Fishing Line

[Gatorjet]

Mostly baitfishing

What type of reel are you using? Open face spinning, Closed face spincast, or bait cast? and what is the rod action. What other type of fishing do you do with this equipment. You might want to get a lighter set up for Taney that could be also used for panfish in other places. You don't have to spend a lot of money on a rod and reel combo that will work just fine for baitfishing on Taneycomo and other places.

[troutgnat]

Amish Bill,

Here is exactly what I do for trout on Taneycomo. I have several of these rigs and they work like a charm. More importantly here take note of my actual drift rig described below for bait fishing. It is the best system I have ever come up with!!!

Rods-I like a longer rod. Remember, all these little 4-5' ultra-light outfits are made for the trout parks! Not best suited for Taneycomo! I use 6'6" to 7' light to med/light rods for Taneycomo. I like rods with good back bone and a slightly softer tip for sensitivity. My absolutely favorite trout rods are the Wally Marshall signature crappie rods at Bass Pro Shops. I have the 6'6" Md/light that I particularly like and others as well.

Reels-Rods are paired primarily with the Shimano Symmetry 750 size

Line-I have several that I like......I am fond of the following: Maxima ultra-green in 2 and 4# test, Trilene Sensation in 2 and 4# test, P-Line is outstanding but sometimes hard to find in smaller diameters.

Now that you have that here is my drift rig for bait fishing. I know many on here use the sliding egg wait or worm-sinker rig. That's O.K. and they will catch fish. In my opinion these are o.k. in lesser generation and if your bank fishing. Again, this is just my opinion. I find they get hung up easy that is why I use the following:

Drift Rig- A standard 3-way swivel rig. I modify it just a bit. Use a 3-way swivel the smallest you can find. I believe I have been buying size 14#'s at Bass Pro. It's been a while since I looked, anyway their smallest size. Naturally, main-line gets tied to the top. I attatch about a 12-14" piece of 4# mono to the bottom and tie to it a basic duo lock snap. No need for a swivel snap here. This is what you will attach your sinker too. All you have left now is your leader line to which your hook will be attached. Length here is variable depending on conditions but I usually average about 18". As long as you keep your leader line LONGER than your dropper/sinker line it will cast and drift fine for you. For my leader line I usually depend on 2# test. I tie this directly to my hook, NO SNAPS!

I am tempted to not put this in here because it is my own little trade secret but my good heart gets the better of me so here you go. When it comes to hooks. There is only one that I use for bait fishing on Taneycomo. If someone else out there uses this hook great you are a wise-one. I have been using this for years now and know of no-one else who does the same. Anyway, I use it because it works and if you want more hook-ups you will do the same!!! I use the Owner Black-Nickle Mosquito Hook in size #8. This is one sharp little devil with a nice wide gap for its size. It is actually sold as a drop-shot hook for bass fishing. This hook fits the power eggs perfect and even better it will fit two eggs. i.e.........many know this but many don't! If you want to catch more trout use two eggs in contrasting colors. You will catch more fish!

O.K. The above is my bait fishing drift rig for Taneycomo. If you need to see how these are tied. Phil Lilley sells them at his shop in various weights. Buy a few, take a look at them and modify them to your taste. I use the snap at the end of my dropper line because it allows me to adjust weights very quickly and easily! Carry an assortmen of bell sinkers in different weights for various water flow.

Last tip for the day! Now go to Bass Pro or if Phil sells them at his shop please go there!!! Seriously, Phil runs a great business and has most anything you will need and he will help you catch fish! I have learned alot from him. Anyway, get you a walleye harness rig holder. It is nothing more than a rubber tube capped on both ends so you can store stuff in the middle. It has rubber ridges and hooks so you can wind your leader/rigs on it for easy storage and removal. Now all you have to do is buy or make your leader rigs, wind them up and their good to go.

Well, if I find some time I will try and post some pics. If you have any questions just ask or go see Phil!

[perchjerker]

Hey Troutgnat, good idea on the hook. Iwent to a #6 bait hook because with a nightcrawler & 1 powerbait (usally white) in front of it that blocked to much of the #8 hook.I think I'll try some of the three way swivels also.Ibrought some last year but never tried them.Thanks for some very helpful hints. You are also spot on about Lilley's Landing & Phil.At times I have stayed there and other times a just rent a boat slip.Everything he does is nothing but first class at a reasonable price.

[Gatorjet]

Hey Troutgnat, good idea on the hook. Iwent to a #6 bait hook because with a nightcrawler & 1 powerbait (usally white) in front of it that blocked to much of the #8 hook.I think I'll try some of the three way swivels also.Ibrought some last year but never tried them.Thanks for some very helpful hints. You are also spot on about Lilley's Landing & Phil.At times I have stayed there and other times a just rent a boat slip.Everything he does is nothing but first class at a reasonable price.

I thought about the white power egg with the crawler rather than injecting it with air. Would be a little quicker than messing around with the injector bottle, and the worm usually goes "flat" in a short time. Have you tried the air, or have you always used the power egg?

I see some advantage of the three way swivel, but I like a snap swivel on my main line for ease of replacement of the rig. Just a loop in the rig 12-18 inches up from the weight to attach to the snap. I use good quality ball bearing cross lock snap swivels.

Ditto X 10 on Phil and Lilley's Landing!!

[troutgnat]

gator,

i have actually always done the air thing on crawlers. I have never done the power egg in front as perchjerker stated. he might be onto something. anyway crawlers are always second to the power eggs for me.........lol. i have used the mosquito hook on crawlers and done fine but keep in mind this hook does not have the bait barbs. i never liked the bait holder hooks because they usually had very narrow gap and hook and barb always seem to big and dull preventing "solid" hook ups. I can tell you since my finding of the mosquito hook my hook up ratio sky rocketed and i can usually set pretty fast preventing most trout from swallowing it.