Fireline Questions

[Scales&Tales]

I have not used fireline yet because of the price, how long does it last and how often do you replace it and how many rods do you use it on.(all your rods or is it a special application line) Do you use at lot of mono backer and maybe only 100 yd. of Fireline or the other way around? Thanks for your help.

[Fred_G]

I have Fireline on all of 6 my spinning reels. I use 6, 8, 10, 14 & 20 lbs and think it's great. I do use some mono backing (just enough to cover the spool) to keep the Fireline from slipping on the spool. I find that it lasts very well, at least a full season, if not more. My friend John is on his 3rd season with some of his, although I told him last weekend it was time to replace it because the spool is about half empty. When you think about it, the price isn't that bad considering the added sensitivity. Just remember that there is no stretch to this line, so you don't want to try to horse a fish in or you could end up ripping the hooks out. The no stretch can be an aid in retrieving hung up lures though. I haven't lost as many since I started using it. I have also found that I like the Flame Green color. It is much easier to see than the Smoke color. I do, however, use a flourocarbon leader just so as not to spook the fish. Don't know if it makes any difference but I'd rather not take the chance. LOL Fred

[FJH1]

How long does it last and
how often do you replace
it?

I have had the same line on my trolling rods for three seasons now. When the line starts to wear, you can reverse it on the reel and double the life.

How many rods
do you use it on.(all
your rods or is it
a special application line)?

I only use it on my trolling rods and bouncer rods. I used it for jigging for a while, but gave up. Many places that I fish are pretty snaggy (Illinois River, Willow Flowage...) and FireLine is not too easy to pull on, and it likes to cut fingers.

Do you use at lot of
mono backer and maybe only
100 yd. of Fireline or
the other way around?

Yes, I use lots of mono. On my Daiwa SG27's I fill the reel to within 1/4" of capacity with Trilene XT (10#) and then tie on the FireLine to fill it out. Same goes for the bait casters for bottom bouncing, fill it pretty well with mono and then add the FireLine. The mono keeps the FireLine from slipping on the spool as well.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

FJH

[Andrew]

In my humble opinion, Fireline is garbage. It frays constantly with any amount of casting or weedbed fishing. You much better off with Spiderwire Braid or similar. May cost a little more but it will far outlast fireline. I've had the same Spiderwire on some of my reels for 4 yrs. Rarely have to retie and have only lost one fish due to breakage (pike, no leader).

About the only redeeming quality of fireline is it is very slick....you can cast a country mile. How important that is in walleye fishing, you be the judge.

Just my $0.02.

[Backwater Eddy]

I disagree with it being garbage. It has it's place in trolling and casting jigs in trashy environments like rivers, I also like it for slip bobbing because it slips well but I do use a mono leader in that situation.

I have tried Gorilla braid, Spider #####, and a few others, fire line is the best I have found, so far. Berkley makes a new version called Whiplash, don't know much about it yet, it runs a bit cheaper then FireLine and has heavier wt's on average.

I cast a lot of cranks and fire line pays for itself fast in my book!

"Backwater Eddy"

[chaunc]

Garbage? No Way!!!! i've been fishing fireline for four yrs. i've been outfishing everyone who has fished with me. try 6/2 for casting cranks, or 10/4 for shallow water trolling. just give it a fair try and check out the results. everyone told you how to use it, i'm telling you what to use...enjoy your results.

[Gunga Din]

I've had my Fireline for multiple seasons too--plan on getting at least that again out of it. I love the 14/6 for trolling.

I love it for casting and jigging too. I use the 6/2 for jigging, and can simply pull most jigs free or straighten light wire hooks. Just thumb the spool (even with spinning reel) and gently pull.

I use an entire spool for each reel. However, this stuff's so small that you need to fill your reel first almost to capacity with mono. Then tie in the Fireline with a back-to-back uni knot.

My think Fireline is more cost efficient than mono (over time), and it will improve your fishing. Spiderwire may also be great--I've just never tried it.

[Neal/CO]

I agree with you Dennis. The 14/6 is the best thing that ever happened for trolling cranks. I use the 6/2 for jigging and rigging most of the time. Where the 6/2 really shines for me is trout fishing. It allows me throw small. 1/16 oz jigs as far as I use to be able to cast 1/4 oz jigs. It also allows me to feel even the lightest biters when ice fishing.

[Andrew]

Ok, Ok, I tried it again this past weekend while bass fishing a small lake with my girlfriend. I guess it is not bad for texas rigged worms and such. Still frays something terrible though, and you have to retie often. That and the fact that it doesn't do anything that spiderwire cannot leaves me with sticking with spiderwire. When this stuff gets low on the spool(which shouldn't take long with all the reties!), it will not be replaced!

Curious as to why fireline users do not like spiderwire braid.

[Grampa_Joe]

I do the same thing. Same reels even. I do have more Fireline than a 1/4" though. When my Fireline is a couple years old, I go to the local tackle shop and take off just the Fireline, then spool that onto another spool. Now you put it back onto your reel backwards so you're using the brand new stuff that you weren't using previously. You may have to add some backing depending on how much line you went through initially.
Joe

[Bruce]

I considered Spider-wire, but read (somewhere..?) that it grooves your guides badly, so never tried it. I'm like all the above, I love Fireline. However, last week I lost a couple of nice 'eyes due to line breakage, as I've been using it for a couple of years. I've since re-spooled 3 reels (with Fireline) and am going back this week for the ones that got away.

[Jimmy]

DOn't listen to those post about fireline being garbage I have no doubt that their opinions are based on very little experience fishing with fireline. I have used both spider wire and fireline extensively and here is the poop on both. Spiderwire is good stuff but it is very limp and you will have alot of birdnests using it for casting for jiggin it is just fine. Fireline on the otherhand has a little more of a memory but it works great for everything from casting to trolling to jigging and the green is by far the best line I've found for jigging. It last forever and is real durable. Fireline will not twist up on you and twisting is very rare but it happens with spiderwire. Fireline is also alot easier on your guides ect. Try them both and make your own conclusions but keep the mono for leaders only and spool up with fireline.

[Andrew]

That spiderwire will groove your eyelets is a total myth. I believe it came into being with some kevlar lines, as kevlar is pretty abrasive.

With today's line guides like Sic, Hardaloy, PacificBay, even Aluminum Oxide you have absolutely nothing to worry about. I have been using Spiderwire since it came out and have never had an eyelet failure of any type (all my rods are St. Croix and Berkley's). This includes my heavy duty muskie trolling rods that have alot of line pressure. All of the superlines are made of the same thing, Spectra. Just because one is gelspun and one is braided doesn't make a bit of difference.
Give it a try sometime.

[Andrew]

Jimmy,
Hate to say it but you're the one who must have limited experience with Spiderwire. This is the only line I will run on all five of my baitcasters and I probably have one or two birdsnests per 1000 casts (we cast alot...pike and bass fishing). Almost always due to my error in forgetting to set the clutch properly for a new lure. I have found stiffer lines tend to birdsnest more...not limper. Try casting 30lbs Trilene Big Game and see for yourself.

As far as Fireline being durable (NOT!!) and Spiderwire hard on eyelets (Again, NOT!!)...I have already addressed those issues.

[Jimmy]

Sorry buddy don't take it personaly someone asked a question and I gave them a straight answer that is all. Everyone has there own personal preferences and we just disagree

[skip]

Have used FL since it came out. Have tried every line on the market to date. I would suggest the Berkley Whiplash. Have it on several rods, really like the stuff. I use it to troll, cast, or jig. Works well in all situations and so far seems very durable. Give it a try I think you will like the results.

[Matt]

Very true. It is my understanding that there is (or was) only one manufacturer of Spectra fibers. Berkley and JWA just buy it and make line out of it. Its the sme stuff. It can be braided. So there are two ways to make line out of it.

[Matt]

Andrew, I have to second on Spiderwire not "birdnesting" on baitcasters. I ran Fireline on my baitcasters for two years and I tried Spiderwire this year. This month I've put in about 35 hours tossing spinnerbaits and buzzbaits (30#) and have not had nearly the problems I experienced with Fireline. I used to hate Fireline on spinning reels and now that I don't get the real heavy stuff it works great and I love it. I used to like it baitcasters but now I prefer Spiderwire. The heavy stuff is just as limp as the light and I don't seem to have as many "nests".