Just back from a few days fishing in Canada added into a work trip.
The lake I fished had rocks that were covered in zebra mussels and weed that had young zebra mussels living on the stems.
We had a few cut offs. I was juggling the components I had to try and find the best combination. I ended up with 30lb Mirage leaders to sinking braid. This seemed OK but sinking leader and sinking braid around snags is not ideal.
If it go back what should I take for mainline and leaders? Fishing is at close range so distance casting is not an issue.
The lake I fished had rocks that were covered in zebra mussels and weed that had young zebra mussels living on the stems.
We had a few cut offs. I was juggling the components I had to try and find the best combination. I ended up with 30lb Mirage leaders to sinking braid. This seemed OK but sinking leader and sinking braid around snags is not ideal.
If it go back what should I take for mainline and leaders? Fishing is at close range so distance casting is not an issue.
In reply to Post #1
I would look to use the thickest mainline I could cast, here in the UK I'm currently using .43 because of club rules, I'd go higher if allowed, 2m lengths of tubing.
Good luck with it.
I would look to use the thickest mainline I could cast, here in the UK I'm currently using .43 because of club rules, I'd go higher if allowed, 2m lengths of tubing.
Good luck with it.
I have found braid poor for abrasion resistance unless it is like tow rope, usually small in diameter for the strength. I would have a look at a heavy fluorocarbon too 
In reply to Post #1
fished only in canada for last 12 years so know exactly the type of situation you are describing - I have never fished any venue in the Uk that comes anywhere close to the wildness of the rivers / lakes here & I struggled for a while too. where were you fishing?
I use 30lb powerpro green as my mainline with 6-8ft 50lb lead core leaders for 95% of my fishing. I have been through many different types of braid & line over the years & powerpro comes out top by a LONG way. it's neutral buoyancy & a medium sized bobbin on the line keeps it tight enough to keep it submerged but it won't sink down into the bottom.
the other 5% is when fishing over drop offs with rocks & boulders as you mentioned - where I would continuously get cut offs when playing fish as they kited & pulled the line down into the protruding obstacles / structure as they run.
In these situations I now use a 6-8ft 30lb mono with a subfloat attached which kept the line up off the bottom whilst the bait was in place. As soon as I get a bite & the fish comes up off the bottom, the float rises too & keeps lifting the line up through the water keeping it free from the sharp stuff. It transformed my fishing & I rarely lose anything now.
I sell them ready prepared on Kiyamcarp.ca & you can see the pictures to get an idea.
fished only in canada for last 12 years so know exactly the type of situation you are describing - I have never fished any venue in the Uk that comes anywhere close to the wildness of the rivers / lakes here & I struggled for a while too. where were you fishing?
I use 30lb powerpro green as my mainline with 6-8ft 50lb lead core leaders for 95% of my fishing. I have been through many different types of braid & line over the years & powerpro comes out top by a LONG way. it's neutral buoyancy & a medium sized bobbin on the line keeps it tight enough to keep it submerged but it won't sink down into the bottom.
the other 5% is when fishing over drop offs with rocks & boulders as you mentioned - where I would continuously get cut offs when playing fish as they kited & pulled the line down into the protruding obstacles / structure as they run.
In these situations I now use a 6-8ft 30lb mono with a subfloat attached which kept the line up off the bottom whilst the bait was in place. As soon as I get a bite & the fish comes up off the bottom, the float rises too & keeps lifting the line up through the water keeping it free from the sharp stuff. It transformed my fishing & I rarely lose anything now.
I sell them ready prepared on Kiyamcarp.ca & you can see the pictures to get an idea.
In reply to Post #1
You could use the bottle rig, as used at Rainbow lake in France and elsewhere.
Easy if you drop rigs from a boat, or if casting short range you could use a scaled down version.
In this video, from 4:00...
https://youtu.be/wFA94VeWY_s?si=mfhvtI4U7jCmFAQH
You could use the bottle rig, as used at Rainbow lake in France and elsewhere.
Easy if you drop rigs from a boat, or if casting short range you could use a scaled down version.
In this video, from 4:00...
https://youtu.be/wFA94VeWY_s?si=mfhvtI4U7jCmFAQH
In reply to Post #1
As said in other posts, just use a sunken pike or catfish float above your tubing or on your leader.
Keeps the line behind the rig up in the water and as soon as you get a take, everything will hopefully remain clear of the bottom.
As said in other posts, just use a sunken pike or catfish float above your tubing or on your leader.
Keeps the line behind the rig up in the water and as soon as you get a take, everything will hopefully remain clear of the bottom.
Thanks everyone. Sounds like sunkfloat on a thick mono leader to strong Power Pro next time!
Jamie - I was on the Kawarthas near Youngs Point fishing with another ex-Pat English guy called Andrew B. He said you helped him out with a broken rod a few years ago I've sent him the link to your website
Jamie - I was on the Kawarthas near Youngs Point fishing with another ex-Pat English guy called Andrew B. He said you helped him out with a broken rod a few years ago
I've sent him the link to your website
In reply to Post #7
awesome - Andrew was one of the first expats I met when I came over - lovely guy (& family). I heard he had friends over - were you with Jonny S too?
that's a great area to fish - proper waters & some proper fishing!
not sure if you have seen the @TeamCarp youtube channel but another friend has made some great films in the area - https://www.youtube.com/@TeamCarpFishing - worth checking out if you're reminiscing.
awesome - Andrew was one of the first expats I met when I came over - lovely guy (& family). I heard he had friends over - were you with Jonny S too?
that's a great area to fish - proper waters & some proper fishing!
not sure if you have seen the @TeamCarp youtube channel but another friend has made some great films in the area - https://www.youtube.com/@TeamCarpFishing - worth checking out if you're reminiscing.
In reply to Post #8
PM
PM