Steel Live or Lead Core Line??

[Legend]

Hi everyone,

Just getting ready to head back up to Kipawa for the August long week-end and noticed that the steel line on  my trolling reel is in pretty bad shape. Hoping to get some opinions in terms of line options. Back in the day we used to use lead core line and the colours made it easy to manage your depth but when I purchased a reel with a line counter about 10 years ago, I switched to steel. Steel is more sensitive but I find it kinks very easy and I have had to change the line every couple of years. I've also heard that lead core has improved a lot in the past 10 years.

Looking for your thoughts.

Thanks in advance!

[rambler]

We have used steel for the past few years...no problems. Never tried lead core.

[Ozzy30]

There are other options and really cost effective nowadays.  Portable downriggers that screw onto a side of a boat if rental but can mount permanently on your own boat.  Beside the 2 downriggers on my boat I use a third downrigger rod with line counter with a dipsy diver on it.  I usually catch more fish on the dipsy but my lake trout size is usually larger on downriggers.  Either was is good and gives a great fight with lighter equipment.

[Legend]

Hi Ozzy, We have the same situation in the we have 2 downriggers and use steel line for our 3rd rod. I've never used a dipsy diver for fear that it would add too much weight to the line and kill the fight with the fish. Do you even get the dipsy diver rod tangled with the rods that you have on the downriggers? Thanks!

[Ozzy30]

Never, I use a 9' medium downrigger road, I just bought a new okuma line counter reel.  I use braided line attached to swivel and dipsy.  Then everything else is fluorocarbon line.  There is only tension on line when trolling, when get a strike it releases just like a downrigger with no tension.  I usually only put out 100' of line on the counter and troll that depth.  Works real slick.  The dipsy's also have an adjustment to travel out away from boat but I have never had to use it.  I will try and get a picture of my setup and post tomorrow.

[Legend]

Thanks Ozzy. I am going to head to the store tonight and take a look at some. I appreciate your help.