I spend most of my lake trout fishing days jigging but this year I'd like to try trolling with lead core line. I was just wondering with 27lb. lead core line what pound test mono I should run to the lure and is it better to keep a tight drag or a looser drag when trolling for lakers. Any trolling information would be appreciated.
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I WOULD RUN A LIGHTER POUND TEST LEADER THAN MY MAIN LINE. IF YOU HAVE TO USE LIKE A 15 POUND TEST LEADER YOU MAY WANT TO INCORPERATE THE USE OF A SNUBBER INLINE HALF WAY DOWN THE LEADER TO SOFTEN UP THOSE LAKER HITS. IF YOU ARE TROLLING THEY WILL SLAM THAT THING, WE USED TO USE SNUBBERS AT BOTTLE HOLLOW RES AS A KID WHEN WE TROLLED FOR BIG BROWNS THEY HIT LIKE A MACK TRUCK TAKEING OUT MIKE TYSON. I WOULD GO LIGHTER ON THE LEADER THOUGH SO IF YOU GET SNAGGED OR SOMETHING YOU CAN SNAP YOUR LEADER AND NOT LOSE ANY OF THE CORE LINE YOU ARE SPOOLING UP...I THINK I WOULD TIGHTEN MY DRAG A CLICK OR TWO JUST SO THE EXTRA DRAG ON THE LINE FROM THE HEAVY LEAD CORE WONT START TO STRIP MY REEL AND IF YOU USE THE SNUBBER IT WONT BE MUCH OF AN ISSUE TO HAVE A HARDER DRAG, YOU WILL GET FORGIVNESS OUT OF THE SNUBB.
HOPE IT HELPS,
LATERS,
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You'll have a hard time reaching them in the summer with leadcore. If you don't have downriggers, then wire line is the way to go.
I am also a freshy to trolling and last weekend i spent on the gorge!!! I only had lead core line, and unfortunately it doesnt cut it to get to the depths of macks.. Last weekend for me was a trial and error type experience for me on trolling, but did learn a ton. I learned lead is great for bows and kokes, but to get lead line to the bottom you need to add weight. SO i am currently in the process of getting steel line, definitely after speaking to the owner of conquest expeditions.
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Leadline works well for kokes, but watchout when you get in with a bunch of koke fishermen. The boats with downriggers will snag your leadline if they cut to close behind you.
Instead of spending the money on a good rod and reel to handle the steel line I'd get the downrigger.
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Thanks for the adivice! Has anyone tried running a three way swivel off of regular line, say 30lb test mono and adding a 2oz. weight to the swivel and then running about 6 feet of leader to a big flat fish. I know its not a standard trolling rig but has anyone tried this?
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I have heard of people using a three-way swivel and tieing a railroad spike on as weight.
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