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| Most of the Precision Trolling Data customers are walleye anglers, but the data provided by the PTD apps is also widely in use for other species like this brown trout taken by Jake Romanack near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. |
A number of variables influence how deep a crankbait or other
piece of trolling gear will dive. Of these variables, line diameter ranks as
one of the most important. Thinner lines create less friction in the water
while trolling, allowing lures and trolling gear in turn to reach greater
depths. In contrast, using heavier lines increases the amount of friction and
therefore reduces the diving depth of
popular lures and trolling gear.
On average the
amount of depth lost or gained when fluctuating from the line diameters tested
and documented by the Precision Trolling Data apps amounts to about two feet of
depth at the maximum lead length. For example, if a popular crankbait is
running 15 feet deep on 10 pound test Berkley XT 150 feet back, that same bait
will run about 13 feet deep (two feet shallower) when fished on 12 pound test
Berkley XT.
TESTING TAKES TIME
From a practical
standpoint it would be difficult at best for the staff of Precision Trolling
Data, LLC to test all the available line diameters and line types in popular
use by trollers. The logical approach is to test various lures and devices on
line diameters and types that are the most practical, popular and in wide use.
For example, the
majority of the crankbaits featured in the PTD apps and “Stickers” are baits
that are primarily used to target walleye and therefore 10 pound test
monofilament and or 10/4 Fireline super line are practical and popular line
diameters and types to feature.
However, some of
the crankbaits featured in PTD are designed for both warm water species like
walleye and cold water species like trout and salmon trolling applications. To
provide the most information as practical, these lures are tested on both small
and large line diameters.
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| Some lures like this Mag Lip 3.5 are popular lures for targeting both warm and cold water species. In this case the Precision Trolling Data apps feature depth data for smaller and larger monofilament line diameter suitable for both trolling applications. |
For example, the
Yakima Mag Lip 3.5 and 4.5 plugs are tested on both 10 and 20 pound test
monofilament lines. Other devices like the larger sizes of diving planers are
generally tested on larger diameter super braid lines, but these devices are
also routinely tested using wire line.
MORE ON LINE DIAMETER EQUIVALENTS
It’s also worth
noting that different line types often share a similar line diameter, but not
necessarily break strength. A shared diameter makes these lines especially
useful for anglers who need the extra break strength, but at the same time
don’t want to sacrifice any of the diving depth of their favorite lures and
trolling hardware.
For example,
Berkley XT monofilament in 10 pound test is used in much of the PTD testing and
this line is about .0135 in diameter. It’s interesting to note that most 40
pound test Spectra based super braids are also about .0135 in diameter. This
means that anglers can substitute 40 pound test super braid lines for 10 pound test
monofilament and enjoy the same precise depth data published in the PTD apps
and “Stickers”.
It’s also
important to note that not all monofilament lines are the same diameter for a
respective break strength. Berkley XT 10 pound test is about .0135 in diameter
and Berkley Big Game 12 pound test is also .0135 in diameter. Either of these
lines can be substituted without impacting on the data published in PTD.
Co-polymer lines
are also an intriguing subject for the serious troller. In general, co-polymers
are much thinner in diameter than nylon monofilaments for popular break
strengths. Berkley’s popular Sensation line is about two line diameters thinner
than comparable monofilament lines. Berkley Sensation in 14 pound test is about
.0135 in diameter or similar to 10 pound test Berkley XT monofilament.
THE LIST GOES ON AND ON
For the angler who is interested in studying line
diameters and line types the sky is the limit in regards to options that fit
nicely with the research conducted by Precision Trolling Data. The web page www.mels-place.com provides a convenient list of the line
diameters for hundreds of fishing line brands and types.
This information
in effect gives anglers an almost unlimited license to substitute line types
and brands for similar line diameters used in the Precision Trolling Data apps.
CONVERSION CHARTS
Back in the day
Precision Trolling published a line conversion chart to assist anglers in
selecting different line diameters for various trolling applications. When this
research was conducted more than 20 years ago anglers had relatively few line
types to pick from. Today with the market flooded with line types, diameters
and brands the ability to produce a useful fishing line conversion chart would
be 10 fold more difficult to create and use.
At Precision
Trolling Data, we feel it is more practical to teach anglers to pay close
attention to line diameters and substitute line types and diameters for the
“base lines” that are used in the PTD testing.
THE MODERN TROLLER
Trollers these
days are using a host of different line types in their fishing including
monofilament, co-polymers, fluorocarbon, fused and super braid lines. By paying
attention to important details like line diameter, anglers can use a host of
different line types that match perfectly with the depth data provided by
Precision Trolling Data, LLC.
Fishing harder
is always a good way to put more fish in the boat, but in this case fishing
“smarter” is equally important. The smart troller employs a host of different
line types and diameters that best suit specific trolling chores. By paying
attention to critical details like line diameter, the modern Precision Troller
can have his cake and eat it too!
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| Most of the lures and trolling hardware included in the Precision Trolling Data apps and “Stickers” feature Dive Curves for two or more line diameters and types. By substituting other lines of similar diameter to the test lines used by PTD the angler can dramatically expand trolling opportunities while enjoying accurate depth data. |
