Line & Leader for trolling

[Blll]

OK. I've been doing ok catching Whites and walleyes between the islands this week. Still new to trolling but I know I had a couple striper hits that both broke my line on the initial run. I know, too much pressure on the drag but what # test line are you guys using? I'm set-up with 15# braid and a 10# fluro leader. The leader broke both times and not at the knot. My boat slip neighbor says he uses 25# fluro leader but won't that lesson the depth the lure can reach. I really want to stay hooked up to one of these freight trains. All opinions welcome. Thanks in advance.

[M_Taylor]

Hard to say exactly but maybe the drag is set too right or the reel itself doesn't have a smooth enough drag. Or a nick in the leader can weaken it quite a bit. Braid won't stretch either, therefore putting more pressure on your line.

It's all an opinion of course, but I don't think it's because the line isn't strong enough. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that I have caught and seen stripers caught on 8-10lb floro quite consistently. Up to 35 pounds in my boat.

Not sure of that's a good answer but it's my two cents. Glad to hear you are hooking up on them. 90% of the challenge for me right there.

[Feathers and Fins]

10lb floro straight to the hook and never an issue. I set my drags very light for all trolling and adjust during the fight as needed ( ALWAYS back it off when they get near the boat )

Check the first 10ft of line before fishing and then after each fish check the first 3 feet for nicks or frays.

[J-Doc]

Quality of line is paramount I'd say. And the knot is equally important. Any nicks or greys in the line from brush piles or hang ups is a weakness. Re-tie when needed. About all I can offer.

[uofastudent]

I like putting a small high quality barrel swivel in between my braid and leader. It's easier and I feel stronger than a line to line knot

[Tanderson15]

With 4/15 power pro I just don't use a leader. Side by side one with leader and one without didn't seem to madder to the fish.

[Feathers and Fins]

Bill if your wanting one of the Big Girls the set-up is simple

Brooder minnow of shad.

Match the hook to the size of bait, typically a 3/0 circle hook for most baits but big shad over 8'' go up to a 6/0 circle hook. Don't waste your time with cheap Eagle Claws get the Gamakatsu or better yet Owner circle hooks.

Tie 10lb fluorocarbon straight to the hook

Set your baits behind the boat 150 ft. Put a small split shot on one bait 3ft above the bait and troll at .5 mph during the day. Toward dusk I will put a 1/4oz split shot on both rods and kick the speed up to 1.0mph

Be certain your drag is set at just enough so the line doesn't go free spool and tight enough so the fish can easily bend the rod but with tension to set the hook. ( LET THE FISH SET THE HOOK NOT YOU) if you yank a circle the fish will laugh as he swims off.

That has been the hot ticket since December for catching these fish. Most are following the 25 to 30ft contour so that is where you need to look. They will be suspended from bottom to 8 ft.

[rps]

^ That is gold mine information, although I am NOT a flouro fan. I say YoZuri copolymer.

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

I have tried the berkely vanish for leader and it is the weakest line i have ever used. Told my buddy to by some 8lb flouro cuz we were going trolling the next day and he got some vanish. And it was just as bad, i thought i may have got a bad spool of it or somthing. But He was breaking line right and left. I would stay away from it. Now we use Fireline as the the main and suffix flouro as a leader and it works great. Buying a little more expensive flouro isnt so bad when your just using it for a leader, the spool will last a long time only using 10 feet at a time... thats just my experience. and i have used a lot of different and cheaper flouros but that is the only one that stood out as being weak. Stren flouro is fairly inexpensive and i have had good luck with it too

[zarraspook]

aarchdale has got it right !!!!

I have been fishing for over 60 years and the combo he described is the best for trolling I have found..

Personally I use the newer PowerPro 15/4 with the Suffix flouro leader....

If I am trolling something that tends to roll/twist , I will use a small high quality ball bearing swivel to join the lines....