jigging with a superline

[stewart]

After reading a few posts about fireline and power pro I was wondering if I should try a 'super line' for jigging this year.I have always used mono, and feel fine with it, but I'm curious.This would be on a 6'loomis imx sjr722. Am I really missing that much with mono?

[morriscode]

Stewart, I would stick with mono for jigging. However trolling or casting big baits fireline works great. Even though they make super lines in dark colors the fish are not comfortable with it...better off using clear monofiliment. after all a bite is a bite you will feel the fish. Hope this helps.

[JasonMN]

I use fireline for jigging and wouldn't go back to mono. The added sensitivity really helps in detecting those light biters. If you feel the fish are line shy you can tie on a mono leader.

thats my .02

[TBO/MN]

I have been using braids for about 4 years now for jigging and wouldn't go back to mono. I do like the Fireline, but find Spiderwire Fusion has a better abrasion resistance, so I use it when I can find it. You should try the braids, you just never know, you may like it.

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[FROGMAN]

I'm afraid I must respectfully disagree with reply #1. Fireline has replaced mono on every one of my vertical jigging rods. Depending on the water situation I will either use smoke, or flame whichever fits the current situation the best. And speaking of current, the thinner superlines help you reach deeper with less weight as there is not as much drag on the line.
But you'll have to experience it for yourself before you'll know for sure. It won't cost that much to spool up one reel with it and find out. I would try the 6# (2# diameter) fireline for jigging applications. That's what I run 80% of the time. The other 20% I use 4#! Just remember to put some mono on the reel first as a backing so that the fireline doesn't spin on your spool.

Your choice of rods is fine for this application as well. Good Luck!

Keith Segar
NPAA #260

[Suzuki]

I use fireline on my jigging rod. The change from mono actually got me hooked on vertical jigging because of the added sensivity. I tie on a mono leader so snags are easier to break off.

[Marble Eyes]

I had always used mono, but I tryed 6/2 Fireline last fall, and will not go back to Mono. I use the Green because of the visability.

[morriscode]

Depending on the circumstances either will work. I just hate losing expensive line because of snags....not to mention ever time you break off 20 or 30 feet of super line it pollutes lakes that stuff doesnt break down in water. What type of rod? How heavy of jig? How much chop? How Deep? Bottom Strucure? and skill of angler? all need to be considered before you switch all reels over..give it a try.....
Light Biters deserve Freball W/Stinger.. Good luck fellas!

[Otter]

Mono doesn't break down either. If you are concerned about losing lures and line, get a lure retriver. It costs about 6 buck at BP and pays for itself on the first recovery.

[RTD]

In my opinion, superline is the only way to go when jigging especially in water over 15' deep. Its sensitivity allows to to feel the bottom and bites much much better. Try it.

[Otter]

I switched to Power Pro on my SJR722, and there was a noticeable improvement to me. Also, landed 35" and 36" northerns while jigging on Leech Lake one week last year that would surely have bitten me off with mono.

[RANGER]

And, yet, another vote for the braided line both Fireline and Power Pro.

If you decide to try the super line don't be put-off by it. It is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo sensitive it takes a while to learn what you are feeling. Once learned, I doubt if you will ever go back to mono - believe it!!!

This discussion here at WC might help too:

http://www.walleyecentral.com/cgi-bin/dcf/dcboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=14503&forum=generaldiscussion

[Homer]

Keith:

Just saw your stinger recommendations in the new In-Fisherman. Good job!

[tj1n]

I used to get outfished when I used mono jiggin, it drove me nuts! Finally, I too made the switch as those that were outfishing me were'nt better fisherman, just wiser....They made the switch long b4 I did.

Fireline is so tough it'll straighten your hooks even with 6/2 and be very careful when snagged it will also cut you very quickly so wear a glove or be careful when grabbing ahold of the line.

It might not be for everyone, but I won't jig with anything other than the superlines until I see something better.

TJ

[FROGMAN]

Thanks Homer! I have not seen it yet, but heard the layout was pretty good. A lot of the anglers from the Championship had input on this article. I will be working the Sport Show at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Friday afternoon. Stop by the Off Shore Tackle booth to say hello if you are in the area.
Tight lines

Keith Segar
NPAA #260

[stewart]

Thanks everyone.Very helpful as always :). I'll put some on a spool and give it a try. I'd prefer to try the power pro, but if I can't find it I'll give the 6# fireline a chance. It'll get a workout from shallow mud to deep rocks.I've got a laid back style, so hopefully the transition won't be too bad. According to what was said on the link Ranger provided color doesn't matter, but I just can't see myself buying flame coloured line. Some old habits and notions die hard ;). Thanks again.

[REW]

Because jigging is a visual - as well as a feeling - type of fishing, I would recommend the use of the high vis green fireline or the high vis yellow power pro.

I made the mistake of initially fishing with fireline - in the smoke color - when it first came out and was terribly dissatisfied with the line. I fished with it for a couple of weeks and then went back to mono, because I felt I was missing too many fish.

What I really failed to realize, was that I was missing a bunch of fish, that I was seeing with the high vis photochromic mono line that I normally use.

Then when fireline came out with their high vis green, I decided to try it again. Now, I am a believer as are the other posts. Lots of feel, but Iget the sight fish as well, that just bump the line or cause it to sweve off course, that I was missing with the smoke fireline.

In the last few years I have done a bunch of visability tests using varous line colors in the super lines. As long as you are working with the smaller diameter lines, I see no reason at all to use a mono leader.

As far as snags are concerned, it is always a good idea to carry a large dowel, or broom stick in the boat. If you get snagged - take a triple wrap of the line around the broom stick, to either straighten the hook or break the line. If you use your bare hands, you will certainly end up with a cut in your hand, and no broken line.

Take care and enjoy those bites.


REW

[Timber]

How do you tie the two together.........fireline and mono?

[Den]

REW, well stated, i have found that since i have been using power pro, i have actually lost a lot less lures, and jigs, as you stated, i have straightened out many of the hooks that would have been lost if i was using the mono. good luck and good fishin.
Den

[youngeye]

There are certain situations in which braids or "superlines" are better than mono and there are situations that mono is better. I determine which type of line to use depending mostly on water clarity. The only time I will use mono is when the water is gin clear. The rest of the time I use 10/2 PP or 4/1 fireline. This strength fireline is more than enough and is supersensitive.

Youngeye
IA

[Neal/CO]

I always cary a spool of 2/8 Power Pro and a spool of six lb mono for each jigging rod. I find I use the Power pro about 80% of the time. Sometimes mono give you a slower drop rate when that is needed.

I use back to back uni knots when I need a floro leader, but that is only for trout fishing. When jigging for walleye I tie the superline directly to the jig. I think REW is right! They can't see it or don't care?

[stewart]

Ok, I'm wavering on color. If I can see the clear 8# mono I usually use fairly well couldn't I also see the opaque superline? Or is it too thin, or is smoke actually harder to watch than clear line?

As for a leader, I think I agree with those who argue against them. I don't think I'd want to fuss with them. Though it's counter intuitive to me, I guess for the most part a bright green line doesn't matter, but to be honest using it would shake my confidence to a degree.In the back of my mind-What about that huge conditioned fish?

[Ristorapper]

I have never lost one foot of fireline due to a snag. Except when that idiot cut across my lines and I had to hang onto the rod for dear life. It popped just like mono when I got to the knot at the reel, and hope that idiot had all that fireline wrapped around his prop.

If you jig with fireline and use light wire hooks you will straighten the hooks out every time or lose the jig at the knot. Mono stretches in the area of 18%+or- so if you generally fish shallow water mono is OK.

Where fireline shines is the deeper water with its no stretch capabilities. I do not recommend using a mono leader. The knot you tie joining the two will be where the line breaks when you snag up and getting your jig back is out of the question. I had a 6.42 poundwalleye hit my bouncer rig last year and had it not been for fireline I do not think I would have felt her bite. I felt a perch like tap-tap-tap that was unlike the bottom bump-bump-bump the wire from the bouncer sent up the fireline; I tightened up the line and lifted a bit, weight was there so I set the hook. 5th biggest walleye of the tourney that day. I am convinced fireline did the job that day. Jigging is similar with fireline. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much different.

I have pulled up so much mono off the bottom of the river that was snagged up and broken off. I have never snagged up on fireline or power pro and brought any into the boat. Seems like every spool of fireline I buy, it pays for itself by getting most jigs and all but one crankbait back to the boat. I tie direct, you will learn to also.

Bw(ND)

[slick2526]

Thats a pretty nice rod your using. I wouldnt ruin it by using any braid. Go with powerpro unless you have some type of alloy/metal guides. Eventualy the braid will wear a grove in your rod guides, this equaling cuting you line if you ever switch back over to mono. I use powerpro 10lb, It does everything it says on the package. Doesnt cut guides, casts easily, 10 times stronger than steel, etc. If you fish gin clear water I would use a flourocarbon leader. I like Segaur florocarbon CARBONPRO 8lb test fishing line my self. I tie a 4-5ft leader of this onto a small barrel swivel with the palamor knot in between both of the lines. If you cant get it tied right the first time tie the opposite end of the line first next time. I think you will be happy with this braided line and with the flouro leader. I have caught numerous 5-8lb the flouro leader with out snapping/cutting my line the whole day. Just make shure you have a lighter action rod. I would suggest a ML action. The flouro will stretch a little but not much.

[REW]

I wonder about the statement - braids grooving guides++++

I have talked to lots of different folks who have used fireline extensively with many types of rods, ceramic guides, hardalloy guides, titanium guides, and silicon carbide guides.

I don't have a single instance of the braid actually damaging the guides.

I do agree, that the sound of the line through the guides - sounds terrible, but I have never seen any actual cases of the guides being damaged due to the use of braids.

Take care
REW

[Mattman]

Superlines do NOT damage guides! That is a myth. Many of the original superlines contained substances that were damaging. Kevlar for instance. Today's superlines are made from polyethelyne. Recycled milk jugs. Polyethelyne is by nature a 'waxy' plastic. It actually provides its own lubrication.



Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[FROGMAN]

Just like Neal/CO states in his post below the back to back uni knot
is what I use for connecting mono to fireline.
Good luck

Keith Segar
NPAA #260

[FROGMAN]

Have to back up REW on this one. Have not ever had a problem with Fireline, and I use it a lot! Mostly on G. Loomis rods and have never felt it was doing any damage. Go ahead, try it!
Tight lines

Keith Segar
NPAA #260

[Marble Eyes]

When I switched last fall, I put Fireline on two different rigs.
Both relatively same rods, and the Same (Shimano Stradic) Reels.

I put 6/2 Hi-vis Green on one and Smoke on the other. In overcast days and/or muddy water, I couldn't see the Smoke that well. I have now respooled that reel with the Hi-vis Green.

[ufda]

99.99% of the time I agree with you Ristorapper, but this time I must humbly disagree. The rocks down here in AZ don't release your lure because the head of the jig gets stuck between them rather than the hook being buried into wood where you can straighten it out. I lost way too much fireline and jigs so now I tie a short 2' piece of mono to my Fireline with back to back uni knots. I agree with you on the use of Fireline for jigging and wouldn't give up the feel, that's why I use a short piece of mono. Another piece of advice for all of you who get snagged; wrap your fireline around a short dowel or something similar when you pull as it will cut your fingers like a knife (guess how I know!)

[stewart]

Advantages of super lines over mono for jigging:
-more sensitive, detect more strikes, better bottom feel
-no stretch, better hook sets
-long lasting,abrasion resistant.Perhaps help prevent pike cut offs.
-thin diameter
-strong, saves lures

disadvantages:
-hard to break off(carry dowel, or use mono leader)
-no give during fight(loosen drag)
-Avoid kevlar lines as they are abrasive.

As concerns color...
-hi-vis better for strike detection.
-Anecdotal evidence that color is an issue vs. arguments and tests that in small diameters color not an issue.

I'm very stubborn,but as they say knowing keeps you from learning. I will try the brighter colored line. If I notice a problem I'll simply add a mono leader.

Brands mentionned are power pro, spider wire fusion, and fireline.All seem good,but...

-Power pro seems to be the strongest for the diameter, more abrasion resistant,limp.(1st place?)
-TBO argues spider wire fusion as superior to fireline for abrasion resistance.(2nd place?)
-Fireline seems the most widely used, perfectly adequate, but perhaps not the 'best'? (3rd place?)

[JasonMN]

A great lure retrieving tip when you snag up using superlines:

- reel as much slack as possible
- load the rod up by lifting the rod tip up
- grab the line in front of the reel and pull towards you so the line really loads up..almost like a bow string.
- release the line...again like a bow string. The line should "snap" back at the lure at it will pop free.

This works almost every time when snagged in rocks but rarely works when snagged in timber. If it doesn't work the 1st time keep trying and if it doesn't work again move the boat and try from a different angle. This doesn't work with mono because its stretchy qualities suck up the snap before it gets to the lure.

I learned this one from James Holst of fishtheriver.com and it has saved me a lot of lures and headaches!

[RANGER]

That's about it! Looks like your deductive reasoning is still intact!

I don't want an arguement but I personally didn't care for Spider Wire. I thought it was a very misbehaved line (jumping off the spool, hard to keep it from curling away from the bail roller, etc.). In fairness, that was when Spider Wire first came out and I moved to Fireline/PP and haven't looked back. It may have changed but you know what is said about first impressions!

Another little trick: To break-off Fireline or PP I used to carry a dowel or a pair of leather-palm workman's gloves to protect myself. The gloves are still on the boat but they are for the downrigger cables now. I have since learned to point the rod directly at the snagged-up line so that there is no pressure on the guides of the rod. I then place my hand over the spool of the reel so that it can't move and I let the spool break the line or bend the hooks instead of my hand or the gears within the reel. Works good! As a matter of fact, in doing it this way the line breaks off more closely to the bait than I have experienced with other methods. Just an observation.

[Risto]

I hear ya on the rock, Ufda. Never been in that spot and it makes sense. Been in the timber a lot last fall and usually get it back with a couple snaps of the rod tip. good point!!

And yes there are two pieces of 3/4 inch dowel in the boat usually in a handy spare rod holder so we can wrap and pull when snagged up. Don't even think of using your hand!! Plier handles work, landing net handle ect. even a cleat if necessary!!

[Mattman]

I'll second the 'bow string' method. Works VERY well.



Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[CJHughes]

After having my butt whipped yesterday by my nephew (in the front of the boat )and his dad (In the back of the boat) I was stuck in the middle , fishing for saugeye . I need all the help I can get on my jig bite . Who carries Power Pro Line ? Is PLine the same thing ?

[RANGER]

CJ,

Cabela's, Gander Mountain, BPS.

To my knowledge PLine is not the same. Power Pro is almost always referred to as PP or Power Pro. Good stuff!!!!!

[JasonMN]

I have had the best luck buying it at Fleet Farm.