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Wire line questions

2.1K views 18 replies 7 participants last post by  Whitefin  
#1 ·
What size wire is used. Assuming single strand 304 stainless or Monel. 12#, 15#, 20#, 30#? I run 12# Optima mono got cranks on in-line boards. Probably have room to spool 300 ft of wire on top, or is that a bad idea? Should I add it to me braid instead? Is connection with a micro swivel or direct to mainline? Planning trip to Geneva this weekend so may spool 2 rods with wire to try it. Normally I would run 5 dipseys, one downrigger, balance in-line boards up to 9 rods total for 3 of us.
 
#2 ·
Most people I know run 12 lbs single strand stainless. I personally run 20 lbs because that is what who showed me ran.

20 lbs takes up alot more space on the reel.

Yes you will need a microswivel on each end. And you will need a Haywire twist tool as you cant knot wire. Youtube is your friend here.

I run a mono or fluro leader after the wire twice the length of my rod.

I also run braid backing as I run it off big boards.

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#3 ·
Spool your reel full with mono then braid backing so counter is correct
Use small, small barrel swivel to connect mono to braid and braid to wire. Use the wire twist method for wire to swivel so no cuts to fingers.
Spool 250 ft wire on top of calibrated reel
Use 12 or 15lb wire
We use convector 30,s but other reels should have room for the wire
On some days we run 250 plus up to 100 ft of backing on calibrated reels you will know how far to put out.
Goodluck
 
#4 ·
You can put wire on top of braid or mono on the bigger reels. I would definitely connect to braid when putting the line on a little board assuming that’s what you will be using. The main thing is keep tension on wire all of the time!!!!!!! Monel is not necessary expensive & you will have other issues before you realize the benefits. Most guys use 10-12# stainless wire. You can buy it at Karrans Shop on 84 east of 534. Wire is not hard to run you just have to pay attention.
 
#5 ·
Thanks. I have Tekota 600LC reels spooled with 12# mono. I think they are down enough from full that I can add 100’ of 40lb power pro and 250 or 300 ft of 12 or 15 lb wire and leader. I assume the long mono or flourish leader is to prevent sharp radius of wire on rod tip guide. I use Spro 50# test micro swivels for all my leader connections. I will have to order online to get by Friday for fishing Saturday. Crew is now just 2 of us, so wondering if worth the trouble since can run 6 lines with dipseys and downrigger. Or I could use 50TruTrips off in-line boards.
 
#7 ·
Thanks. I have Tekota 600LC reels spooled with 12# mono. I think they are down enough from full that I can add 100’ of 40lb power pro and 250 or 300 ft of 12 or 15 lb wire and leader. I assume the long mono or flourish leader is to prevent sharp radius of wire on rod tip guide. I use Spro 50# test micro swivels for all my leader connections. I will have to order online to get by Friday for fishing Saturday. Crew is now just 2 of us, so wondering if worth the trouble since can run 6 lines with dipseys and downrigger. Or I could use 50TruTrips off in-line boards.
The long leader is to ensure you can get all of the wire into the reel so that you don't put a kink in it when stowing or breaking down your rod.

And for this weekend, I'm sure you can get by with out it. Just check your lines ofren as shorts are still prevalent out there.

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#6 ·
Make sure to put enough leader on to get all of your wire on the reel, I use 12’. That way you don’t kink your wire. I doubt an inline board would pull a 50’ trutrip they pull hard! If you try to use them I always let out more line than the longest dipsy, helps prevent tangles. I would put 150’ of braid before your wire, if you ever get big boards or fish with someone who has them you can fish further out on board line.
 
#8 ·
For more information on wire set up - I found the following last last year on Lake Ontario United -their version of OGF!

Incredibly helpful information on setting up for copper wire.
 
#9 ·
Thanks. I did a search on OGF and found quite a few good threads after I posted the question. As for pulling 50TTs, I will dig out my orange Church walleye boards. I pulled 40TTs with them ok, but haven’t tried 50TTs yet. I know the will pull more load than my Offshore boards. Cabelas had 15# test wire available for free delivery Friday for $50+ spend, do added couple YoZuri deep crystal minnows to run with the wire. I will set up a new reel as recommended on an 8’6” board rod to try the wire on. Thanks to all for contributing to my education and hopefully success. p.s - this will be the 3rd rod for my guest, as we each will have 2 dipseys out, my 3rd is downrigger. Will run on Offshore board with OR18 clip so it can’t trip unless you all think it is ok for the front clip to release as long as back clip holds board in place? I don’t generally use braid with in-line boards as the line slips in clips.
 
#10 ·
If your only running one wire rod, you might not even need a board. If you have a holder that will keep the rod out of the way, just run it syraight out the back. I'd just suggest running the wire out until its in the water though.

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#11 ·
I would definitely run a littlle board on your wire if it was me just to get it out of the way of your other lines. I also would handle the line myself the first few times, people who pay for things are generally more careful with them. As far as slipping on the braid make a couple of wraps on the clip where the line goes on the front of the board. Be patient your first couple of times & wire will reward you. When a fish headshakes stop reeling until it quits. If you want real fun put on a three way swivel with two short leaders on it. Put a deep diving stickbaits on one & a spoon on the other.
 
#17 ·
If you can pull a 40’ jet on your Church boards I doubt if you will have a problem with a 3-way. Make one leader a little longer than the other say 3&4’ put your deep crank bait on the longer one & spoon on the shorter one. When you set it put the crank bait in first let it start to dive then put spoon in. If you do this carefully you won’t have a problem, if you don’t it will twist. Good Luck!!
 
#19 ·
Instead of running a 3 way swivel when running a crank and spoon put a barrel swivel about 4' ahead of the crank before letting it out. After the crank is fully out ad a slider to your line (a 4' leader with a snap on one end and a swivel and spoon on the other). Just clip on to the line and set the spoon in the water. It will slide down to the barrel swivel. This allows you to get it out quicker with less chance of a tangle. Make sure the barrel swivel is larger than the snap.