spiny water flee

[Jersey John]

Do you guys and gals deal with this out on Erie during the summer? If so how do you deal with it? Does it effect the depth of your lure when billions are on your line? Thanks to all who answer. JJ
John M. Stroff Jr.

[FreeByrd]

I'm all to familliar with the Lake Ontario "spiny water flea" which I'm going to assume you are also dealing with. On Erie we have something "similar but different" commonly referred to as "BZs".

BZs are no where near as bad as the spiny water fleas that I have experienced on Lake Ontario but can be a hassle at times.

Three things that I have found to work/help are:
1) Cortland Flea Flicker line: This stuff is amazing - spooled up my downrigger rods with it before last August Lake Ontario trip. Had zero problems with the fleas. Drawback and this is a personal thing is that this is MONO - I hate running mono. It was worth it though.

2) Braided Wire Line for dipsey rods: Same deal - spooled up with it on two dipsey rods before the LO trip. The fleas don't stick to it and you get deeper quicker.

3) For braided lines spray them with WD-40 or a silicone spray as you are letting line out. Just spray the reel spool as you are letting line out. Doesn't eliminate the problem but definitely helps.

My Erie experience is the Western and Central basin - so maybe the BZs / fleas are worse in the Eastern Basin?

As for a buildup of BZs or Spiny Water Fleas affecting the depth of your presentation - it certainly does. You won't be as deep because of the extra drag created on the line. How much - I don't know?

Good Luck,
Steve

[Jersey John]

Freebird, Thanks for the reply. I will have to try the flea flicker line. JJ John M. Stroff Jr.

[Gilligan]

Hey JJ.. they are increasing on the east basin, the worst area I seen is my favorite spot off the Brocton Shoals. But no where near like you deal with them on Ontario. I didnt have any trouble though with my leadcore setups must be large enough diameter that they cant get on it.

[Jersey John]

Gilligan,
What size lead core are you running and how many colors do you fit on the reel? What rod & reel are you using for your set up? I am going to try lead core this year and could use some help. If you are not happy with the set-up what would you use? Thanks for the reply. JJ John M. Stroff Jr.

[Walleye Express]

Jersey.
Heres a tip that will both keep the fleas down on your line and produce more strikes for you at the same time.

Take a #12 to #16 rubber band and loop tie it 3 to 5 feet ahead of your crankbait. Now bit off one side closest to the knot.

The rubber band stops a lot of these little rascles from sliding down to your crankbait, while also giving the false ellusion of your crank chasing a smaller minnow. You'll be surprised how this ruber band kicks and pulsates in the water when trolling.

I've been doing this for years, to keep both the fleas and the free floating vegetation in the water column after a big blow on Saginaw Bay, from attaching or sliding down my line. It works great.

[Jersey John]

Thanks for the tip. Will try it this summer. JJ John M. Stroff Jr.

[Chuckles]

Do you think the rubber band trick would work to keep weeds off your jigs when verticle jigging in current - I may have to invest in a bag of bands and make some room in the tackles box:) Chuckles

[Walleye Express]

Chukles.
No, I dont think the rubber band trick would work to well when virticle jigging. You need a current or other forward force to move the debris down the line to the rubber band, and verticle jigging would not accomplish that.

[wallydog1]

Did you know the spiny water flea make a good part of the steelhead
diet in lake erie.they were the most common source of food found last year.that was in the plain dealer today sports section.