Those who choose to use Fireline Crystal or any of the braids remember to use a layer or two of mono backing on the reel spool. This is very important. These lines are very slippery and will spin on the spool if you don't.
Also, avoid the temptation to use any thing more than 10lb test as it is really overkill in canoe country. The thinner line is less visible to fish, allows lures to dive deeper and is easier to break when absolutely necessary. It is very dangerous to wet skin however.
On one trip last year which happened to be my third in 7 weeks my hands were so beat up from handling fish that I decided to wear gloves and found that mechanic's gloves work really well for handling fish and operating reels. I had them along for bushwhacking which they work really well for also BTW. They also provide sun protection and prevent getting cut when snagged. I've got them on in this video.

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I do not use any kind of "invsible" leader like mono or fluoro. I don't think these park fish are pressured enough to make tying leaders worth the effort. I do use steel or titanium leaders always when trolling, can't afford to lose too many baits cuz I don't bring that many along.

I also carry a spare spool loaded with 8lb mono but rarely use it.

I think you should use a line that you like and can tie good knots with. Then get the bait to the fish. They don't care what kind of line you're using.

Kingfisher wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 6:22am:


KF brings up one of the most important points relating to the use of braided line......and that is to have gloves. It makes it much easier to tie knots and to be able to test the knots safely.

Where I part company with him however (and it certainly is not my intent to "one up him"......I would be the pupil in most things relating to canoe camping) is the type of gloves to use. I would not venture salt water fishing without my fish fighting gloves. They are light, tough, and fingerless. You don't know you have them on. Glacier gloves used to make the Dr. shade fingerless stripping gloves and I bought 7 pair after I knew they would be discontinued. The new Dr. shade gloves look to be OK....... (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

What is nice about fingerless is you still have superior motor skills. Wrap the braid around your wrist while wearing the gloves 2 or 3 times and snug your knots. You can also paddle all day with these on. Very light yet ample protection.

The question I always have for those who are less concerned with presentation even in less pressured areas is "how do you know"?

How do you know if using straight braid isn't costing you the big ones? If your main goal is to just get something to grease the skillet then fine. But just how do you come to the conclusion that it doesn't make any difference? You have no way of knowing if Mr. Big is veering off unless of course you fish side by side over an extended period of time with someone who is fishing a more subtle presentation.

The example I am going to give may not prove my point but then again it may. Just something to consider is all.

I learned to offshore bottom fish via headboat (party boat). It was common to go out 75 to 100 miles. These fish see very little in the way of pressure as it is out of range for the average boater. It was common to have 30 or 40 anglers on the boat. Surprise, surprise it was always the same 6 or 7 guys that came back with unbelievable catches. Some were even making a living on the boat by winning the jackpots and selling their catch. The fellow I admired most took me under his wing and taught me a great deal about tackle and presentation.

I still go out on the party boats but not as often and have moved up to a somewhat legendary Captain who only takes 6 guys at a time (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links). Much better......no cigar smoke and no F-bombs every 10 minutes. I have seen it time and again where one fellow is smackin them while everyone else is just sitting there. Often it has to do with the line test. To thick and to visible and no bites....period.

The point I'm making is had I not been with other people who were catching fish while I just stood there I would of thought they were not hungry or there was none around. Presentation matters no matter where your at especially for the larger fish. That is my thinking and until someone is able to put a whoopin on me out on the water I'm stickin to my guns.

last year was the first year I used braided line in canoe country. Previously it was always mono. We had a great year and half way throught the trip the mono was just plain wore out from too many fish . That won't happen again.

I use 6# mono Maxima and Stren are my brands of choice.

My son has used braided every year and fishing out of the same canoe there has been no noticible differnece between who catches more or less.

If you do get snagged use your pliers to break the line off.. Just wrap the line around one of the handles 2 or 3 times (pull) and then you won't dice up your fingers.

So MT am I correct in assuming that you do not use a leader? Because for anyone using a steel or titanium leader as I do then line visibility is of far less importance.

Like Jaximus I use my spool of 8lb mono for finesse fishing only.