i fish from shore, i was wondering if there is a certain "way" or "rule of thumb" to determine how deep the water depth is where i am casting?  like the sink rate or something of cretain weight lures...just something to give me a rough estimate of how deep i am fishing...any help is much appreciated

Thanks

Cliff

With certain lures you can do a countdown method to get an idea of the depth, but if you can pick up a topo map ...

Rapala used to have thing with their countdown lure, that with a certain line test the bait would sink a foot per sec...

I know for me when I fish ultra light(90% of the time), if I fish with a 1/16th oz roostertail on 4 or 6 lb test that it sinks about a foot per second, so when it hits the water I start my count(one-one thousand, 2-one thousand, etc..)

If you can experiment with lures and line in a bucket or pool to get an idea...

Hope it helps...

if im fishing from shore i never know exactly what depth im fishing.  i do know whether im fishing shallow, medium, or deep and that seems to be enough.   i may not know that im fishing in 20 ft of water when i got bit but i will be able to count down my jig or whatever and find similarly depth of water.  knowing what the exact depth your at dosent help that much if you still have to count it down or find similar water by feel because you cant find it on a graph.  jmho

Try this.

Invite your little brother along.

Measure his height.

Tell him there's a secret surprise for him out in the middle of the lake.

When he goes under you'll know the approximate depth.

P.S. >  Little brothers sink at the rate of about 1 foot per second.

Hope this helps.

avid