I use black braided line for my backing and then 15-20' of mono or spider line. Tie hook straight to line and use red Gamagatzu(sp) #6 with a small split shot 12" above hook. This is our set up for White's.
I downsize leader when trout fishing.
I too use a button on my tip-ups, placed on the backing line. Set up with a sounding weight to the bottom, set the button to the water's surface and then bait the rig. The rest of the day, can reset the trap to the proper depth without using the sounding weight again. Works great.
I use black braided line as backer; barrel swivel connection to 6lb fluorocarbon leader #10 hooks for Lakers with split shot, smaller hooks no split for trout, tied direct to the leaders. I replaced the button method of sounding bottom mark. I found that using red dental floss tied like a bobber stop to the main line works much better it slides up the line with ease, stays in place great and a lot less hassle when you wrap your line on the spool or when your setting lines down. No more button hang-ups.
I sound for the bottom and just tie a slipknot in the line at that point. Then I rewind the line on the spool a few turns to get it off the bottom. If tied tightly the knot won't come undone. When finished just pull hard and the knot comes undone.
all I do is use a slitshot to mark the dept then go rom there, it's faster than waiting for the button to slip through the line and you don't have to worry about the knot coming undone when you change depts. I find it works for me
