I am a beginner and need opinions (lots of questions)

[Camoroso2006]

I am a 16 and a beginner just needing answers on some starter gear for trolling on my Eagle Talon 12ft for strippers in a freshwater lake with live bait. I was looking into the okuma Magda 20DXTLC for my reel and a tsunami tough tip live bait rod whould that be good? The reel only has 15lbs of drag is that enough for a larger striper? Is the rod the right action for what I am doing? What line and leaders should I use? How should I rig up the live bait? 

[kinghong1970]

16? Ain’t ya bit too young to be going for strippers? Hahaha

couldnt resist.  Sorry

 

ugly stick and Penn battle or Daiwa BG was my first set up… don’t break the bank and quite doable

 

ive since moved on to other gear…

if you’re around NJ, perhaps we can meet up near GWB and you can have it.

[Camoroso2006]

@kinghong1970 I would really really appreciate it but I unfortunately I don’t live in the NJ I am in south western VA is there any other way like maybe mail? 

Edited July 26, 2022 by Camoroso2006
Added a tag

[Africaster]

@Camoroso2006 … if he says they’re in the back of the big white van … DO NOT GET IN BEFORE HIM 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joking … you will not find a more generous man with only the most honest of intentions. 

[Camoroso2006]

@Africaster I can’t drive yet so my Dad would be with me hahaha

[kinghong1970]

/puts away the keys to the van…

[saltfisherman]

Use what you have and go from there. Figure on braid that’s 30 lb and a leader of 5 ft mono something in the 40 lb area, could also use 30 lb mono. You want the bit of stretch that mono adds. Braid doesn’t stretch. If the fish are picky you might need to use a longer leader and/or a lighter weight mono. 
 

if you’re trolling with life bait, hook them thru the nose or lip. This way they swim with your troll. 
 

to troll deeper with bait use a three way swivel with a bank sinker. Try different weights and lengths of line out until you get the depth that the fish are at. add the swivel between the braid and mono. This is an old Great Lakes style of trolling used for bait and also shallow plugs like a rapala. It’s a poor man’s down rigger idea. For shallow trolling you can use egg sinkers and again between the two different lines. You’ll find what they call a trolling keel sinker, they work good too but not necessarily needed. 
 

15 lb of drag is more than enough. The kayak adds drag, the rod eyes add drag too. Don’t crank the drag to locked. As the fish is at your side and ready for that net you can let off that drag more and expect the last fish run at the side. 
 

 

 

 

[phishallways]

Ok, in all seriousness.. prostitutes and blow. With occasional massages. Give up fishing and monogamy now. You’ll thank me later.

[kinghong1970]

2 hours ago, Camoroso2006 said:

@kinghong1970 I would really really appreciate it but I unfortunately I don’t live in the NJ I am in south western VA is there any other way like maybe mail? 

I am out of country for two weeks…

sadly I can’t get this taken care of before I leave, kinda crazy schedule.

 

but if you can wait, I’ll check shipping upon return.

 

i have a shipping tube

 

if you don’t mind, PayPal me the shipping cost?

 

work up your post count by spamming these forums.  There are tons of experienced anglers here and a great place to learn!

 

when you got 15 post (IIRC), PM me your zip code and I’ll check

 

Al

 

 

[Pescador710]

.

Edited July 27, 2022 by Pescador710
Double post

[Pescador710]

10 mins ago, phishallways said:

Ok, in all seriousness.. prostitutes and blow. With occasional massages. Give up fishing and monogamy now. You’ll thank me later.

Wow!! That may be the best SOL post of all time

Edited July 27, 2022 by Pescador710

[Camoroso2006]

@phishallways The first part is agreeably true but fishing is my addiction 

[Camoroso2006]

@kinghong1970 Hope you having fun abroad. 
 

yes I can definitely wait 

 

Yes I can pay the shipping cost that is the least I could do. 
 

I will try and get it up in the next few days. 
 

Thank you 

 

[dbjpb]

Many people have success trolling a tube n worm for stripers.  It is an easy way to start catching fish.

Also the tube and worm setup is pretty cheap and lasts a good amount of time.  Just troll slow.  When you think you are paddling slow enough slow down some more. Less then 2mph is best. 

 

[tcal4404]

1 hour ago, dbjpb said:

Many people have success trolling a tube n worm for stripers.  It is an easy way to start catching fish.

Also the tube and worm setup is pretty cheap and lasts a good amount of time.  Just troll slow.  When you think you are paddling slow enough slow down some more. Less then 2mph is best. 

 

Believe OP said freshwater, not sure tube n worm would apply