Shallow trolling set up

For christmas i received 2 line counter reels (the cabelas #15 depth master ones) to go on the 7’6″ medium trolling rods I already have. I’d like to run these for trolling (targeting walleye), primarily pulling cranks, running 15′ and less depths. If it were up to you would you run mono or a braid in this application? In the past I’ve just used the same pole that I use for casting stick/crank baits which are always loaded with braid, but just wanted to hear the opinions from other guys before I make the call on what to spool them up. Don’t plan on running planer boards or anything like that, my inclination is to run braid on them but am open to reasons why this would be the wrong move.

I always run 12# mono on my trolling rods. I use these to run boards and also to long line troll. Better shock adsorption in mono vs braid, that will be important if your running shallow with not much line out.

Dito…. it is just off a little on any of the dive depths like in the trolling bible, but I use it from big trout in Lake MI, to walleye.

A lot of guys like braid as well so it may be a chevy – ford answer. Don’t rile out boards, they are easy to use, and I think in shallow water a big benefit in a lot of situations.

It doesn’t have to be one or the other. I run a few reels with braid and a mono top shot. For shallow fishing, I’d run 50′ of mono for the shock properties and have the main braid for strength and abrasion.

I like braid on mine. 20# power pro worked well. If needed a floro leader. It might depend on the rod you are using and what exactly you want it to do. To flimsy or a rod pair up with a nice stretchy mono and you will have no idea what the cranks are doing. Guess if you are trolling suspended fish and clean water this might not be a issue. I like to troll my cranks ticking the bottom and at times there ins plenty of crud in the water. I want to know right away if the crank has picked up any crud or not making contact with the bottom.

I’ve run nothing but braid on setups similar to what you’re thinking about for years without any problems and have lost very few fish because I use a no stretch line. Just angle your rods so they’ll provide the same effect that stretch in mono provides. 14/6 Fireline would match the dive curves from Precision Trolling perfectly and you can use it for years without worrying about the line degrading from UV and heat like you’d have to with mono. Tie a snap of some type on the business end of the line and you’re good to go. You’ll eventually see or feel some frays towards the end of your line when it needs replacement. Just cut it off above the frays, tie on the snap and you’re good to go again.
An abbreviation that works for engineering works well for fishing as well, K.I.S.S.. Keep It Simple Stupid In this case, one size line, one dive curve, line that’s strong and lasts for years, and results that are easy to duplicate.

I used to run mono on all my planer board rods and braid on my flatline rods. After replacing mono every couple weeks on the board rods, I switched them to all braid. You can recover most of your snagged cranks on braid and it lasts significantly longer. Also much easier to read the action of the bait on braid.

I do miss the stretch you get with mono, but with a moderate action rod and correct drag setting, you can offset most of that. I don’t have many fish come unbuttoned so I will stick to braid.

I run all mono. I run the big game 12lb test, which is the same diamater as the 10lb xt that the trolling book uses. That stuff is tough, and it’s reasonable. You can get 1100 yards for about $8.00. You will definitely have more feel with braid, and your baits will dive a little deeper though. Part of the reason I haven’t switched to braid is because I do spend some time pulling harnesses on clear water, and side by side testing in my boat has proven to me that the mono produces more fish, unless I run a huge floro leader, which I don’t like to do.

I run all braid on my setups, I use 8lb Power Pro my dive curves are steeper which I like on the river means I can run less line out. This works for me especially if the bite is on and there is a crowd and 3-Ways are not working, as 3-Ways with more weight keeps trolling more vertical.

Thanks for the input guys. Now I’m kind of thinking I might spool mono, given its not expensive, then if I don’t like it I can drop some money on braid and respool.