What type of line do you use on your downrigger rods?

Post by **Northern King** » Wed May 24, 2006 5:02 pm

I'm talking mostly about fishing for lakers. I was using power pro last season and I thought it worked pretty good except I need to have an adjustable clip because it would constantly pop off. I just wanted to see what other people like to use on there rigs.

Post by **Tomcat** » Wed May 24, 2006 9:56 pm

I use 14 pound test Trilene XL with 25 feet of 12 pound test fluorocarbon as leader. I run a 5 foot gang troll off the ball and attach my line 6 feet higher. I use Scotty release clips.

Post by **fishforfun** » Thu May 25, 2006 4:57 pm

Go with mono, I use 14 lb XT, the braid is better for dipseys.

Post by **steve-hamilton** » Thu May 25, 2006 5:15 pm

i use braid, 30lbs test FINS PRT.

i use an 8' flouro lead attached.

i use this, instead of mono, because i like the 8 pound diameter the braid offers me.

i'd only get half the amount of line on my reels, if i went with an 17lbs mono.....

(i oversized spinning reels for my rigger reels....great for first timers on the boat)

Post by **Jonathan** » Thu May 25, 2006 5:16 pm

I asked my dad and he uses power pro for his dipsy rods and seagar florocarbon in 20# for the rigger rods. He also said he use 12# floro to play with the lake trout.

Post by **scttsmpsn** » Fri May 26, 2006 6:58 am

Ian,

I was debating on Iron silk or Sensation and after nailing the pickeral with cranks on the baitcaster with Iron Silk I am going to throw Iron Silk on my rod for lakers. Virtually no stretch so when a fish hits it will come off the downrigger. Good diamter line for the clips too.

It's green; anyone see why I shouldn't use green at Charleston?

Cheers,

Scott

Post by **Scum Frog** » Fri May 26, 2006 7:27 am

I use Stren super braid for my trolling applications. With the downrigger if using a superline, just remember to set the line to back further in the clip or it will pull out due to it's slick coating and no stretch.

Post by **Northern King** » Fri May 26, 2006 9:34 am

Yes I had to set my power pro to the back of the clip last year to get it to stay on. I think I may continue to use power pro as I like the strength, the no stretch as well the abrasion resistance of the line.

BigFish

Post by **steve-hamilton** » Fri May 26, 2006 6:41 pm

scum and others, if you want to use a braid for rigging, use FINS PRT, it doesn't have the coating like Fireline or Powerpro....dont have to stick the line so far in the pad.

Post by **Scum Frog** » Fri May 26, 2006 7:53 pm

Thx for the pointer Steve!

Post by **steve-hamilton** » Sat May 27, 2006 11:40 am

no problem bud....

that non-coating on the line also makes it the best casting line of the braids.

Post by **Dartee** » Sat May 27, 2006 6:22 pm

scttsmpsn wrote: It's green; anyone see why I shouldn't use green at Charleston?

Scott

I don't think green would be a problem yet.. I use "green" Berkley big game on my rigger rod all the time on Charleston. When I fish with the father in-law ( who uses clear). There is little differance as to how many fish either of us get ( I usually get more a few more

).

However on that note... I will be adding a flouro leader this year. I suspect the zebras that are in the lake

will start to have a noticable effect over the next couple years.

Post by **steve-hamilton** » Sun May 28, 2006 4:22 pm

i always always ALWAYS use a flouro lead when i'm rigging with braid....

sometimes you need it for the stretch, others time for the stealth, but always its in use.

Post by **Slammy** » Sun May 28, 2006 9:20 pm

I like berkley big game 20lb with 12lb fluocarbon leader on both rigger & dipsey rods. 20lb handles the boards nicely. Also saves respooling by just changing leader test.

Post by **Blaker** » Tue May 30, 2006 8:32 am

I have to agree with Steve on this one with the Fins PRT and the floro leader. With all the fish I have seen from posts and heard this guy has been catching on Lake Ontario trolling I would definately go with that. Didn't you just win a local tourney recently Steve running with this setup?