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Started By
Message
Casting platform height
Posted on 12/26/17 at 8:50 pm
Posted on 12/26/17 at 8:50 pm
I’ve gotten into sight fishing/fly fishing reds. The thrill of watching a red hit a fly just can’t be beat. I’m looking for the right sight fishing set up , casting platform wise. What I started out with is an 18” tall casting platform. 2’x 2’ wide. From there, I have built a box under it to raise the platform to 30”. I can definitely see better with this. I don’t know if it’s just me, or if I spook more fish with the higher platform.
So the question is, what’s the optimum height? Is there a certain height better for certain conditions? My back poling platform is 42” high. I don’t wanna go higher than that.
So the question is, what’s the optimum height? Is there a certain height better for certain conditions? My back poling platform is 42” high. I don’t wanna go higher than that.
10
Posted on 12/26/17 at 9:19 pm to Elusiveporpi
Literally just saw this pic on Imgur
Posted on 12/26/17 at 9:22 pm to all_over_it
I just uploaded it to there so I could post it. Ahah
Posted on 12/26/17 at 9:26 pm to Elusiveporpi
Where’d you buy the platform from? I’ve been needing a new one and would love to avoid shelling out $250+
If anyone has any cost-effective ideas on a platform please share
If anyone has any cost-effective ideas on a platform please share
Posted on 12/26/17 at 9:34 pm to MrJudgeSmails
I built that one myself for about $125. All parts are from Lowe’s. 1” square tubing, and 1x12 wood for that top. Everything is bolted or screwed together. I’ll take some better pictures of it tomorrow
Posted on 12/26/17 at 10:44 pm to Elusiveporpi
I think most people go with 18" or around there. That being said, I've been on boats with a 36" platform and not spooked fish and I've been on skiffs with no platform and spooked fish. It all depends on wind, where the sun is in relation to where you're fishing, and how the fish are acting that day.
Posted on 12/27/17 at 6:49 am to Elusiveporpi
Nice, some pics would be much appreciated!
Posted on 12/27/17 at 7:29 am to reds on reds on reds
I have also read that what you are wearing can spook fish. Bright colors that don't blend in well with the sky are a no go.
Posted on 12/27/17 at 7:33 am to Elusiveporpi
There's no ideal size that I know of, there's guys that sight fish from their cobia towers on bay boats. Higher the better, but you just gotta make sure you can balance and not fall.
Posted on 12/27/17 at 7:33 am to Elusiveporpi
I'm having a 20" platform made, but I'm making it big enough to strap my 45 yeti on top of. Gives you options incase it's a little cloudy, choppy, or murky to go higher or if its bluebird, you can be lower. Just have to watch the sun if you're high up and see how your shadow is being cast out. Would suck for your shadow to spook them.
Posted on 12/27/17 at 7:45 am to Elusiveporpi
I've been obsessed with sight fishing for years and can say that height of your platform is not a determining factor in spooking reds, in Louisiana at least. The amount of fishing pressure in the area and noise you make are more of a big deal... and shadows, never allow your shadow to cross a fish.
I don't do much buggy whipping, or take many that do, but for using slaysticks, i love my double tiered platform with the top height at 48 inches and bottom at 22 inches. You need a leaning post in front or back at that top height.
The double tier and rear leaning bar allows me to fish three on the tower with 2 up top and 1 on the lower tier. Great when taking kids and teaching them the craft.
Remote trolling motors are a must
I don't do much buggy whipping, or take many that do, but for using slaysticks, i love my double tiered platform with the top height at 48 inches and bottom at 22 inches. You need a leaning post in front or back at that top height.
The double tier and rear leaning bar allows me to fish three on the tower with 2 up top and 1 on the lower tier. Great when taking kids and teaching them the craft.
Remote trolling motors are a must
This post was edited on 12/27/17 at 7:53 am
Posted on 12/27/17 at 7:58 am to Elusiveporpi
Just watched Paradise La and they were fishing with Nicky Savoie who just won the 2017 IFA Redfish tour with his partner Paul Dufrene and his casting platform was every bit of 6' tall on his boat! Nicky is probably 6'5" so when he climbed that tower he had a hell of a view! So I don't think the height would spook redfish.
His platform was hinged and laid down to travel. Then stood up and locked into place to fish! It was impressive. My scared of heights self would probably lock up when I got up there and couldn't fish!
His platform was hinged and laid down to travel. Then stood up and locked into place to fish! It was impressive. My scared of heights self would probably lock up when I got up there and couldn't fish!
Posted on 12/27/17 at 8:25 am to WilsonPickett
quote:
His platform was hinged and laid down to travel. Then stood up and locked into place to fish! It was impressive.
That is my 1 regret, wish mine folded down.
Side note, Nicki and Paul are good peeps, they are on a heck of a run right now.
For the Cship back in October we were in the top 5 with them after day 1 and had a shot with a good day 2, knowing our chance of a heavy bag is high with us on fish locally in Venice and them running to Dcroix.... Well, we were wrong, they extended their lead... in worse conditions than day 1... they are on a run right now...
Posted on 12/27/17 at 9:29 am to Elusiveporpi
Check out mines baw. I get a nosebleed every now and then.
This post was edited on 12/27/17 at 9:30 am
Posted on 12/27/17 at 9:35 am to Saskwatch
That's crazy high.
There are a number of bad decision in that pic. To start with, who puts a Honda on an SCB?
There are a number of bad decision in that pic. To start with, who puts a Honda on an SCB?
Posted on 12/27/17 at 9:40 am to Dock Holiday
quote:
who puts a Honda on an SCB?
I hung a Honda on there so I wouldn't be sandbagged with a broke down Merc the whole time.
Posted on 12/27/17 at 9:44 am to Saskwatch
quote:
wouldn't be sandbagged with a broke down Merc the whole time.
Ha... some truth to that...
Posted on 12/27/17 at 9:53 am to Elusiveporpi
I haven't read any posts above mine, but I've had various platforms over the years at various different heights so I can offer some insight.
You shouldn't spook fish with a higher platform so long as it's within reason. The tournament fishing scene seems to be in a constant contest to build higher platforms though, so maybe some of those 10' platforms will spook fish
. I currently have two - an 18" and a 30". I use the 18" when I've got someone to pole, and I use the 30" if I'm fishing by myself. I also had a 36" on my duck boat for a long time.
If you're primarily fishing with a baitcaster, 30" and above is great, because it allows you to pitch underhanded and keep your lure right above the water, which eases your presentation. Fly fishing is the opposite. I've always found it much more difficult to soften the presentation of a lead eye fly from a higher casting point than a lower casting point. So, if you're primarily concerned with fly fishing, I would go with a shorter platform for presentation's sake.
I won't pretend to know the geometry, but I can definitely see further from my taller platform. The difference is most noticeable on slick calm days with dirty water or clouds. On sunny days with clean water, I can see as far as I can cast (sometimes farther) from my smaller platform.
You shouldn't spook fish with a higher platform so long as it's within reason. The tournament fishing scene seems to be in a constant contest to build higher platforms though, so maybe some of those 10' platforms will spook fish
. I currently have two - an 18" and a 30". I use the 18" when I've got someone to pole, and I use the 30" if I'm fishing by myself. I also had a 36" on my duck boat for a long time. If you're primarily fishing with a baitcaster, 30" and above is great, because it allows you to pitch underhanded and keep your lure right above the water, which eases your presentation. Fly fishing is the opposite. I've always found it much more difficult to soften the presentation of a lead eye fly from a higher casting point than a lower casting point. So, if you're primarily concerned with fly fishing, I would go with a shorter platform for presentation's sake.
I won't pretend to know the geometry, but I can definitely see further from my taller platform. The difference is most noticeable on slick calm days with dirty water or clouds. On sunny days with clean water, I can see as far as I can cast (sometimes farther) from my smaller platform.
Posted on 12/27/17 at 9:53 am to Saskwatch
Multi-purpose boat, has a deer stand on it! Does that iPilot remote have enough range to use while way up there?? 
Posted on 12/27/17 at 10:13 am to GEAUXLPOST
Thanks for all the responses. Since i have the 18" single person platform already, I'm thinking the other one will be a ~30" platform that will hold 2 people. Maybe making it the same shape as the large front hatch in the first posted picture. That way it will strap to the hatch so i could still get into it.
I never thought about the shirt color or shadows, that will have to be something i take into consideration on the next trip. The trolling motor scares them the most from what i can tell.
I never thought about the shirt color or shadows, that will have to be something i take into consideration on the next trip. The trolling motor scares them the most from what i can tell.
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