Do you use ice line or normal line?

[line thoughts]

Wondering the advantages of using ice line and a floro leader over just using straight line all the way? Does it pay to use ice line?

[line thoughts]

Wondering the advantages of using ice line and a floro leader over just using straight line all the way? Does it pay to use ice line?

[skeeter]

I do a lot of jigging. I have used fireline for several years now.
Skeeter


Use the WALLEYE CENTRAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY "Skeeters Stuff" under marine supplies (boat cleaning supplies), it really does work.

http://www.walleyecentral.com/wcdirectory/yellowresult.php?goal=Detail&ckey=29&primaryField=description&category=Boat%2FMari

[REW]

Ice line works due to its flexibility in the cold weather. If you are fishing outside a house, where iceing is a problem, it may be for you. However, be advised that most of the ice lines have one very severe problem and that is stretch.

i.e. it is tough to get good hook sets on some fish; using certain kinds and lb test ice line due to stretch.

I used to use it quite a bit, but after losing too many fish - due to the inability of a good hood set; I have stopped using it.

Now, if fishing in a flip over or portable, or permenant house where cold is not an issue; I will use fireline or other non stretch line.

If I am outside, where icing is a problem, I will go with a standard mono in a somewhat lighter test than I would normally use. Since the water is cold, most fish have a lower level of activity and tend to fight less than in the summer with warmer water temps.

Unless you expect some very large fish, you seldom need line that is heavier than 6 or 8 lb test. Of course, if you are fishing for some large northerns; you want to have heavier line.

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Remember, all of the super lines will absorb water and if you are in an area below freezing; will turn to poles of ice. Also, the lines will freeze solid on the reels.

If you are using mono, you don't have the ice problems; but most mono lines will get somewhat and perhaps quite a bit stiffer in the cold.

For my mono use, I tend to use Berkley Sensation in an appropriate lb test for the fish that I am catching. For super line use in a heated area; I tend to use either 4 or 6 or 8 lb test - depending on the fish that I am catching.

Even though you will find comments about adding a leader of some sort to the end of a super line - I have never found line visiblity to be an issue - even in the gin clear winter waters. I tie my baits, hooks, lures directly to the end of my super lines of whatever test that I am using and have no issues catching fish.



Take care
REW

[Chad]

Regular mono has problems with memory and ends up coiling in the cold. You need a pretty heavy lure to get the kins out which is why most folks go with low lb test.

I believe that flourocarbon line has low memory and is pretty good on the ice (from what I have been told).

I use 6lb fireline as I am usually inside a portable.

ChadM

[Checkmate]

REW, your post is very incouraging to me. I thought I was doing something wrong sitting on a lawn chair in the cold 6" hole, Stren #4 test. I am new to the game and absolutly love it. I wish I had started hard water fishing years ago. I am after perch but will take anything in season if I think I can eat it. Thanks for a good post.

[Limiterr]

In NW Ontario we run into a lot of different situations. I prefer a heavier line in the 14lb class. I also prefer hand fight the fish. Abrasion at the ice hole is a major issue with lots of fish lost at the hole entrance. With holes freezing over and line damage happening when you clean the hole we don't see a lot of light line unless you're jigging. Nothing more humbling than a Walleye in the 30in plus class breaking off because of ice abrasion. Good to go this coming weekend. Conditions will be ideal......

[fatman]

For set lines, I use the old Dacron (black) line, then attach a mono leader of about 3 feet. No freezing up, no breakoffs because your line pulled across a piece of ice, no stiffness, no memory. Just works for me!