"Precision Trolling" & line weights

[phil]

WC Readers & Informed Posters:
A question concerning line weights as it relates to the "Precision Trolling" book. I hope that someone with more experience could help out with some questions.

I think that most of the dive charts assume using a certain pound test while trolling. Something like 12 lb. mono. How does using a heavier test, like 20lb. mono affect the dive curves? Deeper and faster or shallower and slower? Does the book have some conversion factor when running lighter or heavier line? Does speed of troll have a factor in the dive curves?

I'm concerned with using 12 lb test while pulling #1 dipseys and/or inline planer boards. That's why I'm thinking about using 20 lb. mono.

Someone mentioned to me to use florocarbon line which is thinner than comparable test mono. I'm concerned with the florocarbon line and knot breakage. I've heard some bad things about the line breaking if your knot isn't tied correctly. I don't want to be replacing $15.00 dipsey setups all the time. What are thoughts and comments on this?

How does the inherent stretch in mono fit into the dive curves? Is there some rule of thumb, like for every 100 feet out the line stretches 5% (or 5 feet). I'm sure it is dependent upon the weight and friction of whatever you are pulling.(dipsey vs. plugs) Any takers?

I'm asking because I'm doing some outfitting of my rig this winter, and don't want to waste $$$ on something that I shouldn't be using.

I am also planning on purchasing the Precision Trolling book, but waiting for the new version to become available.

BTW - I plan to fish the western basin of Erie, if that affects any of the answers.

Thanks in advance to WC for the great board and to all the posters, I've learned so much about walleye fishing in the last several of months. Keep it up!!!

Yours in cabin fever,
Phil

[ETT]

The book is based on 10 XT line, but it has a page that shows you how much to add or subtract for other weight lines. Also very good info on Dipsys, Jets, Snap wts, lead core, supper braids, etc. A real wealth of info.
It may be 6 weeks before the 6th edition is out. I will have Mark's new Casting guide for sale at the Clev. boat show, and as an introductory offer, I will give a 4th edition trolling guide to the first 48 buyers of the casting book. I want no confusion, this is the non-current 4th edition, but you get both books for 25 bucks.

For Dipsys super braids are the answer. No stretch makes them allot easier to read, trip, and learn.

Look for the Reef Runner booth near the trout pond in Anglers Alley, or see Jim Stedke in Norton marine's booth.

[Juls_WI]

>
>I think that most of the
>dive charts assume using a
>certain pound test while trolling.
>Something like 12 lb. mono.
>How does using a heavier
>test, like 20lb. mono affect
>the dive curves? Deeper and
>faster or shallower and slower?
>Does the book have some
>conversion factor when running lighter
>or heavier line? Does speed
>of troll have a factor
>in the dive curves?

The larger the diameter of the line the more resistance the line will have in the water, causing line to "bow", so it will not be as deep as using the 10# mono, that the book is based on. There is a conversion explanation in the book. Fireline for example, will get you approx. 25% deeper than the 10# mono. Speed will always be a factor that needs to be figured in. Different baits will have different speeds, so it is up to you to figure out what speed you should run to get the best action for a particular bait.
>
>I'm concerned with using 12
>lb test while pulling #1
>dipseys and/or inline planer boards.
>That's why I'm thinking about
>using 20 lb. mono.

I used the 10# mono for running inlines last season and had no troubles at all. I don't think they would have gone through all the trouble of figuring out and writing a book on depth curves, with 10# mono, if it was a problem. There is no need to be concerned with that. You don't mention which inlines your using, but Off Shore inlines have new releases out this year that will make it almost impossible to lose a board while fishing them. About the only way to lose one is to break the line, and with a good quality line, that is not going to happen very often.
On the other hand, I don't use dipsey's, so that may be a question that someone else could answer for you.

>
>Someone mentioned to me to use
>florocarbon line which is thinner
>than comparable test mono. I'm
>concerned with the florocarbon line
>and knot breakage. I've heard
>some bad things about the
>line breaking if your knot
>isn't tied correctly. I don't
>want to be replacing $15.00
>dipsey setups all the time.
>What are thoughts and comments
>on this?

If you use Vanish flourocarbon you have every reason to be concerned. It's not good. It breaks easily. The Seaguar flourocarbons are a good product and you will find it easy to work with. It is a very strong line and knots aren't a problem with it, like they are with the Vanish.
>
>How does the inherent stretch in
>mono fit into the dive
>curves? Is there some rule
>of thumb, like for every
>100 feet out the line
>stretches 5% (or 5 feet).
>I'm sure it is dependent
>upon the weight and friction
>of whatever you are pulling.(dipsey
>vs. plugs) Any takers?

I can't answer this one...I don't know..;-)
>
>I'm asking because I'm doing some
>outfitting of my rig this
>winter, and don't want to
>waste $$$ on something that
>I shouldn't be using.
>
Good thinking..Organization is the key to success!

>I am also planning on purchasing
>the Precision Trolling book, but
>waiting for the new version
>to become available.

It will be the best 25.00 bucks you ever spent!
>
>BTW - I plan to fish
>the western basin of Erie,
>if that affects any of
>the answers.

Just my thoughts on the subject.
Best of luck to you this year! Catch some biggun's..;-)

Juls

[sib]

it's a great book! why guess where you lure will be when you can make a precise presentation where you want it? it is to trolling what the scouts hand book is to scouting, personally i think they should change the name to "the trolling bible", because it is that enlightening. like juls said, the best $25 dollars you will spend. the 6th edition is currently being printed and should be available in 6 weeks, per Mark Romanak(author) posted here last week.

"go outside and play"
sib

[Lance Valentine]

Phil:

Some great questions and answers so far. Most are right on the money. Make sure to buy a book-they are worth their weight in gold some days. As far as line on your trolling reels for running in-line boards I have used Berkley SensiThin the past 2 seasons and love it. Lower stretch then XT, plus with the thinner diameter I have a choice-I can run 14 lb SensiThin in place of 10 lb XT because it has the same diameter and will follow the same dive curve or I can use 10lb SensiThin and the conversion charts in the front of the book and get my lures to run a little deeper.

As far as a main line to dipseys, I beleive the book shows the dive curve with 20 lb XT which is a fairly common setup. Juls is right when she says that a superbraid like Berkley Whiplash. You can get 30 lb Whiplash with 6 lb diameter and really get your dipseys down deeper or to the same depth with less line out.

Juls made some good points about flourocarbon lines but I hope you will try Vanish this season as a leader on your dipseys. Berkley has been continuously working to make it a better product.

Best of luck for the upcoming season.

Tight Lines

Lance Valentine
fishrman@gateway.net

[eyegetit]

With all the advancements in fishing line technology, you should never have to mess with conversion charts while on the water. Keep it simple by spooling your reel with the strongest pound test line while matching the line diameter used in the Precision Trolling dive curves. I was able to find a 30lb super braid with the diameter of 8lb mono. More than enough to pull a #1 Dipsy.