Fenwick Iron Thread - Junk or Jewel?

[Rick-Wy.]

Came across three new spools of Fenwick Iron Thread (moss green 10/30 lb).

I would not use it for anything but a bouncer rig - if that with all of the products out there now.

On the other hand it would make a very strong sewing thread!

Junk or Jewel?

Rick

[REW]

When it was available, many folks thought that it was pretty good line.
I have a few spools that I use, when I want minimum stretch and it works very well.

I do have to say that the lighter tests - say 6 lb - are just that - no stronger. But when you get to 8 lb or 10 lb - the line is extrememly strong.

It is a pretty visable line - so if you are concerned about the visability - you might want to run a mono leader.

If you are running crank baits - I expect that it is just fine to tie the line to a snap, and the snap to your crank.

It has the properties that most folks want in a "super line" no stretch, small size - and no memory.
Because of the no memory characteristic - you might find it to cause problems if you do much casting. Most reels - either spinning or bait casters work a bit better if the line has "some" memory. It simply helps the line spool off the reel better.

For a trolling line - I think that this is an exceptional line.
For other applications - you have to be the judge.

Remmeber, there won't be any stretch - so make sure that you set your drag looser, and run a rod at least one action lighter - than you would run for the same application - if you were to run mono.

i.e. if you normally run a medium action rod for jigging - I would use a medium light rod - if you use this line.

Keeps from throwing hooks and having fish tear off at the boat - a bit more forgivness in the rod.

Take care
REW

[Gilligan]

I used it until it disappeared and then switched to fireline.
It worked great pulling dipsies.

[dc/co]

Rick-Wy.

I think you have a jewel. In my opinion you cant find any better super line. they quit making this stuff several years ago. This is all I use for bottom bouncing. If I may ask is there any left where you got this? Send e-mail if so.

Thanks
Darrell

[Rick-Wy.]

Thanks to all.

dc/co: Actually found the spools in a cabinet that I had not looked into for awhile.

REW: Why would this be a good trolling line with no stretch? I do next to no trolling, but it was my belief that stretch was a must (or very loose drag/soft rod).

[REW]

I think that I will agree with the vast majority of trollers that no stretch line is a big asset. This is particularly true, when running long lines. i.e. running a lot of line to get away from the commotion of the boat, to get the lure to run deeper or for what ever other reason.

Try running a crank sometime with 75 yards of mono line out - say 10 lb test.

Then do the same thing - running 10 lb iron thread. The difference is phenemonal.

With mono line if you have 20 feet or so of line out, you can feel the wiggle of the lure, feel, if the lure tags bottom, if the lure fouls a weed, or if a fish strikes the lure. All very easy to feel in the rod. However, if you get 75 yards of line out - the stretch in the line completely masks out all of those things. You will find that you can snag bottom and then run for another 50 feet, before you actually realize that the lure is stuck and not moving - simply the stretch. You can pick up a weed and foul a lure and troll for 20 minutes with a fouled crank bait and not know it.

Now, contrast this with iron line or the equivalent non stretch line. The action of the rod tip, the feel of the crank in the handle of your rod when trolling is essentially unchanged - whether you have 5 feet of line out or 250 feet of line out. You can snag a single leaf on a hook with 75 yards of line out, and instantly know that something is amiss with your bait. You can tick the bottom once - with the line out 75 yards, and instantly know that you ticked the top of that big boulder that you knew was on this part of your trolling run.

You can feel the strike and miss of a big walleye - with 75 yards of iron thread or other non stretch line -- all of which is completely impossible with a stretchy line.

The other advantage of the super lines like iron thread is that - the line size is less than 1/2 that of the same lb test mono. Thus you get less line lift from the drag of the water - which intuitively makes your lures run deeper. This translates to the ability to reach deeper water with the same amount of line out, or to troll shallower water - with less line out, than if using mono.

Take care
REW