Live Lining

[Pferox]

Live lining has kind of become a generic term for a technique that is used by various anglers for various reasons.  It isn't just a still bait technique, although most people think of it as such.

In its truest form it relates to putting live bait on the line, but for this discussion we are going to talk about loose drag presentations.

In its basic form live lining is the act of setting the drag to a very light setting, this allows the fish to run or take line with the bait at "Pickup".

There are a few reasons to use this technique, one is to allow the fish to eat the bait and get the hook where it can be set.  A good thing to do when using large baits, either live or dead.  Another big reason is to allow the fish a looser line so that it doesn't pull the rod either out of a rod holder or even your hands.

I use some form of this presentation whenever I fish, except when I'm lure fishing.

Many people troll while using the live liner technique for the second reason.

There are round reels (usually) that have a bait clicker which can be engaged, these allow the angler to put the reel in free spool and the clicker applies enough pressure to keep the line from coming off of the reel, when a fish picks up the bait and starts to run, it will allow the line to pay out without the risk of a backlash.  Most also provide an audible alert to the presence of a running fish.  When the angler picks up the reel and engages it to fighting mode the drag is at it's preset position, and the angler turns off the clicker.

Spinning reels are also available which have two drags, one is the fighting drag, the other is adjustable to allow a fish to run, but keep the live bait from taking off line.  The two states are switched via a lever of some type.  Usually just turning the handle puts the reel back into fighting mode.  Most line out alarms on spinning reels are not selectable, but always engaged through the spool.

Standard reels can be used for this type of presentation too, although caution must be used when doing it with a baitcasting reel, usually just loosening the drag considerably is recommended because leaving a reel in free spool and then getting a run is guaranteed to be a backlash.

Spinning reels have two options, one is to loosen the drag like a standard baitcaster, the other is to use a special clip and clip the line to the rod and keep the bail open.  Open bail is kind of a dying option for obvious reasons, but it was popular at one time especially with cut bait presentations.

I have my favorite reels for different species.  I prefer using an actual live liner spinning reel for speckled trout for most of my non lure presentations even when drifting shrimp, jig, or plastic under a cork.  It seems that no matter how small those live shrimp are, I have to give those sneaky trout time to run and eat it.  If not, I reel back half of a once live shrimp and otherwise empty hook.  I feel that most of the bait clicker round reels have a couple of drawbacks.  I believe that the clicking noise travels down the line and generates a "spit it out" response, I also think that there is enough resistance with most of those clickers to cause the shrimp to separate and the fish will swim off without the hook.

I don't believe that bull reds, and black drum, and sharks react that same way so round bait clicker reels are my choice when it come to those species.

There are many times I am doing the light drag thing without any kind of audible alert, so judicious inspection of the rod tip and spool are important.  I am now looking for some type of line out alarm that fits my own stringent specifications, and I haven't found one yet that has met them, affordably, maybe someday soon I'll be sporting "FISH ON" sirens.

Do you Live Line, and if so why, and if not, why not.  I'm always looking for new ways of doing or not doing things, so shout it out...... OK, just post it.