Spooling up for Esox speicies
Ok, since I started off with the reels, lets take a look at what is available in the line industry. When you spool your reel you have two generally basic options. One is the traditional monofilament lines, while the other would be going down the superline route. Each has its plus or minus when you consider what to put on the reel.
Looking at pike first, what pound test would best suit your fishing style? In a mono line, I prefer not to go below 14 lb. Generally the line will be clear. If I lived on a lake, and I knew that a green or camo line would best suit the water clarity, then I would choose one of those. So if you fish primarily one body of water, pick the line to best suit your situation. I said, that I wouldn’t to go below 14 lb, at the same time, I am not crazy about going above 20 lb either. 25 lb would be the highest I would consider. There are lots of lines available in making your choices. Spinning reels need a limp line to stop from coiling, like a Trilene XL. Baitcasters don’t have this restriction on them, since the line comes off straight, versus looping off a spinning spool. You want an abrasive resistant line, like Trilene XT or Big Game. If you plan on spooling more than one reel, go with the Big Game brand, its good and you get more line for less money.
Braids offer you several options, remember not to go by the test that line is rated for. Specially when it comes to baitcasters. You are looking for line diameter, and it should be at least 10 lb diameter. Some of your better baitcasters will be able to handle an 8 lb dia, with a 30 lb test rating. If you plan on using a spinning reel, then you could actually go down to a 20 lb test, which should be either 6 or 8 lb dia. Power Pro and Tuf-Line Plus are excellent casting lines. 40 lb Power Pro is rated with a 10 lb dia, while 50 lb has a 12 lb diameter. You do not need to go higher for catching Northerns.
When using monofilament for muskie, start with 25 and 30 lb, and don’t be afraid to use 40 lb mono. Up on St Clair, they use a wide variety of sized lines, with a slight twist. They will troll with a leader made up of fluorocarbon or hard mono. Hard mono got its start in saltwater fishing, and has been adapted locally. These leaders range from 80 to 100 lb test. You would think the line would be visible because of its size, but really is a blur when you are trolling at speeds ranging from 4 to 7 mph.
Muskies reels tend to be spooled with 50 lb all the way to 100 lb superlines, and everything in between. My reels are spooled with either 65 or 80 lb Power Pro. The reels that I use for small cranks and spoons/bucktails have 65 lb, while the jerkbait and heavy crankbait rods have 80 lb. The lighter line works for the smaller baits, while the heavier lures cast well with the larger diameter line. The jerkbait reels have the heavier line because yes some of the baits are fairly large, but also because muskies sometimes strike in front of the baits, and like the extra thickness. Kind of a “just in case”, and “piece of mind” kind of thing.
next up: rods