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 25 What's your line? (Read 17170 times)
zski
Inukshuk
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What's your line?
Feb 15th, 2011 at 6:54pm
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What fishing line(s) do you typically use in the Q?
I primarily use 6# low vis green XL (at times 4# and 10#), and have also used braided fireline too (don't recall which one). Thinking about going with the fireline this year.
All spinning tackle.
  
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Preacher
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Re: What's your line?
Reply #1 - Feb 15th, 2011 at 7:30pm
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8# mono is my preference.  Maybe it's old school.  It's what I like.  No brand preference.  I spend the middle road.

5 years ago I tried a braid.  Learned that it really needs a sacrificial mono leader.  Super durable, this stuff doesn't break.  I lost a lot of line on a deep water snag.  Cut myself fairly deep trying to yank it free.

All spinning tackle.
  
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Android
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Re: What's your line?
Reply #2 - Feb 15th, 2011 at 8:43pm
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Last year I used all Florocarbon and had nothing bad to say about it. This year I'm going to try Kingfishers advice (from his BWJ article) and go with Fireline Cyrstal. I've used braid in the past with no problems. I'm going to carry an extra reel spool of 8lb floro as leader material. Also going to use my tiefast tool, that I learned to use through the help of this website. Wink
  
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jaximus
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Re: What's your line?
Reply #3 - Feb 15th, 2011 at 9:16pm
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4# trilene xt (it doesnt kink as bad as the other styles, but brand probably doesnt matter much) on the spinning rod for jigging walleyes and the past few years ive been using 14# fireline on the baitcaster. i got some 15# power pro a little bit ago and the stuff seems to really be a good line. casts a bit nicer and doesnt dig in the spool as bad, but then again im comparing 4 year old fireline to fresh from the spool power pro. the p-pro is a smaller diameter and is round (opposed to the flat fireline) which i prefer.
  
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Wally13
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Re: What's your line?
Reply #4 - Feb 15th, 2011 at 9:23pm
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I am a big fan of Spiderwire ... especially when fishing walleyes. It is one of the original braided lines. I like braided because of its no stretch properties. I think the catch rate is higher with braided line vs. mono. You can feel the fish bite quicker and with a yank of the wrist you have the fish normally hooked in the corner of its mouth. When mono is used you usually have to give line to the fish before you set the hook and you end up with more fish hooks deep down their throats and you end up with more fish injury trying to get your hook(s) out.

I especially like Spiderwire or Fireline for Lindy-rigging 1/2 oz slip sinkers with a (Gulp) floating worm or (Gulp) leech harness or when trolling , Shad Raps, Tail dancers or Reef runners. The smaller diameter line cuts through the water better than mono. I like the sensitivity I get with braided line vs mono. I get a better feel for knowing when I am hitting bottom,when I am coming into weed edges and when a fish is on.

In fact, I used to just use 6 or 8 lb mono when I jigged but now I even use braided line when jigging because I can feel lighter bites better.

When casting for smallies I think that mono comes off spinning reels a bit better and mono may have an edge vs braided when casting.

For me ... I just tie on a Palomar knot on my 6 lb diameter braid and use it trolling, jigging, casting and Lindy riggin'.  Also, you will not break off much if at all, as the 6 lb diameter line is 20 lb test. If you get snagged don't pull too quick or hard as you don't want to break a rod tip. Most snags will come out by letting off the tension of your line and reverse your canoe and pull out your snag once you pull it from the opposite side of the snag.
  
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Kerry
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Re: What's your line?
Reply #5 - Feb 15th, 2011 at 9:43pm
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I've become a big fan of Berkeley Fireline Tracer Braid in 10 lb for my spinning gear.  I used it last year for a 3 week trip in the Q with great success.
  
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solotripper
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Re: What's your line?
Reply #6 - Feb 15th, 2011 at 9:56pm
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Big fan of Polypro line. 6# diameter=20# test on trolling rod.
I got tired of losing expensive lures when they hang up. Casts well and doesn't bird-nest easily.
Heavy test and right drag setting let's me stop and back paddle to free snag more easily. Hardly lose a lure now.

On waldo/Smallie line, I like the Tectan brand of line. German made, super thin but strong and flexible. I use the 11# test, which is equal to 4-6# mono. Cabelas use to carry, but I don't see it advertised anymore.
More expensive, but I like it a lot..
  
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mastertangler
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Re: What's your line?
Reply #7 - Feb 16th, 2011 at 1:31am
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I would like to fish against someone with the fireline just to see how things stack up. I have never fished it although I have fished power pro for a long time.

There is no question as to the sensitivity factor with braids. Yes, you will feel every little pebble that you bump up against. You can also troll deeper as the thinness of the line catches less water and thus your lure travels deeper. You can also run lures WAY back and still feel the bite AND set the hook with nothing more than a flick of the wrist.

Braids have some disadvantages as well. Power pro can be a bear to untangle if it gets a birds nest IMO. I generally start cutting rather than spend ten minutes getting it untangled only to have it do it again 5 casts later. Braids are also much more visible to the fish. That's probably the biggest reason I don't use it in the clear water of canoe country. The lack of stretch can also mean pulled hooks as well because there is no shock absorbing action that the stretch in mono has. The addition of leaders adds another layer of complication although it can be very effective. You must tie the FC with absolute preciseness to the braid however. It can be a royal pain in the rear at times especially if the wind is blowing you across the lake and tangling your sewing thread braid. Can you spell H-A-S-S-L-E? Lastly, All (myself included) have likely shared Preachers fate and had a good cut before the respect was developed.

One year I brought the castable FC only to have every spool fail after being exposed to an all day downpour. It was P-line FC and P-line is usually top of the line stuff. No more castable FC for me although many of the bass pros and guides I know use Bass Pro shops castable FC. They despise Vanish FC BTW.

I'm with Jaximus when I use 4lb..... Green trilene XT is tops in my book and I have beat some very big fish with it. I use it infrequently however and only on those sunny still days when the bite is tough. My go-to line is Gamma mono in 6 and 8. I always spool fresh line before a trip.

The mono is certainly less sensitive and a 6th sense is helpful. I set the hook on just about everything. Bump a weed and I'm likely to flick my wrist. Get a bit of slack and I'm reeling like mad to catch up. It's surprising how often those are fish.

My suggestion is to have a backup spool of what your used to in case the new stuff isn't all it's cracked up to be.  



  
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Old Salt
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Re: What's your line?
Reply #8 - Feb 16th, 2011 at 3:25am
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I use 6 lb mono, usually Stren or Trilene, whichever is on sale, on my spinning reels. I use 10 lb on my baitcaster trolling rod. Guess I'm old school, but I've not had issues w/ lack of sensitivity.
  
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wally
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Re: What's your line?
Reply #9 - Feb 16th, 2011 at 4:12am
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All different answers prove it doesn't make a diff.  Just put something on and start fishing. Tongue
  
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