Mid Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay - trolling questions

Hey all,
I am new too fishing in the chesapeake bay and new too boating and was wondering how you guys keep track of how much line you guys let out when you dont have level wind reels. I made the mistake of trusting the guy at bass pro and got a defiance trolling combo with no level wind so I have no idea how much line im letting out. just wondering what you guys do
thanks,

geoff

i've put metered braid on all of my non-level wind rods. if you only have one rod, then it shouldnt cost you too much to re-spool. for the bay, you really only need about 100 yards of topshot.

http://www.cabelas.com/super-lines-powerpro-depth-hunter-metered-braid.shtml

Geoff,

Welcome aboard.

you can get inexpensive line counters at most tackel shops for less than $20. A better way to do it is to have each rod dedicated to certain lengths and mark the distance you want it with a piece of dental floss or different color braid tied on and a little drop of super glue to hold it.

If using mono, you can mark it with a thin piece of duct tape. A marker will work, but they fade after one to two trips.

Power pro ( some others do too) has a braid that is a different color every 25 feet and that is what I spool up my non line counting reels with.

What scottdd1 said X2 !!!! I have used the glued thread trick and the colored braid!!! Either works just fine!! : )

the only problem with measuring and marking the line yourself (with dental floss, tape, etc) is if you end with the a tangle or snag a ghost crabpot or something and need to cut the line, then your measuring and marking is likely useless.

i've heard varying reports on the usefulness of the cheap line counters -- in my opinion, it's just another piece of gear that can fail at any time.

the pre-measured and colored braid is the best way to go -- very easy to use, nothing to break.

I have one reel withour level wind and I mark my braided line with a magic marker. different colors at different lengths

What I do is once the lure is in the water I point the rod at the stern and release the line swinging it to the bow. That equals 10 ft(gently and I don't fully release my thumb from the spool just let it feed out as I swing it.). Granted its not that scientific but we run a 21 rod spread with no problems.

that braided line is awesome wish i didnt buy a 2,000 yard spool of mono. I think im going to try duct tape on it and see how that holds up. Thanks guys i just assumed no one bought reels with out level wind because it is much easier to figure out how much line you have out with one. glad some guys are in the same boat.

you guys think it would be ok to leave the rods backed with the mono and put on lets say 100 feet of the metered braided as a leader? I have three rods and money is tight\

I looked at the line counters and with all the reviews they seemed like junk inconsistent and a pain in the butt

You get the best of everything with your latest plan... use the mono backing and tie on 100 YARDS of metered braid... I use a uni to uni knot which is fairly easy to tie with a little practice... 100 feet isn't really enough line for most trolling spreads... If the reel is completely full, you may need to strip some mono off, but not much since the braid won't take much room at all...
I usually use 50-80 lb braid... yes, overkill for strength, but it won't cut my hand quite as quick...
Good luck!

good advice on the 100 yds, rarely do you have more than that out.

You get the best of everything with your latest plan... use the mono backing and tie on 100 YARDS of metered braid... I use a uni to uni knot which is fairly easy to tie with a little practice... 100 feet isn't really enough line for most trolling spreads... If the reel is completely full, you may need to strip some mono off, but not much since the braid won't take much room at all...
I usually use 50-80 lb braid... yes, overkill for strength, but it won't cut my hand quite as quick...
Good luck!

this is the exact set-up i have on all my non-level wind reels...right down to the uni-to-uni knot! :thumbsup:

and BTW, i only run this stuff on my 4 boat rods (the non-level winds), which i run deeper with heavier weights. on my planer board or t-top rods, i just use my level-winds with mono since i run them longer and shallower.

I will go to all non level winds over time. I am already having 330's fail after 6-7 years.

Prob going to avets or tlds, like both equally....avets if the banker lets me.

100 yards it is then. im picking up a 330 gti/slammer combo later today id be happy if they lasted that long lol.

if you want some US-made penn reels, i'd highly recommend you contact chef jim: http://www.chefjimpennreels.com/

i bought 4 older, rebuilt 309 level winds from him and they were like brand new. i think their a much better option than the cheaply-made, new penn level winds...his prices when i bought them were pretty close to the retail price for those junky reels. i've paired the 309s with ande tournament rods for a pretty nice trolling combo that only cost me about $100.

i'd like to get rid of the level winds, but i have kids on board quite a bit...maybe once they're a little older.

Avets. Are nice reels imo.

i have a buddy who was just given a bunch of old penn reels and he was trying to give them to me some of them didn't work that great ill mention that link to him. have any idea how much it would be for repairs....got some old st.croix boat rods out of him some im not complaining

I've used Joe at The Reel Thing for years... Here's the link to his website with some prices to give you an idea of costs... He will knock off a few bucks for multiple reels... He's in Prince Frederick... He does most of the work for the local charter captains... Now is probably a good time to catch him...
http://www.thereelthingjc.com/repairreel.htm

if you want some US-made penn reels, i'd highly recommend you contact chef jim: http://www.chefjimpennreels.com/

i bought 4 older, rebuilt 309 level winds from him and they were like brand new. i think their a much better option than the cheaply-made, new penn level winds...his prices when i bought them were pretty close to the retail price for those junky reels. i've paired the 309s with ande tournament rods for a pretty nice trolling combo that only cost me about $100.

i'd like to get rid of the level winds, but i have kids on board quite a bit...maybe once they're a little older.

There is your best bet.

Another place to send your used reels is to Alan Tani. Alantani.com for more info, he is the master.

My inlaw and I have been somewhat successful by eyeballing it (winging it :grin:)! Measure from the point of the reel to the first ring on the pole, and then count. Obviously, you want to do this while the boat is going. If it's wrong, well, it sure is working for us!

yea thats what i was doing beofre I eye balled it wrong and lost an umbrella rig. I picked up that color coated braid today thanks guys for the help. that stuff is pretty damn expensive well hopefully it will get the job done right