Flylining Mack's

[YakDout]

Originally Posted by spicolly

When fly-lining mack's, is there a best practice regarding how much line to let out? Does it depend on conditions? I am struggling with knowing how much line should be let out, and/or the best way to execute it. For example, do I open my spool and count down as I am paddling (or pedaling)? Thank you for your help!

I usually troll 30-50 yards back. If I'm just sitting and drifting sometimes I'll go out to 100 yards to let the Mack swim a little more. You don't want to go out too far to where you may not see a seal ripping off your bait. When I see a seal coming in to my spread while trolling, I want to burn my reel in and try to not to feed it or he will stick around longer. So the further out your line, the more dangerous it can be. Plus PBers will often pass close enough to either cut you off or tangle up if they're trolling as well. They probably don't expect you to have 100-150 yards out while trolling. One more thing to consider is the more line you have out while getting bit, the less line you have to fight a fish. I've come very close to being spooled on a torium 14 with decent drag setting.

[Cadillyak]

^pretty good info there. It all really depends. You always have obstacles around. Lobster pots, kelp, sea lions, other yaks, pber's, the list goes on. I've caught fish 30ft out to 100 yards. I hate to be trolling for a while just to reel in and see your Mac has a kelpstache. I like around 50yds, give or take.