Jigging Mono vs Fireline

[Kevin]

I would like some input on using monofilament and fireline when jigging and what and what I can expect.

[EricCO]

I'm starting to go back to mono for everything except pulling bottom bouncers and longlining crankbaits. I have started using Trilene SensiThin for jigging and rigging. Knots hold strong, limp, low stretch. I think its a right in the middle of the road between fireline and Trilend XL.

I think fireline would be perfect if I had a medium action pole with a really fast action tip to absorb the shock, but I have enough rods as it is.

With the new limp florocarbon lines I may explore using that as a leader when using fireling, but I don't like the idea of more knots in my line.

Hope this helps. You'll just have to try them all to figure out what you like.

[Unky Mer]

EricCO is right, it's a balance thing. I will use Fireline on any deep jigging situation, run on a 6.5' to 7' medium-light rod with a quick tip. This gives me the most amount of sensitivity to feel strikes, and give at the lure to help eliminate short strikes. In shallow water situations (less than 6') where I'm fishing to reef tops, shorelines or weeds, I'll go to mono and a shorter rod (6') in a sensitive medium for quicker sets and turning power. There I will always use a mono for some "give" at the fish level. That combo works well for me in 90% of the situations I encounter. I hate to say it, because everyone probably has enough rods and spends enough on line, but I developed my preferences the same way you'll have to – by buying lots of stuff and trying it. Hope the post at least cuts down on the experimentation.

[Unky Mer]

EricCO is right, it's a balance thing. I will use Fireline on any deep jigging situation, run on a 6.5' to 7' medium-light rod with a quick tip. This gives me the most amount of sensitivity to feel strikes, and give at the lure to help eliminate short strikes. In shallow water situations (less than 6') where I'm fishing to reef tops, shorelines or weeds, I'll go to mono and a shorter rod (6') in a sensitive medium for quicker sets and turning power. There I will always use a mono for some "give" at the fish level. That combo works well for me in 90% of the situations I encounter. I hate to say it, because everyone probably has enough rods and spends enough on line, but I developed my preferences the same way you'll have to – by buying lots of stuff and trying it. Hope the post at least cuts down on the experimentation.

[schaefer]

A lot of your choice will depend on how much experience you have jig fishing. If you are relatively new to jig fishing, fireline is an excellent choice. It is ultra sensitive which helps you feel light pickups, and is low stretch which will help you get hooks until you really figure out what the bites feel like and improve your reflexes setting the hook. As your reaction times improve, you may have to change to one of the newer low stretch monos or regular monofilament. At this point, when you are really getting good hooksets, the low stretch of fireline can cause you to set the hook too hard and tear a hole in the fishes mouth, making it easier to escape. Regardless, if you are vertical jigging in deeper water, as stated in a previous post, fireline has the advantage. It is smaller diameter with less drag, allowing you to use a smaller jig. The low stretch will also allow better hooksets with more line out, helping you to catch more fish. If you choose fireline, fish it on a rod with a softer tip to offset the low stretch of the line. Good Luck.

[Jeff Berg]

As said above, a fast action rod is very important to absorb the shock with FireLine. Another thing to remember is that fish need to inhale the bait so you need to allow a little slack when the jig is falling so thay can get it into their mouth. With FireLine's sensitivity, you'll feel the pick-up.

And no Bill Dance hook sets, sharp hooks and a flick of the wrist is all you need.

Try the FireLine, get used to it and it will pay off with more fish.