marker buoys 2024

i have rarely seen anyone fising deep structure use a marker buoy.  what are the pros and cons of using them or not using them  

i use them to mark weed edges then you can back off and fish them or i leave the buoys there and go back a couple hrs later providing there isn't alot of other boats on the lake..if you find a good spot and drift around a bit while fishing or unhooking a fish it's sometimes hard to find the same spot.

I am a huge fan of marker buoys. I like to fish in depths between 15 and 30 feet and find them almost a necessity. I usually use four with two being one color and two being another. If I am working a long ridge or dropoff I use one color to mark the bottom of the drop, and another to mark the top of the "shelf". That way I know the area in between them is the sweet part of the drop. They really help to keep your bearings when you are out away from shore and landmarks are hard to come by. I'll also use them to mark a cluster of fish seen on the finder. They are definately an underutilized tool. I can't remember ever seeing anyone else using them while out on the water. I like the Lindy brand, and have found the Bass Pro brand to have poorly sealed seams that leak.

I use them a lot but I have to say the cheap ones (2 for $3) are the best because I normally remember them about the time I get home.  ...lol   ;D

You'd be surprised how much help they are... never seems like you are drifting that much but drop a marker and see how much more you use the trolling motor to stay in position.

Worth a try if you fish deep at all.

I fish a lot of off shore grass beds that sometimes are quite small. Whan you hook a fish you can become disoriented to your spot. What I do is keep one on the top edge of my boat and when I get a hook up I kick it over board so I can find my spot.

I use them from time to time to mark weed edges. Other times, when I'm cruising looking for a sweet spot, I'll keep one on the bow of the boat and when I hook a bass on a search bait, I'll kick the buoy off to mark my spot so I can come back to that spot and probe the area more effectively with a tube or worm.

Madhouse,

I really like your idea of using two different colors to mark different spots of the area!

One reason we do not see as many bouys as we used to is because the GPS with topo markings are in many boats. These make it soooooo easy to not only fish exact bottom structure it also allows one to mark specific locations on the unit for an exact return. Mine sure has made a huge difference in my success rates.

I carry them with me and use them from time to time, but rarely skip fishing a spot that has one out, since alot of times they are used to mark brushpiles on some of the lakes I hit.

BassChaser57 has the right idea. I'm getting rid of these stupid marker buoys and getting an awesome GPS system ;D

While we're on the subject of marker buoys I read a tip from Mike Iconelli that I found kind of interesting. He was saying that he made his own markers out of clear plastic 20 ounce soda bottles. He seemed to think that the brightly colored ones might have an adverse effect on the fish and that his clear ones were a little more low impact. Maybe using some heavy mono for a weight line would be a bit more subtle than the heavy string that most of them come with.

I also recently saw a link or an ad for a new line of marker buoys that looked really awesome. It may have been in Bassmaster magazine. If I can figure it out I'll post it on here.

I use marker buoys to outline deep structure like humps, ridges and small flats out in the big water. Once I get an idea of the layout down there I check the GPS lake map to see if it matches the depth contours. When I fish it I set waypoints at key boat positions where I get bites over the outlined area. The markers stay put to keep the area in view, taken up when I'm ready to leave. There's a GPS anchor alarm feature that allows me to hear a beeping sound when I drift a little way off a waypoint. Even with markers out there it would still be hard to stay in a good position just watching markers. Before GPS I'd look up and wonder which end or side I was on unless there were some close landmarks. With the alarm set I can keep my eyes on the fishing, then look markers over when repositioning around the area. The GPS is something I wouldn't ever want to be without now. It sure came in handy tonight coming in off the lake in a fog. When the moon came up the fog glare was even more blinding.

Jim

I've never used marker buoy's so this will probably sound like a silly question, but how do you ensure the buoy doesn't move? I assume a line is tied to the bouy and a weight is tied to the line, which is dropped to the bottom of the lake?  If so, how much weight is required to hold it in place?

Timely topic.  I haven't used buoys yet but just made some.  Six inches of 2"  PVC with end caps, painted red w/ 4 oz sinkers.  I enjoy fabricating stuff like this, keeps me occupied between fishing trips.  

One tip for using marker buoys, change the stock weight that always breaks anyway with a 3-4oz pyramid sinker.  They hold in place in current and wind much better.  I run a rubber band through the eye of the weight to make storing the line much easier.

I utilize marker buoys quite a bit, and have found out, the hard way, a few tips.

I always use the round, dumbell buoys in deep water. The flat buoys that flop when the line is coming off, take too long and  by the time the weight gets to the bottom the buoys is off where I wanted it. If you are fishing in deep water, heavier weights are a good idea.

If you are fishing in water with zebra muscles a thread a 2-3' piece of aquarium tubing over the line just above the weight, will save from losing the weight or buoy.

Also you can paint the buoys black except for a little square on the end, leave that unpainted. The black will be hard to see, for others, but with the orange square on the end, you will be able to see them.

Hope this helps a bit.

I use markers alot too,I've had as many as 10-12 out at a time to outline points and humps etc.....Once I get them out,I will just back off and study the markers for a couple minutes and get a good visual of just how the bottom is laid out,sort of "burning" the buoy set-up into my mind.Marker buoys will really help your deep water game if you just take the time to use them.

I use marker buoys to mark areas that I've found on my depth finder such as humps,drop offs,channels,etc.They do help keep you on target as the boat tends to drift.

I don't want the weight touching bottom, but floating free. It's way too much trouble to adjust lengths to reach bottom, and if the line was always long enough to reach there, the buoy would always drift off until reaching the end of the line. When a ring of low profile buoys are set out free floating they tend to remain in place until wind gets up above maybe 12 or more. I'm not likely to see any of the m in higher wind because of waves, and I'd probably lose them, so they are mostly for low wind use anyway. I think it's waves more than wind that moves them. Once I set them out and fish them that project is likely over with within 30 minutes anyway, so if they drift some it's not too bad. I like the H shaped buoys which have held up the best in waves and they take the least space stored in the boat.

They are especially useful for night fishing. I put red reflective tape on the tips which glow from the light of a head lamp I wear over cap. I get disoriented far more at night than day, so markers keep me fishing better and give me a better casting range.

Jim

I have NEVER heard of anyone using marker buoys and not having the weight touch the bottom! :-?

I don't see how you would ever expect them to stay in one place.

I think you should try having the weight hit the bottom, and you might get more out of using them!

Upnorth, I'm going to take your advice about changing to pyramid style weights. Those flat wrap around lead strips they come with seem to flutter on the way down and kind of end up off the mark. I know Lindy has a rack for storing their marker buoys but the kit is a pit pricy for a piece of plastic. Has anyone come up with a good system for keeping the markers ready to go without having them strewn around the boat.

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I don't want the weight touching bottom, but floating free. It's way too much trouble to adjust lengths to reach bottom, and if the line was always long enough to reach there, the buoy would always drift off until reaching the end of the line. When a ring of low profile buoys are set out free floating they tend to remain in place until wind gets up above maybe 12 or more. I'm not likely to see any of the m in higher wind because of waves, and I'd probably lose them, so they are mostly for low wind use anyway. I think it's waves more than wind that moves them. Once I set them out and fish them that project is likely over with within 30 minutes anyway, so if they drift some it's not too bad. I like the H shaped buoys which have held up the best in waves and they take the least space stored in the boat.

Jim

I've never heard of anything so crazy in my life.  

Let me ask you this.  If you go to anchor your boat do you allow the anchor to touch bottom or does it just hang, dangling off the side?  

All my markers came loaded with line and a sinker. I've never measured the lengths, but maybe they are 50' long? I use markers in water from maybe 20 feet deep up to 120 (in winter). I just toss them out and the line peels out to the end most of the time, meaning the sinker probably is dangling off bottom. Sometimes the sinker lands with extra line still on the marker. If it hits bottom with line left to peel out it'll drift until reaching the end of the line, marker flopping occasionally, and that marker might end up 30 feet off target or more. So how do you guys always get it on bottom? Do you look at the sonar to get a depth then put that much line on? Do you put 100 feet of line on and wait for it to peel off, hit bottom, then clamp the left over line to the marker so the marker stays over the sinker? Maybe I'm a dunce where it comes to this, but I haven't paid any attention to position of the sinker. It lands where it lands. If the marker floats off it just does. I don't use them in significant wind anyway as they are too easy to lose in the waves.

I do use an anchor in significant wind to hold the boat against the waves or current to remain over one spot. But I mostly use one or two socks, not needing to stay put in one spot.

With sinker dangling I think the line resistance in the water keeps the marker from moving much, at least for the short time I'll have them out.

So please explain how you always get the sinker on bottom and know the marker is over target.

Jim

Cart's killing me over here ;D

Hey Cart! So what bout it? You wrote "I've never heard of anything so crazy in my life."  The more I think about it you have one finger pointing my way but 3 pointing back at ya  ;D  

1. Do you only use markers in the perfect depth range so the sinker hits bottom, never in deeper water than the sinker will reach?

2. Do you know the marker line length without measuring it so you'd know the sinker will rest on bottom, and if the line is too long will it stay over the target of drift until reaching end of the line?

3. Do you put more line on markers than comes on them and wait there for the line to stop rolling off then tie it off so the marker stays put over the target?

Whichever or whatever else you come up with won't be anything I've seen or heard of anyone doing. I think you're out on a limp limb.

Or just apologize for rudeness. Maintain your credibilityand take responsibility, Sir! I've watched MANY pros fishing out here and on many other lakes using those things, and far more experienced anglers do the same, and their use has been discussed on ESPN shows, etc.. They just toss them out and let em unroll. It isn't worth the time and trouble making sure enough line is on to anchor bottom. They fish the spot a short period, gather the markers up and move on. NOBODY worrys about getting the sinker on bottom. That's rediculous.

Jim

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All my markers came loaded with line and a sinker. I've never measured the lengths, but maybe they are 50' long? I use markers in water from maybe 20 feet deep up to 120 (in winter). I just toss them out and the line peels out to the end most of the time, meaning the sinker probably is dangling off bottom. Sometimes the sinker lands with extra line still on the marker. If it hits bottom with line left to peel out it'll drift until reaching the end of the line, marker flopping occasionally, and that marker might end up 30 feet off target or more. So how do you guys always get it on bottom? Do you look at the sonar to get a depth then put that much line on? Do you put 100 feet of line on and wait for it to peel off, hit bottom, then clamp the left over line to the marker so the marker stays over the sinker? Maybe I'm a dunce where it comes to this, but I haven't paid any attention to position of the sinker. It lands where it lands. If the marker floats off it just does. I don't use them in significant wind anyway as they are too easy to lose in the waves.

I do use an anchor in significant wind to hold the boat against the waves or current to remain over one spot. But I mostly use one or two socks, not needing to stay put in one spot.

With sinker dangling I think the line resistance in the water keeps the marker from moving much, at least for the short time I'll have them out.

So please explain how you always get the sinker on bottom and know the marker is over target.

Jim

I don't know how much line comes on the bouy's.  I'm thinking it's 50' but it could be less, either way I don't fish in any water any deeper than what's on the bouys anyway.  If I was, I'd merely add more line to it. A bouy without the sinker hitting bottom is worthless. BTW,  Dropping a buoy without the sinker hitting bottom is no different than dropping an anchor on a boat with it hitting bottom. It's a waste of time.  Bodies of water aren't stagnant from top to bottom. There's actually current, however slight, at different depths.  If your line with sinker is merely dangling it's very likely those currents will drag the bouy way off whatever it is you're trying to mark.  Even if that doesn't happen, current or wind on the surface will move the bouy.

As for whether the sinker is actually falling straight down and giving me a precise representation of the exact breakline I'm trying to mark,  I only use the bouys as a referance.  Once they're in location I'll go to my finder to see where the structure is exactly as compared to where the bouy ended up. It's usually pretty close.  Besides, I don't want the buoy cord right on top of the structure anyway but off structure. I sure don't want to worry about a fish getting itself tangled up in the bouy cord.  

So, when you drop a marker of unknown line length the sinker always hits bottom, and obviously the line keeps unwinding and marker travels an unknown distance away from target. To each his own. I've lost markers floating in the lake and came back when waves dropped down to find them hours later still around target. A suspended anchor under a boat catching wind will sail a lot faster and farther than a tiny marker barely poking up catching wind, more aerodynamic than a 20 foot long boat. Give them a day or two and yes, the markers will float off a quarter mile, maybe. Any boat without anchor grounded will drift miles in the same period. The line offers much more drag than wind can move the marker. When you visit a deeper lake you add more line? Huh. Never heard of that. Seems to me your method is the crazy one, completely odd from what probably most serious anglers do using them. I would agree that if you intend to leave them there for the next day then they ought to have sinker hitting bottom, but unless you are using about a two pound sinker it won't be there, as each wave will hoist the marker, pick the sinker up and relocate it. Unless you know the line length and compare that to known lake depth, you don't know what will happen. Anyway, those things are intended for temporary marking for a brief attack on open water. I don't know a single case in which I've seen or heard of users planning on the sinker resting on bottom. You toss them out and start fishing, fish the spot typically 20-30 minutes up to maybe a whole hour, then pick the markers up and move on.  

Jim

Let me get this straight. You have no problem with throwing out a marker and having the weight not touch the bottom, and you trust it is in the desired location. Then whem you throw a marker out and the weight hits the bottom, you are convinced the bouy floats off target? All the time in no wind or waves?

I have never NEVER heard anything that makes less sense. Maybe a screen door on a submarine!

You might want to sit back and think about this for a while, or maybe you have.

You wrote that " NOBODY worries about getting the sinker on bottom." You can't be serious?

I am going to copy this thread and show my friends, they won't believe me if I just tell them!

The weight is absolutely supposed to be on the bottom!

Do you catch any fish while using a marker buoy?

I don't really have a problem with my marker buoys continuing to "run" after the weight has hit bottom. The line usually stops moving and they pretty much stay in place. If the bottom is really smooth the weight might slide around a bit. I'm going with Upnorths idea and replacing the flat lead wrap with a pyaramid so I think the extra weight will help them stay put all the time. For some reason, I thought the standard buoys came with around 80 feet of line. Ouach, I'm not sure why your buoys are still unwinding after the weight has hit bottom. What type are you using? In real high winds I've had my "H" shaped ones do an occasional extra flip. I prefer the dumbell style from Lindy. Try not to get too worked up over Cart's comment, it was kind of funny.  The way you were describing your set up I too was picturing buoys with ten feet of line floating around in thirty feet of water. While I'm not completely onboard with your system, I do understand that the drag of line and weight will keep the buoy more in place than say a paper cup floating on the water.

I want my weights on my buoys to be on the bottom at all times.I've actually never heard of using them any other way.

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So, when you drop a marker of unknown line length the sinker always hits bottom, and obviously the line keeps unwinding and marker travels an unknown distance away from target. To each his own.

Jim

Just what kind of markers are you using?    I've dropped mine in water as deep as 35' and I've always had enough line, if I didn't, I'd add more line.  Another amazing feature of mine is the buoy actually stops unwinding when the weight hits bottom. Granted, I had to pay extra for that feature but it's worth it.  Now, if there's a decent chop on the water it's not unheard of for the marker to unwind occasionally as it rides the waves but certainly not to the extent where they're traveling "unknown distances" away from my target I was marking in the first place.  

Since your markers are allowed to just float around with the weights dangling I'd suggest tieing a 2/0 treble on the end by the weight and bait it with a bluegill or some livers.  Sounds like a perfect opportunity to double up on your catch with some catfish.  

I don't know the brands, one type being orange and H-shaped from BPS. They come in 4-pks I think. The other is like a yo-yo made of styrofoam. I don't usually need markers in shallow water. I mostly use them for times when a target is deep and staying on it with proper casting angles would be too difficult with GPS alone. It's all very simple. In deep water they unroll until the line plays out. If they snap stopped I know the sinker is suspended over bottom. Frankly I prefer to not want bass to have those things hitting around them. In shallower water they unroll quickly until sinker hits. Until the line tightens wind/wave drift moves the marker along the surface. With just a little wave presure the H slowly unwinds the rest of the line until the line is fairly tight. By then the marker is not where I tossed it. And neither does yours. But where I toss them with sinker suspended they remain in place. The resistance of the weighted line to the water column is greater than the very light marker, so the marker hangs over the sinker. They all stay in place except in winds too high to make for comfortable fishing. In calm water my H markers float with extra line wrapped on if sinker is on bottom. But in shallow with wind they don't stay put over the sinker. I'm not looking for precision placement anyway, just a general idea of the shape of a structure. I won't take more than a couple minutes putting them out on one pass of the boat. Adding line to be sure they are on bottom is a rediculous idea, taking way too much time just for outlining an area. Good grief! I'd rather fish than make sure every marker sinker is on bottom.   It's a lot like setting out jug rigs for catfish. I don't bother putting sinker on the bottom even with a 2 gallon jug unless I expect high wind. They just float over a channel rarely moving out of line until a catfish bites and swims it away. Even with a sinker on bottom they yank it out of position. But until they bite a suspended sinker holds those big jugs in place. Wind puts a lot more pressure on the jugs than on those little H markers. Back to the H markers. I don't know the line lengths and don't care. They have whatever length that comes on them. The sinker is weighted so as not to submerge the marker. I just toss them and let them unwind. If I see they are in shallow water I know the marker will drift off until the line is out, then they stabilize wherever they stop.  By then I'm probably done fishing the spot anyway.

Maybe there's some confusion about using them in lakes as described above, and in a flowing river. In a river the sinker would have to be on bottom, but if much current they'll all float away regardless of where the sinker is. I fished the Ar River for many years and wouldn't use them in current strong enough to move the boat.

Jim

WOW!

He thinks the will stay put with the weight not on the bottom, but will drift with the weight on the bottom!

Anyone else confused, besides him and I? :-?

You can lead a horse to water but can't make it drink.  ;D

Jim

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You can lead a horse to water but can't make it drink. ;D

Jim

How about you can post about marker buoys, but you can't make oachita think!  :

Or common sense isn't so common anymore!  ;D

I'm heading to the lake for 5 days, some time will be spent crappie fishing.  I've got an anchor with about 50 feet of rope on it but I think I'll just cut it down to about 10 feet.  Who needs the extra 40 feet when I can just dangle the anchor over the side and the boat stays in place!!  

;D  Let me suggest one or two drift socks instead.

Jim

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