Trolling line preferences

[SD/Will]

Need to spool my two new Diawa linecounters up and I'm looking for advice and or preferences from you expert trollers out there. I like Fireline for jigging and live bait presentations but am new to the trolling game. Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks
SD/Will

[Chad]

I preferr Fireline 10/4. The lures make your rod vibrate nicly. If the vibration stops you know the lure is fouled. I assume you are already aware of the drawbacks of firelines no stretch properties so I wont comment there.

when loading a reel with fire line spool on some mono backing first. I use old 10-12lb mono. Hopefully you never get down to unless you hook into a salmon like my buddie did a couple weeks ago on Sakakawea. Any way, Spool onthe mono and leave about a 1/4 for the fireline. I just buy the 125 yd spools. A 1/4 is enough. Now, some folks like to calibarate their line counters, Personally, I dont have the time or patience to do this. I think most will be pretty close to within reason but on any given day it could make a difference.

Hope that helps.

[Gumbo]

I put PowerPro 30-lb on my 27LCs. First, put 1000' of 12-lb XT, then tie on the PowerPro with a back-to-back uni-knot, and there will be just enough room left on the spool for all the PowerPro. This line is strong enough to pull up tree stumps should you snag, yet small enough to catch perch. I use mine for everything from perch to trout to walleye to bass to lake trout. Very versatile.

Good fishing.

[Bob Z]

Will,

For pulling cranks I use the 10 lb Fireline.

On my Dipsey rods I use 20 lb.

I also back the lines with mono on the spool. Use the Palomar knot on the Fireline and your set to go.

[SUPERTROLLER]

Just in case you're not fully aware of some of the drawbacks to trolling no-stretch superlines. Run your drags as loose as possible. Do not set the hook. Just reel in the fish. they will set the hook by their thrashing and pulling. If you set the hook or don't allow your drags to do the job, the fish will tear a larger hole at the hook entry point. Most fish are lost due to this problem. This is the main complaint from new users of superlines. Long limber rods help too, if you have them available.

[BD aka The Mad Troller]

Go with Maxima Chameleon mono. The no streach super lines will give you fits trolling.

[Dodge1]

Third vote for 10lb test Fireline. The other posts covered having mono as a backup, using the Palomar knot and setting your drag.

The sensitivity you get when trolling with the 10lb Fireline is unbelievable. You can easily tell when you've fouled the lure and you feel every head shake and short strike :)

Only other thing I do is use a rod with a soft tip and, as always, don't try and horse the fish in.

dodge

[Stan]

Cast my vote for Whiplash (20lb) Its diameter is that of 4lb, and costs less than Fireline , which I have also used.
The only drawback,? Its diameter is so small, that if you get a birdsnest from casting out the bait, you will probably have to cut it out, its almost impossible to undo , its so thin.

[Chevy4sur]

I used 12lb XT for years...then switched to 14lb Fireline...and now 30lb (8lb dia) PowerPro...I now have switched all Fireline trolling applications to PowerPro - I prefer the braided line over the fused line; I have found that PowerPro keeps is green color verus the Fireline smoke which washes out to a white color, and I have found (trolling a rod with 14lb Fireline and a rod with 30lb PowerPro at the same time) that PowerPro line is has better abrasion resistant qualities (Canadian shield rocks last week!!) Price is about the same..I now buy Power Pro.

[Spinner]

I prefer Vanish in 12lb. for walleyes. Superior wet knot strenth. If you get hung up and the line stretches it always goes back. In otherwords it won't stay stretched like some other lines I have used.

[Cangl]

20LB Fireline 300 yrds should just about fill it and this test will handle dipseys, boards, stiff weight bottom bouncers, and cranks with leaders. Adequate for walleye or salmon.
20 LB Big game mono green or clear same theory as to test as above as above. Running dipseys on less than 20lb is hairy/ strecthy to say the least. 30lb fireline is the same price as the 20 in the same "length". Price jumps at 40lb, and 80lb etc..
Mono stretches less as the test goes up also, another consideration to make.

[sny6]

I also prefer the 10/4 fireline. I back my reel with 12# mono and spool on 125 of the fireline. Makes your rod dance.

[Al]

Power Pro and Vanish depending on what I am fishing for.

[Stormsearch]

On my 3rd season of using 14/6 Fireline on (6) Daiwa's. Will be inverting the line end of this season. Trolling depths are within about a 1ft difference between the 10/4 and 14/6 and I like the 14lb for pulling in-lines. Also, the 10/4 is getting on the small side for me to tie lines and work on tangles.

I pull everything from baby thundersticks to in-lines w/ 3 oz snap weight yanking a Reef Runner Ripstick.

Just fished last weekend on my cousin's boat who used 10lb. mono. I missed the sensitivity of the fireline checking for weeds or small fish. Even when using planar boards, fireline is much easier to release of the main line. We ended up going 5 for 9. I haven't had that low of a percentage of using Fireline except when I very first started to use it.

Overall, I believe I am catching more fish with Fireline due to more hookups, paying attention to drag settings, softer rods, and a steady retrieve. I also use premium hooks which also plays a role. The big bonus when reeling in a fish is you feel every thump, nod, head shake and run directly to your arms. With walleyes, the added action is a lot of fun. Good luck.

[Dunn]

In my experience while trolling you need some give in the line, especially for bigger fish. The stretch of monofilament is perfect for trolling in my opinion.

I stick with a 14 lb phantom greeen Berkley Trilene XT.
-----------------
Marshall J. Dunn
OffShore Release
Bluewater Research, Inc.
N.P.A.A. # 701

[Eyez]

I use fireline or spiderwire. If you're drag is set correctly, you can hook anything without losing it. The other night, I found out that my boat lights weren't working. I pointed the boat towards the basin, spent 5 minutes fixing the lights, and when I got done, I looked over and the drag on my linecounter was going like mad (shoulda had the clicker on :) ). Reeled in a 24 inch walleye. If you really want a little stretch, put a 15 foot 12 pound XT leader on the end. It'll add enough give to cushion a hard strike.


Eyez

[Borch]

What line is gonna be best varies based on the type of trolling you're doing. When trolling 12ft or deeper fireline/ripcord/etc. have a distinct advantage of feel and ability to run lures deeper. When running shallow you don't want lures to run deeper, rather the opposite. I keep most my trolling rods filled with 12-15 lb low stretch/abrasion resistent mono. Simply because most of my trolling is done at night in less than 12ft of water over rock. You would not believe how many lures I retrieve each season attatched to fireline(original owner broke it off in the rocks)because the fisherman didn't realize how much deeper their lures ran on fireline.

This isn't a knock on fireline. I do use it and the sensitivity is unbelievable. Great for trolling after those fish a bit deeper.

[BILL]

SPIDER WIRE WITH ABOUT 30 FEET OF 17 LB. MONO FOR A SHOCK ABSORBER. YOU DON'T NEED THE MONO FOR WALLEYES BUT IF YOU FISH FOR WIPERS IT'S A MUST BECAUSE OF THE POWERFULL STRIKE AND ALSO SET YOUR DRAG VERY LOOSE AND TIGHTEN IT AS YOU FIGHT THE FISH. WER ONLY TIGHTEN THE DRAG TO THE POINT YOU MUST PUMP AND REEL THE FISH. GOOD LUCK

[Pitts]

Man I like both fire line and mono. I put fire line on 2 rods that I am long lining right on the boat and I use 12 lb XT on the rods I pull planer boards with because they are much easier to hook on with no double loop on the releases and lure action is not transmitted through the board any way. If I want to get a shallow runner on the mono to go deeper I add snap weights. This gives me the comfort that I like trolling in the dark all night.
You have a ton of info here go use it!!

Pitts

[slick2526]

I wonder when people are gonna realize that powerpro is better than fireline.

[Stormsearch]

It is and it isn't. The main two reasons I don't use it is because my Troller's bible doesn't reference for diving depths and to use the 1b. test of my rod breaking strength the line diameter is too small for me to see to tie knots. I do use it on Dipsie rods and ice fishing for 'eyes.

[Johnp]

I second the Whiplash vote! Used to use Fireline, but since I went to Whiplash i'll never go back.

JohnP