Posted 9/28/2013 3:09 PM (#665685 - in reply to #665677) Subject: Re: Leaders for LOTW trolling
Posts: 295
Location: mad chain
www.stealthtackle.net
Great leaders, I would use the trolling leaders Stealth sells. I do a lot of trolling in Wisconsin and ST Clair and only use stealth leaders, love them!!
Posted 9/28/2013 4:19 PM (#665695 - in reply to #665694) Subject: Re: Leaders for LOTW trolling
Posts: 906
Location: Warroad, Mn
Yes, the long leaders protect your line from fraying on the rocks, and keep the fish from being cut up if they roll in the line. It also helps prevent a cut off if the fish roll on the hooks and the line gets under a barb. I use four foot leaders from "leaders and lures". Work great!
Posted 9/28/2013 5:02 PM (#665699 - in reply to #665677) Subject: Re: Leaders for LOTW trolling
Posts: 171
Joe Cooper is a good leader on LOTW. I would highly suggest following him
The Bay Store Camp on Oak Island carries custom leaders that are awesome for trolling. I would highly suggest them. The number is 1-800-214-2533. Sorry for the plug, but Frank can make sure you get the best leaders for trolling Lake of the Woods.
the wire ones kink too much for my taste. whether you go with wire or fluoro, make sure to check them each time you catch a fish or change a lure, and replace if there's any signs of wear or fraying.
we'll be back up trolling on LotW in 21 days!
Guest
Posted 9/30/2013 1:56 AM (#665903 - in reply to #665677) Subject: RE: Leaders for LOTW trolling
I make my own trolling leaders out of 7 strand wire. I'd have to go look to see what pound test. I put the snap at one end and the swivel at the other end and I use a SPRO brand big game swivel. I use two crimps at connection.
Here's the hard part to describe. I use what is called a, "big game trolling loop" know to attach the snap and swivel. Here's how to make it.
1. thread 7-strand wire through eye of snap or swivel.
2. loop wire around and pass it through the eye snap or swivel again. leaving a long tag end
3. take the tag end and wrap it around the loop formed through snap/swivel eye. Wrap tag end around the loop 4 or 5 time.
4. carefully snug the loop down to as small a circle as you can make by pulling on tag end of line being careful not to twist or kink the loop. Note that the loop will not tighten completely shut. It should remain a small circle loop with the snap or swivel free to slide back and forth around the loop. It should remain a nice round circle loop.
5. take 1 crimp slide it over the tag end and up to the loop and crimp in place.
6. wrap remaining tag end around main wire 2 or 3 times and crimp second crimp in place with the last of the tag just sticking out of the end of the second crimp. Done! Repeat for the other end.
The loop acts as a shock absorber. It also prevents a direct line of pull on the crimps. I found this loop/knot in a book for saltwater fishing. I've never had this connection pull apart or fail.
Posted 9/30/2013 1:58 AM (#665904 - in reply to #665677) Subject: Re: Leaders for LOTW trolling
Posts: 656
Location: Forest Lake, Mn.
Sorry, I didn't realize that I was logged on as Guest. The post about the big game trolling loop was made by me.
It's going to take some practice to make the trolling loop. Take your time in snugging the loop down in size. The loop should remain flat and not try and twist on itself.
You can find a diagram of how to do it in the book; Hook, Line and Sinker by Gary Soucie. I tried to link to but it came up as a PDF file.
Lastly, I use coated 7 strand wire. I should have said that above.
Posted 9/30/2013 9:35 AM (#665942 - in reply to #665677) Subject: Re: Leaders for LOTW trolling
Posts: 335
Location: Minnesota
Trolling up there is hard on stuff. You will bang rocks with lures, line, leaders, maybe your boat.
Last year I used 3 foot nylon coated 7 strand leaders I bought from MTO. I was amazed at how many scratches and knicks were in the nylon coating after a couple days of trolling. Most of the marks were in the bottom 12" of the leader but there were some marks higher too. It made me realize that short leaders or floro leaders are definitely poor choices up on LOTW. I have always cut off a few feet of line after a while up there due to past experience of lost lures because of frayed line. Last year really opened my eyes to what the rocks are really doing to your terminal tackle.
I would go with a minimum of 3 feet and as long as you feel comfortable. I definitely wouldn't laugh at a guy using a 6 foot leader up there.
Posted 9/30/2013 5:10 PM (#666033 - in reply to #665942) Subject: Re: Leaders for LOTW trolling
Posts: 4266
I make my own 3-4'ers with 2"bead chain on each end. Depending on the lures, I use 40#, 80# and 120# Triplefish Fluorocarbon. I can anchor my boat with 120# fluoro. I don't like wire because of fish roll. I have been making my own leaders of all types for forty years and never had one fail. It's easy to make them, and it doesn't take many supplies to make them. You're a fisherman, tie some knots that you have faith in.
Posted 9/30/2013 5:53 PM (#666042 - in reply to #665677) Subject: RE: Leaders for LOTW trolling
Posts: 906
Location: Warroad, Mn
Lots of rocks to troll over on the LOTWs. I've tried Floro and ended up with lots of nicks in a short time. Coated 7-strand (the rocks will actually take the coating off) or 49 strand cable seems to work better. Both are large enough diameter so the leader doesn't cut into the fish if they roll, which they seem to do a lot of when fall trolling. If you use Floro inspect very often.
Posted 10/1/2013 11:16 AM (#666178 - in reply to #666042) Subject: RE: Leaders for LOTW trolling
Posts: 285
Location: NE Wisconsin
On LOW now. Little windy today, so taking a break. This is second week of a 18 day trip. We are trolling Depth Raiders using ~4 ft florocarbon leaders. We are still using the same leaders we started with, and have been bottom bouncing and catching fish daily. First used the stuff last fall and am amazed at what it takes, so far.
That's it exactly! Good job in finding a link for a diagram. Thanks. I see they're using a different name for it than the one I know it by but it's the same connection.
I've never had that pull apart. As you can see the loop acts as a shock abosrber. When under stress it pulls in on itself. Also, it prevents a direct line of pull on the crimps so they do not pull apart either. In addition the multiple wraps act as a buffer to the wire itself as the wire passes through the eye of the snap or the swivel. It increases the diameter of the wire through the tackle eye. Your line is going to break or your snap will open up and fail before that connection comes apart.
Just be careful in forming the loop and making the crimps while constructing.
Anytime you're crimping 7 strand wire be sure you're using the right size crimps for the wire diameter.
Edited by fishpoop 10/2/2013 5:32 PM
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