line strength for trolling

[catchy_fishy]

Hi
i am looking for advice on line strength for trolling. I've had do many different answers i am keen to hear a few thoughts from Ausfish members.

Mostly I will be looking to target Dolphin fish, King mac's, Barracuda, Sailfish, Small Tuna - in the 20-30 kg category but who knows what could pick me up.

Also interested in thoughts on the use of wire traces vs hard mono for leaders ?

:-?

[damons33]

hi,
8 to 10 kilo.
mono leaders 120lbs
when u say king macs, you mean what we call spanish mackerel- are you american or african?
damon

[catchy_fishy]

Hi

I'm South African. Fish naming in one country is bad enough - wait until you try it across three continents.

In SA The King Mackerel is also known as a Couta. A Barra Cuda is commonly referred to as a Cuta, and a Jack / Trevally (I think in Aus they're the same thing) is known here as a Kingfish or Kingie / pronounced Kingey. the ie at the end is theAfrikaans dimunitive, and so the spelling has taken on it own form.

What the hell is a spanish mackerel.

Oh yes we also have a queen mackerel, also known as a Natal Snoek, which is different to a Cape Snoek

What was the thread about again - Oh yes, Line strengths - in summary lighter line, strong leaders - Thanks

[Billo]

Depends how sporting you want to be
10 Kilo should do the job well ....
if you want some SERIOUS sport , step down to 8 , maybe even 6 .
The lighter ( 6 ) takle will prove to help larger tuna in their stubborn ways , and tactics would really need to be deployed when chasing Sails , but 6 is plenty for dollies any time .

but 10 should prove worthy , and should have no issues with any of these species

and your King mackeral IS known as a spanish mackeral ( aka Spaniard ) down under

Wire is definately good for the toothy critters like mackeral , but can lower the chances of a good hook up with other species like sailfish....if they feel the wire , they could drop the bait ...i use a double hook rig with most of my trolling lures , the second hook runs off a length of 49 strand wire....hidden in the skirt , but assists SOEMTIMES when the toothies jump on it , depends how much of the lure they take down

[bigmack]

Hi - we troll 6 or 8 kilo mono and use 50lb jinkai trace. If we troll big baits like a 2lb tailor we go up a bit in gear - 100lb trace and 8/0's to match the bait.

We have never used wire and I think only once we have lost some gear to a swipe at shiny swivel or a snap making bubbles. that sort of gear will have no trouble holding spaniards to 40 odd pound and a wahoo at 65lb weve had in the boat. Some of the bigger fish we drive up on them if necessary. It all comes down to playing the fish really - give them their chance to run, dont try and break a record in getting them into the boat and finesse it a bit.

my 2 cents worth
Phill

[MIKOS]

Gday catchy fishy,

the guys are right 10 kilo sounds right.I like to use 12 kilo while on the troll catching maccies ir throwin slugs at the mackeral. ;)

MIKOS

[gogecko]

Does anybody use braid for 10kg main line, or do you all use mono?
How much line would you want for dolphinfish or other GC pelagics, say 400m?

[damons33]

mahi,mahi, 500m of 6kg-2kg of applied drag. i like 4kg for them
damon

[MIKOS]

Does anybody use braid for 10kg main line, or do you all use mono?
How much line would you want for dolphinfish or other GC pelagics, say 400m?

300MT on my md90 Okuma spinner with drag applied to suit does the job beautifully.Usually you know when to really tighten up the drag when the fish gets tired, runs get less and less.Apply the pressure and bring them in.Then time to breath and rest the arms. ;) ;D

MIKOS

[gogecko]

thx mikos, so a spinner can reel em in?
I was gunna buy trolling reels. I was told my 6500baitrunner spinner woudlnt stand a chance.