Best line for rigging?

[night_eyes]

I've always used Trilene XL on pretty much all my reels except my trolling rods. I'm going to Mille Lacs this weekend and need to respool with some 6 lb line. Any recommendations for what i should buy? Should i stick with the Trilene XL or do you guys/gals have other lines your prefer for rigging. I'll be using it for spinners...jigging...lindys...and some slip corking. Thanx

[Lund_Dude]

On my jigging/rigging rods, I exclusively use 6/2 Fireline. If I will be lindy rigging, I tie my leaders with 6# Vanish. Hope this helps.

[Neal/Co]

Ditto. Been using the same setup for two years now, both open water and ice fishing.

[REW]

Use the fireline if you wish. Many folks do and have good luck.
I have tried it in times past and feel that my success rate is much poorer than if I use trilene.
The problem with rigging is that with fireline - it is simply too sensitive. Yes, you can feel the fish -- but as you feel the fish - they feel you and if they are biting really light - they spit the hook. This is particularly true - if a rookie is using the rod - and doesn't instantly feed line or drop the rod tip - to let the fish take line.

With trilene - expecially with either 4 or 6 lb line - there is enough stretch so that in many instances - the bait has already been taken before you feel the fish.

For millelacs -- particularly when the fish are biting very light -- you might give 4 lb a try. Although you have to be very careful - when bringing in the fish -- it is often the difference in getting bit or not -- if you are rigging with a floating jit or plain hook.

Obviously if you are running spinners - there is no need - nor desire to run such a light line.

Take a couple rods or reels or spools - spool one with fire line, one with 6 lb xl, and one with 4 lb xl -- draw your own conclusions - and see what works best for you.

Take care

REW

[Dave in Mpls]

I've been doing alot of rigging on Mille Lacs this year, and have used nothing but 6# clear XL on the four rods I use. We've been catching alot of 25" plus fish, so I can't recommend 4#. I tried some earlier in the spring, and it didn't make one iota of difference. The water has been getting progressively dingier (sp?), so light line will make less of a difference now through the end of summer. Bring plenty of Gamakatsu #6 chartruse, red, orange and glow hooks!

Regards

[EricCO]

I agree REW.

Sometimes fireline is too sensitive. To combat this I will go to a FigRig medium light extra fast rod. I think that the extra fast tip and the intense sensitivity of the Fig Rig rod allow you to let the line out at first sign of a nibble. With the medium light rod and the extra fast rod a good hook set is definitely necessary.

I have noticed that fireline is not very abrasion resistant. A lindy rig weight will tear up and fray the line in no time flat.

Is there a line comparable to fireline that is abrasion resitant?

[Fin Addict]

Double ditto. For rigging the smaller diameter fireline lets me use less weight to get the same depth w/ less swing in the line. This leads to better feel and fewer hangups. I run very long leaders 10-12' w/ a plain #8-10 hook if the bite is tough and have not noticed any line shyness w/ the fireline used this way. I have my finger on the line w/ an open bail all the time and drop line at the first hint of a strike. Get a rod w/ a soft tip and pay attention and I doubt you will lose fish because they feel you better w/ Fireline. The ability to get by w/ less weight is a bigger advantage in my opinion.

[Matt]

Tripple ditto. I generally use a Mono or Flouro. leader.

[bob oh]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-28-00 AT 08:19AM (CST)[p]REW,
I am really confused. You constantly talk about getting the most sensitive rod available, but fireline is "too sensitive" ??????????
Bob

[Gunga Din]

I think it's what you're used to. Those who have used mono for decades often find it hard to switch because Fireline fishes different. But newbies who grow up with Fireline learn to work around its weaknesses.

Users also vary from those who want a general purpose line for their few general purpose rods/reels, to REW--a rod/reel/line connoisseur. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle. Hey REW, can you sniff your line and tell what year it was made, how many fish it has caught, the species of those fish, and the weight of the biggest? :)

[chet]

no way is fireline less resistant to fraying from a lindy rig sinker.Sometimes I don't reties for a couple weekends with fireline. With mono sometimes 3 times a day. Maybe the secret is to use the slip sinkers with the wider brass opening on the end,insteas of the old lindy style.It works for me and also I never use more than 3/8 oz. weight.

[Bret N]

I have tried Fusion, which is similar to fireline, and still prefer mono. Old habits are hard to break. I tend to over set the hook with the superlines and pull the bait right out of their mouth. I guess I've been using mono long enough that It's hard to switch.

I was up at Mille Lacs a month ago and was using Trilene Solar XT, the bright green stuff. I had it on the reel from spring trips to the river and figured if it affected my catch rate, I'd switch it out. We were using 6+ feet snells and it didn't seem to matter, I caught as many or more fish than my buddy w/ clear line. I also really liked the XT for pulling lindy rigs. It is really too stiff (memory) for spinning reels and casting anything light weight, but when you are pulling rigs it never kinked up. Also it was very abraision resistent. For my lindy rig rods, I am definately going to start using XT in clear 6 0r 8# test. Sorry for the long post. Bret