trolling cranks

[walleyworld]

hey guys my first year walleye fishing...i fish off the channel and shoals in a large river the u.p of michigan about 15 ft to 30ft whats the best way to troll deep diving rapalas... thanks for your tips

[walleyworld]

hey guys my first year walleye fishing...i fish off the channel and shoals in a large river the u.p of michigan about 15 ft to 30ft whats the best way to troll deep diving rapalas... thanks for your tips

[HodakaD]

I found that lead core line is easy to use, and very effective for trolling deeper water. I get the impression that snap weights are becoming more popular, but I like the simplicity of the leadcore. Also, I would recommend purchasing the latest edition of the Precision Trolling book and a couple of line counting reels if you haven't already. The book has about every bait imaginable in it and gives you dive curves for each. When used with a linecounting reel, it makes it much simpler to target a specific depth with a specific bait and allows you to replicate your presentation time after time. Hope this helps.

Dan

[walleye world]

ive never used lead core line? what pound is it??? what size rod and reel?

[HodakaD]

You can get lead core in different pound tests. I use 18 pound test and I put it on Diawa LC47W Accudepths. The leadcore line is a different color every 10 yards, and you can get about 10 colors on a one of these reels. I think I actually only have 9 on mine, but that is plenty if you are trolling 30 feet deep. Of course the heavier pound test the line the less you will be able to fit on the spool. I have an 8 foot fireline leader tied on the end of the leadcore that I attach the bait to. I think I was trolling Hot N Tots last year in 24 feet of water with about 3 colors if that gives you any kind of idea of how it works. It is a little different than trolling mono though because if you run up too shallow accidently and are worried about snagging, you better speed up because the thickness of the line will pull the bait up from the water resistance. Don't slow down cause you will sink your bait. At least this is how I do it. Hope this helps.

Dan

[jigginjack]

I also like using lead core. The Precision Trolling book has very good information on dive curves for a lot of crankbaits, use of lead core, snap weights. I use a 50 ft leader. Some peolple use 10 ft, personal preferance. Some use a small swivel to attach leader to the lead core some tie directly to the lead core. If you use a swivel use a small enough one so it will go through the eyes of your rod. To find the right deep I look in the Trolling book to see how far down the crank i have chosen will dive at 50 ft. Then I figure each color of lead I let out will make the crank dive approx. 5 ft. Example: If I want to fish in 30 ft. and I have a #7 shad that will dive at 10 ft. with a 50ft leader. I know I have to let out 4 colors of lead (each color is approx 30ft, each color will get you down another 5 ft) to get to 30 ft. Remember lead core is spped sensitive so the slower you go the more it will sink. If you catch fish remember your number on your line counter and let out the same ammount. This is a easy system once you figure it out. Sorry this got long winded hope it helps.