2013 - Now what, Getting ready for soft water

So 2013 is here and everyone is excited to get it on hard water. Being one who never could get into ice fishing this is when I start thinking about what I need too do to my gear for a better soft water season.

I had a great time getting back i into trout on Lake Erie and Ontario this year with the new boat. Doing so has made me realise I have some deficiencies in my gear which, for the most part, has been gathered for shore and small boat use. So I am hoping some of you with much more tenure on the lakes would help with some educated opinions for a couple of my gaps in knowledge.

How do you deal with the fleas? Several times out in lake O I have ended up with a wads of these glogging up the eyes of my rods. My rigger rods are set up with 20 lb mono as I have always loved the feel and stretch of using mono. However, it has been suggested by a buddy thati should be using a braid to keep the fleas off. I would have thought that the smoother mono would have kept them off better but, based on my results this year, I am likely wrong n that thinking.

Also, has anyone posted, or is there a good thread on how to setup for using flies and flashers on the big lakes? I have dropped by Bass pro, Sail and Northern over in Kitchener and am now thoroughly confused. There are more options for this setup than there are versions of boats out there.

For all you hard water enthusiasts i I'm looking forward to all of the pics that should be staring very soon and personally I am getting set to start hitting the shows. The boat show starts in just under 2 weeks, then the big sports show in PA and then the Toronto fishing/sports show. New toy time!

I am not a big water salmon and trout expert, but have gone out with some seasoned veterans and pros. I think there is a special flea line that keeps those things off. The line has a special shape I believe. My mind is foggy, new years day.. But I'll dig up the info for you when I get a chance - or someone will chime in..

Hey mcsteve,

I think the line you want is called Flea Flicker. I bought a spool several years ago when I thought I would be doing a lot of downrigging but we found that that type of fishing was not for us. We used the line only 2 times but did not have any fleas on the line. Maybe someone with more experience can let you know if this line really works.

When I go to Lake Ontario to fish salmon, I always have 2 spare reels with me that are spooled with "Flea Flicker" line.
Normally, I use braided line, but if the fleas are bad I switch to the FF loaded reels.
When I use the FF line, I never seem to get as many hits as I do when I fish braid-Power-pro.
SDC

Thanks all. Been trolling quite a few other forums for info and the Flea Flicker line seems to be the weapon of choice. I will have to look for some at the shows to find out what the real difference is.

The difference is flea flicker is oval and not round and the fleas cannot attach.

I have never used the flea flicker line.But i have herd some people have trouble with it twisting and creating a tangle,i use triline big game 30 lb.I get some fleas but not wads of them like with the thinner test.

Ok, so first of all.braided line is the worst line for fleas, they will glue onto it like a magnet in 10 minutes.

2 choices work quite well.

first is flea flicker line, but easiest and just as fine is switch to 30# mono........ergo, problem solved.

if running dipseys, then mono will not work that well, so use wire.....fleas will stick somewhat, but not nearly a bad as braid and much easier to clean off.

stay tuned .there will be plenty more before the next soft water season

Is that the line that is that reel and rod that I had bought off you the line on that reel is kinda flat?

Yes, Blue Fox. That is the flea flicker line. I still have some on a spool so if you still want the twin, I can give you the extra line if you want it.