Line Counter line weights

[sctkdm1]

I have 4 Diawa sc27lcw that i use specifically for trout & salmon on Lake Michigan. After reading some posts on this board, i feel like i should get a few 'not so heavy' rods & start using these reels for trolling cranks & bottom bouncers for walleye. Currently there is 25 pound mono on these reels. Any suggestions on line weights or types that would work for trolling for walleyes AND for trout & salmon so i dont have to respool all the time? Also, suggetions on what types of rods for trolling cranks & bottom bouncers would be appreciated. thanks! k

QuitYour*****inAndGoFishin!

[4-given]

I have 17# Stren Sensor on most of mine. For spring salmon I pull mostly Yellow Birds w/ 8'6" Med Action rods. For walleye, off of the big planer boards, I switch to 8' Light Action rods. I have 30# Fireline on the reels I use for Dipsy Divers and flatlines. In the summer when I run more Dipsys, I just add about 200' of Fireline to a couple of the other reels. I have not fished for summer-fall salmon. If I did, I would probably do some re-spooling.

[SUPERTROLLER]

I too fish the big lake for trout and salmon. I used to use 17 lb. Ande but switched to 30 lb. Fireline. The Fireline is actually thinner than the Ande was and I gained the extra strength. The Fireline is equivalent to 12 lb. test XT and because of the added depth from lack of stretch I feel runs at or below the dive charts in the Precision Trolling Book. You can run leaders of any type of line you prefer to use. Those walleyes won't care that the main line is 5 times as strong. And you don't have to re-spool your big lake equipment.

[FreeByrd]

I wound go with one of the Superlines. Everyone has their favorite - I prefer Spiderwire but won't get into that debate. Depending on the line you go with, Fireline, Spiderwire, Power Pro, Whiplash etc - you'll end up with 30-50 lb test line with diameter of 8-12 lb mono. We usually use a Florocarbon leader for pulling cranks. We also run Florocarbon leaders behind bouncers, jets, and dipseys. Look for 100% Florocarbon like Seaguar. Vanish is not pure Florocarbon and have heard lots of complaints about it breaking off. You need to moisten your knots on whatever Florocarbon you use though. If you don't already have it, get a copy of Precision Trolling- best $25 you'll spend as a troller. Wait another month and the 6th edition will be out.
Most of my fishing is in Western / Central Basins of Erie for eyes but make a Salmon trip to Lake Ontario and/or Lake Michigan every year so I have the same situation trying to make one set of reels work for both without respooling.
Good Luck,
Steve

[Gunga Din]

I use 30lb PowerPro, which has 8lb mono equivalent (I think). I fish for trout, walleye, big lake trout, big rainbows, and even perch with this setup. I love its versatility.