Cottonwood Fuzz

[Dan Thiem]

Does anyone else have the same frustrating problem of the Cottonwood trees fuzzy stuff on the water? The problem is that all the cotton that floats on the surface sticks to the line. Then it balls up and makes casting a real chore.

So I was wondering if anyone has a solution. I have tried plucking it off but it seems hopless. It's just a bummer getting it off the line.

[tonyjor]

You could probably try holding the tip of your rod under water while you reel in so the line stays under the surface. That will probably get you less heat from the fuzz

[Lunker]

There was a post a few days ago about this very thing. Main solution...wait until they go away. But they do really mess up fishing.I suggest that you try and pick them off before they ball up and become a real chore since then they are impossible to tear. Also, carry a small scissors(like a sewing scissors) and trim off the balls as they become a problem. But be careful to not knick the line.

[Northlander]

I hate that time of year on some lakes. I have had some BWCA trips that were just about impossible fishing wise because of that cotton wood. Didnt matter if I had mono or powewr pro on my reels it still stuck all over. I eventually went to cranks and just trolled with the tip of my rod in the water. After 15 minutes I just peeled it all off the rod.

[luckyc]

I have went so far as to stick a q-tip in the top eye when reeling in and then remove it to cast. Then every so often remove the jig, pull off the cottonball and retie. It's almost a giveme that it is prime crappie time when the cotton starts flying on my little crappie lake.

[Dan Thiem]

Great idea Lucky! That stuff makes slip bobber fishing almost impossible. If I keep sliding it down to the stop I end up with a bobber stop the size of a golf ball.

[The Grebe]

Dan...That stuff is really good to eat! First you take a little Japaleno and...."No, no, just kidding!"

This does'nt work 100% but it beats trying to pull that crap off...when you get a ball of fuzz on the line, hold the line so it is tight like a banjo string and snap the line, right at the cotton ball...it will pop it off after a couple of "twangs" and the bigger the ball, the better it works.

[Dave B]

I put a splitshot 3-4' from the lure to keep it from going that way, I have never had trouble with it getting in my rod.

[federline]

Thanks for posting this stuff. Had a frustrating outing recently with the cottonwood crapola, ended up with a massive tangle from an aborted cast. I'll have to try the q-tip and twang method.