam the rods down (you gotta love when they do that).:D The best sinkers i've found so far is cannonball sinkers. I use it like a three way rig with the exception of using spro bearing swivels just tying the weight to the same eye as the main line. Hope this helps.

[nosnag]

Ok Soupy,:p
Ca'nt help it if I use the fancy words.Still a down home country boy at heart.
Up east school housein' made me do it.From your posts I know that you could probably teach me a thing or three about panfishin'.:D Hey,I've used sparkplugs,large nuts and bolts,and even just plain wheel weights.Whatever it takes to get the job done.
Hope we can meet and wet a line sometime.You sound like someone that would be a blast to fish with.
BILL

[nosnag]

Soupy,
A day on the water fishless ,is still a great day when the ribbing and joking around fills the time spent out there.Some of the best times fishing are remembered because of the joking around and camaraderie,(OOPS,did it again):p between the fishing buddies.I never judge the fishing by what I catch.I judge it by the enjoyment of the trip.;)
Have an excellent weekend,
BILL