05/04/2000
- Article
Superlines:
Kryptonite or Not
By
Turk Gierke
Whenever
you hear always do this, or never do that-take warning.
The world is too big and broad to accurately label or
stereotype any aspect of it; there are always exceptions to the
rule. Fishing for
example currently has a “always or never” in regards to the use
of superlines when trolling crankbaits.
Recently
we have all heard the following statement while chewing the fat
inside the local bait shop. “You
should always use a low test superline when longline trolling,
forget about mono, the sensitivity of these superlines is excellent,
lures dive deeper, you can feel the vibration of the lure as it is
swimming, and the superline increases hooksets.”
All true points but the “always” part is a perfect
example of how generalizations as a rule don’t hold water.
Crankbaits
receive their specific characteristics by the nature of their
design; diving attributes are from the shape, size, and angle of the
lip. The swimming
action of the crank is a result of the lip and body shape.
Floating (buoyant) crankbaits that are trolled in a lake (or
area of no current flow) dive to set depths.
These depths are reached depending upon the amount of line
that is let out, and the diameter of that line.
More line out, thinner diameter, and the crank runs deeper.
A smaller diameter line creates less water resistance and
allows the lure to dig deeper. Boat speeds that are typical to
trolling, do not play a factor in the depths that the ol’ Bomber
Model A will reach.
Now
back to our generalization about always using superlines when
trolling. Say you just
purchase a package of Fireline 4 pound diameter for the first time,
and spool it up on your crankin set up. During the next fishing trip
the wind seriously picks up and you decide to troll your favorite
shallow rock reef that is now being pounded by waves. The venerable
favorite perch colored Shad Rap #5 Deep Diver is tied on and set
back 120 feet out. The
reef tops out at four to five feet, and experience shows that the
eyes have been holding in seven to eight deep feet of water just in
front of the reefs crest. Pass
after pass results in snag after snag, and this many snags haven’t
happened before. The
Fireline with its skinny diameter allows that deadly lure to dive to
deep, so instead of a 120 feet of line out, you let only 80 feet of
line out behind the boat. No
snags, but no fish- on this day the walleye need more line let out
to take that lure.
Well
you are stumped and not sure what to do, so you bite on a three
small split shot weights three feet in front of a Storm Jr.
Thunderstick and troll it 120 feet back, it runs great with out a
snag, or a fish. The eyes just are not interested in that lure
action.
Along
comes an old timer trolling along in an aluminum boat that actually
has oars in it. He’s
putts by and casts out a baby blue Shad Rap #5 Deep Diver behind the
boat (baby blue? nobody has those anymore).
At least 130 feet of 10 lb. diameter mono is behind the 15
horse before he closes the bail and glides that lure with a nick
here and a bump there along the face of the reef.
Then the pole bends and pumps twice from that walleye head
shake...
Small
diameter superlines can foul up affairs by diving to deep when too
deep is not wanted. Small diameter superlines are awesome for many
trolling applications. I make sure I have 6 lb. Spiderwire on at
least three of my cranking rods before any guide trip.
Sensitivity, the ability to feel a tiny amount of debris on
the lure, and solid hook sets, all make the superlines absolutely
deadly for longliners. They are one of the best fishing inventions that has ever
come along.
For
the wind swept reef-trolling scenario, a 10lb. diameter mono puts
the Rap right where it needs to be in 7.5 to 8 feet of water and the
key factor-far behind the boat.
Yes, exceptions are the rule, maybe a smaller lure with a
less aggressive dive could be used with the first Fireline
situation. At times the
confidence that comes from successful experiences grants the
patience that is needed to troll a pass four or five times before a
nice eye is caught and released.
The thicker test line that the old timer used allowed more
line to be let out and the lure not reach too deep.
Generalizations
as a rule don’t hold water, but there are exceptions to that as
well: when fishing always enjoy yourself and never be late for a
fried fish dinner.
Turk
Gierke
Croixsippi Fishing Guide Service,
1-715-377-0006, www.croixsippi.com
|
