Jigging lines

[EricCO]

Alot of talk about rods for jigging, but no mention of line.

If you buy a lower end rod can the lack of sensitivity be compensated by using a super line?

If you have a high end rod are superlines not necessary for the sensitivity?

Can fish feel you better with superlines?

With a medium action rod - What pound mono would you recommend?

What ever thoughts you have about superlines vs. mono, please add.

Personally I'm sick of cutting up my hands trying to break off when I get snagged using Fireline. I will continue to use Fireline for bottombouncing, but I think I may stick to mono for jigging, rigging, and cranking.

[Dutchman]

Neal, My personal preference is 2lb diameter 6lb test Fireline for all jigging.(smoke) I carry a 3/4 in wooden dowel to wrap arond the Fireline if I get snagged. I also use jigs with finer hooks so that they straighten out instead of dragging up the bottom. I haven't had any eye's straighten out these hooks yet, but a big cat will. My 2 cents

[Bill Leoanrd]

Eric
Don't get rid of your fireline, I use 10-4 green, unless I'm in
very clear water. Use alittle softer rod and set your drag alittle lighter and stick with the fireline. If you are gonna change anything go to the mono on the bouncer.
Have a fun year.

[steve(IL)]

1/4 or 2/10 Fireline or 6lb test Berkley Sensithin. I use the super line in fast water vertical jigging situations. A good fisherman by the name of Dave Monks turned me on to the Sensithin for which I'm very grateful. Be prepared - the Sensithin is very strong and will cut into your hand when breaking it off. My advice is to reel down tight, grab the body of the reel and pull without any bend in the rod. You'll either break off or pull loose w/o cutting your hands or breaking anything. Another tip is to tie a mono leader onto your superline. It will fail before the superline.

[Gunga Din]

That's what I use too--6/2 Fireline. For snags, I just grab the spool, point rod to snag, and pull. They usually pop right out. Plus, you can cast a 1/8 or 1/16 oz jig halfway across the lake.

[EricCO]

What do use to cut the fireline? I got some scissors with a spool of line one time, but man it still is tough to get the tag end down close to the knot.

[bob oh]

I use a micro leatherman -works pretty good. Keep the Fireline. I love it most of the time for jiggin', but not bladin'
Bob

[Gunga Din]

Fishing shops carry small scissors capable of cutting through it easily. Expect to pay $12 to $20 for a good pair.

[Chad]

I use a scissors. I believe the one I use is made by Culprit and some are stren. I have about four and have them all over the boat.

[Eyez]

Hey Bill, not to argue, but can you explain the reasoning behind using mono for bottom bouncers? I use 4 or 6 lb. XL almost exclusively for jigging, except in fast current or in deep water (over 20 ft), and I use spiderwire or fireline for bottom bouncers, because it allows me to use a lighter bouncer because of less water drag. I also lose less lead. My decision has always been based on the small diameter, and not so much on the sensitivity of the no stretch line.


Thanks,
Dusty

[Dutchman]

I use promotional letter openers. They have a small razor at the apex of the groove. Keep the tag end long so you can pull it tight and cut it where you choose with the opener. Their free and readily availble, next time you see some grab a few. A couple for me too. :)

[Capt. Doug Schreiber]

I have not gotten used to the feel of fireline through my guides. I have used sensithin since it came out and swear by it, it has low stretch, low diameter and abrasion resistant. I use it for all my jigging, either 4 or 8 pound test. And no a line isn't going to make up for rod sensitivity. Good with the best of all worlds. Good Luck, Doug

[WAeyes]

I hear ya Capt. Doug, the sound and feel of that fireline going through the guides is a tough one for me too. Has it been determined whether that will damage your guides from wear? On the other hand I love its handling characteristics on my spinning reel, casting ability, sensitivity and virtual no stretch. I guess you gotta take some bad with the good.

[Weyes1]

I was using Stren Sensor but kept having to change out the line because it kept seperating after a hard day of fishing.
I switched to Spider Wire Super Mono XLS and really like it. Super strong and Sensitive.
I tried the Berkley Sensithin when it first came out and was really disappointed. They just changed the packaging and name for the Ultrathin. I used Fireline and found although it was extremely sensitive may bite and catch rate was lower than mono, so I stayed with mono.
Super Mono XLS 4# or 6# Great Line!
Weyes1
Kevin Clark

[steve(IL)]

Hey Eric - I use a combo scissor/hemostat as my all around tool. It helps to stretch the fireline tight before cutting it. I usually bite down on the tag end, pull the line tight with my left hand and cut with the right. Knot tying for me has become such second nature I don't even have to think about it.

[GORD]

fire line with about 18" of mono tied on the end provides the best of both worlds. to connect the lines i use two big interlocking loop knots. tie the jig on the mono. the scissors in a small victorinox swiss army knife($20.)cuts fire line and is a very handy thing to have in your pocket 24/7/365. if you get snagged with fire line... point your rod straight at the snag. quickly wrap the fire line around your reel crank handle axle three or four times. hold firm til something gives and you are free. i do this when drift jigging in currant. you have to be quick, but it works good once you get the knack of it. a med. action rod might be a bit springy and bouncy for jigging. fish often bite as the jig drops. a stiffer rod might help you feel this and give you better overall control also.

[Neal/CO]

As a trout fisherman I think Fireline 2/6 and Power Pro 2/10 are the best thing that has ever happened. It allows me to throw a 1/6 oz jig as far as I use to be able to throw a 1/4 oz. I used 12 lb sensithin all year last year on my bouncer rod and it was ok. As much as I snag with bouncers I need to be able to break off easier and mono allows me to. I may try that Spiderwire super mono on my bouncer rod this season. Eric and I did alot of rigging with Fireline last summer and caught alot of fish, but since I don't have much experience rigging I can't say which line is better.

[Fuzzy]

If the subject is vertical jigging rivers....
Many may chortle at this but...Ande 4 lb with a very fast tip
(ei, IMX 641-642, 721 and the newer rods) gives you the balance
of a 'limpy-sensy' line with a super sensitive rod...bottom line is that YOU feel HIM/HER before HE/SHE feels you.

THUNK->HOOKSET.

I know Ande isn't a big name line, but in less than 15 feet on a solid pass, it rocks. Try it and see. A 1/4 pound of Ande costs less than 200 feet of anything else. Oh ya, it's plenty strong too. Knots stay hard and true.

[Kevin/CO]

I used fireline all year for bottom bouncing. Noticed some of the problems that have been mentioned so I adapted. To cut the Fireline I use my trusty knife with a long lead or a really sharp pair of toe nails clippers. As for the line having no stretch and consequently pulling hooks out of fish I went unconventional. I don't know how familiar people might be with snubbers but I use a snubber between my bouncer and the spinner. It cuts down on sensitivity when thye are being finiky and of course if you snag with regularity that adds up the costs. Just two little things that can be done if you really like fireline.

[rvrrat]

Just finished jigging on pool 4 of Mississippi.We were out for about 8hrs today and this subject came up.I have a top of the line jigging rod(G-Loomis SJR 721 IMX)and have used spiderwire,fireline and many different mono's.We do alot of vertical jigging and we have been doing it for years.I would never buy another hi end rod again,they are way over rated.A good rod can be purchased for $50-$75 that is plenty good enough.As far as line goes we love 6lb. Berkley XT solar.I to got sick and tired of snagging superlines,what a pain!Time on the water does more for you than all the sensitive equipment can.I seldom use my Loomis anymore,utility rods work just fine and I don't have to worry about breaking them!

[Jiggereye]

To answer your question about jigging line,
unless you don't fish often and need the extra sensitivity
to feel the fish use 6# Stren HighVIS. You won't have trouble
seeing or feeling the fish bite and the strech of the mono
helps a great deal in getting the larger fish in the boat.
Whether its a 10# walleye a 15# Northern, 35#Catfish or
Carp, this line produces day in and day out. Because I use "superline" to cast cranks on wing dam rocks and on bottoms covered with timber so I can tear the lure off, I made the mistake of leaving it on for my last guide customer of the year for jigging. I was able to compensate for the lack of forgiveness,but the customer lost one and possibly a second trophy fish to unforgiving "superline" . I am not sponsored by stren and actually get some equipment from a manufaturer of "superlines" so I have nothing to gain by pushing Stren HIVis except years of success with it. Lawrence Ecklor

[WAeyes]

On the other hand, I feel that I lost some trophy fish last fall due to too much line stretch from mono. Hooksets on long casts with a stretchy line produced poor results for me.

[Capt. Doug Schreiber]

In the early years of the firelines and other like line there were rumors of problems, but that may have been isolated to "cheaper rods and components". I used than and still do use G. Loomis and never had a problem. I will be using more fireline this season, berkely has assured me that its an even better product than it was in the past. You are right you get a great sence with that line, that includes feeling the current and evey littl thing. Good Luck, Doug

[Kevin/CO]

LAST EDITED ON Jan-07-01 AT 04:16PM (CST)[p]Your right about not needing super expensive rods, I for one could not use them if I wanted to. I think my most expensive set up minus my fly fishing gear is about $55.- (rod and reel). What line you put on a reel I think is more of an individuals preference and should be based on what that person wants. I like using mono for trout because of the presentations that I use. Consequently I like to use superlines for trolling incase of snags and viscious strikes. It ultimately comes down to what you want out of the line.

[JIggereye]

Haven't had that problem but I rarely cast a jig more than about 50FT. Even with a 1/16 ounce Sloepoke I don't have that problem, at Winnebago chain or Petenwell. It also is fair to say that jigging and casting are two diferent presentations and you may very well be correct. Lawrence

[TODD (WI)]

1/7/01

I was taking a look at your message, hope I can help.?
I have been fishing walleyes since I was 12. Now for the past two years,"99"-"00" I been fishing the MERCURY NAT'L tourny and the USFA.
I've tried many of rods and lines, what it comes down to is, you get what you pay for. I use "G.LOMIS & ST. CORIX" rods. they work the best for me and my partner. Though I like them both, I belive that with the G.Lomis, you can feel the fish hit better, not only through the line, but the rod itself too. What it really comes down to is, you got to try it for yourself.
Just this past year, I found a mono. line that works GREAT! It's a product from Berkley, Trilene TOURNAMENT SRRENGTH. It has great strength, castability, and coloration. This line is just about non-breakable. If you get snaged with this stuff, you might as well just cut the line. This line is so tuff, the hook on a jig will pull straight, before the line snaps.
My partner and I LOVE the stuff.
Hopfully this will help you on your selections.

Happy fishing!!!
Todd(WI)