Walleye rig?

[Guest]

I went out, on opener, to a Metro lake. My buddy and I were back trolling. I had about an 8lb. test line on. I had tied a 6" steel leader, because I like switching lures without much fuss. When we decided to back troll, I then took of my jig and put on a piece of line, with a small spoon and a hook. I don't know what it's called. It's a pre-set piece of line, that has a loop, about 6" of line, a small spoon, about 3 small beads, then the hook. I hooked a crawler, throught the head. We trolled for a few minutes then I got a strike. I wrestled it to the boat. It took a few dives, then it broke the line. It broke right where the hook was on. I'm wondering what happened. The line was a little old. Could it have been that the line was TOO old? Could it have been that the fish bit through the line? Is there a stronger line for this type of set up? Is there anything that I could do, for next time, to prevent this? Also, is there a name for this pre-set up rig? Any help or advice. Thanks.

[LuckyFish]

BassDaddy, What kind of knot are you tying.
I used to have this problem a lot when I tyed the Trilene knot. I was pulling it tight dry and got a lot of heat build up, which weakened the knot. Now I wet the knot before pulling it tight. Haven't had the problem since.
Lucky

[Guest]

I did not tie this knot myself. It was a pre-set line. It came that way. Honestly, this line, I was using, could be up to 20 years old. I have no idea when I got it. Or from where or who.

[upnorth]

BassDaddy,

My guess is that the line was old and rotten. Mono is only good for about a year, and that is if you store out of sunlight and away from souces of heat so it won't dry out.

For the price of mono line about $.01 to $.02 per yard, I would change line at least once a year. It just isn't worth loosing that trophy fish for the kinda price And the little ones don't break the line, only the big guys

I would also take some time to learn to tie you own knots and rigs. That way you can be sure of the quality of the rigs you are using, and you will not be tempted to use old/inferior quality rigs. It will also save you some money on the price of tackle.

BTW the rig you were using sounds like a spinner rig, and can be deadly for Walleye and other species. The spoon like thing is actually a spinner blade and spins and fibrates as you troll or drift. You can buy these at most bait shops or tackle stores for about $1.50 or $.25 if you make them yourself.

I hope that this helps a little.

[Guest]

hes not talkin line, i think your talkin about like a lindy rig right? set your drag lighter, and get newer rigs so you know the line is good!

theres no way to prevent breaking your line, it happens to everyone! sometimes you just get unlucky

[upnorth]

Even if it is the spinner or lindy rig, if the line it is made on is old and rotten it is gonna break on you, they don't last forever either.

[Guest]

Thanks for the info, guys. This is really helpful. I just might try to rig my own lines. I know that the knot I use has never failed me. I'm just going to trash my old set up's and start new. I'll keep the beads and spinner blades and just get new line. What type of line is good for walleye?

[Guest]

For trolling a snell line, I like to use fireline 14# or Vanish 8#. I will use the fireline in muddy or dirty water that the clarity is less than 4 feet. I use Vanish when the water is clearer than 4 feet deep.

------------------
times ticken so start fishing

[fishlakeman]

PikeEye, I agree with the Fireline and Vanish, because thats what I use, but I think he would be better suited with a higher stretch line. I am a very experienced fisherman, and a couple years ago before I got high quality rod, I couldn't tell weeds from fish with the fire line because of the rod. I would definately recommend something with a little more stretch like Trilene Xl 6 or 8 lb, or Sensation 6 or 8. If you are good at playing fish with your drag I would go with 6, but if you are going after northerns as well as eyes, go with 8. I'm just letting you know it can be very difficult fishing with fireline of vanish if your trying to detect bites, but for casting and trolling crankbaits; fireline is where it's at.

[EBass]

I like to use a braided (fireline, power pro)line for my main line then tie a mono (vanish, stren, etc..) leader that's about 3-4 ft long. Then I can retie a couple of times and still have a mono leader. Of course if the mono gets napy I tie a new mono leader.

But it depends on what I'm going for and the type of cover.

[upnorth]

I would use trilene xl 8 or 10 pound if they areas are not to rocky (read that abrasive). Trilene xt 8 or 10 pound if it is rocky/abrasive.

I don't go as light with the spinner rigs as I do with the Lindy style since the spinner acts as a trigger. And also lighter line and spinners will tend to twist quite a bit.

Also the clearer the water the lighter the line. If it is stained you can get away with heavier line.

[This message has been edited by upnorth (edited 05-20-2003).]

[jwilli7122]

bassdaddy- If you want to get fancy, Vanish or other florocarbon lines make great leader material. But in my opinion, regular mono line usually works just fine. When uncertain, error on the thick side. I like 10 or 12 lb test when northerns or rocks are around. Abrasion resistance is usually my biggest concern. If I'm not using vanish I use lines like Trilene XT or Yo-zuri Hybrid for lindy or spinner rigs. These are pretty tough lines. Of course, always check your line after you catch a northern. Often you can see nicks or feel them with your fingers. The single most important thing is to make sure your line is fresh (not rotton or nicked.) check your line often- you will be able to tell if your line is bad by simply running your fingers over it and/or looking at it close up with good light. It should be smooth and spotless.

[Guest]

What the hells the deal with all you guys using the super-lines? Ive only used em once and it was a bad experience- ate my rod guides.. and whats the fun anyway, you know there isnt a fish in the lake that could ever break your line when your using 14# fireline... I use 6 pound test and i RARELY break off, and when i do, its a user error. theres nothin you cant catch on 6# test.. its the strongest line i use!! 4# on all my jiggin rods. Go smaller line and your success will increase!!!

[jwilli7122]

gogblon- I'm not a giant fan of superlines either, (not because of any sort of sportsmanship, but because it's easier to fight a fish when you have some stretch in your line), but I will have to disagree with you on 4 and 6 lb test being sufficient for everything and only breaking because of user error. If a northern inhales your walleye hook, and your 4 lb test is still secured to it after the hookset, you have better luck than me.

[upnorth]

I agree that Northern bite offs are problem, but lighter lines usually mean more hookups, especially walleyes. I would rather hook more walleyes and lose a hook or 2 to Northerns that vice versa

[say_der]

I like the superlines because they have less memory and less twisting problems.

I typically have half-a-dozen rods rigged up at any given time. If I were to re-spool those twice a summer that would be two hours of fishing time wasted if I average 10 minutes per rod. I can probably do each one faster but with the TV in one ear, my wife in the other and a couple of cold ones it's going to be a slower process.

Superlines give me more time on the water and some of them are good even after 3 seasons.

It has nothing to do with sport. It's called convienece.

[Guest]

Superlines are where it is at!
Light lines have their own application and use. I use Power Pro, Tuff, and Iron silk for all my bass. Pike and Muskie needs.

I have a rod rigged with 8 lb Iron silk for casting cranks and trolling eyes.

The only light lines I have are for panfish.

I have seen too many fish lost on light line and my chances of boating more fish is with the Superlines.