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Hey fellas,
It's official. I'm heading out to Mead on 11/17 and returning on the 25th. Taking the 50' houseboat out of Temple Bar, and I can't wait. The stripers should be really biting by then, if they aren't already doing so right now. Should be a great trip. I'm even going to try to troll off the back of the houseboat. That should be an interesting experience.
Best regards,
Paul
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I understand that I should use 12 lb lead core with a medium size rattle trap for purposes of trolling off the back of a houseboat. Has anyone attempted to do anything like this? Trolling in the houseboat may be somewhat difficult but it should be fun.
Best regards,
Paul
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From my salt days. You can use a lead core line instead of downriggers. The lead line gives a better hold and smoother action. Make sure you get the colored line. The package will tell you what color changes equal in trolling depth
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Thanks Evandostert, that's what I understand as well. The colored line will let me know how deep I am. I'm just wondering if 12 lb test would be too light if I am successful in hooking up a monster striper - anything beyond 20 lbs and up to 40 lbs. I think I can still handle a 20 pounder with 12 lb test but anything beyond that, I'm in trouble. Shall I go with a heavier lead core line? My understanding is that there aren't many kinds of lead core lines, i.e., 12 lb test, 15 lb test, 20 lb test, etc. I hear there's basically 12 lb test and 40 lb test. Is that accurate? If they have 15 lb test, I think that would be perfect for me. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks.
Best regards,
Paul
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GOOGLE KERPLUNK THEY HAVE AN 18 AND 27 POUNDER. YOU SHOULD BE FINE. THAT LINE HAS KINDA LIKE A CHEAP SUPERBRAID COVERING IT. ALWAYS TAKE AN EXTRA SPOOL WITH YOU. ONCE IT GETS KINKED OR YOU SNAG SOMETHING YOUR ALL DONE. TIME FOR MORE LINE ALTHOUGH IT IS PRETTY TOUGH I JUST GOT USED TO FISHING WITH THE SPIDER WIRE STUFF NOW.
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DON'T FORGET A PRETTY BIG LEADER AS LEAD CORE REALLY TENDS TO SPOOK FISH GO FOR A 10 FOOT LEADER. THIS STUFF YOU BUILD YOURSELF.
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get plenty of 2 and 3 oz lead bottom bouncers in bright colors for jiggin the bottom . . fish shaped - lead body, big treble hook on the end
sm
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Thanks for the great advice. I googled Kerplunk. Lead core line is quite pricey as compared to regular line but I guess that's to be expected. I've also done some research on lead core line, and it seems like it's not a very popular option. I'm wondering if I should just use regular 15 lb line, and see how I do on that. What do you think? Does lead core line make that much of a difference? Thanks again for all your advice.
Best regards,
Paul
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Hi Southerman, thanks for the suggestion. I've never jigged before. How is that different from simply tying up a rattletrap or lure to 6-8 ounces of weight to troll the bottom? Is there different action on the line? Thanks again.
Best regards,
Paul
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I would use the smallest test you can get buy with. The bigger the test the larger diameter, 40 test is huge, it fills up the spool fast. I only used it for umbrella rigs in the ocean and it produced a great smooth trolling presentation. The biggest bonus was it is simple compared to down riggers and all that mess.
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hopefully this link will work . . this is the idea - a heavy fish shaped jig that will get you down to 100+ feet fast, you hit bottom, then jig up 3-4 feet at a time, watch for the strike on the fall . .
[url "http://cgi.ebay.com/1-5oz-SG-BLUE-SHAD-BAIT-LURE-BODY-BASS-STRIPER-JIG_W0QQitemZ230136332346QQihZ013QQcategoryZ31690QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.com/1-5oz-SG-BLUE-SHAD-BAIT-LURE-BODY-BASS-STRIPER-JIG_W0QQitemZ230136332346QQihZ013QQcategoryZ31690QQcmdZViewItem[/url]
have fun!
sm
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That's perfect, SM. I'll let you know how I do.
Thanks,
Paul
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Hi fellas:
Well, I'm leaving tomorrow (Sat, Nov. 17) evening for Mead (Temple Bar Marina). We'll be in the 50' houseboat trolling the Temple Basin during the day, and fishing with chovies at night. I believe we're the only houseboat going out of Temple Bar during the Thanksgiving week so we won't be hard to spot. Well, actually...given that the lake is so huge, we may be hard to spot if we're anchored deep in a cove. I can't wait to get to Mead...the weather has been absolutely gorgeous from what I understand.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and look out for us if you happen to be on the AZ side of Mead.
Best regards,
Paul
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