So I got my launcher the other day. Yesterday I started out to launch the fishing weight over the first of two trees to spread out my folded dipole.
Turns out I'd never ever been fishing. After a couple hours I finally got the thread to mate with the sliver part of that Keeper thing that folds up or locks down.
I did eventually launch the weight over the lower of two trees and down slope into the tree branches and creeping vines.
What is the proper way to let-go the weight? Should I move the line keeper up or let it snap down? Should I reduce the tension of that knob/ratchet that seems to make the reel click more ...and which also make you able to haul in the line once it's out there.
Finding just where the weight was was problematic in my "jungle". I was pulling back and forth on the lie and looking to see if I noticed any movement. After 30 minutes of that, I DID notice that one of my big livestock guardian dogs was staring intently into the tree branches and kudzu vines, about 30 feet away.
I'd tug lightly on the line a foot or tow then release hit. His head would move up slightly then down slightly. It take me more that a couple tugs till I saw what he was looking at. Good Thor!
So my other question is one of: could I tie a short piece of that brightly colored, no-sticky, field ribbon/tape that we use to temporarily mark the top line of a fence?
Spray-painting the weight isn't an option as the width tolerance is too little and the weight got stuck.
Lastly, your grand-fathers video ... and up front he puts the sinker down the throat of the tube then says something like "just a little ways into it" . How does one keep the fishing-line from paying-out when I
elevate the tube for launch?
thank you
Bob NR4U
Give me a call later this afternoon around 3pm Eastern time if you want to talk more about it! 336-457-7783
For Question 2, You can definitely tie off a bright colored ribbon to the line before launch. I'm sure that would help a lot!
Question 3
For this one you want to close the valve, put pressure in the pressure chamber, then open the bail and allow the sinker to drop ALL the way down until it rests on the closed valve (make sure your sinker is tied off to the fishing line first) then open the bail and take your shot.
Good morning Bob!
Question #1
What is the proper way to let go the weight?
Answer: For this particular situation it sounds like the weight is caught up somewhere, you may need to cut the line. If you run out of line I recommend 30lb SpiderWire Braid. Then you may need to reduce pressure and take another shot. Ideally you want the weight to clear its way over the obstacle and fall cleanly down on the other side. Once on the other side you can cut off the sinker and tie the line onto whatever you want to raise up into the tree using the reel to pull in the line.