Test strength for vertical jigging with fireline

[Northman]

I use a Loomis SJR720 exclusively for vertical jigging. The deepest water I fish would be 15 feet and 90% of the time in less than 12'. I use 1/16 & 1/8 jigs mostly.It is time to change my 8 lb fireline this year and I was considering going to 6lb.
My question is if this is strong enough? Is the change going to make that much difference or should I stick to the 8lb? Or For fishing this shallow do you get a better feel with mono?
What are your thoughts?

[SATCHMO]

NORTHMAN
WITH THE DEPTH YOUR FISHING AND THE JIG SIZES YOU INDICATED MY
PERSONAL PREFERANCE WOULD BE 6lb. MONO. IT IS PLENTY STRONG FOR
JIGGIN' EYES AND THE MONO'S STRETCH WILL ACTUALLY BE MORE FORGIVING AT THE SHALLOW DEPTHS YOUR FISHING. JUST MY PERSONAL
PREFERANCE!! "REMEMBER-ROCKS ARE OUR FREINDS" SATCHMO }>

[Ristorapper]

In my boat we (the wife and I) use a combination. I prefer mono in 6# test and usually work 1/4 oz jigs and smaller. We have used fireline in 4# diameter/10# test for the wife's poles for two reasons. She has a little harder time in keeping contact with the bottom so this thinner diameter line "cuts" the water better; therefore this will allow her to feel the bottom better with the same size jig I am using. In the past when she was using mono we would end up using a 1/8th ounce heavier jig on her line to get the bottom "feel" for her vs what I was using. We also agree to her using fireline in 4# dia/10#test for the more sensitive feel. We are generally fishing 6-14 feet of water and she will also use the high visability fireline to see the line better and I think I am going to use high vis mono for the same reason this season. When the walleye flairs its gills to suck in the bait you may see and or feel the little jump in the line before the bait actually gets in the fishes mouth.

You will definitely get a better feel with fireline, regardless of depth. A key thing to remember is that fireline has little or no stretch and I don't care for that if and when the big one gets on and I only have 6-14 feet of line on. Mono stretches up to 18% and you will need that stretch to help you land the big ones. If you are not concerned with big fish, go for the better feel and use a softer tipped rod with the fireline. Hope this helps.

bw(ND)

[REW]

If you are jigging in less than 15 feet of water -- and unless you expect some monstor eyes -- many many folks use 4 lb test line.

If they use fireline, they also use 4 lb test line. I mean 4 lb test--- line -- not concerned with the diameter of the fireline.

I also use high vis line for all my jigging.

If you are concerned about break offs - you can go to 6 lb test.

For all of my shallow water jigging - less than the 15 foot level, I certainly prefer to use MONO. There is enough forgivness, so that fewer fish are lost. With the short line that you are jigging - there is little difference in feel. i.e. - not that much stretch in that little line out.

Take care

REW

[Melonbob(ON)]

Looks like I'm in the same position as you. I also have a sjr720, and used 6lb fireline last season with decent results. I did not like having no stretch in the shallow water, so I'm looking to change to a 6lb mono. My problem is that I don't know what to buy. I tried berkely tournament strength last lear, and went back to the fireline because it broke VERY easily. If I go back to the mono, I'll probably go with Trilene XL, it's the only mono i've been happy with. I like to try something new, but after sending new reels of Tournament Strength, Sensor, Vanish etc. to the recycling bin last season, I ended up broke and having fireline back on. If anyone has new suggestions, feel free to let me know...

[Johnnie Candle]

I have found that Berkley Sensi Thin has been a great middle ground. This line is indestructible and offers a very similar feel to the Fireline in the shallow water that has been discussed here. It is a very low stretch mono that is my answer for bottom bouncing and jig fishing. Hope this may help a little.

Keep the line tight,

Johnnie Candle

[Dave G]

I went to fireline when it first came out and it took me over a year to get used to it – I lost many fish at the boat.

Once a larger fish is hooked on a jig, I stand up, hold the rod high, and loosen the drag. As the fish gets close to the boat it may dive – be prepared to QUICKLY lower your rod when that happens to compensate for the non-stretch characteristics of the line. I use my arms as an extension of the rod and standing up gives me a few more feet to play the fish. Always try to keep your rod 90 degrees to the line. I seldom lose fish with this method.

For vertical jigging I use a very stiff 5’ 6” rod and a small light reel with 6 lb green fireline. I love the sensitivity and quick response of this setup but it must be handled much differently than a 7’ soft pole with mono. This setup does not work well for casting jigs.

Dave Gulczinski

[fishin_fool]

I to like the berkely sensi-thin. I have used it for three years now. For fireline I like the 4/10.. I have a couple of GLX SRJ 721's and I keep one spooled with 4/10 fireline and one with 6# Sensi-Thin. For spooling the fireline on the reel I always put a small rubber band on the spool so that the fireline does'nt slip on the spool. Tape works to but is a pain in the @#$ get off the spool in the future. A small rubber band works great.

[Northman]

Thanks to everyone for the info.

I fish northern Canadian lakes that are crystal clear. I also fish very shallow. Will the high visible mono or fireline spook these fish while vertical jigging?

[REW]

I am a bit suprised on your results with the Berkley tournament strength trilene. Basically, from the diameter measurements, I would guess that it is about 1/2 way between regular trilene and regular XT. I have been using it as a jigging line in photochromic for the last several years. I almost always use 6 lb test and seldom have any problems.

Before it was discontinued, I very much liked the Berkley Trimax. In using the current Berkley Sensi thin -- I think that it is almost exactly the same line.


Currently, about 1/2 of my jigging poles are rigged with trilene tournament, 1/2 with sensi thin, and I always keep one rigged with 4 lb green fireline.

In general, these lines have worked very well for me.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++==
As you suggested -- I threw away spools of Stren sensor - Berkley Vanish, a couple of other florocarbon lines as well.

However, I did find that if I was using a bait casting reel - the Vanish actually works quite well due to its stiffness. However, not good at all on a spinning reel. Too coily and tough to keep on the spool.

Take care

REW

[Fin Addict]

Since your rod is rated for 4-8lb test, you would be risking an expensive rod in using 4/10 Fireline. I would consider a 720 a very light action rod and well matched to 4 lb TEST Fireline which will be better matched to your light jigs.

[Mean Mike]

I have decided to try the Berkley Sensithin this year for deep vertical jiggin and bottom bouncing. How much less stretch is it than regular mono? any special techniques i need to know regarding spooling, knot tying, rod flex, etc.?? what lb. test do you use?

thanks,

mike

[Scott Richardson]

Walleye pro John Campbell shared a neat trick with me to overcome fear of high-line viz spooking fish. Use a high-vis main line, tie on a swivel, and then use a low-vis line to the jig. You can line watch but the fish can't. In rivers, the setup even cuts line twist.