"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
.. .
Ok all, I am just going to throw out this topic and get as many opinions
as possible. Lake Winnebago is now covered with Zebra Mussels in all the
Rocky Areas. I am constantly retying, and constantly breaking off, it
just comes with the territory. I have cut 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, and
20lb Mono and Fluorocarbon leaders on Zebra mussels, clean... I have cut
Power-pro, fireline, and Super Braid clean as well. This year seems worse
than last year, and last year worse than the year before. So we can count
on the mussels getting progressively worse, water getting progressively
clearer, and so far fishing getting progressively better (except for
Saugers, they are pretty much gone completley ).

I throw a ton of crankbaits and tubes, those are probably my two primary
baits, but drop shotting has helped me keep my hook out of the Zebra
Mussels and therefore helped me fish longer without having to retie. I
was wondering if anyone has maybe some suggestions for a type line, or
technique for guarding your bait against them, or am I pretty much doing
the things that you have to do in this environment (currently using
abrasion resistant line, retying constantly, etc.)

Sunday I landed 27 smallies, but I broke off about a dozen, I just don't
like those odds, especially when it seemed that I lost a lot of the nicer
fish, if there were any nicks in the line, it was breaking. I know
dragging tubes is going to cause a lot of problems, but I do know they do
it on Erie , I was just wondering how they deal with it. Jack Dalzell,
are you there??

Chris,

Something you might want to try is a leader of Tyger Leader. It's a braided
stainless steel leader that is extremely supple, you can tie it using
regular monofilament knots and it's available in a variety of colors. The
10 pound test measures only 0.010 in diameter! It's pretty tough stuff and
might be what you need for abrasion resistance.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com