What LB test to use?

[West_Coast_Muse]

When trolling for salmon how light is it possible to go with the line? I know a lot of guys use some heavy stuff but I'm thinking of gearing up with lighter line for the added sport. Is the lb test of a line noticeable in the play of a fish?

 

[spring time]

it all depends if you are the only one using the rod I would think 15-17 would do I used 17 before but when I had friends with "heavy hands" they would break it of so I switched to 25 and don't look back

 

[scott craven]

If you're fishing with a flasher, i wouldn't go any less than 25lb
the drag created when a big fish is running against it
will cause too many break offs.

 

[highlights]

25lb Maxima Ultra Green.

 

[Aces]

If you don't use a flasher you can go as light as you want, providing you don't release the fish as a long fight will kill the fish due to lactic acid buildup. I had a client years ago get a 35 lber on his own noodle rod spooled with 8 lb test and he said he got a 60 at Langara on the same rig.
I prefer to use fly rods with 25lb instead.

 

[Karma-Kazi]

I run 30 pound triline for mainline and 40 pound flourocarbon leader

 

[Yak]

I run 30 pound mainline, just cheap stuff though and replace it often, and all my leaders are tied in 50 pound test maxima. Love that stuff

Cheers

Yak

 

[profisher]

I use 25 Maxima for main, 40 pound Big game for leaders, with flashers. I'm constantly fishing with complete greenhorns using MR-2s and MR-3s and don't break off many fish in a year. In fact went until early September this summer before it happened. I can use 8 lb test main and 40 pound leader on a custom release dodger setup I use. Only use it by request on usually on quieter weekdays for obvious reasons.

 

[highlights]

LOL,

I run my main being 25lb Maxima. My leaders are 30lb Maxima. I can't remember the last time I broke a fish off. I am laughing because with a guest it's an entirely differant thing. They'll break anything including rods LOL

 

[profisher]

With guests the line is the least of your worries....trying to wind the flasher through the rod tip is the biggy. They even want to keep winding after the fish is in the net...like they are helping you lift it up into the boat.

 

[sammyslabber]

66 i guess your not talking about having something or someone shanking it off [V]

 

[sammyslabber]

Rollie what's the protocol on that subject do you make the client or guest buckup for the broken rod when it's their fault.

 

[Karma-Kazi]

Sammy- Im not a guide but I woulkd have to assume it is built in as part of the cost of the charter. It goes towards gear. I was on a charter in Port Hardy and lost the guides Cannon ball. He said not to worry about it. I felt horrible after. serious problems come under insurance and minor ones come out of the profit you make in the year.


Think about it as if you were paying to go for a trail ride on a horse and it somhow breaks its leg while your riding it. Do you pay the vet bill?

-Steve

 

[highlights]

Cost of doing business, just like any piece of equipment. However, if the SOB looks at me in disgust and heaves it overboard......well then the guy is going to have the cost added to his bill.

There is normal wear and tear and then there is blatant misuse. Any business owner should be able to fairly recognize the differance between the two.

 

[Dogbreath]

Downrigging is very hard on line-light line even more so-buy in bulk and be prepared to change every few weeks if not more often.

Used 20# for years have gone to 25#

 

[profisher]

Sammy, just as said before, I eat it. Probably the reason I'm not using Sage rods!!! I do warn customers with young kids that the reels are worth some major dollars and they should give the kids a hand and make sure they are able to hand the bigger fish. Prevention sometimes is the key as I've never lost a setup over the side...YET. I've never been able to completely stop the broken tips...some people can't hear stop winding in the excitement of seeing their fish so close.

 

[chris73]

Profisher, put a bead larger than the tip eye diameter in front of the main line swivel and this will prevent the swivels from jamming in the tip eye and should thus reduce any tip breaks. Works well with my kids.

 

[Karma-Kazi]

I use beads on all of my rods.

I was halibut fishing off race one day and had a really nice hali on. and "ting" there goes the line. I had just replaces my Tuff line because it was abraided in a few spots. I never thought to check the eyes on the rod and sure enough the top eye had a chip out of it and was razor sharp. Caused by the swivel hitting it.

Beads have been on for the past 2 seasons and no problems yet and they only cost like 1.29 for 30 beads

-Steve

 

[Dogbreath]

Jim Gilbert used to recommend foam beads in his workshops years ago-cheap and effective.

 

[Osama Bin Hopper]

I use those gel - like hoochie head insert thingies to meet the eye. Reels into it even a bit softly. Below that a bright red bead, then swivel... helps to make the connection more visible for the excited guest...

Gimee the gaff!!!