Walleye trolling additions

[timjones]

Going to make a couple of additions to my trolling arsenal this year and have a couple questions for the trolling experts. I want to try using a line counter reel this summer, have never used one and have to ask:

1. FF has an Okuma Magda 20 on sale. Is this a decent line counter reel? I am just looking at something decent to use so I can determine if this is something I want to get deeper into later. Don't want to spend a lot just trying it out.

2. What type of line is best for using with a line counter or will any line work?

The second thing I want to try is lead core, again, never used it before so I have some questions.

1. I want to put it on a Daiwa EL2 baitcaster that I have. Is this a good enough reel? Again, just trying out lead core so don't want to have to spend a lot on a new reel. Also have an Ambassadeur 6500-C3, would this be a better choice?

2. What pound test should I use for walleye trolling and what is a good brand?

3. What is a good leader line and how do you attach it to the lead core?

A lot to ask but I need help. Thanks if advance.

[DREZLER]

I have never used an Okuma so I can't tell you much about that.

I can tell you that if you like to troll I would just throw down a little extra and buy some decent stuff right away because YOU ARE going to like it. If you go to a large Rogers retailer (or online) you can get an Daiwa Accupdeth plus reel combo with a rod of your choosing for about $60. Even though I was skeptical because these reels don't have ball bearings (only bushings) I own 10 of them and have not had a single problem.

Any line will really work as far as the linecounter goes as long as the spools full.

I do not know how big a EL2 baitcaster is but you need a large! spool. 17# LC has a large diameter and you will need several hundred feet of it. If you don't want to buy a new reel use your largest one.

I would use 17# Lead. If the waters not superclear I would reccomend a fireline leader because you can feel your crankbait vibrate to be sure it's not fouled.

I attach my leaders to my lead with a blood knot. First you have to break a few inches of lead off so that you can work with the stuff. Someone may need to teach you this. When I first started I just used a tiny swivel but it beats up your eyelits a little bit and wouldn't recommend it.

I would do some searches on this forum to find out some of the past conversations; there is a lot of info on here.

[Finlander]

Load your counter reel with some mono preferably 14lb. Trilene XT to fill the spool up to 3/4 then attach 14/6 Fireline like 150 yards to top the spool off otherwise you would have to put $50-$75 worth of Fireline to fill the spool to a proper fill! This will give you spool the correct line/foot reading on the counter. You could fill the spool and calibrate your reel until you get the proper reading on the counter as you fill it.

Then attach a 7 foot length of 8lb Vanish flourocarbon for a leader.

Then attach a Berkley snap without the swivel. Smallest size snap you can find. I troll Osakis with the above setup and the walleyes love the lures I troll! I'll send you a PM!

Good luck!

[JohnMickish]

I troll ALOT so here is my take. You will want to put the lead on a line counter. Sure, the lead is color segmented in 30' sections, but while you may not be able to tell the difference between 74 and 79' out, the fish will be able to tell.

A magda reel will work for awhile but it is not one I would plan on being a lifelong investment. Put more money in the reel than in the rod for leadcore trolling.

Just about everyone used 18 pound leadcore. ALL leadcore regardless of weight sinks at the same rate. Most people use a 10' leader (10 pound smoke fireline) to keep things simple but some use a 50' leader of flouro when fishing in very clear waters. With the longer leader the dive curve of the lure will be more into play than with the shorter leader.

Leadcore is very speed dependant so a GPS is a must. Factor in 5' down for every 30' out at 1.8-2.1MPH. Say you are fishing in 29' of water and you want your lure at 28' @ 2MPH that would be 5 colors plus about 22' of the sixth color. (5 colors [30 feet per color] sinks 5' per color so 5X5 = 25', and to get the remaining 3 feet it's a guess at 18-22' more, local fine tuning will be required). I gave you this scenario to show how a line counter will reproduce accurate trolling over guessing where you are in the color.

Leadcore is actually a very easy way to fish but there is a learning cure involved.

[tunrevir]

MNfishnguy, said it very well. I have a few of the magdas and they have held up quite well in heavy use for salmon and moderate use for walleye trolling. If you plan on primarily using them for walleyes you won't ever wear out the reel but if you plan on using them for salmonoids and on the great lakes you may run into some drag issues after awhile. One other thing I would add is set your drags a bit looser when trolling with the leadcore as there isn't much stretch in the LC or a 10' mono/fouro/fireline leader and if you do hit bottom the rod won't get snapped off or the line won't snap off with a spendy crank on the end.

Tunrevir~

[hanson]

I pretty much agree with most of the previous posts but I'll add a few thoughts to your direct questions.

1. FF has an Okuma Magda 20 on sale. Is this a decent line counter reel? I am just looking at something decent to use so I can determine if this is something I want to get deeper into later. Don't want to spend a lot just trying it out.

Okuma generally makes good reels but I don't have experience with the Magda series. You get what you pay for tends to hold true with fishing reels and the Daiwa reels are pretty much the standard in trolling reels. The Accudepth series is the less expensive of the models and would be just fine for flatline/longline trolling.

2. What type of line is best for using with a line counter or will any line work?

Personal preference really. Depends on the type of trolling you are doing with it. Trolling crankbaits, I'd probably go with braid to transmit the feel/action of the crank. Pulling anything on planer boards, I'd probably lean towards mono as you need some forgiveness in that system and you don't need the feel.

The second thing I want to try is lead core, again, never used it before so I have some questions.

1. I want to put it on a Daiwa EL2 baitcaster that I have. Is this a good enough reel? Again, just trying out lead core so don't want to have to spend a lot on a new reel. Also have an Ambassadeur 6500-C3, would this be a better choice?

I'd suggest a linecounter reel as well for leadcore and you will need a high capacity reel for lead line. You can put a full core on a 47 series Daiwa Sealine which puts you into the 40' depth as John described earlier. Smaller reels like a Garcia 6500 will not hold that much leadcore line, which would then limit the depth you can run your baits to.

2. What pound test should I use for walleye trolling and what is a good brand?

18lb is pretty standard. Sufix makes some nice leadcore line. Cortland Kerplunk is another good brand.

3. What is a good leader line and how do you attach it to the lead core?

IMO... a superline like Fireline in a small diameter like 10/4. This will telegraph your crankbaits action to your rodtip much better than mono will. Trolling lead in a clear lake, you may want a much longer leader of mono, really depends on the situation. Attach your leader to the lead with a very, very small swivel that will go through the rod eyelets and the levelwind on your reel. I've got some size 8 Spros sitting next to the computer here that I have to rig up.

[timjones]

Wow! Lots of info here for me to soak up. Thanks everyone. Going to have to jot down some notes. Almost sounds like too much to try getting a grasp on in one season. Maybe I'll go with the line counter this year and then incorporate the lead core next year.