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Posts: 1030
Location: APPLETON, WI | I'm hoping to get out a few times this season with friends trolling some shallower bays and lakes. I really wanted an indestructible set-up that I can use to troll lures as small as Mepps Musky Killers... and as large as Pounders and Double 10's. After doing some searching, I ultimately went with this set-up. Cost was also a factor as I did not want to spend hundreds on a reel/rod combo that would be utilized as a dedicated trolling set-up. I scored this 1-piece, 8'0" "LIVE & TROLL" model rod from my buddy Jason at Black River Rods. Glass / Graphite composition and he outfitted it with a heavy-duty stainless tip that's really used in a lot of saltwater applications. But again, I wanted something that could withstand a lot of punishment, if need be. Thanks, Jason!!  I also scored this gently used Daiwa 47LC Accudepth Plus on eBay for a mere $38! ;) It looks as though it is in brand new condition so I am quite pleased with my new purchases. The reel and line counter seemed to get fairly good reviews online up to par with the Okuma Convector series... but I just didn't want to spend that kind of money. I was initially going to purcase a new Okuma Magda series, but thankfully I came across this Daiwa just minutes before the auction ended. *w00t!* I'm planning on spooling the reel with 20-lb. Trilene Big Game monofilament + 130-lb. Stealth Tackle leader. I'm opting to use mono instead of braid so that I can fish shallower, if need be. How do you think I did? Pics? Of course... who doesn't love pics! 
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Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | If you are going mono, I'd use heavier mono, because you are not gaining anything there. You could use 80# braid and still have the same diameter as the 20# mono. I would do at least 30# or maybe 50# mono, if you want the baits to run high. |
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Posts: 50
| 40lb big game mono would do |
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Posts: 1030
Location: APPLETON, WI | Thanks a lot, you guys... this is perfect. I was hoping someone would chime in... I did a search and dug up a lot of old trolling threads and the main consensus seemed to be 17lb. and/or 20lb. mono. That just seems awfully light to me. But I'm not an expert on trolling so I honestly don't know.
I'll check out what they've got at the store and at the bare *minimum*, I'll go with 30lb. mono. Otherwise, if they've got the 40lb. Big Game Mono (heard good things about the Big Game mono), I'll go with that.
Thanks again for the replies! |
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Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN | In a lot of videos and articles I've read over the years most seem to run 50# big game. I did see 30# a couple of times but most were running the larger line for strictly musky size baits. I think you'll be fine with the 30# though. |
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Posts: 802
| great looking setup, congrats on the deal! i'd run 65-80lb braided super line (of your choice). i really like the wear-resistance and not having to cut off and re-tie. my .02 cents...
steve |
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Location: Green Bay, WI | I've run 50# Berkley Big Game mono on Green Bay, and caught fish up to about 50 pounds. No problems whatsoever, and I wouldn't run anything else. In fact, I think the year we caught big fish, we were using 40# Big Game. The next year, Sportsman's Warehouse went to 50# so that's what I got. It's great stuff, and usually stocked in large spools at the outlet stores. So they can spool your reels for you.
I love the mono, especially for trolling. I wouldn't use it for casting, but wouldn't be without it on the troll.
TB
EDIT: Forgot to add that I use 5-6 foot leaders, 135# nylon-coated cable, that I make myself. I've never lost a fish due to either the leader, or the line breaking--but I re-tie the leader on daily, and I will cut and re-crimp the ends on the leader at the first sign of any kinks in the material. |
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Posts: 3240
Location: Racine, Wi | I'm with Tom on this. I'd go with either 40 or 50# test for what you'll be doing. That extra diameter will help you run shallower more so then the braid and lighter mono. When I use 20# mono, it's usually because I'm trolling smaller baits with lighter hooks so I'm going easier on fish that eat those baits. The bigger baits will wear the lighter mono down faster. Big Game is definitely a good way to go for the mono. I'm not sure if PLine makes a 40 or 50# line (floro or floro blend), but if you can find that, PLine has been excellent line for me. |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | The mono will also work better on boards (the clips) if you run those at all. |
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Posts: 1030
Location: APPLETON, WI | Thanks again for the replies, you guys...
I went to a couple of local stores yesterday in Appleton and none of them seemed to carry mono any stronger than 25# test. I may need to order a spool of 40# or 50# online. I'm going to check Fleet Farm this morning just in case.
I did not even think about the planer board aspect... but that makes sense. |
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Posts: 512
Location: Appleton | In the Appleton area I don't think you will find more than 30 lb test. Check with the sportsman to see if they have anything. Otherwise just shorten up your lines a bit and run 80 lb braid. You can find that almost anywhere. |
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Posts: 1030
Location: APPLETON, WI | Yep... I checked with Pete at The Sportsman yesterday. The only mono he has is the tiny little stuff... nothing heavy at all. I also went to Gander Mountain and the biggest they had was 25#. Just got back from Fleet Farm in Oshkosh and the biggest they had was 30#. |
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Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN | Gander mtn online has free shipping and usually carries the bigger stuff. Fast shipping also. |
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My New Trolling Set-Up...