Michigan Muskie Alliance

have tuffline on a pair of old Penn's, mounted on a pair of med fiberglass 7 1/2 footers. This should give some on a strike. Those who troll, how do you rig up? (I already know what Kingfisher uses.) Thanks.

Rods
Any reputable brand (Shakespeare Ugly Stick Tiger, RP2 Muskie) in glass. Glass is more durable and you don't need sensitivity *Rod Guides should be stainless steel

Length’s
• Prop Rod – 5.5 to 7’ (I have 5.5)
• Down Rod – 5.5 to 7’ (5.5)
• Long Rod – 8 to 10’ (8)
• Board Rod – 5.5 to 10’ (8)

Reels
Any reputable brand (Penn GTI Level Wind Graphite Series or Level Wind 209/309, Diawa Accudeapth or Sealine, Okuma Convector, etc.) - make sure it has:
• A quality drag
• Adequate line capacity -250 yrds. +
• Bait clicker
• Line counter is nice, but not necessary

Main line - Monofilament (Trilene Big Game in Green) 40lb - I personally think 30lb it too small of diameter for a lot of reasons. Don't waste your money on Fluoro.

Leader - I am using all three in 60lb
Hard Mono (Mason) - Cheapest and holds up really well
or
Hybrid (Maxima, Yozuri) – Works good too, but a little more$$$
or
Fluorocarbon (Seaguar, P-Line) Poly Vinyl Fluoride - Works good, but most expensive

Terminal Hardware – Don’t skimp on the cheap stuff…
Snaps - Stringease - Stay-lok #204(200 lb) or 205(250 lb.)
Snap Swivels - Sampo with welded rings and Stay-lok snap - Sampo model# NBX4SLZ
Thorn Bros – Welded rings http://www.thornebros.com/muskie/termin ... ebros.html


Leader Makeup http://www.muskie-lures.com/rocketman/leader.jpg
This is link shows my basic rig, but I recommend the components I listed…

Main Line – Tie on a snap swivel

Line end of leader – Tie on a snap swivel

Make the leader whatever length you want, but I use 6’ for general trolling

Lure end of leader - Tie on a Thorn Bros welded ring, then clip on a Stay-lok snap or a split ring

Knots
Hard Mono, Hybrid, and Fluorocarbon - I like knots where the line passes through the eye of the component two times. These three work great. I am using the gryp knot, but it requires a tool.

Gryp Knot http://www.tie-fast.com/Page346.htm

Trilene Big Game http://www.steelheader.net/knots/trilene_knot.htm

Worlds Fair http://www.thaifishingguide.com/fishtec ... steps.html

finlander - I think that set up will work for you just fine but there are a couple considerations...
- are the rods are stout enough for the largest lures you'll be trolling?
- will you be using planerboards?

If the rods are stiff enough and you'll never be using boards then I think you are all set. Mono is widely used on LSC because of the board releases, braids don't stick well in a release. When you look to other areas of the country or Canada braids are widely used. I know a couple guys that use a braid for their mainlline and 200# flouro as leader. They catch BIG fish and numbers of them on this type of set-up.

Where do you find flouro in THAT size?? :D

http://www.thornebros.com/muskie/termin ... aguar.html

You can't tie it beyond 80lb, so you need to start using crimps. ONLY the double barrel crimps are good for this. With a single hole crimp you'll pinch the line and reduce the strength of the leader.