Too Early?

Here is a post from about six weeks ago. web page

It is quite long but worth the time.

Have fun

What you’re referring to is typically called pole lining or rod lining and is very popular at the Detroit River and the Illinois River.

The way it works is you use a fairly short and stout rod, probably 4 to 5 feet long and very stiff. You can order this from places near Detroit for about $30. If you don’t use these heavy musky rods work. Most guys spool it with fairly heavy line, probably around 30#. I use power pro but fireline also works. This is spooled on a baitcasting reel like an Abu Garcia 5500 or 6500 reel.

Tie the main line to a 3 way swivel. Then take a 12 to 18 inch piece of the line and tie it to the bottom end of the 3 way swivel. Proceed to tie another three way swivel onto the end of the tag line. Then take another piece of line 6 to 12 inches long and tie it to the bottom of the second 3 way swivel. This is for the weight. Weights used are anywhere from 5 ounces to close to 2 pounds, hence the short stout rod. I like to tie a really heavy duty swivel clip at the end of the tag line coming off the second 3 way swivel to clip my weight onto. That way if you want to change weights it is easy to do.

At this point you should have one spot left on each 3 way swivel to tie on your leaders. I use 15# flourocarbon for one of the leaders and a high vis mono for the other. Two different colors help to tell which lead is which. They key with the leaders is the top one needs to be twice the length as the bottom one. Typically I go 20 feet for the top leader and 10 feet for the bottom leader. This will keep both lines in the zone when trolling. I also tie clips onto each end of the leaders. One is obviously used to clip the lure onto and the other is used to clip to the 3 way swivel. This makes it easy to take the leaders off and store them.

I like to use stick baits for this type of fishing. When you get a fish on you can reel up until you reach the first 3 way swivel and then you need to figure out what lead the fish is on and then bring it in by hand.

I only use this technique in heavy current or in place of where you would typically handline. It is much easier to troll leadcore with two rods per person than it is to pump these heavy weights all day.

If you PM me I should be able to email you a graphic of what I just described.

Dan Jochum
NPAA #269

Snap weights work pretty good too. Easy to change weights and you can run as much line as you want behind the weight. When you get a fish,reel in to the weight and un-snap it then reel in the rest of the way.

Shorty trolling rods are avalable from our sponsor, Everts Resort.

Last time I checked Dean was selling a ton of them for $29.95.

[email protected]

Heading down the Arkansas for Thanksgiving. Is this too early to duck hunt down there? Would love to try that flooded timber hunt sometime.

This trip is to see family, but could sneak in a day if it’s worth it.

Eric