Fishing equipment question

[KittyFisherJim]

Ok I've been fishing the past few years off of a dock in the west metro. I've caught some nice catfish, northerns, walleye and I'm wondering what is the best tackle I should be using. I fish with shiners in the early spring and big sucker minnows in the summer. I know that I'm probably not using the best tackle that I could be using. I fish off the bottow btw. So can someone lead me in a good path on line, sinker, and hook setup. Thanks Jim

[waltinader]

When I fish off the bottom I usually use a small or medium egg weight with a little weight for the stopper, than I put that 2 or 3 feet from the hook, I like to use floater hooks so it keeps the bait off the bottom and in the strike zone.

[nofishfisherman]

Thats precisely what I have done as well. Seems to work well.

Only other option I could thing off would be a slip bobber set to hang the bait in the stike zone. The method from the previous post would be a better option though.

[Bruce Mosher]

What I always use is the "Foam Walkers" from Today's Tackle. They are the perfect slip sinker. They are self standing, Snap on and off line, Change weights to match depth and speed, and have more features and options than anything else on the market. I rig up a Foam Walker (from shore I use the 1/2oz. In a river you can add more weight) with a bead, snap swivel and about 2 to 3 feet back I put my bait on a floater. That way the line is always off the bottom and so is my bait (because of the flaoter). You can buy and read about them at www.todaystackle.com or on this site in the tackle store. Bruce Mosher