How to Gauge Water Depth Without Fancy Gadgets | Fishing Q&A

Today's Fishing Q&A is about a wide variety of things; water depth, frozen water, and timid trout.
Question 1: What's the best way to gauge water depth from a bank without fancy gadgets?
Question 2: What are the best conditions for ice fishing?
Question 3: What advice would you give to someone whose looking for trout fishing tips?
Thank you again to all our great subscribers. Feel free to leave your questions below, and myself and Antonio, the boatless angler will be selecting some questions for the next episode of fishing Q&A.
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As always until next time, good luck and good fishin'!

[@inspectorsteve2287]

Great video just have a better idea for finding depth. I suggest getting a heavy sinker pass your line through the eyelet. On the tag end tie a few overhangs knots nothing special. Then put a bobber on. So it goes end of line knot, bobber, sinker then fishing pole. Cast it out were you want. Once you think everything is on the bottom let out line in a controlled fashion. Maybe one pole length at a time. The line will pass through the sinker slowly raising the bobber up. So if your pole is 6 ft long and you let out 3 pole lengths of line and your bobber popped up you know its 18ft deep there. Hope this makes sense. Just seems easier than casting 4 or 5+ times.

[@ericb.1476]

Thank you for the tips 🙏🎣

[@mjolnirplissken7032]

A better, more effective and efficient way to determine water depth is to throw a slip sinker (2-4oz) on the line so its free to move, then tie on a float to the very end of your line. Cast out, let the weight sink, and the bobber float to the surface, after that close the bail on your reel. At that point reel in slowly, the bobber will sink down to the bottom and touch the weight. Once you feel the bobber hit the weight on the bottom you strip out line from your reel 1 foot at a time, counting feet as you go, until the bobber breaks the waters surface. The length of line you strip is equal to the water's depth. You now know in one cast, how deep the water is. This method is only limited to depths equal to the amount of line on your reel spool.

[@Fabio-wz3yg]

I love the idea of using popper , thanks

[@kierajohnson7358]

Thank you!

[@machinegun3133]

Hey Ivo, I usually use Maxima Ultragreen leaders for Trout. Since the fluro is really expensive. I'm a poor man and I can't spend the big bucks on fluro leader wheels all the time. So, I like the Maxima UG. And keep a few on hand at all times lol. And I know plenty of secret steelhead holes. I'm not far from you. I'll show you them some time.

[@awajiangirl]

Cool thank you

[@jay_then_are2075]

Very useful video. thank you. will be sure to subscribe

[@thundermistlures]

Glad you enjoyed this video and thanks for joining our great team of subscribers :)

[@jessejamesmcguire]

Hi IVO. easy way to find depth is what we do in carp fishing with a marker float but a slip bobber will work fine. First thing you do it put a mark one foot from the front of your reel to a spot on your Rod. Next put a snap swivel on your line then a bead then tie on to a medium sized bobber or marker float. Remember that snap swivel. Put a 2oz weight on it. Now cast out and reel up the slack till you feel the bobber bottom out. Loosen your drag and pull off line to the 1ft mark on your pole and count how many feet till you see your bobber pop up and now you know! You can also use this to mark your area and have a target to cast to when baiting up and fishing for carp. If you want to see an example of this on KZbin watch the video "how to carp fish". By Matt Hayes. Hope this helps a lil. Ivo you the man!

[@thundermistlures]

+Jesse James McGuire Thanks for writing in & sharing your tips with us :)

[@sjeter61]

thanks!!

[@BestDad222]

How to carp fish

[@jerzcnate]

Ivo the depth answer was much needed especially for me who can't swim

[@thundermistlures]

+jerzcnate LOL :)

[@fishingwithlogan3181]

thanks

[@lzyfisherman3136]

those serious carp fishing folk over in Europe use a similar method only they don't fix the bobber they pull the bobber down to the sinker and then hand out the line a foot at a time and count that way, they even have poles with measurements on them for that reason. but those guys have a lot of very specialized gear for all kinds of stuff. but i do suggest you use a bobber you don't mind loosing since the odds of snagging is probably high in places more wild over a well manicured pond in some of those places in Europe. Tight lines and thanks again for another dose of information.

[@thundermistlures]

+lzyfisherman Thanks for writing in and good luck on the water :)

[@mjolnirplissken7032]

These carp fishing Brits are where I learned how to measure water depth!!! I still havent tried my hand at tying a hair rig, though. Carp fishermen swear by them - but I dont fish for carp and I don't fish with bread dough balls

[@sonochinos]

Hi Ivo, my line keeps twisting around the tip of my rod when ever there's a bit of slack line. What could be the source of this problem ? Sorry if it's a weird question sort of a newbie at fishing

[@thundermistlures]

+Raymond Lim HI Raymond and I total understand the problem you are having and it is most likely line twist. here is a short video which will show how to properly spool up your spinning reel to avoid line twist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZzceIOiZdCSd6c

[@mjolnirplissken7032]

that would happen to me ALL THE TIME when I had illuminating arrow nocks on my rod tips for night fishing. SO ANNOYING - not a weird Question It could be line twist from your spinning reel. Perhaps you used cheap line or spooled it on backwards. It could be that your rod's action is really slow and/or that it's power is very light It could be that you and that rod aren't compatible, or that your technique needs improvement. It could be one, some or all of these things. For new anglers I would recommend a 6-7ft, medium-heavy power, fast action fishing rod (you cant go wrong with a Shakespeare Ugly Stick as a beginning angler) tied to a 2500 or 3000 series reel that is made of metal alloy and has at least a few steel ball bearings in its mechanism.

[@Cochran_Outdoors]

How would you target smallmouth in a lake with mostly largemouth?

[@thundermistlures]

....focus more on rocky areas and points and try fishing deeper....stay away from weedy areas - good luck :)

[@nobodycares3900]

hey, so i have a very light spinners and i was curios how can i add weight to them ? I they to use Carolina rig with the spinners( i know this is sounds stupid). I would seat up the Carolina rig like regular and at the end instead of hook i would use the spinner, It worked but i was curious if it is ok to do and if not then what would you recommend for adding weight to spinners

[@thundermistlures]

+nobody cares I like to add a split shot or an in-line, rubber coated split sinker, about a foot in from of my spinner in order to gain more weight :)

[@nobodycares3900]

***** thanks

[@chrome_is_gold]

I fish at this trout steam sometimes and I float a jig, trout magnet down and it just goes right in front of them and they sometimes Doge the lure. Any tips or tricks to help me land one?

[@thundermistlures]

+Daven Moralez Down size your jig to the smallest possible size and be sure to use a fluorocarbon leader - try to make your bait as natural as possible - use natural colors to avoid spooking the fish and also, cast far away and let the current naturally take your jig to the trout - good luck :)

[@chrome_is_gold]

+Thundermist Lures thanks man. :)

[@ForestDwellingWretch]

Hey lvo is it better to use a bobber for catfishing in good sized pond? And when is it better to use a bobber and when is it better to fish on the bottom 😀

[@mjolnirplissken7032]

Float fishing can be very effective for catfish. The main things to consider are that catfish hunt by smell, so a bait that is floating and moving around with the wind/current will be difficult for the catfish to find. Using a bobber is good when lake/pond bottoms are really weedy, muddy, or rocky. The bobber will keep the bait out of the rock crevices, out of the weed beds and out of the silty mud - and will present the bait clearly for all to sniff out and find. Float fishing is cool, but you need to know the water depth, and bottom structure in order to place the bait just high enough to stay out of trouble, but low enough for the catfish to find. HERE is how to do that... A better, more effective and efficient way to determine water depth is to throw a slip sinker (2-4oz) on the line so its free to move, then tie on a float to the very end of your line. Cast out, let the weight sink, and the bobber float to the surface, after that close the bail on your reel. At that point reel in slowly, the bobber will sink down to the bottom and touch the weight. Once you feel the bobber hit the weight on the bottom you strip out line from your reel 1 foot at a time, counting feet as you go, until the bobber breaks the waters surface. The length of line you strip is equal to the water's depth. You now know in one cast, how deep the water is. This method is only limited to depths equal to the amount of line on your reel spool. Bottom fishing is my preferred method for a few reasons. There are MANY different types of bottom rigs. The Carolina Rig is one of the most widely used to catch anything that swims. Bottom fishing is EASY!... just rig, bait, cast, and wait.... I use bells and other rod tip indicators to warn of bites.... Just make sure your rods and holders are solidly embedded in the Earth - a BIG catfish will rip your pole into the water before you can put two and two together. I use a High-Lo rig (or variation) when fishing around snaggy, weedy, rocky water bottoms. It gets the bait off the ground and out of the weeds a bit, it can be tied to any dimensions that I desire, and It can be rigged with multiple hooks (and baits) at multiple depths. I created a bottom rig that ive used a couple times (never caught anything yet) its like bobber fishing but backwards - a sliding sinker goes on the line and then a swivel attached to a leader with multiple drop loops and hooks. That leader line/rig shoots vertically to the surface by way of a float tied to the end of the rig... My idea was to present multiple baits throughout the water column in a vertical fashion as to avoid snags and weeds. It's not perfected yet, and a finicky fish (trout) would feel the sinker the moment it touched the bait... It could work for catfish and bream, theoretically.. BTW, use big circle-hooks when you can... the catfish pretty much hook themselves and its very unlikey that they'll swallow the hook and die, or shake it out of their mouth during the fight.

[@ForestDwellingWretch]

@@mjolnirplissken7032 man, I was just a back when I wrote that comment, I was only 14, thanks for the response, you put a lot of detail, I’m about ready to start fishing again too so I’ll definitely use some of your info ✊

[@mastertrey4683]

@@mjolnirplissken7032 Very insightful comment thanks

[@BM-mg6ku]

When you say that we use Fluorocarbon line for trout, does that mean that it is the main and only line of spinning real.

[@thundermistlures]

...it can be both the main line or just the leader line...if you are using braided line, then you will definitely want to use a fluorocarbon leader, but otherwise, if you are suing straight fluorocarbon line, you can't go wrong as that is a great choice as well :)

[@SteveSaysByePearlHurlbutt]

any pointers on fishing where a river flows into another river?

[@SteveSaysByePearlHurlbutt]

by the way, thanks for reading my comment!

[@thundermistlures]

+SteveSaysBye Great place to fish is where a river flows into another river - the mouth will be good as it will have 2 currents meeting up causing a change in current and possible deeper water - so fish the mouth as well as just down stream from the mouth :)

[@keithvandersluis8232]

Question(s) for the Boatless Angler: What is the biggest disadvantage to being boatless?

[@thundermistlures]

Hi Keith....here is Antonio's response: "Biggest disadvantage is real estate. Too much private land stopping you from getting to the fish".

[@keithvandersluis8232]

Thanks for the quick response! I notice that a fair amount around here as well. Also, I really enjoy your channel. Keep up the great work!

[@bowfin9553]

Check out my latest video, first Bowfin of 2016

[@thundermistlures]

+Bowfin Thanks for writing in :)

[@SulavTimsina]

U shud better go to pond and show it.

[@davidlycan6513]

Hello

[@thundermistlures]

+David Lycan Hi David and thanks for writing in :)

[@davidlycan6513]

Yay!you reply my comment,and also I was feeling so happy to day after a month of catching nothing,we catch a crappie and my dad catch a huge monster catfish but he lost it cause the line is pop ^^

[@thundermistlures]

+David Lycan ....sounds like some exciting fishing David and hope you & your father have many more great days on the water :)

[@davidlycan6513]

+Thundermist Lures yup ^^