Berkley Fireline - What test?

[Wall-i-Lama]

I used some fireline last year, and it was the 14lb test. I want to drop down in test and see that they offer 6/2, 8/3 and 10/4 test/comperable dia. Has anyone used the lower test like the 6 and 8 for walleye jigging? Is the line and knot strength enough? Thanks for any input.

Jerry

[cjbrown]

8lb. Crystal is what I use for all my jigging.

[fireboat]

I used some fireline last year, and it was the 14lb test. I want to drop down in test and see that they offer 6/2, 8/3 and 10/4 test/comperable dia. Has anyone used the lower test like the 6 and 8 for walleye jigging? Is the line and knot strength enough? Thanks for any input.

Jerry

Try 15# Power Pro. Very strong. Best line I've ever used.

[Morton]

Another vote for power pro 15/4.
Best jigging line out there in my opinion.
It will also add cast length when pitching when properly spooled.

Morton

[chamookman]

8 lb. Flame Fireline for Me. C-man

[Catcrazy3]

I'm partial to 10# crystal. I think good all-around.

[2Labs]

I used some fireline last year, and it was the 14lb test. I want to drop down in test and see that they offer 6/2, 8/3 and 10/4 test/comperable dia. Has anyone used the lower test like the 6 and 8 for walleye jigging? Is the line and knot strength enough? Thanks for any input.

Jerry


Jerry, I use the 6/2 Smoke-colored Fireline for jigging. I tried the 10-pound version side-by-side with the 6/2, but found that the increase in size WAS noticed by the fish and got fewer bites.

You will notice a DRASTIC increase in sensitivity over your old line. My wife had problems vertical jigging. She couldn't feel the subtle bite, even after years of fishing experience ... and she is a very good fisherman! She would get frustrated vertical jigging and preferred bottom bouncing or crank-baiting. Her frustration was the main reason I tried Fireline ... I was hoping the increase in sensitivity would help her.

As soon as we switched, she had a dramatic increase in the number of fish she was catching and now stays with me one-for-one! Guess what ... she now loves to vertical jig!!! :bigsmile:

I think she would stage a mutiny if I tried to take her Fireline away. :frypan:

[Bill Krejca]

I like to choose the lb test line based on the water conditions and how I am fishing.

For weedy or wood infested water, the use of 14-15 lb seems to limit the amount of lost tackle.

Smooth bottom jigging works well with 6 lb line, allows the lure to sink a little faster, if that is desired, and maybe is more difficult for the fish to see.

8-10 lb is a good compromise weight.

Use of a heavy jig, say, 1/2 oz or more, may dictate a bit thicker line dia to allow for fraying, and to reduce the amount of retying.

I try to carry an arsenal of different line tests, rigged and ready to use as the conditions dictate.

Bill Krejca

[walleyedmike]

10/4 Fireline in Smoke for deeper water or off colored water, 6/2 Fireline in Smoke or Crystal in shallow or clear water.

[Wall-i-Lama]

Thanks for all the advice. Looks like I can go lighter for sure. Thanks!

[T Mac]

I used some fireline last year, and it was the 14lb test. I want to drop down in test and see that they offer 6/2, 8/3 and 10/4 test/comperable dia. Has anyone used the lower test like the 6 and 8 for walleye jigging? Is the line and knot strength enough? Thanks for any input.

Jerry


8# (8-3) works great for jigging... I really like the crystal.

[walfshmn]

I like to choose the lb test line based on the water conditions and how I am fishing.

For weedy or wood infested water, the use of 14-15 lb seems to limit the amount of lost tackle.

Smooth bottom jigging works well with 6 lb line, allows the lure to sink a little faster, if that is desired, and maybe is more difficult for the fish to see.

8-10 lb is a good compromise weight.

Use of a heavy jig, say, 1/2 oz or more, may dictate a bit thicker line dia to allow for fraying, and to reduce the amount of retying.

I try to carry an arsenal of different line tests, rigged and ready to use as the conditions dictate.

Bill Krejca

I agree with Bill 100%. I had been using 14/6 for bottom bouncing and jigging until last year, I spooled one reel with 6/2. The places that I fish are pretty snaggy so I was loosing a lot of jigs so I went to 10/4 and that helped a bunch and seems to be better for jigs up to 1/2 oz. Anything bigger than that I like the 14/6.

[PackerSmacker]

I used some fireline last year, and it was the 14lb test. I want to drop down in test and see that they offer 6/2, 8/3 and 10/4 test/comperable dia. Has anyone used the lower test like the 6 and 8 for walleye jigging? Is the line and knot strength enough? Thanks for any input.

Jerry

Nothing less than 30# for me. Some of these fish can fart and break 8#s.

[mata]

When I take the kids fishing, they always grab outfits w/ fire line (crystal) out of the rod locker, tells me that they can feel the bite better.

[Netmaster]

I and a number of great fisherman here in South Dakota use 4/1 fireline for casting jigs shallow in the spring and fall. Ninety nine % of the time using flame color for visibility of watching line. I personally prefer Power Pro 8/1 in flame for most presentations. Because of the round construction, it is less apt to fray, double the strength, adds castibility distance, and does not dig into you spool of line when setting the hook on big fish. Berkley makes the 8/1 but is not advertised usually, and you have to ask for it.

[Netmaster]

Also her in South Dakota, you can go into about every bait shop and find the higher weight lines on the shelf. If they are out of line it is the lower weight line, and always the hi-Vis line that is sold out.
Regarding loosing fish on the lower weight line, it does not happen if proper knot is used and always wetted before tightening.
I always wondered who used the line weights over 10 lbs. I do use the 10 lb line as leadcore leaders.

[eyeballs]

Another vote for 6-2 Flame Green Fireline for pitching shallow stained waters or vertical jigging. I tell ya, if you're ever wonderig what to do when fish have lockjaw run a couple of your leadcore rods with a 6-2 leader and slow way down with your baits (1.2-1.3). That super thin line really breathes life into small baits like little Hornets and #4SR's.

[PackerSmacker]

Also her in South Dakota, you can go into about every bait shop and find the higher weight lines on the shelf. If they are out of line it is the lower weight line, and always the hi-Vis line that is sold out.
Regarding loosing fish on the lower weight line, it does not happen if proper knot is used and always wetted before tightening.
I always wondered who used the line weights over 10 lbs. I do use the 10 lb line as leadcore leaders.

What knot do you recommend? I use a super glued palomer. When I use a light line I run out of it rather quickly and the knot snaps at the end of the spool:popc1:

[Phil T]

Since jigging involves watching the line for sideways or other movement, my choice depended on the color of the fireline.
The gray line I use is heavier than the light-colored Fireline. I couldn't see the lower test gray stuff very well.

[Bill Krejca]

What knot do you recommend? I use a super glued palomer. When I use a light line I run out of it rather quickly and the knot snaps at the end of the spool:popc1:

I suppose I am breaking (no pun intended) with conventional wisdom, but I use a double wrap around the eye improved clinch knot. I'm sure there are other knots that work well, its just that I have experienced enough slippage, breakage, or just plain inconvenience with most of the recommended ones. I always spit on the line before tightening. Sometimes I spit on my bait, too! As I get older and can't see as well, sometimes I miss the bait and hit my shoe.

Bill Krejca

[sdbigeye]

i'm with bill krejca on the knot, but not the spit on the bait, ha. been using 10# fireline in flame and crystal. that knot has been passed to several guys around here due the the holding power.