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Lake Erie Charter Captain Dave Adams of D & D Charters answers questions and provides tips and insights into fishing the region.
If you would like to Ask the Captain a question, please click HERE.
June 9, 2003
Capt. Dave:
I am interested in using steel line. I recently bought several rods and reels with steel line. I checked your archive questions and got some information, but I have a question that I cannot find an answer to anywhere.
When using steel line, how do you attach to terminal tackle or to other line? Do you use a crimped ferrule or do you twist the wire? One article that I read described a knot used for stainless wire but I can't find a description of the knot anywhere. Please keep up the great articles and thank-you.
Ken
Capt. Dave:
I'm interested in learning about wire set ups. Could you tell me about them? Equipment and how to run them.
Thank you for all of your help!!
Sheldon
Captain Dave's Response:
Ken and Sheldon,
It's hot and the boat traffic is heavy. Plus, the walleye numbers are down and the steelhead are finicky. Not to mention that you're fishing in water that's clear as tap water. Under such conditions, is there a formula for consistent success when fishing the Great Lakes?
Yes. Place a lure at the correct depth and catch fish. Sound simple? It is, when you combine an old product with a new idea.
(This walleye was taken with 12# wire line, Storm Thunderstick, Okuma med. action trolling rod, and Seaguar fluorocarbon leader.)
The old product is trolling wire. The new idea (thanks in large part to the zebra mussel and water clarity) is attaining precise trolling depth, while presenting (without heavy diving disks or downriggers) the bait as a natural part of the lake's food chain.
The wire, well, it's much the same as any other steel product. The manufacturing process begins at an American steel mill. From there, it's sent as a bulk material to an another factory, American Fishing Wire, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Once there, it's transformed into a delicate blend of softness and strength.
Mike Shields, vice-president of American Fishing Wire, wouldn't divulge any trade secrets, but he says the finished product is a blend of nickel, chromium, and copper. "With its higher density than super braids or monofilament," said Shields, "it sinks rapidly, allowing anglers to reach the desired depth with shorter leads."
Stainless steel wire line or the softer Monel (nicker-copper alloy) is available at Boaters World and Cabela's as well as most bait and tackle stores along the Great Lakes. It is a single strand wire that requires no special gear. It is soft, measured the same as monofilament (pound breakage), doesn't damage guides, and can be used with any pole. Reel backing is not recommended: The spool should be full because a large steelhead or renegade king can rip off a 100 yards of wire without thinking twice. For the purpose of natural bait presentation and correct depth control, 12 pound test is best for walleye and steelhead.
(attach line to barrel swivel)
Rigging is simple. Twist the wire line onto a good quality swivel (remember you're fishing for big fish, use a swivel that is rated to at least 45 pound breakage). Then, below the swivel, attach a six-foot leader of 15 or 20 pound test fluorocarbon line (Seaguar, is a good choice for both durability and visibility). When attaching the plug to the leader, though, don't use a swivel. The best lure action and to give the appearance of a free meal (a real baitfish will not have a silver or black swivel dangling from its mouth) is achieved by tying directly to the line.
Large fish can't resist the Storm deep diving Thunderstick, or Matzuo deep diving Prism Shad. But they are fashion conscious. For choice of plug color, steelhead prefer silver, while walleye are more flamboyant and prefer green or fire-tiger.
(4 3/8" Firetiger Matzuo, the deep diver has a long bill)
How low can it go? A deep diving plug, trolled with 12 pound test wire, will dive 25 feet (where most walleye feed) when trolled behind 125 feet of wire. It will hit 35 feet (where the big eyes go during heavy boat traffic) behind 280 feet of wire. But here's where it gets exciting: A lead of 400 feet, depending on trolling speed and current, will reach 45 to 50 feet (which in most cases, is just under the thermocline or "steelhead haven" and where renegade kings prowl).
Dipsies and downriggers still produce. But water clarity, fishing pressure, lower walleye numbers, and finicky steelhead, dictate what changes the Great Lakes angler must make for success. For all day action and size of fish, wire fishing line can't be beat.
Good Fishing,
Capt. Dave Adams
Dave Adams is an author and professional charter captain who operates D & D Charters on the Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie.
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