Super Line Leader or not

[Pitts]

When you guys troll cranks with superline in the 14# range do you always tie a leader of mono on or will you just tie on with the super line direct to the crank.
I do fish a few clear lake or two I am wondering if this would almost be a must on them for daytime trolling.

We do have a problem with pike hitting and cutting any mono under 20# and losing the crank which does'n't happen with the direct connect to fireline.
Your thoughts from the trollers on the great lakes would be appreciated.

Thanks

Pitts

[bountyhunters]

I troll erie alot and use a 5ft mono leader you need a little strectch .all so use a snubber alot .

[rebs]

I use about an 8 to 10 foot fluorocarbon leader

the only time I use a snubber is when using dipsy divers with about an 8 to 10 foot leader from the snubber to the bait

rebs

[Marble Eyes]

For the couple of years I have used Ripcord with a cross snap on the end, Straight to the Lure.

Hot & Tots, Husky Jerks, Thundersticks...
Erie, Saginaw Bay, Muskegon lake and Lake Michigan.

Maybe I am all wet, but my experience expecially in Saginaw Bay is more of finding fish then of the leader being an issue. But I don't get out everyday either. :)

I am also using 8'6" Heartland Downrigger Rods, with the Drag set light. Others tell me I will loose alot of fish this way but I haven't. I just don't overplay the Fish on the Rig I use.

[SUPERTROLLER]

I'll agree with Marble Eyes on this one. I use Power Pro and Fireline and always just tie right to the snap. The less knots the better. The fish will be more concerned with the bait or lure and not even notice the line in front. I also use limber rods and loose drag settings. I don't lose many fish in the course of the year and those that are lost are usually from jigging bites and have not been played out as long to tire the fish. I'd tie straight to the snap and forget about mono or flourocarbon. They are just another potential breaking point and rarely are needed for trolling applications to increase your odds for fish.

5-6 ft. attached to the superline via a small swivel or snap swivel.

[Pitts]

Thanks guys
I figure I had an eye opening experience on a fairly clear lake I fish all the time with leader length which I caught 3 X the fish as 2 other people for a short time until they switched and then all our success went up using a 9' snell instead of a normal 3 or 4 footer.
I was sold that the fish were seeing the weight and line and not liking it and the longer snell either put the bait in a different zone or seemed different to them.

I have also noticed a long snell is the ticket on Mille Lacs so that is what gave me that Idea it was still on the rod and I decided to use it.


Pitts

[Gilligan]

Pitts.. I fish the clear east basin of Erie and I run an 8' Seaguar floro leader in 20-25# range tho I wouldn't hesitate to tie direct in any water that is stained.

[ebijack]

fishing erie, i tye direct to a swivel, then the same superline to a snap. i use soft rods and like the others, light drag settings. trolling i believe your after a reaction bite, you can use bright green line or any color you want! i catch plenty of fish jigging using straight super lines. when still fishing, and clear water yes i use a short (2-3ft) leader. just MHO

When I first started using Super Line I used Mono leaders. I then started using a direct hook up on one side and the leaders on the other,with no difference in catch rate thus I eliminated the leaders. I also did the same with floro and mono on my dipseys eliminating the floro and going with 30# mono, using a lighter drag as guys above.I have put many a Eye in the box on Erie last summer with no line breakage and many applications from in line boards to the big boards dipsys,flat lines etc. I also make my own snap swivels with #4 dual locks and 80-100# swivels!! Bullet proof. I'm catching some big Grouper here in Fla now and giving them a real test with no falures yet. You All try to keep warm see ya on the lake in April Huck