levelwind for winter fishing

Hey Scott. As noted, there can be a problem using 30 lb Spectra and the clip not holding but by clicking the snap to the harder position solves it. I have a couple rods with bait casting reels that I pull out when taking out complete newbs. They're loaded with 30 lb Spectra as well. Which reels are you looking at getting?
 
drhook said:
Hey Scott. As noted, there can be a problem using 30 lb Spectra and the clip not holding but by clicking the snap to the harder position solves it. I have a couple rods with bait casting reels that I pull out when taking out complete newbs. They're loaded with 30 lb Spectra as well. Which reels are you looking at getting?
Click to expand...

Thanks, i spliced about 30' of 30lb mono on to Shimano TR200G which came loaded
with 60lb braid.
Not sure that i need the mono, but will give it a try next time out.
 
i have my scotty clips on the lighter setting. when i put my braid in the clip i position it even with the black bump that holds the yellow finger covers. i found the heavy setting way too much, FWIW.
 
I have a Penn 310 with braid that is a hoot for Winters, they pull hard with no stretch. 65 hold fine in the clips on the tight setting right on the line, no mono. The only downfall is the rod tip gets wrapped up easy with braid.
 
Hey Scott , I have a crab pot puller you can use instead of levelwinds!! seriously though I have been guilty as well. Nice to get a fish to the boat quick. if the clip keeps popping off try running a parrafin or wax candle through the section of line that goes on the clip. Seems to work.
 
Craven, Down here in the US we commonly fish deep for winter chinook. We occasionally find biters at 150-220'. I use old Penn levelwind line counters with 20 pound Izorline mono. I use the standard scotty pinch clips and when the rod goes off, I have to reel like crazy to get all of the belly or slack out of the line to pick the fish up before he spits the hook. It actually works better than you would think.

Or if you want to do the 30# spectra you can put a small piece of mono on the end of the mainline for the clip to pinch on to. The other option is I have some downrigger clips called pro release. Not sure if you have those up there or not, but they work great with spectra. They have a little thimble that snaps into a socket. You wrap your mainline onto the thimble with about three wraps and snap it into the socket. It holds really well. The pressure is adjustable for the socket. They have discontinued these and my friend bought out all that they have for his store. If you want me to get you some I will pick some up for you and mail them to you. Here is a picture of them.

http://www.salmonuniversity.com/pr_product_reviews_pro_release.html
 
Well tried it last weekend and although it took a bit of getting used to we hooked and landed a few fish
and lost a few as well.
The braided line has no stretch and you are direct drive to the fish. pretty cool !
the top mounted reel was a bit of an adjustment but overall worked well and picked up the line much quicker than a mooching reel.

Next time out will be the true test ! :cool:
 
OK, so I'm probably (for sure) gonna get dumped on for this but I gotta ask - just what is so special about using single action reels for down rigging for salmon instead of level winds? Is it just a 'manly' thing or is there a real reason that they work better in some sort of way? Serious question but flame away if you like.
 
It's no less fun, only difference is you don't have to get your hand off the reel when the fish takes a run...
it made playing a seal a whole lot easier ....:mad:
 
There are a number of reasons why single action over level winds. Foremost is what has already been mentioned...you play and react to the fish instead of allowing a small clutched winch to figure all that out. (more fun and more of a challenge) Other important advantages for me include very little maintenance over a seasons use, (reliability is a part of that too) line holding capacity and they are easily converted from right to left handed use. I'm using Islanders so I have made one concession to move away from having to palm the spool. This is purely to accommodate customers who lack experience with the original single actions. A compromise that has helped the rookies and not turned off the old school boys.
 
I used 1 of the 2 "Charter Boat Specials" that I own for a couple of seasons on my middle rigger which I fish the deepest of the 3. I went that way to help me get that gear cleared faster when a fish hit the side riggers. I was ok with it, but soon started hearing complaints from my customers. Nothing was ever said up front. Just anytime a fish hit the middle rigger guys would say "oh crap that reel" or I don't want to take it, someone else take it. I got the hints and took them off. Now they only go on when when an American visitor asks for them. These days with the lack of American visitors they pretty much collect dust.
 
profisher said:
I used 1 of the 2 "Charter Boat Specials" that I own for a couple of seasons on my middle rigger which I fish the deepest of the 3. I went that way to help me get that gear cleared faster when a fish hit the side riggers. I was ok with it, but soon started hearing complaints from my customers. Nothing was ever said up front. Just anytime a fish hit the middle rigger guys would say "oh crap that reel" or I don't want to take it, someone else take it. I got the hints and took them off. Now they only go on when when an American visitor asks for them. These days with the lack of American visitors they pretty much collect dust.
Click to expand...

Try Used Victoria .... 50 bucks apiece !
 
OK, I think I get it. Thanks for the serious responses. I'm pretty new to the west coast fishing scene but have been using level winds of various sizes and types for MANY years on inland waters so just continued to do so out here. I'm pretty comfortable with them but maybe I'll try an 'old school' single action next season, just to see what I'm missing. :D
 
just to be clear, I don't think there is anything wrong with level winds for downrigging. It's just not what i use, because I do like being directly tied to the fish; perhaps also because it's what I already own and because I've never used anything else. I use level winds in the rivers and have no plans to get a center pin. Still fun, and still effective.
 
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