help with rods and line

[kegepoper]

I've been fishing soft water on erie for years but I have the chance for the first time to fish hard water there next week. Can anyone give me some help selecting rod size( length and action) and line for the trip.
I've seen some use 4 lb. mono in Michigan and Wisconson but I have a tough time beliving thats big enough for 6-8 lb'ers I caught last summer and fall around Huron.

[Backwater Eddy]

My recommendation is a 28 - 30" Med to Med/Hvy rod equipped with 2/10 Power Pro line. 4/15 Power Pro is also a great option, especially if big fish lurk in the waters you fish.

A good...in fact a very Good Combo is a Jason Mitchell Elite Series 30" Med/Hvy. The Frabill Bro Series in the same action and length would also be a good bet.

If you like a little longer rod and have the space to fish it, I'm a fan of the Gary Roach Ice Pro Rods in the 39" model. Match it up with a good Phlueger or Gander Mountain Guide Series Professional UL spinning reel and you really got something there.

Power Pro line is my choice on the ice as it is thin, manageable, and strong...very sensitive line that transmits light bites well and will make rattle jigs chatter with a jiggle of the wrist. Good stuff, holds up well, worth the added expense as it lasts for at least two hard seasons.

[kegepoper]

thanks Eddy, the only problem I would have with power pro is the color, I can't find any clear and won't fish with a colored line. How many times have you found walleye turned off or on by one color or another? I know that sometimes a colored line is like putting a neon sign pointing to the bait saying EAT HERE, but just as often its BEWARE HOOK HERE! Jimmy Houston's tests on his shows have proven to me that there is no such thing as invisable line, but clear comes the closest.

Thanks for the rod advise, got a couple of 28" med. heavy rods today, have a couple Okuma Ispira reels so all I got to find is line and mabee erie will give me the EYE(s) mon. and tue.

Craig

[Backwater Eddy]

I'm not that concerned with color in line, the moss Green and the Ice Blue and now the Cimmeron Red do not appear to me to spook much of anything.

Yet there are fussy days and I may add a 2' section of Gama Florocargon leader to the end if I feel they are eyeballing the bait a bit too hard, that usually solves that issue.

If your not a Super Brade fan, try the Gama Polar Ice as it is ultra low-Vis and highly manageable in the cold...exceptional spooling characteristics, no better ice/cold weather mono line made in my opinion.

[Gill]

I agree with power-pro lline. I always use a florocarbon leader of 18-24 inches with a good ball bearing swivel at the connection. Helps with line twist. Just have to adjust to the mark on your Vex.


Good luck, Gill

[top jimmy]

if you did catch some 6-8 pounders use a 6-8 pound line just to be safe the last thing any one needs i a broken line

[REW]

Keg,
For most of my ice fishing, I use 6 lb mono.
For the times that I use blade baits, jigging raps and similar lures, I use heavier action rods and non stretch line.

At times, I will use a medium light rod with even 4 lb line to catch some of these finicky fish. Unless you routinely catch very large fish, the 4 lb line is fine most of the time. Of course, if you want to be sure to not lose a trophy, better stick with heavier line and give up some of the bites.

I think that for most of the fishing today - line color makes no difference at all. As a matter of fact, most of my fishing is done with bright yellow power pro at times. I never use a leader and have no issues getting bites.

The main reason that I don't use braid most of the time, while ice fishing is the problem with ice. All of the braids will ice up much easier than mono.
So, if not in a house, the use of braid is pretty much out most of the time.
Just too much of a hassle with ice.

Take care
REW