Setting up to do some boondoggin, using the allstar 9' 1083s with shimano stradic 2000. Whats the best hi-vis 10 lb. line? What if any advantage is thier setting the slinkie up to slide on the line, I always do them fixed while drift fishing. Going to use an ultragreen leader what line weight whould you go with in green water for nates? Thanks....c/22

Just looked at some yo-zuri(sp?) hybrid line, waterproof-florocarbon very strange stuff! Its hi-viz, but seems to have too much memory for a spinning reel. What do the guides down on the big rivers use??

A lot of the guides use Ande Hi-Vis but I don't care for it much. It does serve its purpose though, so the guides can see where all lines are at at all times. I prefer Stren Extra strength Clear in 8 or 10#, some strong stuff and not coily at all so it casts like a dream, I also use Stren Magna thin in 12#, it seems to do great also.
Keith

Chrome22,IZOR LINE hivis yellow works great,I use 8# or 10# for boondoggin,side drifting.Compared to ANDE it dosn't coil up as bad, it's more limp,no memory,which is good on a spinning reels.Now TOM WHITE has retired it's harder to get.Glad I bought those 8000 yard spools.If you can't find any, try Ande.

St-1, thanks. If its just 3 guys in a 18' sled you think the hi-viz main-line is overkill? What about the other issues in the 1st. question. It's going to be my 1st. time B-doggin

Ok RR, I'll check out the Izor. Noticed your homeport, when do those big brown's start biting down your way? Had fun with them a couple of summers ago @ W**** lake

By myself or with two I use Andy green three or go to hiviz

CHROME22,ol'mudhole,Wenas lake,I don't do it much,but I hear the browns realy start bittin end of Feb-first of March.as long was it starts to warm up.

Chrome22-
I personally use a stationary lead exactly like what I do driftfishing. I don't like the sliding lead because when your fishing lower water and using small amounts of lead and cast the lead sometimes slides up line and doesn't land where you want it to. Besides if your using the typical boondogging leader 48-60" you have enough leader slack that when a fish picks it up he don't feel the stationary lead anyways.
Also, forget the slinkies and go with lead. Get yourself a set of holepunchers and punch your lead and attach that to the snapswivel. Slinkies drag and lead ticks and gives you a better feel of what your fishing.
Keith

Chrome22, I'm with STLHDR1 on rigging his lead,sometimes you might want to do just a little flip cast to hit that perfect lookin pocket,so with a slider you try it and your lead lands half way between the boat and the spot you wanted to hit.The hole punch stlhdr1 was talking about are called "LEAD MASTER "pliers...great tool

Sounds like a plan, I'm no fan of the sliding weight. I've seen those "lead masters" might just go with a pair. So long leaders are the rule? 4-5' of ultragreen to what, a size 1/0 viz. or gami?

Chrome/22:

Best line for the money is Ande "Envy". Had used this for salmon and steelhead for 5+ yrs. I don't have a problem with the "memory", that some talk about.

Line weight---12 and 10, is what I use.

Sportco--Place to buy, 900 meters(about 1000 yds.) for about $6.00. Hell at that price you can change twice a week.

It does work!!!!!! Have used Ande Green for my leader material for 25+ yrs., works for me!!!

"Worse day sport fishing still better than the best day working"

Chrome22-
Did you say gami.. I hate those hooks, especially in the smaller sizes because they don't really have a barb. I prefer a couple different kinds of hooks, I like the owner cutting points in size 1 and or 2's, the mustad ultra points #92568BLN probably my favorite hook for boondogging because they're inexpensive and sharp with a great barb and offset, which calls for less fish missed. I just started fishing visions this last year and they did well also, and in the vision I use a #1 o 1/0 depending on the water. I do like the smaller hooks in clear water as you can use a smaller bait.

Remember when boondogging a spherical bait is very important, you don't want an oblong or wormed out looking bait, but a round one. It comes through the drift a bit more naturally. I always use maxima UG 8# for leader through the winter and sometimes drop to a size #4 hook in the summer but usually a #2 with 6lb UG leader. Just depends on the pressure the river is getting and how spooked the fish are. If I'm fishing tidewater around the rootwads and snags I'll always fish 8# leaders because these tidewater fish haven't seen anything and are usually over aggressive.
Keith

Chrome22, I use Mustad AC92553R in size #2 and #1,and double #4'S with a size 14 or 12 corkie or cheater tied between the hooks. I use Gamakatsu's when I can get a deal.I use 60" of 8# Ande green for leaders. These mustads are pretty sharp out of the box, a good hook for the money. Havn't tried Vision yet.

Thanks dogger's, I too go for the spherical bait! talking about that big meatball in my spaghetti of course. Thanks for the tips, though I'm a bit worried about 8lb. U.G. with Ike on. I know your going to tell me I'm in a boat and I can chase em down, but it still seems on the light side to me. ST-1 lose any big boys due to line breakage??

Chrome22-
I haven't lost a big steelhead to a break off boondogging, 8# test except for those that head for the rootwads in rootwad type areas. We've landed 30+lb kings freedrifting and like you said when your in a sled just chase them and stay over the top of them to tire them
Keith

Chrome22, might add we're using G.LOOMIS STR1141S 9'6" ultra lite spinning rods, they have a slow action (like a fly rod) so its easy on your leader,hard to pull the hooks. trust me you can land very large fish on this rig......37# winter king on the north fork of the Lewis.