I'm rigging up a senator 4/0 for wireline and wanted to know if anyone knew of any good websites or could provide direction on how to do this. thanks!

Kippy,

This is easy. First I assume or hope your dealing with a 113H and not an older 113. Start with at least 80# dacron backing, some guys use 100#. Put on enough as to not short yourself with a small spool. Hard to give you an exact amount but I''d fill it about 2/3 of the way with backing. Next is your wire. I use 50#, some use 60#. Use an Albright knot to connect. Spool on 300 feet of wire and go fishing. No need for a mono shocker or anything, just tie direct from wire to jig. After I catch 5 bass or so I usually cut and retwist my jig as over time things weaken.

Make sure the rod your using has eyes that will withstand the wire abuse. Nothing like the feling of a forty pounder grabbing a jig. Well at least I can say lots of 30's.

Jon

http://www.fishermansheadquarters.com/images/Seminars/Wire_tolling.PDF

Thanks for the info guys. I think the senator is an older model but its in great condition. I took it apart and re-greased it. The rod is 6ft and can handle 30-50lb wireline. Is there a specific brand of dacron/wireline that you could recommend?

Don't put too much pressure on the old senator. The 113HSP is really the better wire reel to use (stainless spool). The plastic or alum. spools have been known to warp or crack somtimes causing problems. Wire can put a lot of pressure on the spool itself. If it is the light weight spool, go easy on it. Avoid 9'ers with 10 hooks in them while trolling thru bluefish and put enough soft backing. It should work OK for a tube and worm set up or a single plug.

A lot of guys I know are like Beamie, they twist the wire right to a jig. I know that works for most but I like a spro power swivel to 80# long floro leader to a big spro snap swivel. (That is just me) For some lures I take the snap off and tie the floro to the plug or jig. The reason I like a long floro leader is that when I am realling in the fish I like to see the floro leader wrap around the spool numerous times. I find it A) easier to boat the fish with the floro and B) the wire stays very well behaved and never springs because the mono keeps it tight. IMO this is esp important when you have some guy who really is no expert with wire letting it out again. I use an entire spool of floro between two rods, that gives me about 15+ yards on each reel and lasts me the entire season. I also strip the reels each season and replace all the line and wire and backing each season. It takes a beating, you would be surprised.

Also, I tend to go with monel instead of stainless. I have tried monel, several stainless brands and a monel-hybrid and for me plain monel works best amd is less springy then stainless but itis more $. I also like the rod to have a roller tip that can swivel. The wire will work MUCH better with a roller tip. That line that comes pre-marked is good line but the marks all group together by the middle of the season and are worthless. I let it out till it hits bottom and reel up a few cranks.

I was thinking about using the setup to 3 way eels, tube and worm, plugs, and jigging. It sounds like it should be ok for this.

I was thinking about using the setup to 3 way eels, tube and worm, plugs, and jigging. It sounds like it should be ok for this.

Kippy,
I wouldn't use it to 3 way eels, you're much better of using a reel spooled with braid or mono for that application.

Thanks Mike, I have another setup to 3 way eels. Looks like I will be picking up more stuff at the Rhody show.. :uhuh:

Great info Jim..thanks for your help!

I agree with Sandman. I like a leader when I troll wire. I use a 114 Senator. Never had any problems. I use an albrite knot to attach the wire to the leader. Dont snip the wire, it will leave a sharp edge and it might cut the leader. Instead move the wire back and forth until it creases and breaks off.

It's great to see all this wireline talk..even though those fish don't count.. :hidin:

Thanks for the tips guys! :thanks:

KIPPY


Let out line @ 5 knots /til the end /lock the spool / drop the whole rig over the side <><> :boots:

One good piece of advice that we have found from experience about the Penn Senators is to make sure you manually stop the spool with your thumb BEFORE flipping the switch. We have had a couple of the 113hsp's break because the spring on the lever would snap.
And watch your thumb as the knot between the wire and the backing comes around if you are thumbing the spool. If there's a burr there, ouch- a-mama. I get bit every now and then. Not fun.
Roller tips make a HUGE difference wire line jiggin if you are going to do it holdin the rod. Allows you to jig on the wire at any depth with out kinkin the wire which can lead to break offs. That way you can run just one straight shot of wire instead of sections like most people seem to do.
A 113hsp can hold more than 300 feet of wire.

I like that setup Mike. Just checked out the reel and its a 113H so should be all set with trolling.

Kippy look for Pete Santini at the show. He had a lot of wire at the MSBA show for real short money. Also what Redlite said. After you get tired of slicing up your thumb, try crimping the wire, make sure you get pliers that crimp the long way.

I saw pete at the msba show put didnt have a chance to chat. Probably going to pick up a tube at the Rhody show. Heading down to M&D's on saturday for some servicing on the rod. :hihi: