Fireline

[manchild]

Do any of you use fireline while vertical jigging over reefs that cause a lot of hand-ups? If so, how do you break free? I usually use mono and just break the line. I'm assuming that will be more difficult to do with fireline.

[REW]

With fireline, it is likely that you will hang up much less often. Simply due to the lack of stretch, it is much easier to feel a rock bite - and pop the jig or weight before the jig is hung.

If you consistently hang up, it is likely that you are not paying enough attention to your line and letting it get too close to the bottom or rest on the bottom.

However, if you use straight fire line, keep a foot long section of dowel or broom handle handy. Then, if you do hang up, take about 4 wraps of line around the dowel and break the line. DON't use your rod to break the line, or you will end up with a multi piece rod.

Otherwise, you can always tie on about a 6 foot leader of mono, and break the mono, when you get hung. Generally, you should be able to break it several times, before you have to tie on a new leader - depending on where the mono breaks.

Take care
REW

[Lund 2025]

REW,

When you add the mono leader do you tie straight to the fireline or use a swivel. thanks.

[CMFISH]

Barrel Swivel

[manchild]

Thanks for the advice. I wasn't planning on using a leader. My original thought for using fireline was to eliminate or reduce break-offs from pike/musky. I'm also hearing that the sensitivity will be much greater as well.

[manchild]

Thanks for the advice. I wasn't planning on using a leader. My original thought for using fireline was to eliminate or reduce break-offs from pike/musky. I'm also hearing that the sensitivity will be much greater as well.

[Lund 2025]

thanks

[Lund 2025]

thanks

[tj1n]

Manchild,

The only way I'd consider using a mono leader is if the fireline is limiting your bites or hookups.

One of the greatest benefits that Fireline provides while jig fishing is that it is very difficult to break, to the point that you'll straighten your hooks on your jigs before the line will even break. Why would you want to leave your tackle in the water when you can keep it?

Beyond the sensitivity gain, visual gain the other huge benefit is the overall strength.

that's my .02

Travis J

[Ristorapper]

Don't for any reason switch to fireline thinking that pesky pike will break/cut you off less. I've been jigging with 8/3 fireline for several years now and have been cut by pike just like they would use a knife on the fireline. Depending on where you hook pike fireline can work also.

I hooked a 46" 23.25 pounder casting cranks (8/3 fireline) a few weeks back and had the Salmo hooked in the corner of her mouth. Got that one in no problem. If you allow them to roll on your line or if they inhale the lure, fireline can be cut by them just like mono can. It's happend to me.

I have however lost a lot fewer jigs when hung up simply by pulling real slow on the dowel mentioned above and allowing the hook to straighten and getting my jigs/cranks back. If a dowel isn't handy for you many of us have rubber handled needle nose pliers available. Wrap the fireline around the pliers handle as you would the dowel. Or for that matter the net handle or anything else similar will do the trick.