CLK 305
6/15/2008 4:45:00 PMYep - I'm using downriggers. I know some people use leaded line w/ great success - perhaps that would decrease the number of misses I have - but I like to use ultra-light rods & reels ( I troll w/ a Loomis CR842-2, 4-8 lb rod & a Shimano Calcutta TE 50GT reel).
Also, for my main line, I use braided line & a Florocabon leader. This REALY allows me to feel the fish & the fight - trust me - when you have a 23" & 5lber on - you KNOW IT! Many people warn against trolling w/ braided line, mainly because it has no stretch in it, but that's actually what I like most about it. Mono typically has about 10% stretch to it - so that means, if you have 130' of line paid out, there's about 13 feet of stretch there, which really deadens the feel of the fish, on the other end. However, when using braided line, you really need a rod which has a light tip & some flex to it, plus a light drag. The reason is, because there is no stretch, these fish can jerk the hooks out of their mouths, literally tearing them out. And trust me, you will feel them jerking their heads, & every other pull & tug.
Because it's braided line, the diameter is much thiner, so I'm able to spool a lot of 10lb test (which has the diameter of 2lb test) on the ultra light reels. As a leader, I use Florocarbon, so it's essentially invisible, regardless of what lb test you use, so I go w/ 15lb test. The heavier test also makes it easier to tie my double sneel setups for the herring. Finally, I don't troll with big gang trolls or flashers - I really try & keep my tackle on the light side. Basically, the braided line allows me to use ultra-light rods, reels & tackle, while having a substantive main line.
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!
Cheers!
~CLK
salmonbelly
6/18/2008 6:27:00 AMCLK 305
6/19/2008 9:44:00 PMI troll herring on a double snell setup, w/ 1/0 gamakatsu hooks.
Cheers!
~CLK