Mono for mooching/downrigger reel

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Shad_Eating_Grin
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Mono for mooching/downrigger reel

Post by Shad_Eating_Grin » Sun Apr 20, 2008 12:47 pm

I picked up an old Penn 209 reel. I'll use it for mooching salmon in the Sound, or maybe for a downrigger reel for salmon in the Sound or Lake WA (sockeye, whenever it opens again).

I'm not much of a boat fisherman. What pound-test mono do folks usually use for mooching or downriggers for salmon? 30-lb test? Heavier? Lighter?

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A9
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RE:Mono for mooching/downrigger reel

Post by A9 » Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:16 pm

I've used 15 lb test, and up past 25. I know people who can't use anything less then 30lb, not sure why, it's a pain in the butt to break off if you snag up...

I like 15 or 20lb test. 15 lb leader...
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RE:Mono for mooching/downrigger reel

Post by Blackmouth » Sun Apr 20, 2008 3:02 pm

20-25lb Maxima UG

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RE:Mono for mooching/downrigger reel

Post by zen leecher aka Bill W » Sun Apr 20, 2008 3:45 pm

my salmon reel has 20 lb test Maxima chameleon on it.

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RE:Mono for mooching/downrigger reel

Post by fishingmachine » Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:27 pm

I run 50lb only because i fish in the straits where you can get 40 lb salmon

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JT26
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RE:Mono for mooching/downrigger reel

Post by JT26 » Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:34 pm

FM explain a little more cause ppl here dont expect you to be a salmon fisherman, even though i know :)

How could you use this reel as a downrigger? Would you just use a short, stiff standup rod and a small wieght then clip it like normal to your line?

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RE:Mono for mooching/downrigger reel

Post by fishingmachine » Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:37 pm

I use 50 lb line on a levelwind reel on a 9foot rod and attach that to a downrigger and run it down anywhere from 10-145 feet

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RE:Mono for mooching/downrigger reel

Post by gpc » Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:43 pm

I run a 15lb main line and a 12lb leader. For my buddys I give them 20lb main and 15lb leader. Most of the time I dont use leader, because I like the good ole fashon cut plug, I just use the leader that comes with the hooks.

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RE:Mono for mooching/downrigger reel

Post by JT26 » Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:53 pm

Woah i was really confused for a minute. But i just reread it and now i under stand..
When we run DR's in the sound and Neah Bay (dont use them at ilwaco), we have these four okuma level wind line counter reels spooled up with 20lb test on 8'6" Medium Heavy Berkley's and these older Shimano TDK's. Its fine and never broke on us.
Anything over 30 isnt neccesary. IDK what type of fish there trying to catch, LOL.

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A9
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RE:Mono for mooching/downrigger reel

Post by A9 » Sun Apr 20, 2008 8:42 pm

fishingmachine wrote:I run 50lb only because i fish in the straits where you can get 40 lb salmon
I've played 15+lb silvers from the beach with 6 lb test and a 5'6" UL rod...Not very courteous to the guys standing next to you, but it's darn fun...

My .02: you don't need a lb test higher then the fish you intend to catch. With a properly set drag and properly fighting the fish correctly you can reel in fish that weigh more then the lb test you use...
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fishaholictaz
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RE:Mono for mooching/downrigger reel

Post by fishaholictaz » Sun Apr 20, 2008 8:47 pm

Sam Kafelafish wrote:
fishingmachine wrote:I run 50lb only because i fish in the straits where you can get 40 lb salmon
I've played 15+lb silvers from the beach with 6 lb test and a 5'6" UL rod...Not very courteous to the guys standing next to you, but it's darn fun...

My .02: you don't need a lb test higher then the fish you intend to catch. With a properly set drag and properly fighting the fish correctly you can reel in fish that weigh more then the lb test you use...
:cheers: Oh ya I caught a 23 pound steel head on 8 lb. test :cheers: (Clackamas River Or.)
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RE:Mono for mooching/downrigger reel

Post by kavykid2k6 » Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:22 am

we always ran 20# on my dads boat, i like fightin with the fish, not just crankin it in
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RE:Mono for mooching/downrigger reel

Post by CraigVM62 » Mon Apr 21, 2008 10:17 am

From the boat, I use #20 max for salmon. You have the advantage in a boat as you can chase the fish if needed if you should hook into something really large.

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RE:Mono for mooching/downrigger reel

Post by Moosestock » Mon Apr 21, 2008 5:40 pm

20lb izorline is all you need ....you could pull a boat with that. I use my salmon gear with the 20lb izor for my halibut fishing too as I fish pretty shallow water in the Port Angeles area with just 5 oz of lead. I do alot of jigging for salmon as well as the motor mooching and you could probably even get by with 15lb. Hope that helps..........Les

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RE:Mono for mooching/downrigger reel

Post by AdsBot [Google] » Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:29 pm

Moosestock wrote:20lb izorline is all you need ....you could pull a boat with that. I use my salmon gear with the 20lb izor for my halibut fishing too as I fish pretty shallow water in the Port Angeles area with just 5 oz of lead. I do alot of jigging for salmon as well as the motor mooching and you could probably even get by with 15lb. Hope that helps..........Les
You must be a "Green Point" boy. I have caught some of my biggest hali's along that stretch in about 50 ft of water.

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RE:Mono for mooching/downrigger reel

Post by AdsBot [Google] » Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:30 pm

Last edited by Anonymous on Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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RE:Mono for mooching/downrigger reel

Post by Moosestock » Sun Apr 27, 2008 4:18 pm

Not really Green Point but at times pretty close. Morse creek, but that is usually a 90-140 ft depth. Mostly though, Freshwater Bay on the outter part between the bay and the big tower in 60 to 105 ft. Both areas can be good at times and i consider them "Flyrod Flattie" areas or in other words normal Salmon gear....ala 20lb Izor................Les

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