Wireline: braided or single-strand?

[WireGuy]

For you Walleye Central guys that have used wire line here are a couple of questions. Thanks in advance for your opinions and suggestions!
1) What's better overall: braided or single-strand?
2) Is a roller-tip rod a "no brainer" necessary item; how about the saltwater rods that have all rollers instead of regular line guides?
3) Any good incidents, stories or landmines to watch for?
Thanks again.

[KevinA]

Braided will be easier to handle & safer. It won't kink as easy as single strand. 45# test is nice & still has a very small diameter. I've run dipsies down 80 feet & could go deeper. The lighter pound test you go the harder it is to handle (keep from kinking). Once it kinks, cut it off & re-connect your terminal tackle...if you don't you'll lose it at the kink. Keep the braided wire really tight on the reel...if you don't you'll find out what happens.

There are some guys here that say no rollers are needed...just the standard ceramic guides are fine. It may be so, but I can't imagine ceramic would hold up over the long haul. I suppose it depends on what you chase. I use wire on Kings & Lakers...one 100-200 foot run from a King & say by to the tip guide at least. You might be able to get away with a standard guide rod with only a roller tip. I use Kodiak rods with a full set of (hardened) Aftco rollers.

[Bob G2]

Kevin A. is absolutely dead on. One thing I might address is your inquiry about salt water rods. While the wire will be fine on these type of rods, the sporting aspect may be severely lacking if you are going to be using this rig on fresh water fish. Many of the saltwater rods are heavy duty, usually only 5-5 1/2' in length and are typically rated for 50# line and up.
They are virtually pool cues. An alternative is to either buy freshwater rods that are specifically made for wirelining. Kevin mentioned Kodiaks. They are a fine rod, but I am not sure if Kodiak Rods are still being made. You can usually retrofit a roller tip on top of a downrigger rod. That will work fine, especially if you have downrigger rods already. Heat up the tip enough to take the tip off, then replace with the roller tip.

[George Eh]

Personally I've had it with wireline, used it this weekend and caught salmon on it but the aggravation of working with it is too much. Its a pain to let out without a mess and after hauling in a nice salmon with it I left it on the floor while I took the fish out of the net. In the heat of the moment I somehow got slack in the line, what a beautiful birdsnest. It now resides at the bottom of lake Huron. I loaded my reel with leadcore and will use it instead of wireline whenever I have to. Not sure if it will work for your application but just letting out steam and warning you of the hazards. Have fun and catch the big one as one of our infamous Canucks said.