Z-Man vs Kietech

Thanks @Mike B. Great info, I have a lot to learn when it comes to cranking for sure. Been thinking about getting a reel with a line counter on it.
I also tried this app https://www.precisiontrollingdata.com/. It works with 10 pound test (.0135 diameter)Berkley XT monofilament line ,although the crankbaits I have a look at them and and say WTF is this one for..lol

 

Just my opinion Gord- some guys still run mono for cranking, but I'd ditch it all together. Trolling cranks with mono, the only benefit is the stretch of mono lends itself to keeping fish pinned, but with the proper crank trolling rod the spungee stretch of mono becomes moot.

Mono has a thicker diameter (and floats), therefore won't go as deep as the same or even heavier # test in braid.

With braid, you get way more feel. You can tell when your crank is running properly, has a weed on it, a glob of water fleas, a zebra mussel, etc

Aside from a couple topwater presentations, mono as a main line on our reels, imo is completely obsolete.

I like 18# Spiderwire mainline, to a very small swivel (that I can reel thru guides if needed), to a 4' to 8' fluoro leader of 12#- 14# to a snap.

Use the dive curve charts with equivalent diameter braid. Most retail boxes/labelling with show eqivalent diameter in mono/braid.

Lake Wpg is the ONLY body of water where I have almost as much confidence in a jig as a crank when hunting big Walleye, but if I really want big fish specifically, the crank gets the nod, no doubt. Big Walleyes just love cranks....as a general rule.

On the home body of water in NW Ont...somewhere off the 596, big Walleyes were so seldom caught on jigs, the news would spread all over the cottagers- "Did you hear? So and so caught an 8 pounder at the point!!" you'd hear of maybe 2 bigger Walleye in an entire season. Cutting my teeth on cranks...1st day....4 over 28" . That's a rare animal where they so heavily sway to a specific technique, but goes to show we can miss out on a crazy good bite if we stick to the jig or spinner. I don't think I've put a spinner on for 2 years to be honest. Either a crank or a jig+plastic/minnow.

 

Yup, mix it up for best success!
Thinking outside the box works wonders on the smarter fish - i am convinced that some fish recognize what not to bite over time.
Dead calm today - gonna try jigging up a few shallow water fish!

 

On the weekend plastic was getting better size for us on woods live bait was catching more

 

http://anglingedge.com/?videos=targeting-walleye-show-4&fbclid=IwAR3lU9yEynctifcm_lN8dMWNJHqXfu017XkTa1opxIn7xQmnv8ECP-bQNR0

I couldn't agree more that artificials tend to catch bigger fish than meat.

 

Wow.. I have a lot of testing to do.. lol

 

Zman baits work great, but are really hard to rig properly because of the stretchyness. This is interesting that it took him a minute or two to complete it.

 

What rod and reel do you use for a leadcore setup?

 

I've got an older Cabelas brand Depthmaster Gold setup. Great setup for the price-- about $160 total, plus line. You can get by without a line counter and just count colors, but I way prefer the counter.

 

Like Mike said, while not necessary, I still prefer a line counter for lead as well. I've got mine spooled on a Depthmaster line counter as well...they work really well. You just want something with a fair bit of line capacity as the lead takes up so much space.

A lot of guys run really long leaders, like 30-50'...I prefer to just run a rods length. Way less math involved that way as you don't really need to incorporate the lures dive depth into the equation at that point. The shorter leader also helps keep fish buttoned...the lead is heavy and firm enough it prevents fish from the violent head shakes that can cause them to throw hooks.

Pulling lead can be a very effective way to troll in ANY depth. I strongly suggest the guys here who like to troll Walleye a lot piece together a setup and experiment with it.

 

So if you are using a short leader do you just figure how many feet of leadcore you need for your depth? I think I have used up my budget for fishing equipment for this year but for next year I'll probably get a leadcore setup.

 

Yup, exactly. That way you’re just factoring in leadcore. You might add a foot or two of depth for the length of leader, that’s it.

 

That's the key right there.

Some folks get stuck on lead only being used to go really deep...which it can, but, many anglers use lead to fish lures (that produce) that when longlined don't get deep enough. As an example, say on a certain lake, a crank you love in Spring catches a lot of fish when they're shallow, but once they go deeper, you put it away cuz it can't get to them in say 20'...in comes the lead and now that shallow bait can be fished effectively down deeper.

Lead has a lot of uses. Lake Trout...longline lead with a spoon....badda boom badda bang

 

Yup. A Rapala F9 or F11 can be deadly!

I've messed around with snap weights a little...but you're giving the fish so many chances to get off when you're unclipping that weight. Same reason I have planer boards and don't use them much, ha!

 

Planer boards have a use, but what a clunky way to troll our Walleyes up here in da Nort, imo. Unnecessary if you ask me.

I used my boards maybe an hour total, running baits on Lk Wpg in 3ft where I didnt want to bounce my prop off rocks and spook fish....caught Walleyes but other, more enjoyable techniques caught way more fish....so they've been in storage ever since.

 

Last few times I've used mine they've been in shallow water situations as well, like 5' or under probably. I've become less concerned about my boat spooking fish.

 

Same same.

What did it for me was towing/strolling for Smallies. Snapping a jerkbait/shad 5' behind the motor gets as many bites or more than laying it 150' back....

Go figure.

In my opinion, the only real thing on a boat that spooks fish is-- a stompy, clumsy loud human...slamming lids...dropping the net hard on the floor (or my fucking electronics!! Asshole!) ...and--- the trolling motor bursts. If the motor is constant, they don't seem to mine....but pedal thrusts on and off seem to send em running away.....unless it's a stupid Musky...then they'll just bite it....dumb-ass fish