Late Season Troling Line Choice

[MetroSteve]

So for all you late season big water trolling guys out there here is a question.

What line should I use mono or braid? Now before you jump all over this one and give the obvious answer (mono), here are the factors:

1) Using a 9' Rod MH with Fast Action

2) 20 degree temps or lower likely

3) Line Counter reel.

4) Trolling 14" Jakes

My first inclination as I said was mono, but....This rid is VERY flexible, a lot of give to it, fast action tip, which was awesome last year trolling big Jakes 14" cause when they hit rocks the rod would bend fast and the lure would pop right up. Last year I used braid 85#, but was not using a line counter reel, this year I will be.

My worry with mono paired with this rod is TO MUCH give or stretch.

Your thoughts and opinions most appreciated.

Steve

[RK]

Hiya -

Unless I'm pulling baits behind boards, I use superline. I Definetely use it if I'm around rocks at all. With a long, limber rod, superline works just fine. Just set your drag so it'll slip if you crack the throttle hard while you're trolling, and you should be fine.

As far as the cold weather goes, braid can be a little bit of a nuisance when it's freezing out. Get a bottle of Reel Magic, and spray that on the spool once in a while. Armor All works too believe it or not. Kevin Van Dam is marketing some line treatment stuff too, and although I haven't tried it I bet it'd work. The other thing is to pick a braid that doesn't soak up a lot of water in the first place. I use Cortland Master Braid for basically everything, and it soaks up the least water of any braid I've used.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm