New to Water Fleas

[wldrns1]

Tried trolling on Cayuga Lake yesterday for Salmon. Closer to home. Fished out of Port Douglas (first ever Champlain visit) a few weeks ago & learned of this Forum then. Learning Salmon. None caught yet. Now learning about Fleas! Looking for info about the issue & how to handle. On Cayuga, had a foot long pencil diameter mass on mono off downrigger. Almost none on the cable or release. Other rod leadcore had much less. I read here people switch lines but not much as to what & why. Even the most basic info would be appreciated. If you know where I can read for accurate details, please advise. Thx, Joe

[Hawkeye50]

When the fleas show-up you need to replace about 100’ of line on your rigger rods with 30 pound test then leader down with 12 pound fluorocarbon leader . The fleas have a difficult time wrapping their disgusting legs arround the 30 there are times you need 40 lb I also break out the wire slide divers and put away the braided dipsey rods hope this helps

[wldrns1]

On my 10lb mono rod (off downrigger), found the main mass only on a submerged section. Are the fleas sliding down like weeds or are they at certain depths in the water column? Seems to mostly accumulate at that spot. Had to pull off a bit at a time to remove. Also sounds like heavy braid won't solve the issue. Thinking due to texture. Curious.

[Mistress]

I have found the fleas can be suspended in the water column and might have to do with temperature? Anyway I run 60# braid on my diver rods and generally have little problems with them, and when I do you can usually get them off by sliding the mass up and down in while holding onto it (kind of like a sawing action). As far as rigger rods I put a 100' top shot of 40# mono on my rods as the fleas little feet cannot grab onto the larger diameter line.
Hope this helps!
Pat

[cpmaple]

Their is a line make for water fleas that another member of here found an works. Its made by blood run an fish USA sells it also bass pro shop. From what I gather traditional lines are not perfectly round where blood run is an it has a slippery coating that keeps the fleas from being able to attach to it. If you search history by reelax yo will find it.

[Reelax]

Their is a line make for water fleas that another member of here found an works. Its made by blood run an fish USA sells it also bass pro shop. From what I gather traditional lines are not perfectly round where blood run is an it has a slippery coating that keeps the fleas from being able to attach to it. If you search history by reelax yo will find it.

Thanks Chad!

[wldrns1]

Sawing like action to remove. Never thought of it/bet it works great. Tough little buggers. New line try if all else fails. Thanks all for the lesson!