Lindy rigging near zebra mussels on Mille Lacs

[ponch2478]

Hey guys,

I was up on Mille Lacs over the weekend and had some problems with my rigs breaking off or being nicked up by the zebra mussels. Any recommendations on what I can do to prevent this? I was using mono for my rigs and i was using 1/2 oz weights because of the wind. Thanks for any help.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I think this is going to be an issue going forward. Both mono and floro and to some extent braid as well will get chewed up. Slip bobbers, dropshot rigs and some other way of suspending lures near the bottom will have to be invented.

[delcecchi]

How about a bottom bouncer and a float on the rig, like the Vermilion guys use to avoid rusty crayfish eating their bait?

[ozzie]

that was my thought also Del

[ponch2478]

Thanks everyone. I'll give that a try next time out.

[Sandmannd]

I river fish with tons of zebras and use fireline crystal 4 lb as my main line. Then use 6 lb vanish for my leader. I don't have those issues. I use the same setup on Mille Lacs as well. Another trick is to not "drag" your line. Keep it vertical. Your weight should be straight up and down and you should bounce it off the floor of the pond. Let the leader do the work.