A question for Brown Trout Specialist

[youp50]

I have not targeted browns for a long time.  Wisconsin is really planting BT in Lake Michigan.  The spring fishery has always been good in the NW lower peninsula, now it is getting good in the UP waters.

 

We used to be use 6 pound mono, clear the other lines and chase the fish.  At least that was the drill when a big one was hooked.  

 

Flourocarbon could/should allow a heavier leader/line.  What test flouro works well?

 

Thanks.

[spoonfed-1]

For myself all I need is 8lb for early, shallow water Browns on a reel with a good drag. For customers/ less experienced fishermen, I like 12.

Edited January 1, 2017 by spoonfed-1

[Sk8man]

x2 on spoonfed's comment plus I run them way back of the boat and out away from other stuff most of the time especially during the summer months

[bout time]

I use 12lb test. Like spoonfed if I have a experienced crew on board or if fish get really line shy I will leader down to 8.

'Bout Time

Mike

Edited January 2, 2017 by bout time

[Yankee Troller]

It all depends on the water quality, or lack of quality, you're fishing. On Lake Ontario the waters from Rochester to the west can usually be found to have some color to it. When in colored (green/brown) you can go up on your main line and flouro leader. East of Rochester can present very clear water conditions, and this would force you to go much lighter. We are fortunate to fish a colored water scenario most days for BT. We can get away with 15lb mainline leadered down to a 10lb flouro. My buddies in the East are using 8lb main line and 6lb flouro leaders. 

 

Also remember, if your colored water is tight to shore a heavier mainline will float your plugs a little more to get them in tighter. When fishing plugs line diameter makes them all run different. Keep everything on board consistent to take that variables out.

 

We run only McCoy fishing line on the Yankee. They make some great stuff that I have built a ton of confidence in. Their mean green mono and their flouro 100 is really good stuff!

[rdebadts]

I use 8 lb floro. Be careful as some of the commonly used stuff (seagar red label, vanish) can be absolute garbage.


The Fishin' Physician Assistant

[FishinIsLife]

Do you guys ever use, or recommend, braid (say 20lb PowerPro), to a fluoro leader for spring browns?

 

Just starting learning!

Edited January 20, 2017 by FishinIsLife

[Xxx]

Yes, that's what all my reels have except my leadcore and rigger rods, as said above some guys use their rigger poles and leader down to 6 through 15# whatever suits your water conditions. I leader down to 8# flurocarbon line you can either join the lines with whatever knots you prefer, I use a #10 or 8 SPRO swiveles, I feel as if I get the most action out of a lure or spoon with a shorter piece of line able to act as natural as possible, everyone has their own way, they feel has been most successful with. With the heavier lines many just use a 1/4 o/z Splitshot to keep the bait under the surface of the water. 

Edited January 20, 2017 by pap

[steelfire]

On 1/1/2017 at 0:15 PM, Sk8man said:

x2 on spoonfed's comment plus I run them way back of the boat and out away from other stuff most of the time especially during the summer months

How far behind the ball do you run your spoons for Browns in the summer?? I was running them about 40' this summer and had marginal luck with them

[Xxx]

100 to 150ft behind the ball 

[rdebadts]

When fishing shallow (top 20') I will run my leads 80-120 back. I never run stuff that far behind my riggers once you are fishing more than about 30 down though. My longest lead is about 40-50 once I am deeper than that.


The Fishin' Physician Assistant
Fishsodusbay.com

[steelfire]

Thanks for the info!  I was fishing mid July this summer in about 80' of water and the browns were on the bottom. I couldn't buy a bite unless I had the spoons at least 50' behind the ball. (I was running 12 pound fluro leader). When  I stretched them back about 80' the bite was more consistent. I was just wondering what everyone else does in the summer when fishing for Browns with set backs off of the riggers. I also had good luck with running dipsies off of the bottom for them as well.

[dukhnter8]

I use my walleye rigs which have 12 lb but like others add a flouro leader in 10 or 12.

 

Distance behind the ball can also depend on water clarity. I was in some dirty water and only had a 40 ft off the ball and saw a brown hit the spoon.

[stan]

I would think trolling speeds and water clarity has a lot to do with line size. Problem is what works on one lake will not always work on another.

by "YOUP 50 post   Wisconsin is really planting BT in Lake Michigan " I have no idea what Lake Michigan waters look like compared to Big O or Cresent lake Oregon I will almost bet all responses so far are all from Big O ?

 

Heck our local lake one can not see 2' down into the water, I sometimes will run 18 Lb to 20Lb test line, when I fish Oregon I drop way down to 8 Lb , If we are Ocean fishing no lighter then 35 Lb 

Edited February 5, 2017 by stan